
GlassT^ 



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''PIECES o/' POETRY^ 
ELE.GAl^T EXTRACTS IN PE.OSE 




"737 -H 




Tlipms is tks' SuLoittiiiiLe of the Brealto 



.Gray. 



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Ti-mtcd^J.Jo7inson,R'Baldwin. W.J.ic J.Richardfon,F.&: CRLvinptcn, BjEaiildtr. O^iTyy 
h Son. Oxi'Tce <^ Soiur, CuthcU Sc Martin. J.IVhite. If.Ioundes. G.WiTkj'e Sc J.Itclinson , 
J.Walha\ CadellSr Paiics. S,a/cherdX\Zctterman. T^rrwri k-HooR. Lr.Kcars2ey. W.Miller. 
XKay, J.^unn. Lciipman.Ilitrst. Aces i: Orme, EJfathcus. I ackinpton. allien &: CFote &r 
mWanui XBooscy. S.Bapster.J^.Croshv ^' CSI.ScA.Arc7i. TV\nneS' S cho ley .T> Walker , 
JTIardma. W Stewart. JJMawmim . . TAspernc. R.Tliflh'p.t . lU \ftdl. JMrnis. ^Tipper ScHiclmrds. 
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PREFACE, 



^iNCE Poetry affords young persons an innocent pleasure, a tas(e for it, under 
certain limitations, should be indulged. Why should they be forbidden to ex- 
patiate, in imagination, over the flowery fields of Arcadia, in Elysium, in the 
Isles of the Blest, and in the Vale of Tempe? The harmless delight which 
they derive from Poetry, is surely sufficient to recommend an attention to it, at 
an age when pleasure is the chief pursuit, even if the sm eets of it were not 
blended with utility. 

If indeed pleasure were the ultimate object of Poetry, there are some who, in 
the rigour of austere wisdom^ would maint.iin that the precious days of youth 
might be more advantageously employed than in cultivating a taste for it. To 
obviate their objcc(ioMS, it is necessary to remind them, that Poetry has ever 
claimed the power of conveying instruction, in the most etfcctual manner, by the 
\eliicle of pleasure. 

There is reason to believe that many young persons of natural gcniws would 
have given veiy little attention to learning of any kind, if they had been intro- 
duced to it by books appealing only to their reason and judgment, and not to 
their fancy. Through the pleasant paths of Poetry they have been gradually 
led to the heights of science : they have been allured, on first setting out, by the 
beauty of the scene presented to them, into a deliffht-'ul land, flowing with milk 
and honey ; where, after having been nourished like the infant at the mother's 
brftast, they have gradually acquired strength enough to relish and digest the 
solidest food of philosophy. 

This opinion seems to be confirmed by actual experience ; for the greatest 
men, in every liberal and honourable profession, gave their early years to the 
charms of Poetry. Many of tha most illustrious worthies in the church and in 
the state were allured to the laud of learning by the song of the Muse; .and 

A 2 they 



iv P R E F A C E. 

they would perhaps have never entered it, if their preceptors had forbidden 
them to lend an ear. Of so much c*onseqiienceis the study of Poetry in youth 
to the general advancement of learning. 

And as to morals, " Poetry," in the words of Sir Philip Sydney, " doth not 
'' only shew the way, but giveth so sweet a prospect of the way, as will entice 
'' any man to enter into it ; nay, the Poet doth, as if 3 our journey should be 
^' through a fair vineyard, at the very first give you a cluster of grapes, that, 
'• full of that taste, you'may long to pass farther. lie bcginneth not with ob- 
^' seure definitions, 'but he cometK to you with vrords set in delightful pro. 
'' portion, either accompanied with, or prepared for, the well-enchanting skill 
'^ of music :— and with a talc ; — he coroeth unto you with a tale, o:hich Iioldcth 
" d^Udrettfromplaij, and old men from the chimney corner. Even those hard- 
'^ hearted evil men, w ho think virtue a school-name, and despise the austere 
^' admonitions of the philosopher, and feel not the iuAvard reasons thoy stand 
'' upon, yet will be contented to be delighted ; which is all the good fellow 
'• Poet seems to promise; and so steal to see the form of goodness; which seen 
''they cannot but love, ere themselves be aware, as if they took a medicine of 
^' cherries.'* 

Thus Poetry, by the gentle, yet certain method of allurement, leads both to 
learning and to virtue. I conclude, therefore, that under a few self-evident 
reflections, it is properly addressed to all young minds, in the course of a liberal 
education. 

It must be confessed, at the same time, that many sensible men in the Avorld, 
as well as in the schools of philosophy, have objected to an carlj/ study of it. 
They have thought that a taste for it interfered with an attention to what they 
call the MAIN CHANCE. JV/iat Poet ever fined for sheriff? says Oldham. It is 
seldom seen that any one discovers mines of gold and silver in Parnassus, says 
Mr. Locke. Such ideas have predominated in the exchange and in the Avare- 
house; and, Avhile they continue to be confined to those places, may perhaps, 
in some instances, be proper and advantageous. But t'ley ought not to ope- 
rate on the mind of the well-educated gentleman, or. the man of a liberal pro- 
fession : and indeed there is no good reason to be given why t!ic mercantile classes, 
at least of the higher order, should not amuse their leisure with any pleasures 
of polite literature. 

That mere men of the world object to the study of Poetry as a part of educa- 
tion, is not to be wondered at, when it is considered that man 7, from want 
of natural sensibility, or from long habits of inattention to every thing but sor- 
did interest, are totally unfurnished with faculties for the perception of poetical 

beauty. 



PREFACtl. V 

beauty. But shall wo deny that the cowslip and violet possess a vivid colour 
and sweet fragrance, because the ox who fattens in the meadow tramples over 
them without perceiving cither their hues or their odours? The taste of man- 
kind, from China to Peru, powerfully militates against the fcw and narrovr- 
minded opposers oj Poetry. 

Young minds, indeed, have commonly a taste for Verse. Unseducedby the 
love of money, and unhaclf nied in the ways of vice, they are, it is true, delighted 
with nature and fact, though unembellished; because all objects with them have 
the grace of novelty: but they are trausport'ed w'itli the charms of Poetry 
where the sunshine of fancy diifuses over every subject the fine gloss, the rich 
colouring, of beautiful imagery and language. "Nature" (to cite Sir Philip 
Sydney again) '' never set forth the earth in so rich tapestry as divers poets 
" have done, neither with so pleasant rivers, fruitful trees, sweet smelling flowers, - 
'' nor whatsoever may make the earth more lovely. The world is a brazen 
^' world — the poets only deliver a goldex; which whoever dislike, the fauliis 
'' in their judgment^ quite out ofiaste, and not in the sweet food of sw eetly- 

*• UTTERED KNOWLEDGE." 

It will be readily acknowledged, that ideas and precepts of all kindsj whether 
of morality or science, make a deeper impression when inculcated by the viva- 
city, the painting, the melody of poetical language. And what is thus deeply 
impressed will also long remain ; for metre and rhyme naturally catch hold of 
the memory, as the tendrils of the vine cling round the branches of the elm. 

Orpheus and Linus are recorded in fable to have drawn the minds of sa- 
vage men to knowledge, and to have polished human nature, by Poetry. And. 
are not Children in the state of nature? And is it not probable that Poetry, 
may be the best instrument to operate on them, as it was found to be on nations 
in the savage state ? Since, according to the mythological wisdom of the an- 
cients, Amphion moved stones, and Orpheus brutes, by music and verse, is it 
not reasonable to believe, that minds which are dull, and even brutally insen- 
iiible, may be penetrated, sharpened, softened, and vivified, by the warm in- 
fluence of fine Poetry? 

But it is really superfluous io expatiate either on the delight or the utility of 
Poetry. The subject has been exhausted ; and, whatever a few men of little 
taste and feeling, or of mind^ entirely sordid and secular, may object, such are 
the charms of the Goddess, such her powerful influence over the heart of man, 
that she will never want voluntary votaries at her shrine. The Author of Na- 
ture has kindly implanted in man a love of Poetry, to solace him under the 
labours and sorrows of life. A great part of the Scriptures is poetry and ver^ti 

Th* 



Ti PREFACE. 

The wise son of Sirach eaiiinerates, among the most honourable of mankind, 

SUCH AS FOUND OUT MUSICAL TUNES, AND RECITED VERSES IN AVlllTING. 

With respect to this Compilation, the principal subject of this Preface (but 
from which I have been seduced into a digression, by giving my suiTrage in fa- 
vour of the art I love) — if I should be asked v/hat are its pretensions, I must 
freely answer, that it professes nothing more than (what is evident at first sight) 
to be a larger Collection of English Verse, for the use of schools, than has 
ever yet been published in on'e vplume. The original intention was to com- 
prise in it a great number and variety of such pieces as were already in use*in 
schools, or which seemed proper for the use of them ; such a number and vari- 
ety as might furnish something satisfactory to every taste, and serve as a little 
Poetical Library for school-boys, precluding the inconvenience and expcnce of 
a multitude of volumes. 

Such w^as the design of the Publication. The Editor can claim no praise be- 
yond that of the design. The praise of ingenuity is all due to the Poets whose 
■works have supplied the materials. What merit can there be in directing a 
famous and popular passage to be inserted from Shakespeare, Milton, Pope, 
Gray, and many others of less fame, indeed, but in great esteem, and of allowed 
genius? Their ov.n lustre pointed them out, like stars of the first magnitude 
in the heavens. There was no occasion for singular acnteness of vision, 
or for optical glasses, to discover a brightness which obtruded itself on the eye- 
The best pieces are usually the most popular. They are loudly recommended 
by the voice of Fame ; and her eulogy, when long continued, becomes an 
iufallible guidance. 

Utility and innocent entertainment are the sole designs of the Editor ; 
and if they arc accomplishedj he is satisfied, and cheerfully falls back into the 
shade of obscurity. lie is confident that the Book cannot but be'useful and en- 
tertaining; but he is at the same time so little inclined to boast of his work, 
that he is ready to confess, that almost any man v^iliing to incur a consider- 
able expcnce, and undergo a little trouble, might have furni-hed as good a 
collection. 

As taste will for ever diifer, some may wish to havcvsecn in it passages 
from some favourite, yet obscure poet, and some also from their own w orks ; but 
it was the business of the Editor of a school-book like this, not to insert scarce 
and curious works, such as please virtuoso readers^ cliietly from their rariti/^ 
but to collect such as were puhliclij knozcn and univcrsalli/ celebrated. The more 
known, the more celebrated, the better they w^ere adapted to this Collection ; 
which is not designed, like the lessons of some dancing-maskers, for grozcn geru. 

tlcm^iu 



PREFACE tJi 

ilemcn^ but {or young learners onli/ ; and it will readily occur to every orie, that 
what is old to men and women, may be, and for the most part must be, new to 
boys and girls receiving their education. Private judgment, in a work like this, 
must often give way to public. Some things are inserted in thisVolume, entirely 
in submissive deference to public opinion ; which, when general and loiig Con- 
tinued, is the best criterion of merit in the fine arts, and particularly in Poetry. 
Whatever was found in previous collections, which experience had pronounced 
proper for schools, has been freely taken and admitted : the stamp of experience 
gave it currency. Tlie freedom of borrowing^ it is hoped, will be pardoned, m 
the collectorKS, with whom it has been lised, first set the example of it* 

It is unnecessary, and perhaps might be decmetl impertinent, to point out the 
mode of using the Collection to the best advantage. It is evident that it may 
be used in schools either in recitatioTi, transcription, the exercise of the memory, 
or in imitation. It furnishes an abundance of models, which are the best means 
of exciting genius. Such Jtts of Poetry as those of Gildon, Bysshe, Newbery, 
and their imitators, effect but little in the dry method of technical precept; and 
the young Poet, like the Sculptor, will improve most by working after a model. 
It is evident that this Collection may be usefully read at English Schools, z'n 
the classes^ just as the Latin and Greek authors are read at the grammar-schools 
by explaining every thing grammatically, historically, metrically, and critically, 
and then giving a portion to t)e learned by memory. The Book, it is hoped, will 
be particularly agreeable and useful in the private studies of the amiable youno-, 
student, whose first love is the love of the Muse, and who courts her in his 
summer's walk, and in the solitude of his winter retreat, or at the social do* 
mestic fire-side. 

In the latter part many little pieces are admitted, mere lusus poeiici chiefly 
for the diversion of the student, which almost require an apolooy. They 
are, it must be confessed, no more than floAverets at the bottom of Parnassus * 
but it is hoped, that their admission will be a])proved, as they may gradually 
lead the scholar to ascjud higher up the hill, who might have been deterred 
from approaching it if he had seen nothing in the whole prospect but the 
sublime, the solemn, and the sombrous« 

The reader will have no cause to complain, if Instead of Extracts he often 
finds poems inserted errtire. This has been done whenever it seemed consistent 
with the design, and could be done without injustice. In this niatter, the opinion 
of those who must be supposed best qualified to give it, was asked and followed. 
The wish was to take nothing but what seemed to lie on the common relin- 
quisked or neglected by the lord of the manor, 

Thoi:£> 



'iii PREFACE. 

Though the Book is divided into Four Parts, yet the formality of regular and 
systematical arrangement of the component pieces, has not been strictly ob- 
ser¥ed. Such compilations as these have not unfrequently been called garlands 
and nosegays : but in a garland or nosegay, who would place the tulips, the li- 
lies, the pinks, and the roses in separate compartments ? In a disposition so arti- 
ficial, their beauty and fragrance would be less pleasing than if they were care- 
lessly mingled with all the ease and wildness of natural variety. I hope the 
analogy will hold : if not, I must throw myself in this, as I do in all other cir- 
cumstances of this Publication, upon my Reader's indulgence. 1 expect not 
praise ; but I confide in receiving pardon. 

Perhaps the Reader will be the more inclined to extend it towards me, if I do 
not weary him with apologies. I will then conclude my preface with the ideas 
of Montaigne : — " / have here only made a nosegay of culled Jlou^ersy and have 
^.^ brought nothing of my own but the thread that ties ihem.'^ 



^.sf* In this Edition^ as in the numerous preceding ones, great Improvements 
have been made. The favourable Reception of the Book has indeed encouraged 
the Editor to render it^ in every new Impression^ still more acceptable. But 
several Poems are iiozs added for the first time, and some Poematia, zchich tcere 
never printed before. The Collection -xas originally formed for the use of 
TuNBRiDGE School ; and a few School Exercises of Tunbridge Scholars have 
been very spg.ringly inserted, with a Viezzi to encourage ijigenuous Youth, ixhoy 
in that ancient Place of classical Education, devote themselves to Studies of use- 
ful and polite Literature. 



CONTEXTS. 



CONTENTS 



BOOK I. SACRED AND MORAL. 



Pa?e 



Chrijiofher Pitt 
ib. 
ib. 
lb. 
ib. 



A NAddiefsto.heDe.ty . . Thomjon 

, J, X Adam and Eve, in a Morning Hymn, call 

upon all the Parts of the Creation to join with 

them in exloJJing their common Majcer Milton 

On the Deity . . j^j^^^ Ba,bauld 

Hymn on Gratitude . . AJdifol 

Hymn on Providence . . "^^'/^^ 

Hymn, from the beginning of the i ath Pfalm 'ib. 

Another Hyma . . Mrs. R^-we 

J • . . , -z 

Hymn, from Pfalm 148th ' ' n,.-/ -' 

Pfalm 4th-Pfalm 5th , ' Z^'^'^.'l 

Pfalm 6th_Pfalm8th • * ^''"^l 

Pfalm23d— Pfalmi2 2d , ' ),' 

Hymn to Cheerfulnefs-The author* being fick 

The 8th Pfalm tranflated '>'^'' ^^'"^^' 

Pfalm the 24th paraphrafed 

Pfalm 2gth 

Pfalm 46th paraphrafed 

Pfalm goth paraphrafed 

1 falm ,44th paraphrafed . -i 

ThegdChapterofJob ' 'f' 

The t'n ^)TV^^''^ paraphrafed . 1b, 

The rs 9th Pfalm paraphrafed * -t' 

TwoHym>:s ^/^cUock 

AHymnontheScafons . '. rfotTon 

Hymn to Humanity . / T^"" 

The Enlargement o'fthe Mind : Epime^rfo'c:: 
Unlho'r^^MS^-^'^^^ ^K ^^« VViUiam 
The Univerfal Prayer * * p'^' 

Meffiah. a Sacred Eclogue . ' ^f/ 

The Prize of Virtue * ./ 

An Elegy, written in a Country Church-Yari 
Death . ^'"ly 

The Grave ' * * ^orteus 

Happinels to be fo^nd in Virtue a^.one ^pZ 

O he imnT'^'^ °^*.'^ ^""^'^^^ i^'-S iL 

0Jet^:Sr^°^^^-^"P-eB^ng; ; 1, 
^n Human Life * * ^'/^ Carter 

wowinea otten make men miferable 
Deity Ogilvie 

iDf. Glj/nn 49 



I 
2 
2 
2 

3 
3 
3 

4 
5 
5 

6 

7 
7 
8 
8 

9 
9 

10 



M> 



Page 

. ib. ^ 

ib. 

ib. 

lb. 

Burns 

Prior 



Hymns 

An Addrefs to the Deity 
A Summer Evening's Meditation 
Hymn to Content 
To VVifdom 

Defpondency. An Ode 

The Frailty and Folly of Man ' . ^^.-.^ 

Chll [W}"" '""^^ ^^'■^ °f the Sixth 

Son'g'sr/rlffr-^^"'^^- • ^W.'^ 

Th:in-S^^:f^^^^^^-°^-^.| 

He^aTen Instil ^^^^^^S^^^ -^ Death k* 
The Advantages of early Religion ' , /^' 

The Danger of Delay .^' 

Examples of early Pietv ' * '-i 

Againft Lying . . ' ' '.f* 

Againft Quarrelling and Fightin* ' m* 

Love between Brothers and Sifters * :& 

Againit Scoffing and calling Names \ ^ 
Xte'rC^^^-^^-^^-'^'-^-^^-g God's 

Againft Idlenefs and Mifchief .' ]{' 

Againft Evil Company / 

Againft Pride in Clothes * * %' 

Obedience to Parents ' ° ./ 

The Chi,a>3 Complaint . " /f- 

A Morning and Evening Song ' fi 

For the Lord's Day Morning . ' -l 

For the Lord's Day Evening * 'f 

The Sluggard— Innocent Play ' * ;l 

The Rolc-The Thief ' ■/ 

The Ant, or Emmet . ' " 'V 

Good Refolutions . * ' 'f' 

A Summer Evening ' ' .j' 

A Cradle Hymn ^ * • [b 

-I The Nunc Dimitis .* " r.j'r. 

TheBenediciteparaphralei . ^'^"'-^ 

22 The Ignorance of iMan A' 

23 The Trials of Virtue * ' T 
^5|Cbrift^s PaHion; from a 6reek Ode of Mr* 

31 Mafters, formerly of New College pL, 

32 A Funeral Hymn . "' ' j/ " 

33 I Ven. Creator Spiritus, paraphrafed" . D^yZ 

34 On True Nob hiv n j > cJ^-^ , 
36|ANightPu-cf^ ' • ^':>-^^-';>---^ 

- I >"«.■-- - ' • Mijs Carter 



54 
51 
55 
56 
56 
5S 



0(je <o Melancholy ' ' ., 

The v" > ^^^'^'^'^^ '■" ^ '^^''"^''^^^ Storm 1l. 
The V anity of Human Wifhes . J./^Jn 

-W760 ^ Coventry. Written 

Ma/on 
king the Univerlit-/ 



SI 
57 
59 
59 
59 
59 
^-9 
60 
6o 
60 
60 
6t 
61 

61 

6t 

6! 

6z 
62 

62 

6j 

62 
6i 
63 
63 , 

ei 

64 
64 

6d 
65 
6> 
66 
67 

67 
68 
6» 

6^ 
69 
7® 

70 



Elegy to a young Nobleman kav 



73 



The Choice 
Pi'odicus 



^ercjl s : fr 



74 



ib. 
th« Creek of 

1-hf 



C G N T E N T &- 



Page j 
The Hermit .. . Pamell ^% 

The Golden Verfcs ofPythagOias Fiti-grrald go 
On Chcerluinefs • . . Jb. 80 

On Induftry — A Thought upon Death . ib. 81 
The Fire Side , . Cotton 81 

VISIONS for the Entertainment and Iiiftruflionof 
Younger Minds, by Dr. COTTON. 

Addrefs 

Vifton I. Slander. Infcribed to Mifs **** 
— II. Pieafure 



III. HeaUh 

IV. Content 

V. H.ppinefs 

VI. Friendfliip 
VH. Marriage. 

VIII. Life 

IX. Death 



Infcribed to Mlfs ** 



FABLES, by the late Mr. GAT. 

The Shepherd and the Phiiofopher 

The Lion, the Tiger, and the Traveller 

The Spaniel and the Camel»on 

The Mother, the Nurfe, aiid the Fairy 

The Eagle and the Aflembly of Animals 

The Wild Boar and the Ram 

The Mifer and Plutus 

The Lion, the Fox, and the Geefe 

The Lady and the Walp 

The Bull and the MuftifF 

The Elephant and ihe Bookfeller 

The Peacock, the Turkey, and the Gooie 

Cupid, Hymen, and Plutus 

The Tame Stag 

The Monkey who had feen the World . . 

The Phiiofopher and the Pheafants 

The Pin and the Needle 

The Shepherd's Dog and the Wolf 

The Painter who pleafed nobody and every boiy 

The Lion and the Cub 

The Old Hen and the Cock 

The Rat-Cat( her and Cats 

The Gnat without a Beard 

The Old Woman and her Cats 

T!ic Bucterfly and the Snail 

1 he Scold and the Parrot 

The Cur and the Maftiff 

Tfee Sick Man and the Angel 

The Perfian, the Sun, and the Cloud 

The Fox at the Point of Death 

The Setting Dog and the Partridge 

The Univerfal Apparition 

The Two Owls and the Sparrow 

The Courtier and Proteus— The Malbffs 

The Barley Mow and the Dunghill 

Pythagoras and the Countryman 

The Farmer's Wife and the Raven 

The Turkey an.i the Ant 

The Father and Jupiter 

The Monkeys .... 

The Owl and Farmer 

The Jugglers 

The Council of Horfes 

The Hound and the Huntfman 

The Poet and the Role 

The Cur, the Horlt, and Shepherd's Dog 

The Court of Death 

1 he Gardener and the Hog 

The Man and the Flea « 

The Hare and many Friends 



181 

102 

103 

103 

103 

104 

104 

105 

'051 

105 

106 

106 

107 

107 

107 

108 

108 

109 

109 

110 

110 

110 

11 1 

151 
1 11 
I 12 
112 
Il2 

114 

114 
114 
1^5 

116 
n6 

1:6 
1 17 
117 

117 
118 

ii8 
n9 
J19 

120 
120 
120 

l2l 
121 
12I 



^age 

roUNG's NIGHT THOUGHTS. 

Night I. Sleep — Night . . 122 

— Invocation to Silence and Darknefs . 122 

— Time . . . j22 

— Man — Dreams , . 123 

— Var.ity of Lamentation over the Dead 123 

— Life and Eternity . , 123 

— Time and Death . . 124 

— OpprelTion, Want, and Difeafe . 12^ 
-— Refledions on viewing a Map of the 

World — Sympathy . 12^ 

— The Inftability and Infufficiency of Hu- 

man Joys . . . 125 

— Man fhortlighted . . 125- 

— Picfumption ofdepandingonTo-morro'Wf25 

— Sudden Death . . . 1S5 

— iMan's Pronenefs to poftpone Improve- 

ment . . 125 

— Man inlennble of his own Mortality 125 
Night II. Avarice of Time recommended . 126 

— Inconfufency of Man . . 126-- 

— WaileofTi'me . . . 126 

— Falfe Delicacy — Confcience . 127 

— Man's Supinenefs . . 127 

— The Depravity ot Man • . 128 

— Infla' iiity of Life . . 128 

— Vani;y of Human Enjoyments, taught 

by Experience . . 128 

— Death unavoidable . . 128 

— Lite co.y, area to the Sun-dial . 128 

— Death of <hc good Man . I2g 
Nightlll.Pidurc ot Narcifia, Defcription of her 

Funeral, and a Rtfledion«pon Man 129 

130 



Night IV Death not to b^^ dreaded 

— Death ee,;rable to the Aged 

— Foiiy^of Human Purfuits 

— Folly of the I.cveof Life in the Aged 



Addrefs to the Deity 

Fears of Death extinguifhed by Man's 

Redemption 
Grejtncfs of the Redemption 
Praifc,beftowed on Men,uue to Heaven 13 
Magnificence and Omniprefcenceof the 



132 



Deity 

— Inability of fiifficientiy praifing God 

— Man — Religion 

• — God's Love to Man 

— Liikewaim Devotion 

■ — Death, where is thy Sling ? 

— Faith enforced bv our Reafon , 

— F,!lfe Ph.^ofophr 

— Tile mere Man of the World 
Night V. Darknefs 

— The Futility of Man's Refolutions . 
> — The Power of Example — IMidnight 

— Little to be expneded from Man 

— V.ifJom .* . , 

— Refleftioils in a Church-yard 

— Little Attention paid to the Warnings 

of Death 

— Life compared to a Stream 

— Suicide , . , 

— Tears 

— Inattention to the Voice of Death . 

— Little Learning required, to be Good 

— The Caprice and univerfal Power of 

Death 
NightVI.The Death of NarcifTa 

— Refledions on Man and Immortality 

— Genius conaedcd with Ignominy 



>34 
J34 
134 
»34 
135 
«3S 
135 
135 
136 

»56 

136 
136 

»37 
-37 
JS7 
13S 
138 
'39 

'39 
140 
140 
141 



Exaltel 



CONTENTS. 



XI 



Night VI. ExalteJ S(.uion 

— True GieatDP-fs . 

— The TcrmeiU of Ambition 

— True Riches 

— The Vanity of Wealth 

— Immortality 

— Man ignorant of his re?;l Grcatnefs 
— • Dilbelief of a Future State 

— Man's Immortality proved by Nature 
NightVII.Dilcontent 

— Reafon and Inftindt 

— Human Hope 

— The Madrefs of Infidelity 

— Ambition of Fame — Avarice 

— Addrels to Unbelievers 

— The PaiTions 

— Proofs of Immortality. Man's Happi- 

ueCs confifts in the Hope of it 

— Mifery of Unbelief 

— The Annihilation of Man, incompatible 

with the Goodnefs of God 



Pag£ 
141 
142 
142 
142 
142 
H3 
143 

144 
144 
-'44 
145 
14S 
J 46 
147 

147 
t49 



— The Guilty alone wifli for Annihilation 149 



No fpiritual Subftance annihilated 

— The World a Syftem of Theology 

— Virtue the Fruit of Immortality 

— Free Thinking 

— Rational and Animal Life 

— The Gofpel 

— The Myllery of a Future State, 1 

Argument againft it 

— Hope 
NightVII I. Worldly Puifuits 

— " Human Life compared to the Ocean 

— The Love of Diftindtioii 

— Pleafure 

— Rife of Pleafure 

— The End of Pleafure 

— Virtue and Piety , . . 

— Refourcesofa Dejedled Mirid 

— A Man of Pleafure is a Man of Pain 

— Earthly Happincfs 

— Joy^ — Follies of Imagination 

— Pleafure confifts in Goodnefs 

— Pidure oi a Good Man 

— The Fall of the Good Man 

— Wit and Wifdom 

— Falfe Gaiety ends in Deipair 
Night IX. Refleaions on Death 

— The World a Grave 

— The triumphs of Death 

— Deluge and Conflagration 
-— The Laft Day 

— ThoughtlefTnefs of tVie Laft D.iy 

— Eternity and Time 

— Theunreafonablenefs of Complaint 

— Grief and Joy — Night 

— Regularity of the Heavenly Bodies 

— Miracles . . . 



J49 
149 
149 

M9 

150 
150 

150 

150 

152 
152 
152 

^5^ 
152 

153 
'-53 
^53 
154 
,154 
154 

J 55 
155 
»55 
V55 
1.-6 
,56 
'57 
'57 
157 
^57 



Page 

Night IX. Nature the Fos of ScJpllcifm . 157 

— Rcafons for IJclief . . 1,58 

— The Power of God infinite » I58 
The World lufficient'forMan. Contem- 
plation of the Heavens . 158 

— Man's Science the Culture of his Heart 159 

— The Greatnefs of God inexpreffible 159 

— The Mifery of Sin — Reafon . 159 
■ — Man — Death . . 160 

— Refledlions on Sleep . 160 

— Addrels to tha Trinity . . 160 

— Co:iciufion . . . i6i 
Solitude — The Day of Judgment . Toung \Q 

FABLES for the FEMALE SEX, hy Mr. MOORE. 

The Eagle and the AfTembly of Birds 

The Panther, the Horfe, and other Beafls 

The Nightingale and Glow-worm 

Hymen and Death 

The Poet and his Patron 

The Wolf, the Sheep, and the Lamb 

The Goofeand the Swans 

The Lawyer and Juftice . . 

The Farmer, the Spaniel and the Cat 

The Spider and the Bee 

The Young Lion and the Ape , , 

The Colt and the Farmer 

The Owl and the Nightingale 

The Sparrow and the Dove 

The' Female Seducers ;. 

Love and Vanity . - 

The Young Lady and Looking-Glafs Wilk'ie 

Tlie Boy and the Rainbow . . ii. 

The Raice and the Hermit . ib. 

The Youth and the Philofopher Whitehead 

The Bee, ihe Ant, and the Sparrow Cotton 

The Bears and the Bees . Merrick 

The Canieleon . • . ib. 

The Monkie?, a Tale . . ib. 

Know Thyfe.f . . Arbuthnot 

Leflfons of Wifdom . Armftrong 

The Pain arifing from virtuous Emotions attended 

with Pleafure . . Akenfide 

Paraphrafe on Pfalm.lxxiv.16,17 Mifs IVilliama 
Paraphrafeon Ifaiah, xlix. 15 . ib. 

Paraphrafe on Matt. vii. 12 • ib. 

Reii-'flions on a Future State, from a Review of 

Winter . • > Thoffifon 

On Slavery . • Mifs H. Falajna^ 

A Prayer on the Profpefl of Death . liurni 
The Genealogy of Chrifl:, as it is reprefented an 
the Eaft Window of Wincheller College Cha- 
pel. VVritten at Winton School Lozvth 
On the Death of Frederic Piinre of Wales. Writ- 
ten at Paris, by D^?,'/Vy I.ovd V fcount Storimnt, 
of Chrift Church, Oxen . . 196 
Death . . . . Emily 197 
On the Immortality of the Soul S. Jenyns x^^ 



163 
164 

165 

165 

166 

a6d 
167 
<6if 

J 70 

170 
17£ 
17* 

J72 

175 
i8» 
i8i 

^84 
iHs 
^85 
187 
187 
187 
18S 
189 

x^ 
19a 

lot 
«9i 



194 



BOOK II. DIDACTIC, 



q"-HE Traveller; , or, A Profpeft of Society 
JL Infcribed to the Reverend Mr, H. Gold 
fmith • . 



DESCRIPTIVE, 

Page 



NARRATIVE, and PATHETIC 



The Deferted Village 
Edwin and Angelina, 
Spring, a Partoral 
Summer, a Paftoral 
Aulumn, a Paftoral 



Dr. Glifmitb 

ib 

A Ballad . ib. 

: Fcpe 

ib. 

ib. 



i07 
210 
214 

216 

217 



Winter, a Paftoral 

Wind for- Foreft 

Two Chorufes to the Tragedy of Brutus 

Ode on. Solitude 

The Dying Chriftian to his Sxii 

An tffay on Criticilm . , 

The Rape of the Lcck 



Fope 

ib. 
ib. 



Pase, 

318 
2^9 



212 

ib'. 203 

ib. 22 J 

ib. 2 1,1 
ib. 2r^ 

El-'gy toihe- Memory cf».r;'Uiifc;r'.u:i ite L-idv ib%. 2;<j 

' J'ro-os'n, 



Xll 



Contents. 



Page ! 

Prologue to Mr. Addifon's Tragedy of Cato pj/xf 5^37 
Epilogue to Rowe's Jane Shore . ib. 237 

The Temple of Fame . . ib. 237 

The Happy Life of a Country Parfaa . ib. 242 
An EfTayon Man: in Four Epifties . ib. 242 
Moral Effays : in Four Epifties . ib, 253 

Epiftle to Mr. Addifon> occafioned hy his Dia- 
logues on Medals . . ib. 263 
Epiftle to Dr. Arbuthnot, being \\\z prologue to 

the Satires . : . ib. 263 

Satires and Epifties of Horace imitated . ib. 267 
Epilogue to the Satires. lu two Dialogues ib. 778 
Imitations of Horace . . ib. 282 

A Panegyric to my Lord Protestor, of the prefent 
Greatnefs, and joint Intereft, of his Highnefs 
and this Nation . . Waller 285 

Cooper's Hill . . Denham 286 

On Mr. Abraham Cowley's Death, and Burial 

amongft the ancient Poets . ib. 289 

An EflTay on Tianflatcd Verfe Earl of Rofcoftimon 200 
Abfalom and Achitophel . . Dry den 294 

Palamon and Arcite ; or, the Knight's Tale ib. 312 
Religo Laici . . . ib. 832 

Mac Flecknoe . ib. 335 

An EfTay upon Satire Dryden and Buckingham 337 
Cymon and Iphigenia . Dryden 339 

Theodore and Honoria . ^ ^ ib. 345 

The Rofciad . . Churchill 348 

The Pleafures of Imagination . yikenjide 2,^'i 

Day: a Paftoral . . Cuitningham o^di 

The Contemplatift ; « Night Piece . ib. 363 
The Vifions of Fancy . LaKghorne ^S^ 

A Letter from Italy to the Right Honourable 

Charles Lord Halifax.IntheYear ^yoi.Addi/on 366 
The Campaign . ' ib. 368 

An Allegory on Man . . P.?;«f// 372 

The Book -Worm . . . ib, 372 

An Imitation of fome French Verfes . ibl 373* 
Ad Amicos . . JR. Weji 374 

Hymn to Contentment . . Pamell -^-j^ 

An Addrefs to Winter . . Cowper 27S 

Liberty renders England preferable to other Na- 

tions, notwithftanding Taxes, See. . ib. 376 

Defcription of a Poet • . ib. 376 

Love Elegies . . . 376 

An EiTay on Poetry . . BucklKgham 378 

The Chace . . Somer-zille 2,'^i 

Rural Sports; a Georgic . Gay 399 

Lave of Fame, the Univerfal Paffion . Tcu?7g 402 
The Caftie of Indolence. An Allegorical Poem 

Thotitfon 423 
To the Memory of Sir Ifaac Newton . ib. 437 
Hymn on Solitude . . ib. 438 

Hymnto darknefs . . Talden ^iq 

Education • - l^ef^ 439 

A Birth-Day Thought . . 447 

Moral Refledion. Written on the firft Day of 

the Year 1782 . . . 448 

The Triumph of Ifis, occafioned by Ifis, an Elegy 

T. tVarton 448 
Infcription in a Hermitage, at Anfly-Hall in 

Warwickfhire . . . ib. 450 

Monody, written near Stratford upon Avon ib. 45O 
On the Death of King George the Second ib. 450 
On the Marriage of the King, 17 61, to her 

Majefty . . . /i. 451 

On the Birth of the Prince of Wales . ib. 452 
Ode to Sleep . . . ib. 453 

The Hamlet, written in Whichwood Foreft ib. 453 
04e. The firft of April , '^.453 



P<»g« 
Ode. The Suicide . . T. IVartsn 454 

Ode. Sent to a Friend on his leaving a favourite 

Village in Hamplhire . . ib. 455 

TheartofPreferving Health . Annpong i^^^ 
Ode on the Spring . . Graj; 473 

Ode on the Death of a favourite Cat drowned ia 

a Tub of Gold Fifhes . . ib> 473 

Ode on a dilTrant Profped of Eton College ib. 473 
Ode to Adverfity . . ''^- 474 

The Progrelsof Poefy. A Pindaric Ode ib. ^j^ . 
The Bard. A Pindaric Ode . . /A. 476 

The Fatal Sifters. An Ode . i^- 477 

TheDefcentofOdin. An Ode . ib. ^jZ 

The Triumphs of Owen. A Fragment . /«^-479 
Ode on the Inftallaflon of the Duke of Grafton. 

Irregular . . . 'b- 479 

A Prayer for Indifrerence . Greville 480 

The Fairy's Anfwer to Mrs. Greviile's Prayer for 

Indifference . Countefs ofC — — 480 

The Beggar's Petition . . Anon. 481 

PoUio. An Elegiac Ode ; written in the Wood 

ne,rR Callle, 1762 . Mickle ^%t 

The Tears of Scotland » . Smollet 483 

Ode to Mirth . . i^- 4^3 

Ode to Leven Water . . '^« 484 

Songe to .^lla, Lorde of the Caftel •f Bryftowe 

ynne Dales of Yore, From Chatterton^ under 

the name of Ronvley . • 4''4 

Briftowe Tragedie ; or. The Dethe of Syr Charles 

Bawdin. Chatierton,uader the name of Roiuley 484 
The Mynftrelies Songe in ^lla, a Tragycal 

EnterluJe . . . i^. 487 

Chorus in Goddwyn, a Tragedie . i^. 48S 

GrcngarHill . . Dyer 48S 

Monody on the Death of his Lady 

George Lord Littleton 49© 
A Winter Piece . . Ancn. 492 

The School-Miftrefs. In Imitation of Spenfer 

Shenjione 493 
Oriental Eclogues . . CoUim 4y6 

The Splendid Shiliiiig . J. Phillips 498 

An Epiftle to a Lady . . Nugent c^cO 

Alexander's Feaft, or the Power of Mufic. An 

Ode on St. Cec!'ia's Day . Dryden cpi 

An Epiftle from Mr. Phillips to the Earl of Dor- 

fer. Copenhagen, March 9, 1709 . 502 

The Man ot Sorrow . . Greville 503 

Monody to the Memory of a Young Lady Shanv 503 
An Evening Addreis to a Nightingale . ib. 500 

An Ode to Narcilla . . Smollet 597 

Elegy in Imitation of Tibullus . ib. 507 

The Propagation of the Gofpel in Greenland 

Coti/fer 507 
On Slavery and the Slave Trade . ib. 507 

On Liberty, and in Praileof Mr. Howard ib. 50S 
On Domeftic Happinefs,as the Friend of Virtue, 

and of the falle Good-nature of the .'\ge ib. 508 
On the Employments of "WRat is called an Idle 

Life . . . ib. 5cgL 

The Poft comes in — the News-paper is rcad- 



the World contemplated at a DiftaHce 



ib. 



5-9 



A Fragment . . , Ma/let ^i^ 

Ode to Evening . Dr. yo/.l^artcn 511 

Ifis. 'An Elegy . . Ma/on ^ii 

Epiftolary VeiTesto George Colman, Ef(j. writ- 
ten in the Year 1756 . LleyJ 51Z 
Ode to Arthur Onflow, Efq. , . 513 
Ode to Melancholy . . Ogil^it 514 
Ode to the Genius of Shakfpiare , /^. 51^ 



CONTENTS. 



Xlil 



Page 
Ode to Time; occafioned by feeing the Ruins €•{ 

anoldCaftle . . Oglh'ie 516 

OJe to Evening . . . /<J. 518 

Ode to Innocenc? . . . /^. ^jq 

Morning ; or. The Complaint. An American 

Eclogue . . Gregory 519 

Evening ; or, The Fugitive, An American 

Eclogue . . /^, 

A Defcriptionofa Parifh Poor-Houfc CraUe 
Delcription of a Country Apothecary . ii>. 
Defcription of a Country Clergyman vifiting the 

Sick . . . /^. 

'Ihe Reafon for defcribing the Vices of the Vil- 

'^ge . . . id. 

Apology for Vagrants . . ^„o„. 

Epiftle to a young Gentleman on his leaving 

Eton School , . Dr. Roberts ^o_i 

Great Cities, and London in particular, allowed 
^,t™ d"s -Praile . . CoiL^per 524 

TheWant of Dikipline in the Englifh Univerfities 

Happy the Freedom of the Man whom Ghee ^ 
makes free— His Relifh of the Works of God 
— Addrcfs to the Creator . ih. 525 

That Phitofophy which ftops at Secondar) Caufes 
leproved . . , y^, 27 



521 

522 
522 

523 
523 



Rural Sounds as well as Sights delightful 

Cowpcr 527 
Th%Wearifomeiiefs of what is commonly called 

a Life of Pleafure . . ib. 527 

Satirical Review of our Trips to France ib. 52 j 

The Pulpit the Engine of Reformation ib. 528 

The Petit-Maitre Clergyman . ib. 528 

Armine and Elvira, a Legendary Tale 

Layfwfight 528 
An Italian Song . . Rogers 533 

Henry and Emma, a Poem upon the Model of the 

Nut Brown Maid . . -P'"'' 533 

An Heroic Epiftle to Sir William Chambers, 
Knight, Comptroller General of His Majefty's 
Works, and Author of the late Diirertatoa on 
Oriental Gardening. Enriched with Explana- 
tory Notes, chiefly extradled from that ela- 



borate Performance 
Pleafures of Memory ; a Poem 
From the Same 
From the Same 
From the Same 
Verfes on a Tear 

A Sketch of the Alps at Day-break 
A Wilh 
An Ode on Claflic Education 



Anon. 539 
Rogers 54Z 

542 

543. 
543 
541 
544 
544 



ib. 

ib^ 

lb. 

jSncn. 



BOOK III. 



E 



iXTRACTS from SHAKSFEARE. 

' Ah 's Well that Ends Well 

-As You Like It 

• The Comedy of Errors 

• Love's Labour Loft 

Meafure for Meafure . . * 

r The Merchant of Venice 

Merry Wives of Windfor 

A Midfummer Night's Dream 

Much Ado about Nothing 

' The Taming of the Shrew 

The Tempeft 

Twelfth Night, or What You Will 

—— The Two Gentlemen of Verona 
' The Winter's Tate 

Anthony and Cleopatra 

Coriolanus 

. Cymbeline 

Hamlet 

The Second Part of Henry IV. 

The Life of Henry V. 

. The Firft Part of Henry VI. 

— The Second Part of Henry VI. 

TheThird Part of Henry VI. 

The Life of Henry VIII. 

The Life and Death of King John 

Ju'Iius Caelar 

King Lear 

Macbeth 

Othello 

The Life and De^ith of King Richard II. 

The Life and Death of King Richard ill 

■■'■■■ " Romeo and Juliet 

■ Timon of Athens . . ' 

Titus Andronicus 

Troilus and Crcffida 



DRAMATIC, &c. 

Page 



DETACHED 

Sebaftlan and Dorax 
Antony and Ventidius 



SCENES. 

n>yJen 



54) 
547 
550 
55^ 
555 
560 
566 
567 
5^39 
572 

574 
577 
579 
582 

586 
590 
593 
597 
605 
608 
610 
610 
611 

6.3 
616 
6ig 
6z4 
628 

6j2 

636 
638 
640 
645 
648 
649 

^53 
655 



Theodofius and Marcian 
Gloftir and H.iftings 
Gullavus and Dalecarlians 
Guftavus and Criftiern 
Brutus and Titus 



Page 
Lee 658 

Rowe 60» 

Brooke 661 

ib. 662 

Lee 663 



Lady Randolph, Lord Randolph, and young 
Norval, not known at the tijns to be Lady 
Randolph's Son . . H»me 66^ 

Young Norval irtforms Lord Randolph by what 
Means he acquired a Knowledge in the Art 
of War . . . ib. 666 

Douglas's Soliloquy in tlie Wood, waiting for 
Lsdy Randolph, after he was known to be 
her Son . . , ib. 666 

CATO . . AJJi/on 666 

DESCRIPTIONS, DETACHED SENTENCES, 

SIMILES, &c. 
The Happinefs of a free Govern ment^S". Johtifon 685 
The Killing of a Boar . ' Qltxiay i>%'^ 

Defcription of a Populous City . Young 685 

Rural Courtftiip , . . Dry den 685 

Defcription of a Perfon left on a Defeit Ifland 

Thomfon 685 
The tiift Feats of a young Eagle . Ko%ue 685 

The true End of Education . . Z^, 685 

Filial Piety . . Mallet 68fi 

The fame . . Thomfsn 68fi 

Bad Fortune more eafily borne than good Roiue 686. 
Defpair never to be indulged . Phillips 6S» 

A Friend to Freedom can never be a Traitor 

Tbomfon 686 
Defcription of a Hag . . Gtiuay 686 

Happinefs the infeparable Companion of Virtue 

Roii^e 686 
Honour fupcrior to Juftice 
In what Manner Princes 



True End of Royalty 
The real Duty of 3 King 
Chjrader of a good King 



Thomfon 680 
ought to be taught 

Mallet 686 

ib. 687 

Ronue 687 

Ihcntfon 687- 

The 



XIV 



CONTENTS. 



TheCuilf olbaJKiHg^ 

The true End or Lite 

The fame . .5 

A Lion overcome by a Man 

Charafter of an excellent Man 

Virtue the only true Source ot Nobility 

The Happy Etfcdliof Misfortune 

A Defcription of the Morning 

Another 

The charming Notes of the Nightingale 

The fame 

A worthlefs Perfon can claim no Merit from the 

Virtues of his Ancrftors . , i6. 6S8 

The Love of our Coimrry tiie greateft of Virtues 

TboMfan 588 



Page 

AUllet 687 

Thomfon 687 

jobnjon 687 

Lee 687 

Roive 687 

Thomfon 687 

ih. 688 

Olway 608 

Lee 6S8 

16. 688 

Roiue 688 



T'le fime . . /f, JVhUfhead 689 

In vvhat Philofophy leally confifts Thontfon 689 

Scioio reftorin.' the captive Princels to berRaval 



Lover 
The Blefljngs of Peace — Providence 
Prudence 
Defcription of Ships appearing at 

and approaching the Sliore 
Virtue preferable to Rank 
Defcription of an ancient Cathedral 
Defcription of a Triumph 
A Shepherd's Life happier than a King's 
Virtue its own Reward 
No Difticulties infuperable to the Prudent and 



ib. 689 

:6. 6S9 

''^. 690 

Diitance, 

Dryden 693 

Rozue 6go 

Cofigreve 690 

Lee 690 

Hill 6go 

Roxve 690 



BOOK IV. SENTIMENTAL, LYRICAL, and LUDICROUS. 



L 'ALLEGRO 
II Penferofo 
Lycidas 
Virtue, V/ifdom, and Centemplation 

tion and Beauty ; Challity 
Philofophy — True Liberty- -Prowefs 



Page 

Milton 691 

ib. 6gz 

16. 694 

Medila- 

ib. 

of Body 



%: 



and Mind — On Shakfpeare — Song on May 
Morning — Virtue and I'ivil . ib. 696 

Patience — Sonnet on his deceafed Wife — Spirits 
— Pain — Hypocrify. — The Lady reproving Co- 
mus — Sonnet to the Nightingale . ib. 697 

fifcho : A Song • . ib. 698 

VARIOUS DESCRIPTIONS from SPENSER. 
Adonis's Garden — AfFeftions — Ambition . 698 



-Avarice — Bafhfuliiefs 
-Boar-^Bower of Blifs 



699 
700 

701 



Anguiili — Arbour- 

Another — Beauty- 
Bower of Proteus . . . 

Bull — Calumny — Cannon — Charity — Concord- 
Contemplation — Cupid ' 

Danger — Day-break — Death 

Defamation — Defire- Detraftion— Difcord 

Difcord's Houfe — Dolphin 

Doubt — Dungeon — Eagle — Eafc — EVivy 

Error- -Excels — Faith — Falcon — Fancy 

Fear — Ship — Feeling — Fire — Firft Age — Flood 
—Fury — Giant 

Gluttony — Greedinefs — Grief — Griffon — Grove 
—Harmony — Hearing 

Hermitage — Hippolitua — Honour — Hope — Hydra 
— Hypocrite . . . 7:0 

Idienefs — Ignorance — laconilancy — Incontinence — 
Lechery . , • 711 

Life— Lion — Love — Madnels—Mdftiff-— Medio- 
crity . . . 7'^ 

Mercy "Minerva- -Morning . 713 

Mountain--Mulabiiity--Night . 714 

Occafion — Palace of Sieep — Tyger — Wiads — Sun 

■'' — Phseton 

Sight->Slander-.Storm--Superrtition 

Sufpicion — Venus — Temple of Venu 



702 

703 
704 

706 
707 

708 

7=9 



Defcription of a Garden — Defcription of the 
Garden of Adonis — Devallation which Time 
makes in this Garden — Defcription of Jupiter 
— Guyoii conJudled by Mammon through a 
Cave under Ground, to fee his Treafure — De- 
fcription of Defpiir and her Speech . 72O 

FAIRFAX'S TASSO. 
Defcription of the Vificn conjured up by Ale£to 723 
Image of Armidaand Attendants, enraged at Ri- 
naldo's hewing down the Myrtle to diffolve the 
Charm . . . 722 

Defcription of Armida's wonderful Parrot . 723 

G L O V ER's L E O N I DAS. 

Leonidas's Addrefs to his Countrymen — Anfwer 
to tbs Perfian Ambaffador — Pathetic Farewell 
of Leonidas to his Wife and Family . 72^ 

Chaiadicrs of Teribazus and Ariana — Ariana and 
Polydorus come by Night into the Perfian 
Camp . . . 724 

HiftoryofPorfenna, king of Pruffia Bowles 726 

SONNETS, by Mrs. S M I T H. 
To the Moon . . . 733 

On the Departure of the Nightingale — Written 
at the Ciofe of Spring- Should the lone Wan- 
derer — To Night — To Tranquillity — Written 
in the Church-yard at Middleton in Suflex — 
Written at Penlhurll, in Autumn 1788 734 

Eleg} — Eieey to Pity . . Anon. 73^ 

Extraft from a Poem on his own approaching 

Death . Michael Bruce 7j6 

Sonnet to Twilight: . Mifs JVillianis j-^6 

Soiirxt to Expr^lTio.i . . ib. 736 

Sonnet to Hope . . ib. 736 

So!-net to the Moon . . ib. 73^ 

The Bdftard . . Savage 737 

On the Reco\-!y of a Lady of Quality from the 
Smai! Pox - • . ^b. 

Ode to Pity . . - Collins- 



716 

7171 Ode to Fear 



Wrath 

SPENSER 



718 



FAIRY 



QJJ E E N. 

Duefl'a weeping over her Enemy, compared to a 
Crocodile; and a Defcription of Night . 718 

Defcription of Lucilera's Palace — Lucifera 
afcending her Coach — Defcription ot Prince 
Arthur in his Habiliments of War — Defer. p- 
tion of Diana with her Nymphs, returned from 
the Chacvr, aifd preparing to bathe . 719 



Ode to Simplicity . .. ■ "'• 

Ode on the Poetical Charafter . ib 

Ode, written in the Year 1746— OJeto Mercy — 

Ode to Liberty . . . ib. 

Ode to a Lady, on the Death of Colonel Charles 

Rofs, in the Adlion at Fontenoy. Written in 

May 1745 . . . ib. 

Ode to Evening — Ode ts Peace — The Manners, 

an Ode . . . ib. 

The Paflions. An Ode to Mufic 



7S8 

739 
739 



"43 

74 + 



CONTENTS. 



XV 



An Epiftle addreiTed to Sir Thomas Hanm^r, 

on his Edition of Shakfpeare's Works Collins 745 
Dirge in -Cymbcline, fung hy Guiderus and Arvi- 

ragus over Fidele, fnppol'ed to be iic;id ib. 746 

Ode on the Death of Mr. Thomfon — Vcrfes 
written on a Paper wliich contained a Piece 
of Bride- Cake . - ih. 747 

To a Moufe, on turning her up in her Neft with 

the Plough, in November 1785 • Bums 748 
To a Mountain Daify, on turning one down with 

the Plough, in Apiil 1786 . . ib. 74.8 

An Effay upon unnatural Flights in Poetry 

Lanfdoivn 748 
To Mr. Spence, prefixed to the EfTay on Pope's 

Odyfley . . ?itt 745 

The Enquiry. Written in the laft Century 750 

The diverting Hiftoryof John Giipm ; ih?wip.^ 
Jao\y he went farther than he intended, and 
came fafe home again . Coivper 7:0 

An Evening Contemplation in a College ; in 
Imiiationof Gray's Elegy in u CountryChurch- 
yard . . Dunccmbe 752 

The Three Warnings. A Tale Mn-.^Thrale 'j c^^ 
The C it's Country Box , Lloyd -j ^^ 

Report of an adjudged Cafe, not to be found in 

any of the Books , Coivfer 755 

On the Birth Day of Shakfpeare. A Canto 

Berenger 756 
On the Invention of Letters — The Anfwer — On 

3 Spider . . . 756 

The Extent of Cookery , Shenjione 7^6 

Slender's Ghoft . . ib. 757 

Hamlet's Soliloquy imitated . J'^g^ Tol 

To the Memory of George Lewis Lai:gton, Elq. 

who died on his Travels to Rome Shipley 757 

The Brewer's Coachman . . Taylor 757 

Ode on the Death of Matze],afavouriteBul!tinch. 
Addreffed to Philip Stanhope, Eiq. (natural 
Son to the Earl of Cheilerfield) to whom the 
Author had given the Revcrfion of it when he 
leftDrefden . . JVillia>ns 758 

Te-morrow — On Lord Cobham's Gardens — To 

a Child five Years Old . Coiton 758 

To Mifs Lucy Fortefcue . Littleton 759 

To Mr. Weft, at Wickham, 1740 . ib. 759 

The Temple of the Mufes.To the Countefs Temple 7 59 
To a Lady who fung in too low a Voice . 759 

To Mifs Wilkes, on her Birth-Day, Aug. i6th, 

1767. Written in France . PVilkes 760 

To Mifs Wilkes, on her Birth-Day, Aug. 16th, 

I798. Written in Prifon . ib. 759 

An Ode in Imitation of Alcseus Sir W. Jones 759 
The Choice ofa Wife by Cheefe Capt. Thompfon 760 
"^he Choice , . Pomfrct 760 

a o my Candle . . Piter Pindar ^tx 

Prefented together with a Knife by the Rev. 
Samuel Bifhop, Head Mafter of Merchant 
Taylors' School, to his Wife on her Wedding ' 
Day, which happened to be hef Birth-Day 
and New Year's Day . . ' 75^ 

By the fame, with a Ring . . 762 

The Family Firefide . . Bijhop 762 

Flowers . . . /i. 763 

To a young Lady, with a Copy of Moore's 

Fables . . . /<J. 764 

The Library . . . /^. 5 

Water . . . .. ib, l^\ 

On Inftruments ofMufic . . ib. 766 

The Art of Dancing. Infcribed to the Rt. Hon. 
the Lady Fanny Fielding , , /.gC 



Page 

VVhitfuntide. Writtea at Winch efter College, on 

the immediate Approach of the Holidays 771 

Chriitmas . . . 771 

An Elejfy on the Death of a mad Dog Goldfmith 77* 
L'AUegro; or Futi, a Parody . . 77* 

The Picture • . CunningJiam 773 

The Modern Fine Gentleman. Written in the 

Year 1746 . . SoJime Jenyns ^-j^ 

An Epiftle, written in the Country, to the Right 
Honourable the Lord Lovelace, then in Town, 
S.^pttm'oer I'j^r^ . • ib. •j'ji, 

Horaoe. Book II. Ode lO . Coivper 77b 

A Refledion on the foregoing Ode . ib. 'j'j'j 

The Shrubbery. Written in a Time of Affli<ftion 
— Mutual Forbearance neceflary to the Happi- 
nsfs of the Married State — The Winter Nofegay 

ib, 777 
Boadicea, an Ode— Heroifm • ib. 778 

•Art above Nature . . Piter Pindar Tj^ 

The Crooked Sixpeoce . Bramfton 779 

The Copper Farthing . . Penmngton •^%\ 

The School-Boy. By the Pev. Mr. Maurice, 
Author of the Indian Antiquities. Written by 
hinA at a very early Age . . 782 

Written in a Lady's Ivory Table-book, 1699 

S'wift 7S4 
Mrs. Harris's Petition. 1699 . . 784 

A Dcicri~tion of the Morning. 1709 . 786 

A Defcnption of a City Shower, in Imitation 

ot Virgi.'s G'orgics. [7.0 . . 78$ 

On thel.ttle Houfe by the Church-yard of Caftle- 

nock, 1710 . . ^ 785 

The Fable of Midas. 1711 . . 787 

A Dialogue between a M mber of Parliament 
and his Servant, in Imituiion of Horace, Sat. 
II. vii. Fii ft printed in 1732 • 788 

The Intruder. In Imitation 01 Horace, Sat. I.ix. 

Firft printed in 17 <;4 . . 789 

Horace, Book 1. Ep. VI!. .^adreflcd to the Earl 

of Oxford. 1713 . • 791 

Horace, Book II. Sat. VI. . . 795 

A True and Faithful Inventory of the Goods be- 
iouging to Dr. Swift, Vicar of Laracor ; upon 
lending his Houfe to the Bilhop of Meath, till 
his Palace was rebuilt . . 793 

An Elegy on the Death of Demar the Ufurer, 

wlio died the 6th of July 1720 . 793 

Epitaph on a Mil'er— To Mrs. Houghton of Bor- 
mount, upon praifing her Hulbandto Dr. Swift 
- — Dr. Delany's Villa — Mary the Cook-Maid's 
Letter to Dr. Sheridan, 1723 . 794 

Riddles, by Dr. Swift and his Friends, written 
ill or about the Year 1724 — On Gold — On a 
Ccrkfcrevv- . . . 794 

On a Ciicle — On Ink— .On the Five Senfes — ■■ 

On an Echo— On d. Shadow in a Glafs . 796 
On Time — On the Vowels — On S.iow — -On a 
Cannon — To Quilca, a Country-Houfe of Dr. 
Sheridan, in no very good Repair. 17.25:-^ 
The grand Q^eftioo debated. Whether Hamil- 
ton's Bawn Ihouldbe turned into a Barrack or 
a Malt-Houle. 1729 • • 797 

On the Death of Dr. Swift, occafioned by reading 
the following Maxim in Rochefoucault, *'Dans 
♦' Tadverfite de nos meilleurs amis, nous trou- 
** vons toujours quelque chofe qui ne nous 
*« deplaift pas " . . , 799 

The Author . . Cbttrchlll 804 

A poor Woman's Lamentation on her Son being 
flain in a Field of Battle . . 807 

Lhj.s 



contents; 



Page 
Lines on aBalJ given to promote the Silk Manu- 

fadure . . . 808 

On the late Queen of France . . 808 

Verfesby Dr. Glynn . . 808 

Hohenlinden, the Scene of an Engagement be- 
tween the French and Imperialifts, in which 
the former were conquered . Campbell 809 
ABritifli War Song . . 809 

The Lotos of Egypt . . Maurice 809 

Alonzo the Brave and the fair Imogene. M. G. 

Lewis . . . 8ro 

Four Sonnets . . Boivles 811 

Lines fpcken by Mr. Knox at the annual Vifita- 

tion at Tuabridge School . . 812 

Epigrams, Epitaphs, and other little Pieces 814 — 862 

VARIOUS POEMS, &c. By DIFFERENT 
AUTHORS. 

Verfes fuppofed to be written by Alexander Sel- 
kirk, during his folitary Abode in the Ifland 
of Juan Fernandez . . Coivper S6i 

Ode to Peace . . . ib. S63 

Human Frailty . . ib. 863 

On obferving ibme Names of little Note recorded 

in the Biographia Britannica . ib. 863 

The Nightingale and the Glow- Worm . ib. 863 
On a Goldfinch ftarved to Death in his Cajo ib, 864 



The Pine-apple and the Bee . . ib. 


864 


The Poet, the Oyfter, and Senfitive Plant ib. 


864 


A Fable . . . ib. 


865 


The Love of the World dctedted . ib. 


865 


The Jackdaw . . ib. 


865 


The Country Parfon's Bleflings 


866 


On hearing of a Gentleman's Pocket being 




picked 


866 


The Happy Firefide 


866 


The Retrofpedl of Life 


866 


Ai^Invitation to the Country 


866 


Invitation to the feathered Race . Graves 


867 


Addrefs to a Nightingale • Thomfan 


867 


Retaliation. A Poem . Goldfmitb 


867 


Lines from Dr. Barnard, Dean of Derry, to Dr. 




Goldfmith and Mr. Cumberland 


869 



Page 

Sonnets. Written at Wynfladc in Hampfhire — 
On Bathing — Written in a Blank Leaf of 
Dugdale's Monafticon — Written at Stone- 
hen ge — Written after feeing Wilton-Houfe 
—To Mr. Gray— Sonnet . Warton 874 

On King Arthur's Round Table at Winchefler 

— To the River Lodon . . ib. 875 

The Old Cheefe . . King 875 

The Pilgrim and the Peas . Peter Pindar %^S 

A Country Bumpkin and the Razor-feller ib» 876 
The Bald-pated Welchman and the Fly Somer'ville 877 
The Incurious Bencher . . ib. 877 

The Officious MefTenger. A Tale . ib. 878 

The Devil out-witted— The Frogs' Choice ib. 88o 
The Oyfter , . . ib. 881 

Epitaph on Mifs Bafnet, in Pancras Chuch-yard 88 r 
Ode . . . rbomfon 882 

On Time . . . Anon, 881 

SONGS, BALLADS, &c. 
Various from . . . / 882 — 91 1 

The Spanifh Lady's Love . . 911 

The Children in the Wood . . 9»2 

The Hunting in Chevy-Chace . . 914 

Sir Cauline . ' . . . 916 

Robin Hood and Guy of Gift5orne . 919 

Adam Bell, Clym of the Clough, &c. . 922 

Willow, Willow, Willow . . . 9Z8 

Barbara Allen's Cruelty . . 9*9 

The Frolicfome Duke, or Tinker's Good Fortune 929 
Death's Final Conqueft . . 93» 

Gilderoy . . . 932 

Bryan and Pereene,a Weft-Inditn BalIad,founded 
on a real Fad that happened in the IHand of St. 
Chriftopher=s . . Grainger 932 

Gentle River, gentle River _ . ■P'f'O' 933 

■'933 



On Dr. Goldfmith's Charadcriftical Cookery. 

AJend'Efprit . . Gutrick 869 

Jupiter and Mercury. A Fable . ib. 86g 

The Lamentatioji of GlumdaUlitch for the Lofs 

ofGrildrig . . . Gay 870 

A Receipt for ftewing Veal . ib. 870 

Sprine. An Ode , . Dr. "Jobn/on 871 

The Midlummer's Wifh. An Ode " /^. 871 

Autumn. An Ode . . ib. 871 

Winter. An Ode . . ib. 872 

An Evening Ode. To Stella . /i. 872 

The Natural Beauty. To Stella . ib. 872 

The Vanity of Wealth . . ib. 873 

To Mifs—— ,on her giving the Author 

a Gold and Silk Net-work Purfe of her own 

weaving . . . ib. 873 

To Lyce, an elderly Lady . . /^. 873 

Bpkaph on Sir Thomas Hanmcr . ii>, 873 



Alcanzor and Zaida, aMoorifh Tale . ib 

King Ed wad IV, and the Tanner of Tamworth 

Lady Ann Bothwell's Lament 

Corydon's doleful Knell 

Old aud young Courtier 

Loyalty cenfined 

To Althea, from Prifon 

The Braes of Yarrow, an Imitation of the ancient 

Scotch Manner . . 

Childe Waters .... 
The King and Miller of Mansfield 
The Witches Song 
The Fairies' Farewell 
Unfading Beauty 



936 

956 
937 
938 
938 



The Hermit 

The Sky-lark 

A Paftoral Ballad. In Four Parts 

A Paftoral Ballad 

A Paftoral Ballad 

A Fairy Tale 

Song . ... 

The Barber's Nuptials 

William and Margaret 

Lucy and Colin . 

Songs, B) Dibdin 



939 

940 

94* 

944 

945 

946 

Seattle 946 

Sbenfione 946 

Sbenfione 946 

Byren 948 

Rave 949 

Parnell 949 

Tbom/on 951 

95» 

95a 

95* 

953—957 



PROLOGUES AND EPILOGUES, &c. 



957 



ELEGANT 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS. 

POETICAL. 



BOOK THE FIRST. 
SACRED AND MORAL. 



§ |. An Addrefs to the Deity. Thomfon. 

FATHER of light and life! Thou good 
supreme! 
Oteachme what is good. Teach me thyself! 
Save me from folly, vanity, and vice. 
From every low purfuit! and feed my foul 
With knowledge, confcious peace, and virtue 
Sacred, fubftantial, never-fading blifs ! [pure 5 



§ 2. Adam and E've, in a Morning Hymn, call upon 
all the Parts of the Creation to join nvith them in 
extolling their common Maker, Milton. 

These are Thy glorious works, Parent of good. 
Almighty, thine this univerfal frame, 
Thus wondrous fair; thyfelfhow wondrous then! 
l^nfjpeakable, who fitt'ft above thefe Heavens 
T9 us invifible, or dimly feen 
In thefe thy low eft works ; yet thefe declare 
Thy goodnefs beyond thought, and pow V divine. 
Speak ye who bell can tell, ye fons of light, 
Angels ; for ye behold him, and with fongs 
And choral fymphonies, day without night, 
Circle his throne rejoicing; ye in Heaven, 
On Earth, join all ye creatures to extol 
Him firft, him laft, hjm midft, and without end. 
Faireft of ftars, laft in the train of night. 
If better thou belong not to the dawn. 
Sure pledge of day , that crown'ft the fmiling morn 
With thy bright circlet, praife him in thyfphere, 
While day arifes, that fweet hour of prime. 
Thou Sun, of this great world both eye and foul, 
Acknowledge him thy greater, found his praile 
In thy eternal courfe, both when thou climb^ft^ 
And when high noon haft gainM, and when thou 

fairft. 
Moon, that now meet'ft the orient fun, now fly 'ft 
With the fix'd ftars, fix'd in their orb that flies, 



And ye five other wand'ring fires that move 
In myftic dance, not without fong, refound 
His praife, who out of darknefs calPd up light. 
Air, and ye elements, the eldeft birth 
Of Nature's womb, that in quaternion run 
Perpetual circle, multiform; and mix 
And UQurifh all things ; let your ceafelefs change 
Vary to our great Maker ftiil new praife. 
Ye Mifts and Exhalations that now rife 
From hill or ftreaming lake, dufky or grey. 
Till the fun paint your fleecy fkirts with gold, 
In honour to the world's great Author rife! 
Whether to deck with clouds th' uncolour'd fky. 
Or wet the thirfty earth with falling fliowers, 
Rifing or falling ftill advance his praife. 
His praife,ye Windsjthat from four quarters blow. 
Breathe foft or loud; and wave your tops, yePines, 
With every plant in fign of worfhip wave. 
Fountains, apd ye that warble as ye flow- 
Melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praife. 
Join voices, all ye living Souls; ye Birds, 
That flhging up to Heaven's gate afcend. 
Bear on your wings and in your notes his praiie. 
Ye that in waters glide, and ye that walk - 
The earth, and ftately tread, or lowly creep; 
Witnefs if I be fllent, morn or even. 
To hill or valley, fountain, or frefn fliade 
Made vocal by my fong, and taught his praife. 
Hail univerfal Lord ! be bounteous ftill 
To give us only good; ^nd if the night 
Have gather'd aught of evil, or conceal'd, 
Difperfe it, as now light difpels the dark. 



§ 'i,. On the Deity. - Mrs. Barbauld. 
I READ God's awful name embiazon'd high, 
With golden letters on th' illumin'd fky; 
Nor lels the myftic charafters I fee, . 
Wrought in each flower, infcrib'd on ev'ry tree ; 
B In 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



B o ic I. 



In evVy leaf that trembles to the breeze 
I hear the voice of God amono; tb.e trees. 
"V^'^ith thee in (hady folitudes I walk, 
With thee in bufy crowded cities talk ; 
la ^ery creature own thy forming power, 
la each event thy providence adore. 

Thy hopes Ihall animate my drooping foul, 
Thy precepts guide me, and thy fear cbntroul: 
Thus (hall I relt, unmov'd by all alarms, 
Secure within the temple of thine arms, 
From anxious cares, from gloomy terrors free. 
And feel mylelf omnipotent in thee. 

'^hen when the laft, the clofmg hour draws 

An-l earth recedes before my fwimmmg eye ; 
When trembling on the doubtful edge of f.^te 
1 Hand, and ftretch my view to either ftatej 
Teach me to quit this tranfitoiy fcene 
With decent triumph and a look ferene ; 
Teach me to fix my ardent hopes on high, 
And, having liv'd to thee, in thee to die. 



§ 4. Hymn on Gratitude. Addifon, 

When all thy mercies, O my God, 

My rifmg foul furveys ; 
Tranfported with the view, I'm loll 

In wonder, love, and praife. 
O how fhall words with equal warmth 

The gratitude declare 
That glows within my ravifli'd heart ? 

But thou canll read it there. 
Thy providence my life fuftain'd. 

And all my wants redrefs'd. 
When in the filent womb I lay, 

And hung upon the breall. 
To all my weak complaints and cries 

Thy mercy lent an ear, 
Ere yet my feeble thoughts had learnt 

To form themfelves in pray'r. 
Unnumbered comforts to my foul 

Thy tender care beftow'd, 
. Before my infant heart conceived 

From whom thofe comforts fiow'd. 
Whe» in the flipp'ry paths of youth 

With heedlefs fteps I ran. 
Thine arm unfeen convey 'd me fafe. 

And led me up to man. 
Tiarough hidden dangers, toils, and deaths. 

It gently cleared my wdj. 
And through the pleafing fnares of vice. 

More to be fearM than they. 
When worn with ficknefs, oft haft thou 

With health renew'd my face, 
And when in fms and forrows funk, 

Reviv'd my foul with grace. 
Thy bounteous hand with worldly bkfa 

Has made my cup run o'er, 
And in a kind and faithful friend 

Has doubled all m^ itore. 



Tcnthouf^nd thoufand precious gifts 

My daily thanks employ. 
Nor is the lea ft a cheerful heart. 

That taftes thofe gifts with joy. 
Through every period of my life ♦ 

Thy goodnefs I'll purfue; 
And after death in diftant worlds 

The glorious theme renew. 

When nature fails, and day and night 
Divide thy works no more, 

My ever grateful heart, O Lord, 
Thy mercy (hall adore. 

Through all eternity to Thee 

A joyful fong Fll raife. 
For O ! eternity's too (liort 

To utter all thy praife. 



§ 5. Hymn on Pro-vidence. Addifon* 

The Lord my pafture fliall prepare, 
And feed m.e with a (hepherd's care: 
His prefence fliall my wants fiipply. 
And guard me with a watchful eyej 
My noon-day walks he fliall attend.. 
And all ray midnight hours defend. 

When in the fultry glebe I faint. 
Or on the thirfty mountains pant; 
To fertile vales, and dewy meads, 
My weary w^and'ring fteps he leads; 
Where peaceful rivers, left and flow. 
Amid the verdant landflcip flow. 
Tho' in the paths of Death I tread. 
With gloomy horrors overfpread, 
My fteadfaft heart fliall fear no ill. 
For thou, O Lord, art with me ftiil; 
Thy friendly crook fliall give me aid. 
And guide me through the dreadful fliade. 

Tho' in a bare and rugged wav, 
Through devious lonely wilds' I ftray, 
ihy bounty (hall my pains beguile: 
The barren\vildernef$ Ihall fmiie. 
With fudden greens and herbage crown'd; 
And ftreams Ihall murmur all around. 



§ 6: Another Hymn, from the beginning of ike 
igth Pfalm. Addifon. 

The fpacious firmament on high. 
With all the blue ethereal flcy. 
And fpangled Hcavensj a fliining frame. 
Their great Original proclaim: 
Th' unwearied fun, from day to day, 
Does his Creator's pow'r difplay. 
And publiihes to ever)-- land 
The work of an Almighty hand. 

Soon as the evening fliades prevail, 
The moon takes up the wond'rous tale. 
And nightly to the lill'ning earth. 
Repeats the ftory of her birth : 
Whilft all the liars that round her burn. 
And all the phnets hi their turn, 

CcaSnu 



b k i. 



SACRED AND M O Pv A L. 



Confirm the tidings as they roll. 

And fpread the truth from pole to pole. 

What though in folemn filence all 
Move round the dark terrelbial b.ill! 
What the' nor real voice nor found 
Amid their radiant orbs be found! 
In reafon's ear they all rejoice, 
And utter forth a gltarious voice, 
For ever finging as they (liine, 
<* The hand that made us is Divine." 



§ 7. Another Hymn. Mrs. Rowe. 

The glorious armies of the fky 

To thee, Almighty King, 
Triumphant anthems confecrate. 

And hallelujahs fing. 

But ftill their moft exalted flights 

Fall vailly (hort of thee : 
Hov/ diftant then mull human praife 

From thy perfeftions be ! 

Yet how, my God, fhall I refrain. 
When to my ravifh'd {tvi^z 

Each creature every where around 
Difplays thy excellence ! 

The active lights that fhine above, 

lii their eternal dance, 
Keveal their (kilful Maker's praife 

With fdent elegance. 

The bluflies of the morn confefs 
That thou art ftill more fair. 

When in the Eaft its beams revive. 
To gild the fields of air. 

The fragrant, the refrefhing breeze 

Of ev'ry fiow'ry bloom 
In balmy whifpers own, from The£ 

Their pleafing odours come. 

The finging birds, the warbling xvinds. 

And waters murm'ring fall. 
To praife the firft Almighty Caufe 

With difF'rent voices call. 
Thy numerous w^oi^ks exalt ^lee thus. 

And fhall I filent be ? 
No } rather let me ceafe to breathe, 

Than ceafe from praifing Thee! 



§ 8. Another Hymn. Mrs. Rowe, 
Thou didft, O mighty God! gxift 

Ere time hegan its race; 
'Before the ample elements 

Fill'd up the void of fpace: 
Before the pond'rous earthly globe 

In fluid air was fta5'-'d ; 
Before the ocean's mighty fprings 

Their liquid ftoi-es difplay'd ; 

Ere through the gloom of ancient night 
The ttreaks of light appearMj 

Before the high ccleftial arch. 
Of iiany poles w^re r?ar'd • 



Before the loud melodious fpheres 
Their tuneful round begun 5 

Before the ftiining roads of heav'u 
Were meafur'd by the fun : 

Ere through the empyrean courts 

One hallclujih rung; 
Or to their harps the fons of light 
. Ecftatic anthems x'ang : 

Ere men ador'd, or angels knew, 

Or prais'd thy wond'rous r^amej 

Thy blifs, O facred Spring of life I 
Thy glory, was the fame. ^^ 

And when the pllfars of the wc^Pi 

With fudden ruin break,' 
And all this vaft and goodly frame 

Sinks in the mighty wreck j 

When from her orb the moon ftiall ftart, 
Th' aftonifli'd fun roll back, 

And all the trembling ftarry lamps 
Their ancient courfe forfake j 

For ever permanent and fix'd. 

From agitation free. 
Unchanged in everlaftirjg yeais, 

Shall thy exillence be. 



§ g. Another Hymn, from Pfalm \d^%th, Ogiivl^^^ 

Begin, my foul, th' exalted lay! 
Let ea.ch enraptured thought obey. 

And praife th' Almighty's name: 
Lo ! heaven and earfh, and feas and fl:ies, 
In one melodious concert rife. 

To fwell th' infpiring theme. 

Ye fields of light, celeftial plains. 
Where gay tranfporting beauty reigns. 

Ye fcenes divinely fair ! 
Your Mr^ker's wond'rous power proclaim^ 
Tell how he form'd your fliining frame. 

And breath'd the fluid air, 

Ye angels, catch the thrilling founds 
'While all th' adoring thrones around 

His boundiefs mercy fing: 
Let ev'ry lift'ning faint above 
Wake all the tuneful foul of love, 

And touch the fvveeteft ftring. 

Join, ye loud fpheres, the vocal choir; 
Thou dazzling orb of liquid fire, 

The mighty chorus aid : 
jSoori as grey ev'ning gilds the plain, 
iXhcu, moon, protraft the meltmg llrain^ 
I And praife him in the fliade. 
Thou heav'n of heav'ns, his va'i: ahode. 
Ye clouds, proclaim your forming God, 
Who call'd yon worlds from night: 
^^ Ye fuades, difpeli" — th' Eternallaid; 
At once th' involving darknefs fled, 
Ana nature fprung to light. 

Wh^kte'er a blooming v/orld contains. 
That wingd the air, "that flcims the plains, 
ynited praife beftow; 

^ i Ye 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS^ 



6 b o It t. 



Ve dragons, fcuiid his awful name 
To he:iv'n aloud ^ and roar acclaim. 

Ye Iwelling deeps below. 
Let every element rejoice: 
Ye thunders, burft with awful voiee 

To him who bids you roll; 
His praife in fofter notes declare, 
Each whifpering breeze of yielding air, 

And breathe it to the foul. 
To him, ye graceful cedars, bow ■■, 
Ye tow ■■ ring mountains, bending low. 

Your great Creator own; 
Tell, when ittighted nature (liook, 
How Sinai klMled at his look, 

And trembled at his frown. 
Ye flocks that haunt the humble vale, 
Ye infe^ls flutt'ring on the gale. 

In mutual concourfe rift : 
Crop the gay rofe's vermeil bloom. 
And waft its fpoils, a fweet perfume, 

In incenfe to the Ikies. 
Wake, all ye mounting tribes, and fing ; 
Ye plumy warblers of the fpring, 

Harmonious anthems raife 
To him who (hap'd your liner mould, 
Who tipp'd your glitt'ring wings with gold, 

And tun'd your voice to praife. 
l/et man by nobler paffions fway'd, 
The feeling heart, the judging head. 

In heav'nly praife employ ; 
Spread his tremendous name around. 
Till heav'n's broad arch rings back the found, 

The gen'ral burlt of joy. 

Ye wliom the charms of grandeur pleafe, 
Nurs'd on the downy lap of eafe, 

Fall proftrate at his throne: 
Ye princes, rulers, all adore; 
Praife him, ye kings, who makes your pow'r 

An image of his own. 

Ye fair, by nature form'd to move, 
O praife th' eternal Source of love. 

With youth's enlivening fire : 
Let age take up the tuneful lay. 
Sigh his blefs'd name-^then foar away. 

And afk an angel's lyre. 



i Him wouldft thou pleafe ? With rev'rend awe 

! Obferve the diftates of his Law : 

jIn fecret on thy couch reclined 

j Search to its depth thy reftlefs mind, 

(Till hufli'd to peace the tumult lie, 

And wrath and Itrife within thee die. 

With pureft gifts approach his fhrine. 

And fafe to Him thy care refign. 

I hear a hopelels tsain demand, 

*' Where's now tie wilh'd Deliverer's hand ?'• 

Do Thou, my Gcd, do Thou reply. 

And let thy prefence from on high 

In full effufion o'er our head 

Its all-enlivening influence fhed. 

What joy my confcious heart o'erflow'^s! 

Not fuch th' exulting lab'ier knows. 

When to his long expecling eyes 

The vintage and the harvelts rife. 

And, fliadowing wide the cultur'd foil. 

With full requital crown his toil. 

My weary eyes in fleep I clofe. 

My limbs, fecure, to reft compofe; 

For Thou, great God, ftialt fcreen ray head. 

And plant a guard around my bed. 



§ lo. Pfalm j^th, Merrick. 

Defender of my rightful caufe. 
While anguifh from my bofom draws 
The deep-felt figh, the ceafelefs pray'r, 
O make thy fervant ftill th)r care. 
That aid, which oft my griefs has heal'd, 
To aid again, entreated, yield. 
How long, ye fons of pride, how long 
Shall falfehood arm your impious tongue. 
And erring rage your breaft inflame, 
My pow'r to thwart, my a(5ls defame ? 
To God my heart fhall vent its woe. 
Who, prompt his bleflings to bcftow 
Oil each whofe breaft has learnM his icar, 
Bows K) my pliUJit th€ willing €ar» 



§ II. Pfalj/i 5th. Merrick. 
The words that from my lips proceed, 
My thoughts (for Thou thofe thoughts canft: 
My God, my King, attentive weigh, [read,) 
And hear, O hear me, when I pray. 
With earlieft zeal, with wakeful care, 
To Thee my foul fliall pour its pray'r, 
And, ere the dawn has (Ireak'd the' Iky, 
To Thee direft its longing eye: 
To Thee, whom nought ohfcur'd by ftala 
Can pleafe ; whofe doors to feet profane 
Inexorable Hand ; whofe Law 
Ofl^enders from thy fight fliall awe. 
Let each whole tongue to lies is rum'd, 
Who lelFons of deceit has learn'd. 
Or thirlls a brother's blood to flied. 
Thy hate and heaviell vengeance dread. 
But I, whofe hope thy Love fupports, 
(How great that Love !) will tread thy courts, 
My knees in lowlieft rev'rence bend, 
And tow'rd thy flirine my hands extend. 
Do thou, jufl: God, my path prepare, 
And guard me from each hoftile fnare j 
O lend me thy conducing ray. 
And level to ray fteps thy way. 
Behold me by a troop inclos'd, 
Ot falfehood and of guilt compos'd : 
Their throat a fepulchre difplays. 
Deep, wide, infatiate ; in their praife 
Lurks fiatt'ry, and with fpecious art 
Belies the purpofe of their heart. 
O let the mifchiefs they intend 
Retorted on themfelves defcend, 
And let thy wrath correft their fin, 
Whofe hearts thy mercy fails to win. 
May all whole truft on Thee is plac'd. 
Peace and delight perpetual talle, 
Sav'd by thy care, in longs of joy 
Their ever grateful roicc employ. 

And 



Book It 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



S 



And fhiire the gifts on thofe beftow'd. 
Who love the name of Jaccb's God. 
To each who bears a j^uiit'cfs heart, 
Thy grace its blefling fliall impart ; 
Stroiig as t.i;: 'irazen Ihield, thy aid 
Around hi;n caits its covering (hade. 



§ 12. P/alm 6th. Merrick. 
O SPARE me, Lord, nor o'er my head 
• The fuhieis of "thy vengeance flied. 
With pitying eye my weajcnefs yiew, 
Heal my vex'd loul, my Itrength renew j 
And O, if yet my lins demand 
The wjfe corrections of thy hand. 
Yet give my pains their bounds to know, 
And iix a period to my '\voe. 
Reiurr., great God, return, and fave 
Thy lei vant from the greedy grave. 
Shall Death's long-filcnt tongue, O fay, 
The records uf thy povvVdifplay, 
Or pgle Corruption's llartled ear. 
Thy pri^ife within its prilbn hear ? 

tlangour, grief, and care opprell, 
ith groans perpetual heaves my breaft, 
And tears, in large profufion fhed, 
InceJant lave my fleeplefs bed. 
My life, though yet in mid career. 
Beholds the winter of its year, 
(While clouds of grief r^ round me roll. 
And holtile llorms invade my foul,) 
Relentlefs from my cheek each trace 
Of youth and blooming health erafe, 
And fpread before my vs^afting light 
The Ihades of all-obfcuring night. 

Hence, ye profane : My Saviour hears j 
While yet I fpeak, he wipes mv tears, 
Accepts my pray'r, and bid^ each foe 
With fhame their vain attempts forego. 
And, ftruck with horror from on high, 
In wild diforder backward fly. 



His rank awhile, by thy decree, 

Th' Angelic Tribes beneath them k^^ 

Till round him thy imparted rays 

With unextinguifli'd glory blaze. 

Subjected to his feet by Thee, 

To him all I\ature bows the knee ; 

The beafts in him their Lord behold ; 

The glazing herd, the bleating fold, 

The lavage race, a countlefs train, 

That range at large th' extended plain. 

The fowls, of various vving, that fly 

O'er the vaft defert of the fky, 

And all the wat'ry tribes, that glide 

Through paths to hyman light deny'd. 

Immortal King ! Through EartlH wide frame. 

How great thy honour, praife, and name I 



§ 13. Pfalm^th. Merrick. 
I^iMORTAL King! Through Earth's wide fran;!^. 
How great thy honour, praife, and name ! 
Whole reign o'er diltant worlds extends, 
Whole glory, heay'n's vail heigjit tranfcends. 
From infants thou canll Itrength upraife. 
And form their lifping tongues to praife : 
By thefe the vengeance-breathing Foe 
Thy mightier terrors taught to know, 
In mute altoniihment Ihall Itand, 
And bow beneath thy conqu'ring hand, 
When, rapt in thought, with \yakeful eye 
I view the wonders of tlie fky, 
Whofe frame thy fingers o'er our head 
In rich magnificence have fpread j 
The filent Moon, with waxing horn, 
Along th' ethereal region home; 
The Stars with vivid^lultre crown'd, 
That nightly walk their deftin'd round. 
Lord! What is Man, that in thy care 
llis humble lot Ihould find a Ihare; 
Or what the Son of Man, that Thou 
Thus to his wants thy ear Iho^ddft bow? 



§ 14. Pfalm 23^/. Merrick. 
Lo, my Shepherd's hand divine 1 
Want Ihall never more be mine. 
In a palture fair and laxge 
He ftiall feed his happy Charge, 
And vcxj couch with tend'reft care 
'Midlt the fpringing grafs prepare. 
When I faint w'ith lummer's heat. 
He ihall lead my weary feet - 
To the Itreams that ftill and flow 
Through the verdant meadow flow. 
He my loul anew fliall frame, 
And, his mercy to proclaim, 
I When through devious paths I ftray. 
Teach my fteps the better way. 
I Though the dreary vale I tread 
JBy the fli.;ide£ of death o'erfpreadj 
There I walk from terror free. 
While my ev'ry wifh I fee 
By thy rod and Itaff fupplied; 
This my guard, and that my guide. 
While my foes are gazing on. 
Thou thy fav'ring care haft fhown r 
Thou my plenteous board haft fpread 3 
Tho\i with oil refrefh'd my head ; 
Fill'd by Thee my cup o'erflows -^ 
For thy Love no limit know;s. 
Conltant, to my bteft end. 
This my footftepa ihall attend, 
And Ihall bid thy hallovv'd Domg 
Yield me an eternal home. 



§ 15. Pfahn. i2zd, Merrick, 
I. 
The feftal Morn, my God, is come. 
That calls me to thy hoiiour'd Dome 
Thy prefence to adore: 
My feet the fumrcons Ihall attend, 
With willing fteps thy Courts afc^nd, 
And tread the hallow 'd floor. 
2. 
Ev'n now to our tranfported eyes 
YdXv Sion^s tow'rs in profpe6t rifej 

Within her gates we Hand, 
And, loft in wonder and delight, 
Behold lier happy Sons unite 
la friendfhip's firmeft band. 
B3 



6 



BLECfANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I* 



3- 



Hither from Judah^ utmoft end 
The Heav'n-prore6ted Tribes afcendj 

Their OjT rings hither bring : 
Here, eager to atteli their joy, 
111 hymns of praife their tongues employ. 

And hail th' immortal King. 

4- 

By his Command impelPd, to Her 
Contending Crowds their canfe refer ; 

While Princes from her Throne^ 
With equal doom, th' unerring Law 
Difpenfe, who boafl their birth to draw 

From Jejj^^ favoured Son. 

Be Peace by Each implor'd on thee, 
O Sakm^ while with bended knee 

To ■; a€ob''s God we pray j 
How bleft, who calls himfelf thy Friend 1 
Succefs his labour fliall attend, 

And fafety guard his way. 
6. 
O may'fl thou, free from hoftile fear, 
Kor the loud voice of tumult hear. 

Nor war's wild v/aftes deplore : 
May plenty nigh thee take her ftand, 
And in thy courts with lavifli hand 

Dillribute all her Itore. 

7- 
Seat of m}^ Friends and Brethren, hail! 
How can my tongL-e, O Salern, fail 

To blels thy lov'd abode ? 
How ceafe the zeal that in me glows 
Thy good to feek, whofe walls inclofe 

The manlion yj^ ray God ? 



§ 1 6k Hymn to Cheerfulnefs — 'The Author he, 
fick, — Dr. Akenfide. 
How thick the fliades of evening clcfe ! 
How pale the fey with weight of fnows I 
Halle, light the tapers, urge the iii-e, 
_And bid the jcylefs day retire! 
*— Aias, in vain I try within 
To raife the dull, dejected fcene, 
While rous'd by grief thefe Hery pains 
Tear the frail texture of my veins 5 
While winter's voice, that itorms around, 
And yon deep death-bell's groaning found 
3<.enew my mind's oppreifive gloom, 
Till ftarting horror (hakes the room. 

Is there in Nature no kind power 
To focth afHiftion's lonely hour? 
To blunt the edge of dire di feale. 
And teach thefe wintry ihades to pkafe ? 
Come Cheerfulness, triumphant fair, 
Shine through the painful cloud of care : 
O fweet of :- nonage, mild of mien, 
O Virtue's friend and Plealure's queen I 
AfTuage the iiames that burn my b'-eaft. 
Attune my jarring thoughts to relt j 
And while tl y gracious gifts 1 feel, 
Tvly fong (hall ail thy praife reveal. 

As once ('twas in Aflrea's reign) 
The verr.al pow'rs renew'd their train, 



It happened that immortal Love 

Was ranging thro' the fpheres above. 

And dov/nward hither call his eye. 

The year's returning pomp to fpy : 

He faw the radiant God of day 

Lead round the globe the rofy May ; 

The fn'grant Airs and genial Hours 

Were fnedding round him dews and flowers; 

Before his wheels Auroi-a pafs'd. 

And Hefper's golden lamp v/as laft. 

But, fairell of the blooming throng. 

When Health majeftic mov'd along. 

All gay with fmiles, to fee below 

The joys which from her prefence flow. 

While earth enliven'd hears her voice, 

And fields, and flocks, and fwains rejoice 5 

Then mighty Love her charms confefs'd. 

And (bon his vows inclin'd her breail. 

And, known from that aufpicious morn 

The pleafing Cheerfulnefs was born. 

Thou, Cheerfulnefs, by Heav'n defign'd 
To rule the pulfe that moves the mind. 
Whatever fretful paiiion fprings, ^ 

Whatever chance or nature brings 
To ft rain the tuneful poize within, 
And difarrange the fweet machine} 
Thou, Goddefs, with a mafler-hand 
Doft each attemper 'd key command. 
Refine the foft and fwell the llrong. 
Till all is concord, all is long. 

Fair guardian of domellic life, 
Bell: banither of home-bred ftrife, 
Nor fuilen lip, nor taunting eye 
Defoiin the I'cene where thou art by: 
No lickening hulband damns the hour 
That bound his joys to female pow'r: 
■«? No pining mother weeps the cares _ 
That parents wafte on hopelefs heirs : 
Th' officious daughters pleas'd attend ; 
The brother rifes to the friend : 
By thee their board with flowers is crown'd. 
By thee with fongs their walks refound. 
By thee their fprightly mornings Ihine, 
And evening-hours in peace decline. - 

Behold tlie youth, whofe trem.bling heart 
Beats high v/ith love's unpitied fmart ; 
Tho' nov*^ he llrays by rills and bowers. 
And weeping wears the lonely hours ^ 
Or, if the nymph her audience deign, 
Shames the foft (lory of his pain 
With (lavlfli locks, difcolour'd eyes. 
And accents faltering into lighs; 
Yet thou, aufpicious power, with eafe 
Canif yield him happier hearts to pkafe. 
Exalt his mien to manlier charms, 
Inftru(51- his tongue with nobler arms. 
With more commanding paff.on move. 
And teach the dignity of love. 

Friend to tlie Mule and all her train. 
For thee / court the Mule again ; 
And may the votive lay difclofe 
How much to thy fair aid (he owes! 
See, when tliy touch reveals her mine. 
How pure the ftort-s of fimcy liiine3 ■ 
I ^ "^ Hark! 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



Hark ! when thy breath her fong impels, . 
How full the tuneful current fwells. 
Let Melancholy's plaintive tongue 

Initruft the nightly ftrains of Y ; 

But thine was Homer's ancient might, 
And thine vi6lorious Pindar's flight -. 
Thy myrtles crown'd the * Lelbian meads: 
Thy voice awak'd f Sicilian reeds j 
Thy breath perfumes the J Teian rofe, 
And Tiber's vine fpontaneous flows; 
While Horace wantons in thy quire j 
The gods and heroes of the lyre. 

See where the pale, the fiqk'ning fage 
(A prey perhaps to fortune's rage. 
Perhaps by tender griefs oppreft, 
Or glooms congenial to his breaft) 
Retires in defert-fcenes to dwell.* 
And bids the joylefs world farewell. 
Alone he treads th' autumnal fliade, 
Alone beneath the mountain laid. 
He fees the nightly damps arife, 
And gathering ftorms involve the ikies i 
''He hears the neighb'ring furges roll, 
And raging thunders fliake the polej 
Then, Itruck by every objeft round, 
And ftunn'd by ev'ry horrid found. 
He pants to traverfe nature's ways : 
His evils haunt him thro' the maze: 
He views ten thoufand demons rife, 
To wield the empire of the ikies. 
And Chance and Fate aifume the rod. 
And Mahce blots the throne of God. 
•— O Thou, whofe pleaiing power I fmg I 
Thy lenient influence hither bring; 
Compofe the ilorm, difpel the gloom 
Till Nature wears her wonted bloom, 
Till fields and ftiades their fweets exhale. 
And mufic fwell each opening gale : 
Then o'er his breaft: thy foftnefs pour, 
And let him learn the timely hour 
To trace the world's ibenignant laws. 
And judge of that preiiding cauie 
Who founds in difcord beauty's reign. 
Converts to pleafure every pain. 
Subdues the hofl:ile ^brms to rell, 
And bids the uni»ei-fe be bleft. 

O Thou, whofe pleafmg power I iing I 
If right I touch the votive ilring, 
If equal praife I yield thy name. 
Still govern thou thy poet's flame ; 
Still with the Mufe my boibm fliare. 
And footh to peace corroding care. 
But mofl: exert thy genial power 
On friendfliip's coniecrated hour: 
And while my Agis leads the road 
To fearleis wildom's high abode ; 
Or, warm in freedom's lacred caufe, 
Purfues the light of Grecian laws ; . 
Attend, and grace our gen'rous toili 
With all thy garlands, all thy fmiles. 
But if, by fortune's fliubborn fway 
From him and friendihip torn away, 
I court the Mufes healing fpell 
For griefs that ftill with abfence dwell. 



Alcwus and Sappho. 



Do thou condu6l my fancy's dreams 

To iiich indulgent, tender themes 

As juit the Ifrugglmg breall may cheer. 

And jull fuipend the ftarting tear; 

Vet leave that charming fenie of woe, 

vVhich none but friends and lovers know:, 



§ 17- 



The 2th Ffalm tranjlated. 

Chrillopher Pitt* 

O KiN'G eternal and divine 1 

The world is thine alone: 
k Above the fliars thy glories fhine. 

Above the heavens thy throne. 

How far extends thy mighty name ! 

Where'er the iun can roll, 
That fun thy wonders ftiall proclaim. 

Thy deeds from pole to pole. 

The infant's tongue (hall fpeak thy pO\y,e% 

And vindicate thy laws.; 
The tongue that never fjpoke before. 

Shall labour in thy c;aufe. 

For when I lift my thoughts and eyes. 

And view the heavens around, 
Yon itretching wafte of azure ikies. 

With ftars and planets crown'd : 
Who in their dance attend the Moona;^ 

The emprefs of the night. 
And pour around her fllver throne, 

Their tributary light : 

Lord ! what is mortal man, that he 
Thy kind regard ihould ihare ? 

What is his ion, who claims from theeji, 
And challenges thy care ? 

Next to the blell Angelic kiad. 

Thy hands created man. 
And this inferior vvorld aiTign'd 

To dignify his fpan. 
Him all revere, and all obey 

His delegated reign ; 
The flocks that through the valley ftray,^ 

The herds that graze the plain. 

The furious tiger fpeeds his flight. 

And trembles at his power j 
In fear of his fuperior might. 

The lions ceale to roar. 

Whatever horrid monilers tread 

The paths beneath the fea, 
Their king at awful diftance dread. 

And fullenly obey. 
O Lord, how far extends thy name! 

Where'er the fun can roll. 
That fun thy wonders ihall proclaim; 

Thy deeds from pole to pol-e. 



Pit« 



§ i8. Pfalmthe z^tb paraphrafed. 
Far as the world can fliretch its bounds 

The Lord is king sof all. 
His wond'rous power extends around 
The circuit of the ball. 

B 4 For 

f Theocritus. X Anacjreoiv 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



For he within the gloomy deeps 

Its dark foundations caft, 
And rear'd the pillars of the earth 

Amid the watery wafte. 

Who fhall afcend his Sion's hill, 

And fee Jehovah there ? 
Who from his facred fhrine (hall breathe 

The facrifice of prayer ? 

He only whofe unfully'd foul 
Fair virtue's paths has trod, 

Who with clean hands and heart regards 
His neighbour and his God. 

On him fhall his indulgent Lord 

Diffulive bounties fhed j 
From God Ins Saviour fnall defcend 

All blefilngs on his head. 

Of thofe who feek his righteous ways 

Is this the chofen race, 
Who bafk in ail his bounteous fmiles, 

And flourifh in his grace. 

Lift up your llately heads, ye door?. 

With haily reverence rife ; 
Ye everlafting doors ! who guard 

The paffes of the fkies. 

f.wift from your golden hinges leap. 

Your barriers roll away, 
I^Jcw throw your blazing portals wide, 

And burll the gates of day. 
For fee ! the King of Glory comes 

Along th"" ethereal road : 
The cherubs through your folds fhall bear 

The triumphs of their God. 
Who is this great and glorious King ? 

Oh ! 'tis the Lord, whofe might 
Decides the conqueft, and fufpends 

The balance of the fight. 
Lift up your ftately heads, ye doors !. 

With hafty reverence rife 5 
Ye everlafting doors ! who guard • 

The patTes of tlie fkies. 

Swift from your golden hinges leap, 

Your barriers roll away, 
Now throw your blazing portals wide, 

And burft the gates of day j 

For fee ! the King of Glory comes 

Along th' ethereal road : 
The cherubs through your folds fiiall bear 

The triumphs of their God. 
Who is this great and glorious King ? 

Oh ! 'tis the God, whofe care 
Leads on his Ifrael to the field, 

Wliofe power controuls the war. 



§ 19. Pfalm zgth. Pitt. 
Ye mighty princes, your oblations bring-. 
And pay due honours to your awful King; 
His boundlefs power to all the world proclaim, 
Bend at his fhrine, and tremble at his name. 
For hark ! his voice, with unrefilted fway, 
K.rJp3 and controuls the raging of the k?. 3 



Within due bounds the mighty ocean keeps. 
And in their watery cavern awes the deeps : 
Shook by that voice, the nodding groves around 
Start from their roots,and fly the dreadful found. 
The blafted cedars low in dull are laid. 
And Lebanon is left without a fhade. 
See ! when he fpeaks,the lofty mountains crowd, 
And fly for fhelter from the thundering God : 
Sirion and Lebanon like hinds advance. 
And in wild meafures lead tli' unweiidy nance. 
His voice, his mighty voice, divides the fire. 
Back from the blaft the fhrinking flames retire. 
Ev'n Cades trembles when Jehovah fpeaks. 
With all his Savages the defert fhakes. 
At the dread found the hinds with fear are flung. 
And in the lonely foreil drop their young. 
While in his hallowM temple all proclaim 
His glorious honours, and adore his name. 
High o'er the foaming furges of the iea 
He fits, and bids the liflening deeps obey : 
He reigns o'er all ; for ever iafts his power. 
Till nature fmks, and time fliall be no more. 
With ftrength the fons of Ifrael fhall he blefs. 
And crown our tribes with happinefs and peace. 



^20. Pfalm /^bth parapkrafed. Pitt. 
On God we build our fure defence, 

In God our hope repofe : 
His hand protedls us in the fight. 

And guards us from our woes. 
Then, be the Earth's unwieldy frame 

From its foundation hurl'd. 
We may, unmov'd with fear, enjoy 

The ruins of the world. 
What though the folid rocks be rent, 

In tempelts whirl'd away ? 
What though the hills fhould burfl their roots, 

And roll into the fea ? 
Thou Sea, with dreadful tumults fwell. 

And bid thy waters rife 
In furious furges, till they dafh 

The flood-gates of the fkies. 
Our minds fhall be ferene and calm. 

Like Siloah's peaceful flood ; 
Whofe foft and filver flreams refrefk 

The City of our God. 
Within the proud delighted waves 

The wanton turrets play ; 
The flreams lead down their humid train, 

Reluftant to the fea. 
Amid the fcene the tem.ple floats. 

With its relieved towers. 
Gilds all the furface of the flood, 
" And dances to the fliores. 

With wonder fee what mighty power 

Our facred Sion cheers, 
Lo ! there amidft her flately walls. 

Her God, her God appears ! 
Fixt on her bafis we fliall ftand, 

And, innocently proud, 
Smile on the tumults of the world, 

Beneath the wings of Godt 

SecJ 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



See ! how their weaknefs to proclaim, 
The heathen tribes engage ! 
; See ! how with fruitlefs wrath they burn, 
' And impotence of rage ! 

! But God has fpoke ; and lo ! the world, 
I His terrors to difplay. 

With all the melting globe of earth. 

Drops filently away. 
Still to the mighty Lord of hofts 
' Sec urely we refort ; 

For refuge fly to Jacob's God, 

Our fuccour and fupport. / 

Hither, ye numerous nations, crowd. 

In filent rapture ftand. 
And fee o'er all the earth difplay'd 

The wonders of his hand. 
He bids the din of war be ftill, 
And all its tumults ceafe ; 
■ He bids the guiltlefs trumpet found 
The harmony of peace. 
He breaks the rough reluftant bow. 

He burlls the brazen fpear, 
And in the crackling fire his hand 

Confumes the blazing car. 
Hear then his formidable voice, 

" Be ftill, and know the Lord : 
^ ." By all the heathen I'll be fear'd j 
* " By all the earth ador'd." 

Still to the mighty Lord of hofts 

Securely we refort; 
For refuge fly to Jacob's God, 
Our fuccour and fupport. 



§21. Pfalm goth paraphrafed. Pitt. 

Thy hand, O Lord, through rolling years 

Has fav'd us from defpair. 
From period down to period ftretch'd 

The pi'ofpe^ls of thy care. 
Before the world was firft conceiv'd. 

Before the pregnant earth "^ 
Call'd forth the mountains from her womb, 

Who ftruggled to their birth \ 
Eternal God ! thy early days 

Beyond duration run, 
Ere the flrft race of fleeting tim? 

Was meafur'd by the Sun. 
We die ; but future nations hear 

Thy potent voice again, 
Rife at the fummons, and reftore 

The^perifli'd race of man. 
Before thy comprehenfive fight 

Duration fleets away ; 
And rapid ages on the wing 

Fly fwifter than a day. 
As great Jehovah's piercing eyes 

Eternity explore. 
The longeft sera is a night j 

A period is an hour. 
We at thy mighty call, O Lord, 

pur fancy'd beings leave. 



Rous'd from the flattering dream of life. 

To fleep within the grave. 
Swift from their barrier to their goal 

The rapid moments pafs, 
And leave poor man, for whom tliey run. 

The emblem of the grafs. 
In the firft morn of life it grows. 

And lifts its verdant head ; 
At noon decays, at evening dies. 

And withers in the mead. 
We in the glories of thy face, 

Our fecret fins furvey, 
And fee how gloomy thofe appear. 

How pure and radiant they. 
To death as our appointed goal 

Thy anger drives us on : 
To that full period fix'd at length 

This tale of life is done. 
With winged fpeed, to ftated bound's 

And limits we muft fly. 
While feventy rolling f*ms complete 

Their circles in the fKy. 
Or if ten more around us roll, 

'Tis labour, woe, and ft rife. 
Till we at length are quite drawn down 

To the lart dregs of life. 
But who, O Lord, regards thy wrmth. 

Though dreadful and fevere ? 
That -wrath, whatever fear he feels. 

Is equal to his fear. 
So tCvich us. Lord, to count our days. 

And eye their conftant race. 
To meafure what we want in time, 

'By wifdom, and by grace. 
With us repent, and on our hearts 

Thy choiceft graces ftied. 
And ftiower from thy celeftial throne 

Thy bleflings on our head. 
Oh! may thy mercy crown us here. 

And come without delay ; 
Then our whole courfe of life will feera 

One glad triumphant day. 
Now the bleft years of joy reftcwe. 

For thofe of gi-ief and ftrife, 
And with one pleafant drop allay 

This bitter draught of life. 
^ Thy wonders to the world difplay. 

Thy fervants to adorn. 
That may delight their future fons. 

And children yet unborn j 
Thy beams of Majefty diftufe, 

With them thy great commands. 
And bid profperity attend 

The labours of our hands. 



§ 22. Pfalm 1/y^th parapbrafed. Pitt. 

My foul, in raptures rile to blefs the Lord, 
Who taught ray hands to draw the fatal fword. 
Led by his arm, undaunted I appear 
In the firft ranks of death, and front of war. 

He 



lO 

He tayght me firft the pointed Ipear to wield, 
And mow the glorious hai-veft of the field. 
By him inlpir'djfrom itrength toftrength I pafsM, 
Plung'd through the troops, and laid the battle 

In hira my hopes I center and repofe, [waile. 
He guards niy life, and Ihields me from my foes. 
He held his ample buckler o'er my head, 
And fcreen'd me trembling in the mighty fliade : 
Againft all hoftile violence and power, 
He was my Iword, my bulvvark, and my tower. 
He o'er my people Avill maintain my Iway, 
And teach my willing fubjeds to obey. 

Lord ! what is m.an, of vile and humble birth, 
Sprung Vv'ith his kindred reptiles from, the earth, 
That he Hiould thus thy fecret counfels (hare ? 
Or what his fon, who challenges thy care ? 
Why does thine eye regard this nothing, man? 
His life a point, his meafure but a fpan ? 
The fancy'd pageant of a moment made, 
Swift as a dream, ?aid fleeting as a fhade. 

Come in thy power, and leave th' ethereal plain, 
And to- thy harnefs'd tempelt give the rein; 
Yon ilarry arch fliail bend beneath the load, 
So loud the chariot, and fo great the God ! 
Soon as his rapid wheels Jehovah rolls. 
The folding fkies fliall tremblfe to the poles : 
Heavens gaudy Axle v/ith the world (hall fall, 
Leap from the centre, and unhinge the ball. 

Touched by thy hands, the labouring hills ex- 
Thick clouds of fmoke, and deluges of fire ; [pire 
On the tall groves the red deftroyer preys, 
And v.Taps th' eternal m.ountains in the blaze: 
Full on my foes may all thy lightnings fiy. 
On purple pinions through the gloomy iky. 

Extend thy hand, thou kind all-gracious God, 
Downfromtheheavenofheavensthybrightabode, 
And Ihield mefrom my foes, whofe towe ring pride 
Lowers like a ftorm, and gathers like a tide : 
Againit itrange children vindicate my caufe, 
Who Gurfe thy name, and trample on thy laws ; 
Who fear not vengeance which they never felt, 
Train'd to blafpheme, and eloquent in guilt : 
Theirhands are impious, and their deeds profane; 
They plead their boafted innocence in vain. 

Thy name Ihall dwell for ever on my tongue. 
And guide the Ikcred numbers of my fong: 
To thee m.y Mufe fhall confecrate her lays. 
And exery note fhall labour in thy praiie; 
The hallow'd them.e fliall teach me how to iing. 
Swell on the lyre, and tremble on the ftring. 

Oft has thy hand from fight the m.onarch led, 
When death flew raging, and the battle bled; 
And fnatch'd thy fervant in the la(t defpair 
From ail the rifmg tunmlt of the war. 

Againit ftrange children vindicate my caufe, 
Whp curfe thy name and trample on thy laws ; 
That our fair fons may fmile in early bloom. 
Our fons, the hopes of all our years to come: 
Like plantsthatnursM by fofteringdiowersarife. 
And lift their fpreading honours to the IkJes: 
That cur chatce daughters niay their charms) 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



Pird up with plenty let our barns appear. 
And burlt with all the Seafons of the Year; 
Let pregnant flocks in every quarter bleat. 
And drop their tender young in every llreet. 
Safe from their labours may our oxen come, 
Safe may they bring the gathered fummer home. 
Oh ! may no fighs, no ftreams of ibrrow flow, 
To ftain our trium.phs with the tears of woe. 

Bleft is the nation, how flnterely bleft ! 
Of fuch unbounded happinefs pofl'elt. 
To whom Jehovah's facred name is known. 
Who claim the God of Ifrael for their own. 



difplay 
? the br _ 
yojifn'd, anci tail, and Imoothiand t'm as they 



Like the bright pillars of our temple, gay, i 



§ 23 . The 3^ Chapter of Job. Pitt. 

Job curs'd his birth, and bade his curfes flow 
In words of grief, and eloquence of woe : 
Loft be that day which dragg'd me to my doom. 
Recent to life, and Ilruggling from the womb ; 
Whofe beams with fuch malignant luftre Ihone, 

! Whence all my jears in anxious circles run. 

jLoll be that night in undetermin'd fpace, 

I And veil with deeper fliades her gloomy face, 
Which crowded up with vi-oes this flender fpan. 
While the dull mafs rofe quick'ning into man. 
O'er that curs'd day let fable darknefs rife, 

j Shroud the blue vault, and blacken all the flcies ; 
May God o'erlook it from his heavenly throne, 

[Nor roufe from fleep the fedentary fun. 
O'er its dark face to fhed his genial ray. 
And wai^m to joy the melancholy day. 
May the clouds frown, and livid poifons breathe. 
And ilain heaven's azure with the fliade of death. 
Maj ten-fold darknefs from, that dreadful 
night 
Seize and arreft the ftraggling gleams of light j 
To pay due vengeance for its fatal crime. 
Still be it banifli'd from the train of tiraej 
Nor in the radiant Hit of months appear. 
To flain the (hining circle of the year: 

There through her duiky range may lUence -\ 
roam, f 

Theremaynoray,noglImpfeofgladnefsconie; i 
No voice to cheer the iblitary gloom. 3 

May every ilar his gaudy light with-hold. 
Nor through the vapour Ihoot his beamy gold j 
Nor let the dawn with radiant ikirts come on, 
Tipp'd v.'ith the glories of the rifmg fun ; 
Becaufe that dreadful period fix'd my doom^ 
Nor feal'd the dark recelTes of the womb. 
To that original my ills I owe; 
Heir of afflidtion, and the fon of woe. 
Oh 1 had I died unexercis'd in pain, 
A^nd wak'd to life, to fleep in death again? 
Why did not Fate attend me at my birth, 
And give me back to my congenial eaith? 
Why was T, when an infant, footh'd to refl, 
Lull'd on the knee, or hung upon the breaft ? 
For now the grave would all my cares ccmpoie. 
Conceal my ibrrows, and inter my woes: 
There wrapp'd fclock'd within his cold embrace. 
Safe had I flumber'd in the anns of peace ; 
There with the mighty kings, who lie inrolrd 
In cloitds of incenfe, and in beds of gold: 

There 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



There with the princes, who in grandeur Ihoncj 

And aw'd the trembling nations from the throne, 

Afflifted Job an equal reft muft have. 

And Ihare the dark retirement of the grave j 

Or as a fliapelefs embryo feelc the tomb, 

Rude and imperfeft from the abortive womb: 

Ere motion's early principle began. 

Or the dim fubftance kindled into man. [ceafe, 

There from their m.onllrous crimes the wicked 
Their labouring guilt is weary'd into peace ; 
There blended ileepthe coward and the brave ; ^ 
Stretch'd with his iordjthe undillinguifhM (lave > 
Enjoys the common refuge of the grave. j 
An equal lot tbe mighty victor Ihares, 
And lies amidlt the captives of his wars ; 
With his, thofe captives mingle their remains, 
The fame in death, nor leflen'd by their chains. 
Why are we doom'd to view' the genial ray ? 
Why curs'd to bear the painful light of day ? 
O ! with what joy the wretches yield their breath. 
And pant in bitterneis of foul for death,! 
As a rich prize the diitant blifs they crave, 
And find the glorious treafure in the grave. 
Why is the wretch condemned without relief 
To combat woe, and tread the round of grief. 
Whom in the toils of fate his God has bound. 
And drawn the line of miferies around ? 

When nature calls for aid, my fighs intrude. 
My tears prevs-nt ray neceflkry food: 
Like a full ftream overcharged my forrows flow 
In bmrfts of anguifh, and a tide of woe ; 
For now the dire affliftion which I fied, 
Pours like a roaring torrent on my head. 
My terrors ftill the phantom viewM,and wrought 
The dreadful image into every thought: 
At length piuck'd down, the fatal ftroke I feel. 
And lofe the fancy 'd in the real ill. 



How then fliall man, thus infolently proud. 
Plead with his judge, and combat with his God? 
How from his mortal mother can he come 
Unftain'd from fm, untinfturM from the womb ? 

The Lord, from hisfublime empyreal throne. 
As a dark globe regards the fiiver mo)n. 
Thofe flars, that grace the wide celeltial plain. 
Are but the humbleft fweepings of his train. 
Dim are the brighteft fplendors of the fkyj 
And the fun darkens in Jehovah's eye. 
But does not fm dilfufe a fouler ftain, 
Aud thicker darknefs cloud the foul of man ? 
Shall he the depths of endlefs wifdom know? 
This Ihort-liv'd ioverei^n of the world below ? 
His frail original confounds his boait, [duft. 
Sprung from the ground , and quickened from the 



§ 24. I'fje 2stb Chapter of Job paraphrafed, 

Pitt. 

Then will vain man complain and murmur ftill, 
And ftand on terms with his Creator's will ? 
Shall this high privilege to clay be given ? 
Shall duft arraign the providence of Heaven ? 
With reafon's line the boundlefs diftance fcan ? 
Oppofe Heav'ns awful majefty to man ? 
To what a length his vaft dimenfions run ! 
How far beyond the journeys of the lun ! 
He hung yon golden balls of light on high, 
Andlaunch'dthe planets through the li^juid iky : 
To rolling worlds he mark'd the certain fpace, 
Fix'd and fultain'd the elemental peace. 

Unnumber'd as thofe worlds his armies move, 
And the gay legions guard his realms above ; 
High o'er th' ethereal plains the myriads rife. 
And pour their flaming ranks along the fkies : 
From their brightarmsincefTantfplendorsftream, 
And the wide azure kindles with the gleam. 

To this low world he bids the light repair, 
Down through the gulphs of undulating air : 
For man he taught the glorious fun to roll 
From his bright barrier to his weftern goai. 



§ 25. 'The Song of Mofes in the Fifteenth Chap- 
ter of Exodus, paraphrafed, Pitt. 

Then to the Lord the valt triumphant throng 
Of Ifrael's fons, with Mofes, rais'd the fong. 
To God our grateful accents will we raife. 
And every tongue fhall celebrate his praife: 
Behold difplay'd the wonders of his rriightj 
Behold the Lord triumphant in the fight ! 
With what immortal fame and glory grac'd ! 
What trophies rais'd amid the watery wafte! 
How did his power the fteeds and riders fweep 
Ingulph'dinheaps,&whelm'di-eneaththedeep ! 
Wliom fliould we fear, while he, heaven's awful 
Unfheaths for Ifrael his avenging fword ? [Lord, 
His outllretch'd arm, and tutelary care. 
Guarded and fav'd us in the iaft delpan- : 
His mercy eas'd us from our circling pains. 
Unbound our fhackles, and unlock'd our chains. 
To him our God, onr father's God, we'll rear ) 
A facred temple, and adore him there > 

With vows and incenle, facrifice and prayer. > 

The Lord commands in war: his matchlefs, 
might 
Hangs out and guides the balance of the fight: 
By him the war the mighty leaders form. 
And teach the hovering tumult where to ftorm^ 
His name, O Ilrael, heaven's eternal Lord, 
For ever honour' d, reverenc'd, and ador'd. 

When to the fight, from Egypt's fi uitful foil, 
Pour'd forth in myriads all the fons of iSilej 
The Lord o'erthrew the courfer and the car. 
Sunk Pharaoh's pride, and overwhclm'd his war. 
Beneath th' encumber'd deeps his legions lay. 
For many a league impurpling all the fea: 
The chiefs, and lleeds, and warriors whirPdi 

around. 
Lay 'raid ft the roajrings of the furges drown M. 

Who fhall thy power, thou mighty God, with- 
fcand. 
And check the force of thy viftorious hand ? 
Thy hand, which red with wrath in terror roie. 
To crufh that day thy proud Egyptian foes. 
Struck bythathand,their drooping fquadronsfall. 
Crowding in death ; one fate o'erwheJms them all. 

Soon as thy anger charg'd with vengeance came. 
They funk like ftubble crackling in the flame. . 



Ht 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I, 



At thy dread voice thefummon'd billows crowd, 
And a Itill lilence lulls the wondering flood: 
Roird up, the cryftal ridges ftrike the fkies. 
Waves peep o'er waves, and feas o'er leas arife. 
Ai-Qund in heaps the liftening furges ftand, 
Mute and oblervant of the high command. 
Congealed wdth fear attends the watery train, 
Rous'd from the fecret chambers of the main. 

With favage joy the fons of Egypt cry'd, 
(Va(t were their hopes, and boundlefs was their 
Let us purfue thofe fugitives of Nile, [pride) 
This fervile nation, and divide the fpoilj 
And fpread fo wide the flaughter, till their blood 
Dyes with a ftronger red the blufliing flood. 
Oh I what a copious prey their hofts afford. 
To glut and fatten the devouring fv.-ord ! 

As thus the yawning gulf the boafters pafs'd, 
At thy command rufti'd forth the rapid blall. 
Then, at the fignal given, with dreadful fway. 
In one huge heap roll'd down the roaring fea j 
And now the difentangled waves divide. 
Unlock their folds, and thaw the frozen tide. 
The deeps alarm'd call terribly from far 
The loud, embattled furges to the war j 
Till her proud fons aftonifh'd Egypt found 
Covered with billows, and in tempelts drown'd. 

What God can emulate thy power divine, 
Or who oppofe his ruiracles to thine ? 
When joyful we adore thy glorious name. 
Thy trembling foes confefs their fear and fha"^^ j 
The world attends thy abfolute com.mand. 
And nature waits the wonders of thine hand. 
That hand, extended o'er the Ayelling lea. 
The confcious billows reverence and obey. 
O'er the devoted race the fiirges fweep, 
And whelm the guilty nation in the deep. 
Tlmt hand redeem'd us from our fervile toil. 
And each infulting tyrant of the Nile : 
Our nation came beneath that mighty hand. 
From Egypt's realms, to Canaan's facred land. 
Thou wert their Guide, their Saviour, and their 

God, 
To fmooth the way, and clear the dreadful road. 
The diitant kingdoms Ihall thy wonders hear. 
The fierce Philiitines fhall confefs their fear; 
Thy fame ihall over Edom's princes ipread, 
And Moab's kings, the univerfal dread; 
While the vaft fcenes of miracles impart 
A thrilling horror to the bravelt heart. 
As through the world the gathering terror runs, 
Canaan fhall ihrink, and tremble for his fons : 
Till thou haft Jacob from his bondage brought, 
At fuch a vaft exj^ence of wonders bought. 
To Canaan's promis'd realms and bleil abodes. 
Led through the dark recelfes of the floods. 
Crown'd with their tribes fhall proud Moriah rife, 
And rear his lummit nearer to the Ikies. 

Through ages. Lord, fliall ftretch thy bound- 
lefs power. 
Thy thronefhall ftand when time fhall be no more: 
For Pharaoh's fteeds, and cars, and warlike train, 
Leap'd in, and boldly rang'd the fandy plain : 
Whik in the dreadful road, and defert way, 
The fhining crowds of gaiping fiikts lay; j 



Till, all around with liquid toils befet. 
The Lord fwept o'er their heads the watery net, 
He freed the ocean from his fecret chain, [main. 
And on each hand diicharg'd the thundering 
The loofen'd billows burft from every fide, 
And whelm the war and v/arriors in the tide j 
But on each hand the folid biMows flood. 
Like lofty mounds to check the raging flood j 
Till the bleft race to promis'd Canaan pafs'd 
O'er the dry path, and trod the water)' v/afte. 



§ 26. The 1 39?^ Pfalm paraphrafed. Pitt. 

O DREAD Jehovah ! thy all-piercing eyes 
Explore the motions of this mortal frame. 
This tenement of duft: Thy ftretching fight 
Surveys the harmonious principles, that move 
In beauteous rank and order, to inform 
This cafk, and animated m.afs of clay. 
Nor are the profpefts of thy wond'rous fight 
To this terreftria! part of man confin'd ; 
But flioot into his foul, and there difcern 
The firft materials of unfafliion'd thought. 
Yet dim and undigefted, till the mind. 
Big with the tender images, expands. 
And, fweiling, labours with th' ideal birth. 
Where'er I move, thy cares purfue my feet 
Attendant. When I drink the dews of fleep, 
Stretch'd on my downy bed, and there enjoy 
A fweet forgetfulnefs of all my toils, 
Unfeen, thy Ibv'reign prefence guards my fleep, 
Wafts ^11 the terrors of my dreams awa}', 
Sooths all my foul, and foftens my repofe. 
Before conception can employ the tongue, 
And riiould the duftile images to found; 
Before imagination ftands dilplay'd. 
Thine eye the future eloquence can read. 
Yet unarray'd with fpeech. Thou, mighty Lord! 
Haft moulded man from his congenial duft. 
And fpoke him into being ; while the clay,_ 
Beneaththyforminghand,leap'dforth,infpir'd, 
And ftarted into life : through every_ part. 
At thy command, the wheels of motion play'd. 
But futh exalted knov^ledge leaves below, 
And drops poor man from its fuperior fphere. 

In vain, with reafon's baliaft, would he try 
To ftem th' unfathomable depth: his bark 
O'erlets, and founders in the vaft abyfs. 
Then whither fhall tiie rapid fancy run. 
Though in its full career, to fpeed my flight 
From thy unbounded prefence? which, alone. 
Fills all the regions and extended fpace 
Beyond the bounds of nature ! Whither, Lord ! 
Shall my unrein'd imagination rove. 
To leave behind thy Spirit, and out-fly [fpread. 
Its influence, which, with brooding wings out- 
Hatch'd unfledg'dnaturefrom thedarkprofound? 
If mounted on my tow'ring thoughts I climb 
Into the heaven of heavens, I there behold 
The blaze of thy unclouded majefty ! 
In the pure empyrean thee I view. 
High thron'd above all height, thy radiant flirine 
Throng'd with theproltrate Seraphs, who receive 
Beatitude paft utterance 1 If I plunge 

Down 



Book I. 



SACRED ANi) M O R A LV 



it 



Down to the gloom of Tartarus profound, 
There too I find thee, in the lowed bounds 
Of Erebus, and read thee in the fcenes 
Of complicated wrath : I fee thee clad 
In all the majefty of darkneft there. 

If, on the ruddy morning's purple wings 
Upborne, with indefatigable courfe 
I feek the glowing borders of the eaft, 
Where the bright fun, emergent from the deeps, 
With his firft glories gilds the fparkling feas, 
And trembles o'er the waves ; ev'n there thy hand 
Shall thro' the wateiy delert guide my courfe, 
And o'er the broken furges pave ray way, 
While on the dreadful whirls I hang fecure. 
And mock the warring ocean. If, with hopes 
As fond as falfe, the darknefs I expe<5f 
To hide, and wrap me in its mantling fliade, 
Vain were the thought; for thy unhoimded ken 
Diirts thro' the thick'ning gloom, and pries thro' 
The palpable obfcure. Before thy eyes [all 
Thevanquifti'dnightthrowsoffherdufkyfhrowd 
And kindles into day : the fhade and light 
To man Hill various, but the fame to thee. 
On thee is all the llrufture of my frame 
Dependant. Lock'd within the lilent womb 
Sleeping I lay, and rip'ning to my birth ^ [there 
Yet, Lord, thy outftretch'd arm preferv'd me 
Before 1 mov'd to entity, and trod 
The verge of being. To thy hallow'd name 
I'll pay due honours; for thy mighty hand 
Built this corporeal fabric, when it laid 
The ground- work of exiftence. Hence I read 
The wonders of thy art. This frame I view 
With terror and delight; and, wrapt in both, 
I ftartle at myfelf. My bones, unform'd 
As yet, nor hardening from the vifcous parts, 
But blended with th' unanimated mafs. 
Thy eye dillinftly view'd; and, while I lay 
Within the earth, imperfeft, nor perceiv'd 
The firft faint dawn of life, with eafe furvey'd 
The vital glimmerings of the adtive feeds, 
Juil kindling to exiftence, and beheld 
My fubftance fcarce m.aterial. In thy book 
Was the fair model of this ftrufture drawn, 
Where every part, in juft conne6lion join'd, 
Compos'd and perfected th' harmonious piece, 
Ere the dim fpeck of being learn'd to llretch 
Its duftile form, or entity had known 
To range and wanton in an ampler fpace. 
How dear, how rooted in my inmoil foul, 
Are all thy counfels, and the various ways 
Of thy eternal providence ! the fum 
So boundlefs and immenie, it leaves behind 
The low account of numbers; and outtlies 
All that imagination e'er conceiv'd : [Ihores, 
Lefs numerous are the fands that crowd the 
The barriers of the ocean. When I rife 
. From my foft bed, and fofter joys of fleep, 
I rife to thee. Yet lo ! the impious flight 
Thy mighty wonders. Shall the ions of vice 
Elude the vengeance of thy wrathful handy 
And mock thy ling'ringthunderwhich withholds 
Its forky terrors from their guilty heads ? [fly 
Thou great tremendous God ! — A vaunt, and 



All ye who third for blood! — forrwoln withp'rlde. 
Each haughty wretchblafphemesthyfacred name. 
And bellows his reproaches to aflront 
Thy glorious Majefty. Thy foes I hate 
Worfe than my own. O Lord ! explore my foul 1 
See if a flaw or ftain of fm infefts 
My guilty thoughts; then, lead me In the way 
That guides my feet to thy own heaven and thee« 



§ 27. ^» Hymn to the Supreme Being. An Inu- 
tation of the loa^th Pfalm. Blacklock. 

^l^id prius dicam Jolitus parentis 
Liiadibus ? qui res homi»um ac deorufftj 
^ui mare &" lerras, "varitf^uc mundum 

'Tor.perat horis? }for» 

Arise, my foul! on wings feraphic rife! 
And praife th' almighty Sovereign of the (kies; 
In whom alone eflential glory Ihines, 
Which not the heav'n of heav'ns, nor boundlefs 
fpace confines. 

When darknefs nil'd with univerfal fway. 
He fpoke, and kindled up the blaze of day; 
Firft, faireft oftspring of th' omnific word! 
Which like a garment cloth'ditsfov'reign Lord- 
On liquid air he bade the columns rife. 
That prop the ftarry concave of the ikies; 
Dififus'd the blue expanfe from pole to pole, 
And fpread circ umfluent aether round the whole. 

Soon as he bids impetuous tempefts fly. 
To wing his founding chariot thro' the flcy, ' 
Impetuous tempefts the command obey, 
Suftain his flight, and fweep th' aerial way. 
Fraught with his mandates, from the realms on 
Unnumber'd hofts of radiant heralds fly [high. 
From orb to orb, with progrefs unconfin'd. 
As lightning fwift, refiftlefs as the wind. 

In ambient air this pond'rous ball he hung, 
And bade Its centre reft for ever ftrong; 
Heav'n, air, and iea, with all their ftorms in vala 
Alfault the bafis of the firm machine. 
At thy almighty voice old Ocean raves, 
Wakes all his force, and gathers all his waves; 
Nature lies mantled in a wat'ry robe. 
And fliorelefs billows revel round the globe : 
O'er higheft hills the higher furges rile, 
Mix with the clouds, and meet the fluid fkles. 
But when in thunder the rebuke was giv'n. 
That ihook th' eternal fii-mament of heav'n ; 
The grand rebuke th' aftVighted waves obey. 
And in eonfufion fcour their uncouth way; 
And polling rapid to the place decreed. 
Wind down the hills,and fweep the humble mead. 
Relu6lant in their bounds the waves liibfide ; 
The bounds, impervious to the laflung tide, 
Reftrain its rage; whilft, with inceifant roar. 
It ihalces the caverns, and affauits the fhore. 

By him, from mountains cloth'd in lucid fnow, 
Through fertile vales the mazy rivers flow. 

Here the wild horfe,unconfciousof the rein. 
That revels boundlefs o'er the wide campaign. 
Imbibes the filver furge, with heat oppreil, 
To cool the fever of his glowing breaft. 

Here 



ELEGANT E X T R A C T $* 



Book I« 



Here rifing boughs, adorn'd with fummer's 
pride, 
Projefl- their waving umbrage o'er the tidej 
"While, gent^y^ perching on the leafy fpray, 
Each feather'd warbler tunes his various lay: 
And, while thy praife they fymphoniie around, 
Creation echoes to the grateful found. 
Wide o'er the heavens the various bow he bands 5 
Its tin6tures brighten, and its arch extends : 
At the glad fign the airy conduits flow. 
Soften the hills, and cheer the meads below: 
By genial fervour and prolific rain, 
Swift vegetation clothes the fmiling plain : 
Nature, profufely good, with blifs o'erilows. 
And ftill is pregnant, tho' (he ftill beftov/s. 
Here verdant paftures wide extended lie. 
And yield the grazing herd exuberant fupply. 
Luxuriant waving in the wanton air, 
Here golden grain rewards tlie peafant's care ; 
Here vines mature with frelh carnation glow. 
And heav'n above diffufcs heav'n below. 
Ereft and tall here mountain cedars rife. 



Nor does our world alone its influence fhare; 
Exhauftlefs bounty, and unwearied care 
Extends thro' all th' infi.nitude of fpace. 
And circles nature with a kind embrace. 

The azure kingdoms of the deep below. 
Thy pow'r, thy wifdom, and thy goodnefs fnow : 
Here multitudes of various beings ftray, 
Crowd the profound, or on the lurface play: 
Tali navies here their doubtful. way explore. 
And ev'ry product v^aft from (hore to fnore; 
Hence meagre want expeird and fanguine llrife. 
For the mild charms of cultivated life; 
Hence fecial union fpreads from foul to foal, 
And India joins in friendfhip with the pole. 
Here the huge potent of the fcaly train 
Enormous fails encumbent o'er the main. 
An animated ifle ! and, in his way, 
Dafhes to heaven's blue arch the foamy fea: 
When ikies and ocean mingle ftorm and flame, 
Portending inftant wreck to nature"'s frame, 
Pleas'd in the fcene, he mocks, with confcious 
pride, 



"Wave in the ftany vault, and emulate the fkies. The voily'd lightning, and the furging tide 



1 



Here the wing'd crowd, that fkim the yielding 
With artful toil their little domes prepare 5 [air, 
Here hatch their tender young, and nurfe the 

rifing care. 
Up the Ileep hill afcends the nimble doe. 
While timid coneys fcour the plains below, , 
Or in the pendent rock elude the fcenting foe.3 

He bade the-Jllver majefty of night 
Revolve her circles, and increafe her light j 
Aflign^d a province to each rolling fphere. 
And taught the fun to regulate the year. 
At his command, wide hov'ring o'er the plain. 
Primseval riight refumes her gloomy reign : 
Then from their dens, impatient of delay, 
The favage monfters bend their fpeedy way. 
Howl thro' the fpacious wafte, and chafe their 

frighted prey. 
Here ftalks the fhaggy monarch of the wood. 
Taught from thy providence to aik his food! 
To thee, O Father, to thy bounteous Ikies, 
He rears his mane, and rolls his glaring eyesi 
He roars 5 the defert trembles wide around, 
And repercuflive hills repeat the found. 

Now orient gems the eaftern fkies adorn, 
And joyful nature hails the op'ning morn : 
The rovers, confcious of approaching day. 
Fly to their flielters, and forget their prey. 
Laborious man, with moderate fiumber bled. 
Springs cheerful to his toil from downy reft j 
Till grateful evening with her argent train, 
Bid labour ceafe, and eafe the weary fwain. 

*'HaJl fov'reign goodnefs ! all -produilive mind! 
On all thy worlcs thyfelf infcrib'd we find : 
How various all, how varioufiy endow'd, 
How great their number jand each part how goodl 
How perfect then muft the great Parent fliine, > 
Who with one acf of energy divine, ^ 

Laid the valt plan, and finifh'd the defign I" J 
Where'er the pleafing fearch my thoughts 

purfue, 
|[Jnbound;d goodcefs rifes to my vievvj 

4 



And while the wrathful elements engage. 
Foments with horrid fport the tempelt's rage. 
All thefe thy watchful providence fupplies, 
To thee alone they turn their waiting eyes; 
For them thou open'lt thy exhauftlefs itore, 
Till the capacious wiili can grafp no more. 

But, if one moment thou thy face fliould'fl 
Thy glory clouded, or thy fmiles deny'd, [hide. 
Then widow'd nature veils her mournful eyes. 
And vents her grief in univerfal cries : 
Then gloomy death, with all his meagre train-. 
Wide o'er the nations fpreads his difmal reign; 
Sea, earth, and air, tiie boundlefs ravage mourns 
And all their hofts to native daft return. 

But when again thy glory is difplay'd, 
Reviv'd creation lifts her cheerful head ; 
New riung foiTns thy potent fmiles obe}--. 
And life rekindles at the genial ray; 
United thanks replenifn'd nature pays, 
And heav'n and earth refound their Maker's 
praife. 

When time fliall in eternity be loft. 
And hoary nature languilh into duft, 
For ever young, th}' giory fhall remain, 
Vaft as thy being, endlefs as thy reign. 
Thou from the regions of eternal day, 
View'il: all thy works at one iramenie fur\-ey ; 
Pleas'd thoubehold'ft the whol^jjropenfely tend 
To perfe6t happinefs, its glorious end. 

If thou to earth but turn thy wrathful eyes. 
Her bafis trembles, and her orfspring dies : 
Thou fmit'ft the hills, and at th' Almighty blow 
Their fummits kindle, and their inwards glow. 

While this imm.ortal fpark of heav'nly flame 
Diftends my breaft and animates my frame : 
To thee my ardent praifes fnall be borne 
On the firft breezethat wakes the blufiiingm.ornj 
The lateil ftar fnall hear the plealing found. 
And nature in full choir fnall join around. 
When full of thee my Ibul excurnve flies 
Thro' earthj air, ocean, oi" thy regal ikies j 

From 



Book t. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



'S 



From world to world new wonders ftill I find, 
And all the Godhead flafhes on my mind ; 
When wingM with whirlwinds, vice (hall take its 
To the deep bofom of eternal nig^ht, [flight 
To thee my foul fhall endlefs praifes p^.y : 
Join, men and angels, join th' exalted lay ! 



§ 28. Another Bymn, Anon. 
How are thy fervants bleft, O Lord 1 

How fnre is their defence ! 
Eternal wifdom is their guide. 

Their help omnipotence. 

In foreign realms, and lands remote, 

Supported by thy care, 
Through burning climes I pafs'd unhurt^ 

And breathed in tainred air. 
Thy mercy fweeten'd every foil 

Made every region pleafe; 
The hoary Alpine hills it warm'd, 

And fmooth'd the Tyrrhene feas. 

Think, O my foul, devoutly think, 

Hov*^ with affrighted eyes > 
Thou faw'ft the wide extended deep 

In all its horrors rife! 

Confufion dwelt in ev'ry face, 

And fear in evYy heart. 
When waves on waves, and guiphs in gulphs, 

Cercame the pilot's art. 

Yet then from all my griefs, O Lord, 

Thy mercy fet me free ; 
While in the confidence of pray'r 

My foul took hold on thee. 

For though in dreadful whirls we hung 

High on the broken wave, 
I knew thou wert not fiow to hear. 

Nor impotent to fave. 
The ftorm was laid, the winds retit'd 

Obedient to thy willj 
The fea, that roar'd at thy command, 

At thy command was ftill. 

In midit of dangers, fears, and deaths, 

Thy goodnefs I'll adore 5 
And praife thee for thy mercies pall. 

And humbly hope for more. 

My life, if thou preferv'ft my life. 

Thy facrifice fhall be ; 
And death, if death mufl be my doom. 

Shall join my foul to thee. 



§ 29. Another Hymn. Anon. 
When rifing from the bed of death, 

O'erwhelm'd with guilt and fear, 
I fee my Maker face to face-, 

O ! how fliall I appear? 

If yet, while pardon m.ay be found. 
And mercy m.ay be fought. 

My heart with inward horror (brinks, 
And trembles at the thought ; 



When thou, O Lord, (halt (land dlfclos'd 

In majefty fevere, 
And fit in judgment on my foul, 

O ! how (hall I appear ? 
But thou hail told the Troubled foul, 

Who does her fins lament, 
The timely tribute of her tears 

Shall endlefs woe prevent. 

Then fee the forrows of my heart. 

Ere yet it be too late : 
And hear my Saviour's dying groans. 

To give thofe forrows weight. 

For never (hail my foul defpair 

Her pardon to procure. 
Who knovv's thy only Son has died 

T© make that pardon fure. 



§ 30. A Hymn on the Seafons, Thomfbn. 
These, as they change, Almighty Father, thde 
KxQ. but the varied God. The rolling year 
Is full of Thee. Forth in the pleafing Sprkig 
Thy beauty walks, thy tendernefs and love. 
Wide flufh the fields : the fbftening air is balmj 
Echo the m.ountains round 5 the foreft fmilesj 
And every {^r^^t and every heart is joy. 
Then comes thy glory in the Summer months. 
With light and heat refulgent. Then thy fun 
Shoots full perfeftion thro' the fwellingyear: 
A.nd oft thy voice in dreadful thunder ("peaks. 
And oft at dawn_, deep noon, or falling eve, 
Bybrooks and groves,iD hollow whifp'ring gales. 
Thy bounty (hines in Autumn imconfin'd. 
And fpreads a common fealt for all that lives. 
In Winter awful Thou ! with clouds and ftorms 
AroundTheethrown,tempeit:o'ertempeilroir<J, 
Majeftic darknefs ! On the whirlwind's wing. 
Riding (ublime, Thou bldd'ft the v/orld adore. 
And hum.bleft nature with thy northern blaft. 
Myfterious round ! what (kill, what force di- 
Deep-felt, inthefe appear! a firaple train, [vine. 
Yet fo delightful mix'd, with fuch kind ait. 
Such beauty and beneficence com.bin'd; 
And all fo forming an hannonious whole. 
Shade, unperceiv'd, fb foftening into (liade; 
That, as they (till fucceed, they ravifb ftili. 
But wandering oft, with rude inconfcious gaze, 
IMan marks not Thee,marks not Jrhe mighty hand 
That, ever bufy, m- heels the fiient fpheres ; 
Works in the fecretdeep; flioots, fleam ing,then<;e 
The fair profufion that o'erfpreads the Spring; 
Flings from the fun dire6l the flaming day; 
Feeds ev'ry creature; hurls the tempell forth, 
And, as on earth this grateful change revolves. 
With tranfport touches all the fprings of life. 
Nature attend i join every living foul 
Beneath the jfpacious temple of the flc}'. 
In adoration join ; and ardent raife 
One genej-al fong ! To him ye vocal gales, 
Breathefoft,who(efpiritinyourfre(lmef^breathe$s 
Oh talk of him in folitary glooms, 
Where o'er the rock the fcarcely wavino; pine 
Fills the brown (liade with a relig'OHs aVe ! 

Ana 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Cook I. 



And ye, whofe bolder note is heard afar. 
Who iliaketh'aftonilhM world,lift high toheav'n 
Th'impeteous ibngjandfay from whom you rage. 
His praife, ye brooks, attune, y e trembling rills j 
And let me catch it as I mufe along. 
Ye headlong torrents, rapid and profound: 
Ye fofter floods that lead the humid maze 
Along the vale 5 and thou majeftic main, 
A fecret world of wonders in thyfelf, 
Sound his ilupendous praife, whofe greater voice 
Or bids you roar, or bids your rearing fall. 
So roll your incenfe,hei-bs,and fruits^nd flowers, 
In mingled clouds to Him, whofe fun exalts, 
Whofe breath perfumes you, and whofe pencil' 

paints. 
Ye forefts bend, ye harvefts wave to Him; 
Breathe yoar ftill long into the reaper's heart, 
As home he goes beneath the joyous moon. 
Ye that keep watch in heav'n, as earth alkep 
Unconfcious lies, effufe your mildeft beams, 
Ye confteJlations, while your angels Itrike, 
Amid the fpangled Iky, the filver lyre. 
Great fburce of day ! bleil image here below 
Of thy Creator, ever pouring wide, 
Fi'om world to world, the vital ocean round, 
On nature wrjte with every beam his praife. 
The thunder rolls: be hufli'd the prollrate world; 
Whiie.cloud to cloud returns the folemn hymn. 
Bleat out afrefh, ye hills; ye moffy rocks^ 
Retain the found: the broad refponfive low. 
Ye valleys, n^ife; for the Great Shepherd reigns; 
And his unfuffering kingdom yet will come. 
Ye woodlands, all awake : a boundlefs fong 
Burftfrom the groves! and when the reftlefsday, 
Expiring, lays the warbling world afleep, 
.Sweeteft of birds ! fweet Philomela, charm 
Thelifteningfliades,andteachthenighthispraife. 
Ye chief for whom the whole creation fmiles ; 
At once the head, the heart, the tongue of all. 
Crown the great hymn! In fwanning cities vaft, 
AfTembled men to the deep organ join 
The long-refounding voice, oft breaking clear. 
At folemn paufes, thro' the fwelling bale; • 
And as each mingling flame increafes each. 
In one united ardour rife to heaven. 
Or if you rather choofe the rural fhade, 
A"nd find a fane in every facred grove: 
There let the (hepherd's flute the virgin's lay, 
The prompting feraph, and the poet's lyre. 
Still fmg the God of Seafons as they roll. 
Forme, when I forget the darling theme, 
Whether the bloflcm blows ; the Summer r^y 
Ruflets the j^lain ; tnfpiring Autumn gleams; 
Or Winter rifes in the blackening ealt: 
Be my tongue mute, my fancy paint no more, 
And, dead to joy, forget my heart to beat. 

Should fate com.mand me to the fartheft verge' 
Of the green earth, to diltant barbarous climes, 
Rivers unknown to fong ; where firft the fun 
Gilds Indian mountains, or his fetting beam 
Flames on th' Atlantic ifles, tis nought to me : 
Since God is ever prefent, ever felt. 
In the void wafte as in the city full ; 
And where He vital fpreads, there muft be joy 
7 



When even at laft the folemn hour (hall conie. 
And wing my myftic flight to future worlds, 
I cheerful will obey; there, with new powers. 
Will rifing wonders fmg: I cannot go 
Where univerfal love not fmiles around, 
Suftaining all yon orbs, and all their funs : 
Yrom feepiing en;il^\\\ adducing good, 
And better thence again, and better ftill. 
In infinite nrogreflion. — But I lofe 
Myfelf in Him, in light ineffable ! 
Come then, expreifive filence, mufe his praife. 



§ 31. Hymn to Hufnaniiy. Laiighorne. 
I. 

Parent of virtue, if thine ear 

Attend not now to forrow's cry ; 

If now the pity-ftreaming tear 

Should haply on thy cheek be dry ; 

Indulge my votive ftrain, O fweet Humanity ! 
2. 

Come, ever welcome to my breaft ! 

A tender, but a cheerful gueft. 

Nor always in the gloomy cell 

Of life-confuming forrow dwell ; 

For forrow, long-indulg'd and flow. 

Is to Humanity a foe; 

And grief, that makes the heart its prey; 

Wears Senfibility away, 

Then comes, fweet nymph, infl^ead of thee. 

The gloomy fiend. Stupidity. 

3- 
O may that fiend be banifiiM far, 

Though paffions hold eteraal war ! 

Nor ever let me ceafe to know 

The pulfe that throbs at joy or woe. 

Nor let my vacant cheek be dry, 

When forrow fills a brother's eye; 

Nor may the tear that frequent flows 

From private or from focial woes. 

E'er make this pleafing {en(t depart. 

Ye Cares, O harden not my heart \ 

4- 
If the fair ftar of fortune fmile. 
Let not its flattering power beguile ; 
Nor, borne along the fav'ring tide. 
My full fails fwell with bloating pride. 
Let me from wealth but hope content. 
Remembering ftill it was but lent ; 
To modeil merit fpread my ftorc. 
Unbar my hofpitable door; 
Nor feed, for pomp, an idle train, 
While want unpitied pines in vain. 

If Heaven, in every purpofe wife, 
The envied lot of wealth denies ; 
If doom'd to dr:i'g life's painful load 
Through poverty's uneven road, 
And, tor the due bread of the day, 
Deftin'd to toil as well as pray j 
To thee, Humanity, Itill true, 
I'll wifli the good I cannot do; 
And give the wretch, that pafles by, 
A foodiing word— a tear— -a fkh. 

6. How 



Book 1. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



17 



6. 



Howe'er exalted, or depreft. 

Be ever mine the feeling breafl. 

From me remove the Ilagnant mind 

Of languid indolence, reclin'd ; 

The foul that one long fabbath keeps, 

And through the fun's whole circle fleeps j 

Dull Peace, that dwells in Folly's eye, 

And felf-attending Vanity. 

Alike, the foolifh and the vain 

Are ftrangers to the fenfe humane. 

7- 
O for that fympathetic glow 
Which taught the holy tear to flowj 
When the prophetic eye furvey'd 
Sion in future afhes laid ; 
Or, rais'd to heaven, implor'd the bread 
That thoufands in the defert fed ! 
Or, when the heart o'er friendlhip's grave 
Sigh'd' — and forgot its power to fave— 

for that fympathetic glow 
Which taught the holy tear to flow. 

8. 
It comes : It fills my labouring brealt, 

1 feel my beating heart oppreft. 
Oh ! hear that lonely widow's wail ! 
See her dim eye I her alpeft pale ! 
To heaven llie turns in deep defpair. 
Her infants wonder at her prayer, 

And, mingling tears they know not why, 
Lift up their little hands, and cry. 
O God ! their moving forrows fee 1 
Support them, fweet Humanity ! 

9- 

Life, fill'd with grief's dlftrefsful train, 
For ever afks the tear humane. 
Behold in yon unconfcious grove 
The viftims of ill-fated love ! 
Heard you that agonizing throe ? 
Sure this is not romantic woe 1 
The golden day of joy is o'er; 
And now they part — to meet no more. 
Affift them, hearts from anguilh free 1 
Affift them, fweet Humanity 1 

ic. 
Parent of virtue, if thine ear 

Attend not now to Sorrow*s cry ; 
If now the pity-ftreaming tear 

Should haply on thy cheek be dry, 
Indulge my votive ftrain, O fweet Humanity ! 



§ 32. r/-^ ENLARGEMENT o//Z>^ Mind. 

Langhorne. 

Epistle I. To General Craufurd. Written at 
Bel^jidere 1756. 

Where is the man, who, prodigal of mind. 
In one wide wifh embraces human kind ? 
All pride of fefts, all party zeal above, 
Whofe Priell is Reafon, and whofe God is Love ; 

Fair Nature's friend, a foe tafraud and art 

Where is the mao, fg welcome to my heajrt ? 



The fightlefs herd fequacious, who purfue 
Du!l Folly's path, and does as others do. 
Who look with purblind prejudice and fcorn. 
On different fefts, in different nations born, 
Let us, my Craufurd, with compaffion view, 
Pity their pride, but fhun their error too. 

From Belvidere's fair groves, and mountains 
green, 
Which^Nature rais'd, rejoicing to be feen. 
Let us, while raptur'd on her works we gaze. 
And the heart riots on luxurious praife, 
Tk' expanded thoughtjtheboundlefs wifh retain, 
And let not Nature moralize in vain. 

O faered Guide I preceptrefs more fublime 
Than fages boafting o'er the wrecks of time ! 
See on each page her beauteous volume bear 
The golden charafters of good and fair. 
All human knowledge (blufn, collegiate pride ! ) 
Flows from her works, to none that reads denied. 

Shall the dull inmate of pedantic walls. 
On whole old walk the funbeam feldom falls. 
Who knows of nature, and of man, no more 
Than fills fome page of antiquated lore — 
Shall he, in words and terms profoundly wife. 
The better knowledge of the world deipife, 
Tliink Wifdom centered in a.falfe degree. 
And fcorn the fcholar of Humanity ? 

Something of men thefe fapient drones may 
Of men that 1 i v'd t wo thoufand years ago : [know. 
Such human monfters if the world e'er knew. 
As ancient verfe, and ancient llory drew I 

If to one objeft, fyftem, fcene confin'd. 
The fure effeft is narrownefs of mind. 

' Twas thus St. Robert, in his lonely wood, 
Forfook each focial duty — to be good. 
Thus Hobbes on one dear fyftem fix'd his eyes. 
And prov'd his natuie wretched— to be wife. 
Each zealot thus, elate with ghoftly pride. 
Adores his God, and hates the world befide. 

Though form'd with powers to grafp this 
various ball, 
Gods ! to what meannefs may the fpirit fall ! 
Powers that Ihould fpread in reafon's orient ray. 
How are they darken'd, and debarr'd the day ! 

When late, where Tajo rolls his ancient tide^ 
Reflefting clear the mountain's purple fide. 
Thy genius, Craufurd, Britain's legions led, 
And fear's chill-cloud forfook each bright'ning 

head. 
By nature brave, and generous as thou art, 
Say, did. not human follies vex thy heart ? 
I Glow'd not thy breall indignant, when you faw 
: The dome of murder confecrate by law ? 
j Where fiends, commiffion'd with the legal rod, 
'in pure devotion, burn the works of God. 
i O change me, powers of Nature, if ye can, 
Transform me, make me any thing but man. 
I Yet why ! This heart all human kind forgives, 
I While Gillman loves me, and while Craufurd 
j Is nature, all benevolent, to blame, [lives. 

i That half her offspring are their mother's fhame ? 
[Did fhe ordain o'er this fair fcene of things 
[The cruelty of Priefts, or pride of Kings ? 

' C ' Though 



i8 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



SoO K 1 



Though worlds lie murder'd for their wealth or 

lame, 
Is Nature, all benevolent, to blame ? 

" Yet furely once, my friend, fhe feem'd to err j 
*' For W- -ch— t was" — He was notmadcby her. 
Sure, fon^iM of clay that nature held in fcorn, 
By fiends conitru6ted, and in darknefs born, 
Kofe the low wretch, who, defpicably vile, 
Would fell hjs Country for a Courtier's fmiie j 
Would give up all to truth and freedom dear, 
To dine with **** or fome ideot peer, 
AVhofe mean malevolence, in dark jdifguife 
The man that never injur'd him belies, 
Whofe a6f ions bad and good two motives guide. 



Poor rioters on Life's contrafled ftage ! 

Behold, and iofe your littlenefs of rage! 

Throw Envy, Folly, Prejudice behind ! 

And yield to Truth the empire of the mind. 
j Immortal Truth ! O from thy radiant flrrine, 
I Where Light created firil: eiTayM to fhlnej 
j Where cluft'ring Stars eternal beams difplay, 
] And Gems ethereal drink the golden day^ 
I To chafe this moral, clear this lenfual night, 
! O fned one ray of thy celeftial light! 

Teach us, while wandering through this vale 
beiow 

We know but little, that we little know. 
i One beam to mole-ey'd Prejudice convey, 



The Serpent's malice, and the Coxcomb's pride, j Let Pride perceive one mortifying ray j 



" Is there a wretch fo mean, fo bafe, fo low ? 
I know there is — aik W— ch--t if he know. 

O that the world were ejnptied of its Ikives ! 
That all the fools were gone, and all the knaves ! 
Then might we, Craufurd, with delight em- 
brace 
in boundlefs love the reft of human race. 

But let not knaves mlfanthropy create, 
Nor feed the gall of univerfal hate. 
Wherever Genius, Truth, and Virtue dwell, 
Poliih'd in courts, or fimple in a cell, 
All views of country, fe61s, and creeds apart, 
Thele, thefe I love, and liold them to my heart. 

Vain of our beauteous ifle, and juftly vain, 
For freedom here, and health, and plenty reign. 
We diiferc^U lots contemptuoully compare, 
And boaft, like childi'en, of a fav'rite's fhare. 

Yet though each vale a deeper verdure yields 
Than Arno's banks, or Andalufia's fields. 
Though many a tree-crown'd mountain teems 

with ore. 
Though tiocks innuraerous whiten everf ihore, 
"Why ihould we, thus with nature's wealth elate, 
Behold her different families with hate ? 
Look on her works — on every page you'll find 
Infcrib'd the dodlrine of the focial m.ind. 

See countiefs worlds of inft Tt being Ihare 
Th' unenvied regions of the liberal air ! 
In the iame grove what mufic void of ftrife ! 
Heirs of one llream, what tribes of fcaly life ! 
J;ee Earth, and Air, and Fire, and Flood combine. 
Of genera! good to aid this great dedgn I 

Where Ancondragso'erLincoln'sluridplain, 
Like a flow fnake, his dirty- winding train, 
Where fogs eternal blot the face of day, 
And the loft bittern moans his gloomy wayj 
As well v/e might, for unpropitious fKJes, 
The biamelefs native with his clime defpife. 
As him. who ftill the poorer lot partakes 
Of Bifcay's mountains, or Batavja's lakes. 

Yet lock once more on Nature's various plan ! 
Behold and love her nobleil creature ?vlan! 
She, never partial, on each various zone 
Beflow'd fome portion to the relt unknown, 
By mutual intereft meaning thence to bind 
In one vail chain the commerce of mankind. 

Behold, ye vain difturbers of an hour! 
Ye Dupes of Faflioa I and ye Tools of Powf r I 



Thy glafs to Fools, to Infidels apply. 
And all the dimnefs of the mental eye. 

Plac'd ou this fliore of Time's far-ftretching 
bourn. 
With leave to look at Nature and return j 
While wave on wave impels the human tide. 
And ages fink, forgotten as they glides 
Can life's Ihort duties better be dijcharg'd, 
Than when we leave it with a mind enlarg'd ? 

Judg'd not the old Philofopher aright. 
When thus he preach'd, his pupils in his fight? 
" It matters net, my friends, how low or high. 
Your little walk of tranfient life may He: 
Soon will the reign of Hope and Fear be o'er. 
And warring paffions militate no more : 
And truft me, he who, having once furvey'd 
The good and fair which Nature's wifdom made. 
The iboneft to his former ftate retires, 
And feels the peace of fatisfied defires, 
(Let others deem more wifely if they can) 
I look on hini to be the happieft man." 

So thought the facred Sage, in whom I truft, 
Becaule I feel his fentiments are juft. 
'Twas not in Luftrums of long counted years 
That fwell'd th' alternate reign of hopes and fearsj 
Not in the fplendid fcenes of pain and ftrife. 
That Wifdom plac'd the dignity of life j 
To ftudy Nature was the talk defign'd. 
And learn from berth' enlargement of the mind, 
Learn from her works whatever Truth admires, 
And fleep in Death with fatisfied defires. 



§ 33. Epistle II. 
. To WUl'uiTn Langhorne, M. A. 1^60. 

Light heard his voice, and, eager to obey. 
From all her orient fountains bunt away. 

At Nature's birth, O! had the power divine 
Commanded thus the moral fun to Ihine, 
Beam'don the mind all reafon's influence bright^ 
And the full day of intelleclual light. 
Then the free foul,onTruth'sftrongpinionbome, 
Had never languifti'd in this fliade forlorn. 

Yet thus imperfe(5lforra"'d,thas blind and vain,. 
Doom'd by long toil a giirapfe of truth to gain j 
Beyond its fphere fliail hun\3n wifdom go. 
And boldly cenfure what it cannot know? 
'Tis ours to cherifti what Heav"n deign'd togivCy 
And th;^»kful for the gift of being live. 

Progreffivt 



Book- T. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



'^ 



; ProgrefTive powers, and faculties that rife^ 
From earth's low vale, to grafp the golden fkies, 
Though diftant far from perfeft, good, or fair, ^ 
CJahn the due thought, and alk the grateful 
care. 
Come, then, thou partner of my life and name, 
From one dear fource, whom Nature forrti'd the 

fame, 
Ally'd more nearly in each nobler part, 
And nlore the friend, than brother of my heart ! 
Let us, unlike the lucid twins that rife 
At diflerent times, and ihine in diftant fkies, | 
With mutual eye this mental world furvey, 
Mark the flow rile of intelleftual day, 
View reafon's fource, if man the fource may find. 
And trace each Science that exalts the mind. 

" Thou felf-appointed lord of all below ! 
Ambitious man, how little doll thou know ? 
For once let Fancy's towering thoughts fub- 

fide. 
Look on thy birth, and mortify thy pride ! 
A plaintive wretch, fb blind, i'o helplefs born. 
The brute fagacious might behold with fcorn. 
How foon, when Nature gives him to the day, 
In flrength exulting, does he bound away ! 
By inll:in(5l led, the fofleri ng teat he finds. 
Sports in the ray, and fhuns the fearching winds. 
No grief he knows, he feels no groundlefs fear. 
Feeds without cries, and fleeps v/ithout a tear. 
t)id he but know to reafon and compare, 
See here the vaffal, and the mafler there. 
What If range refleiiions mull the fcene afford. 
That fhew'd the weaknefs of his puling Lord !" 

Thu^ fophiltry unfolds her fpecious plan, 
Formed not to humble, but depreciate man. 
tjnjuil the cenfure, if unjufl to rate 
His pow'rs and merits from his infant-ftate. 
For, grant the children of the flbw'ry vale 
By inltinft wifer, and of limbs more hale. 
With equal eye theii- perfect ffate explore. 
And all the vain comparifon '3 no more. 

" But why fhould life, fo fhort by Keav'n 
ordain 'd, 
Be long to though tlefs infancy reftrain'd— 
To thoaghtlefs infancy, or vainly fage, 
Mourn through thelangours of declining age ?" 
O blind to truth ! to Nature's wifdom blind ! 
And all that flie direfts, or Heav'n defign'd! 
Behold her works in cities, plains and groves, 
Or life that vegetates, and life that moves 1 
In due proportion, as each being flays 
in peifcifl: life, it rifes and decays. 

Is man long helplefs ? Through each tender 
hour. 
See love parental watch the blooming flovy'r! 
By opening charms, by beauties frefli difplay'd. 
And fweets unfolding, fee that love repaid 1 

Has age its pains ? For luxury it may — 
The temp'rate wear infenfibly away. 
While fage experience and reflexion clear 
Beam a gay funfliine on life's fading year. 

But lee from age, from infant weaknefs fee, 
That man was deflin'd for fociety ^ 



There from thofe Ills a fafe retreat behold, 
Which young might vanquifh, or affli6l him 
old. 
" That, in proportion as each being flays 
In perfect life, it rifes and decays-^ 
Is Nature's law-^to forms alone confin'd. 
The laws of matter a6l not on the Mind. 
Too feebly, fure, its faculties niufl grow, 
And Reafon brings her borrow'd light too flow.'* 

O ! Itill cenforious ? art thou then polfefl 
Of Reafon's power, and does Ihe rule thy breafl ? 
Say what the ufe — -had Providence afTign'd 
To infant years maturity of mind'' 
That thy pert offspring, as their fatlier wife. 
Might fcorn thy preceots, and thy powY de* 

fpife ? 
Or mourn, with ill-match'd faculties at flrife. 
O'er limbs unequal to the tafk of life^ 
To feel miore fenfibly the woes that wait 
On every period, as on every ftate; 
And flight, fad convlfts of each painful truth. 
The happier trifles of unthinking youth? 

Conclude we then the progrefs of the mind 
Ordain'd by wifdom. infinitely kind: 
No innate knowledge on the foul imprefl. 
No birthright inflindl afting in the breaft, 
No natal light, no beam from Heav'rt difplavM, 
Dart through the darknefs of the mental fliade. 
Perceptive powers we hold from Heav'ns decree. 
Alike to knowledge as to virtue free, 
In both a liberal agency we bear. 
The moral here, the intelleclual there; 
And hence in both an equal joy is known. 
The Confcious pleafure of an a6l our own. 

When firll the trembling 'eye receives the day, 
External forms on young perception plajj 
External forms afleft the mind alone, 
Their diff 'rent pow'rs and properties unknown. 
See the pleas'd infant court the flaming brand. 
Eager to grafp the glory in its hand ! 
The cryflal wave as eager to pervade, 
Stretch its fond arms to meet the fmiling fhade I 
When Memory's call the mdmic words obey, 
And wing the thought that faltei's on its way; 
j When wife experience her flow verdi6l drawsj 
I The fure effe6i exploring m the Caufe, 
i In Nature's rude, but not unfruitful wild, 
Refiecrion fprings, and Reafon is her child: 
On her fair Hock the blooming fcyon grows. 
And brighter through revolving feafons blows^- 
All beauteous flower! imm.ortal flialt thou 
fliine, 
When dim with age yon golden orbs decline; 
Thy orient bloom, unconf'cious of decay, 
Shall fpread, and flourifli in eternal day. 

O ! with whfit art, my friend, what early care. 
Should wafdom cultivate a plant fo fair ! 
How fitould her eye the rip'ning mind revife. 
And blaft the buds of folly as they rife ! 
How fhould her hand with induflry reflrain. 
The thriving growth of pafTion's fruitful train, 
Afpifing weeds, whofis lofty anus would tow'r 
With fatal ihade o'er reafon's tender fiow'r I 

C z From 



20 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



B O K I. 



From low purfuits the duilile raind to fave, 
Creeds that contraft, and vices that enilavej 
O'er life's rough feas its doubtful courfe to lleer, 
Unbroke hj av'rice, bigotry, or fear ! 
For this fair Science fpreads her light afar, 
And fills the bright urn of her eaftern ftar. 
The liberal power in no fequefler'd cells, 
No moonihine-courts of dreaming fchoolmen 

dwells; 
Diftinguifh'd far her lofty temple ftands. 
Where the tall mountain looks o'er diftantlands, 
All round her throne the graceful arts appear, 
That boaft the empire of the eye or ear. 

See favoured firft, and neareft to the throne 
By the rapt mien of mufmg Silence known. 
Fled from herfelf, the Pow'r of Numbers plac'd, 
Her wild thoughts watch'd by Harmony and 
Tafte. 
There (but at dillance never meant to vie), 
The full-form'd image glancing on her eye, 
See lively Painting! on her various face. 
Quick-gliding forms a moment find a place; 
She looks, flie afts the charafter fhe gives, 
And a new feature in each feature lives. 

See Attic eafe in Sculpture's graceful air, 
Half loofe her robe, and half unbound her hair; 
To life, to life, fhe fmiling feems to call, . 
And down her fair hands negligently fall. 

Laft, but not meaneft, of the glorious choir, 
See Mufic, lift'ning to an angel's lyre. 

Simplicity, their beauteous handmaid, dreft 
By Nature, bears a field-flower on her breaft. 

O Arts divine ! O magic Powers that move 
The fprings of truth, enlarging truth and love ! 
Loft in their charms each mean attachment ends, 
And Tafte and Knowledge thus are Virtue's 
friends. 
Thus nature deigns to fympathize with art, 
And leads the moral beauty to the heart; 
There, only there, that ftrong attraftion lies, 
Which makes the foul, and bids her graces 

rife, 
Lives in thofe powers of harmony that bind 
Congenial hearts, and ftretch from mind to mind : 
Glow'd in that warmth, that fecial kindnefs gave. 
Which once — the reft is filence and the grave. 
O tears, that warm from wounded friendfliip 
flow! 
O thoughts, that wake to monuments of woe ! 
Refleftion keen, that points the painful dart; 
Mem'ry, that fpeeds its paffage to the heart ; 
Sad monitors, your cruel power fufpend. 
And hide, for ever hide, the buried friend: 
—In vain — confeft I fee my Craufurd ftand, 
And the pen falls — falls from my trembling hand; 
E'en death's dim fhadow feeks to hide, in vain, 
That lib'ral afpe6l:, and that fmile humane; 
E'en Death's dim fhadow wears a languid light, 
And his eye beams through everlafting night. 

Till the laft figh of Genius fhall expire, 
His keen eye faded, and extinft his fire, 
Till time, in league with Envy and with Death, 
-Blaft the Ikill'dhand, and ftop the tuneful breath, 



My Craufurd ftill fhall claim the mournful fong. 
So long remember'd, and bewail'd fo long. 



§ 34. The Uni'verfal Prayer. Pope. 
Deo Opt. Max. 

FATHEilofAU! in ev'ry age, 

In ev'ry clime, ador'd. 
By Saint, by Savage, and by Sage, 

Jehovah, Jove, or Lord! 

Thou Great Firft Caufe, leaft underftood. 

Who all my fenfe confin'd 
To know but this, that Thou art good. 

And that myfeif am blind : 

Yet gave me, in this dark eftate. 

To fee the good from ill ; 
And, binding nature faft in fate, 

Left free the human will. 

What confcience dictates to be done. 

Or warns me not to do. 
This teach me more than hell to fliun. 

That more than heav'n purfue. 

What blefTmgs thy free bounty gives 

Let me not caft away ; 
For God is paid when man receives, 

T' enjoy is to obey. 

Yet not to earth's contra6ted fpan 

Thy goodnefs let me bound. 
Or think Thee Lord alone of man, 

When thoufand worlds are round. 

Let not this weak, unknowing hand 

Prefume thy bolts to throw. 
And deal damnation round the land 

On each I judge thy foei 

If I am right, thy grace impart 

Still in the right to ftay; 
If I am wrong, oh teach my heart 

To find that better way. 

Save me alike fiora fooliih pride, 

Or impious difcontent. 
At aught thy wifdoni has deny'd,^ 

Or aught thy goodnefs lent. 

Teach me to feel another's woe. 

To hide the fault I fee ; 
That mercy I to others fhow. 

That mercy ihow to me. 

Mean tho' I am, not wholly fb,- 
Since quicken'd by thy breath, 

O lead me is herefoe'er I go, 
Thro' this day's life, or death. 

This day, be bread and peace my lot: 
~ All elfe beneath the fun. 
Thou know'ft if beft beftow'd or notj . 
And let thy will be doac^. 

To Thee, whofe temple is all fpace, 
VVhofe altar, earth, fea, ikies ! 

One chorus let all Being raife ! 
All Nature's iacenfe rile ! 



his. 



^ O K I. 



SACRED AND MORAL 



21 



§35. MeJJiah, a Sacred Eclogue. Pope. 

Ye Nymphs of Solyma! begin the fong; 
To heavenly themes fublimer itrains belong. 
The mofly fountains and the fylvan (hades, 
The dreams of Pindus and the Aonian maids. 
Delight no more. — O Thou niy voice infpire, 
Who touched Ifaiah's hallowed lips with lire ! 

Rapt into future times, the bard begun : 
A Virgin Ihall conceive, a Virgin bear a Son ! 
From Jefle's root behold a branch arife, 
Whofefacred flow'r with fragrance fills thefkies j 
Th' ethereal fpirit o'er its leaves (hall movej 
And on its top defcends the myftic Dove. 
Ye heav'ns ! from high the dewy neftar pour. 
And in foft filence fhed the kindly 'ihow'r! 
The fick and weak the healing plant fhall aid. 
From ftorms a fhelter, and from hegt a fhade. 
All crimes fhall ceafe, and antient fraud fhall fail, 
Returning Juftice lift aloft her fcale j 
Peace o'er the world her olive wand extend, 
And white rob'd Innocencefromheav"'n defcend. 
Swift fly the years, and rile th'expefted niorn! 
Oh fpring to light aufpicious Babe, be born ! 
See Nature haftes her earliefl wreaths to bring. 
With all the incenie of the breathing fpring: 
3€e lofty Lebanon his head advance, 
See nodding forefls on the mountains dance j 
See fpicy clouds from lowly Saron rife, 
And Carmers fiow'ry top perfumes the fkies ! 
Hark ! a glad voice the lonely defert cheers j 
Prepare the way ! a God, a God appears ! 
A God, a God ! the vocal hills reply : 
The rocks proclaiiii th' approaching Deity. 
Lo, earth receives him from the bending fkies ! 
Sink down, ye mountains, and, ye vallies, rife ! 
With heads declin'd, ye cedars, homage pay; 
Be fmooth, ye rocks ; ye rapid floods, give way ! 
The Saviour comes ! by antient bards foretold; 
Hear him, ye deaf! and, all ye blind behold ! 
He from thick films fhall purge the vifual ray, 
And on the fightlels eye-bail pour the day : 
'Tis he th' obflru6led paths'of found fliall clear, 
And bid new mufic charm th' unfolding ear; 
The dumb fhall fing, the lame his crutch forego. 
And leap exulting like the bounding roe. 
No figh, no murmur , the wide world Ihall hear : 
From ev'ry face he wipes off ev'ry tear. 
In adamantine chains fliall death be bound. 
And hell's grim tyrant feel th' eternal wounS. 
As the good ihepherd tends his fleecy care, 
Seeks frefliefl pafture, and, the pureft air. 
Explores the loflr, the wand'ring fheep direfts. 
By day o'erJees them, and by night protects ; 
The tender lambs he raifes in his arms. 
Feeds from his hand,andrinhis bofom warms; 
Thus fhall mankind his guardian care engage, 
The promis'd Father of the future age. 
No more fhall nation againft nation rife, 
Nor ardent warriors m^eet with hateful eyes. 
Nor fields with gleaming fteel be cover'do'er. 
The brazen tnimpets kindle rage no more; 
But ufelefs lances into fcythes fhall bend, 
Ajid the broad faulchionin a plough-fhr.i-eend. 



Then palaces fhajl rife: the joyful fon 
Shall linifh what his fhort-liv'd fire begun: 
Their vines a fhadow to their race fhall yield. 
And the fame hand that fow'd,flial 1 reap the field. 
The fwain in barren defarts, with furprife. 
Sees lilies fpring, and fudden verdure rife ; 
And flarts, amidft the thirfly wilds to hear 
New falls of water murmuring in his ear. 
On rifted rocks the dragon's late abodes. 
The green reed trembles, and the bulrufh nods, 
Wafle fandy valleys, once perplex'd with thorn. 
The fpiry fir and fhapely box adorn : 
To leafiefs fhrubs the flovv'ring palniijfncceed 
Andod'rous myrtle to the noifome weed, [mead, 
The lambs with wolves fliall graze the verdant 
And boys in flow'iy bands the tiger lead ; 
The fleer and lion at one crib fhall meet, 
And harmlefs ierpents lick the pilgrim's feet. 
The finiling infant in his hand fhall take 
The crefled bafilifk and fpeckled fnake, 
Ple;a§'d the green luftre of their fcaies furve)'-, 
Aiid withtheirforkytonguefhall innocentlypiay 
Rife, crown'd with light, imperial Salem, rife I 
Exalt thy tow'ry head, and lift thy eyes ; 
See a long race thy fpacious courts adorn; 
See future fbns and daughters, yet unborn. 
In crowding ranks on ev'ry fide arife. 
Demanding life, impatient for the fkies ! 
See barb'rous nations at thy gales attend. 
Walk in thy light, and in thy temple bend; 
See thybrightaltars throng'd withprollratekings. 
And heap'd with produas of Sabean fpringsl 
For thee Idume's fpicy forefts blow. 
And feeds of gold in Ophir's mountains glow. 
See heav'n its fparkling portals wide difplay. 
And break upon thee in a flood of day. 
No more the rifing Sun fliall gild the morn, 
Noj ev'ning Cynthia fill her filver horn, 
Bui loft, dillolv'd in thy fuperior rays, 
One tide of glory? one unclouded blaze. 
Overflow thy courts: the Light himfelf fhall fhine 
Peveal'd, and God's eternal day be thine 1 
The feas fhall wafte, tiie fkies in fmoke decay. 
Rocks fall to dufl, and mountains melt away; 
But fix'd his word, his faving pow'r remains : 
Thy realm for ever lafls, thy own Mefliah reigns* 



Lit 



§ 36. The Prize of Virtue. Pope. 

What nothing earthly gives or can deftroj'. 
The foul's calm funfhine, and the heart-fck 

joy, 
Is Virtue's prize : a better would you fix? 
Then give Humility a coach-and-fix ? 
Juflice a conqu'ror's fword, or Truth a gown. 
Or Public Spirit its great cure, a ci-own. 
Weak, foolifh Man! will Heav'n reward us theil; 
With the fame trafh mad mortals wifli for here? 
The boy and man an individual makes, 
Yet figh'fl thou now for apples and for cakes ? 
Go, like the Indian, in another life 
Expeft thy dog, thy bottle, and thy wife i 
As well as dream fuch trifles are aflign'd. 
As toys and empires for a godlike mind ; 

C 3 Rewird 



22 



ELEGANT 



Rewards, that either would to Virtue bring 
No joy, or be dellruftive or" tlie thing; 
How oft by thel'e at iixty are undone 
The virtue's of a iaint at twenty-one! 

To whom can riches give repute, or truft. 
Content, or pleai'ure, but the good and juft? 
Judges and Senates have been bought for gold ; 
Efte'era and love were never to be lold. 
Oh fool ; to think God hates the worthy mind, 
The lover, and the love of human kind, 
Whole life is healthfu!,& whofeconfcienceclear, 
Becaufe he wants a thouland pounds a year. 



EXTRACTS, BpoK L 

' Perhaps in this neglected fpot is laid 

Some heart once pregnant with celeftial fire: 



§ 37- 



An Elegy, nxriiten in a Country Church- 
Yard. Gray. 
The curfev/ tolls the kjiell of parting-day. 

The lowing herd winds flowly o^er the lea, 
The plowman homev/ard plods his weary way, 
And leaves the world to darknefs and to me. 

Nowfadesthe glimni'ringlandfcape on the light, 
And all the air a folemn ftillnei's holds. 

Save where the beetle wheels his drony fiight, 
And drowfy tinklings lull the diftant folds 5 

Save that, from yonder ivy-mantled towV, 

The moping owl does to the Moon complain 
Of fuch, as wand 'ring near her fecret bow'r, 

Moleit her ancient folitary reign. 
Beneath thofe rugged elms,that yew-tree's fliade, 

Where heaves the turf in many a mould'ring 
Each in his narrow cell for ever laid, [heap, 

The rude forefathers of the hamlet fleep. 
Thehree7.ycallofincenfe-breathing-morn;[fhed, 

The fv.'allow twittering from the ftraw-buiit 
The cock's Ihrill clarion, or the echoing horn, 

No more ihall roufe them from their lowlybed- 
For them no more the blazing earth fhallburn. 

Or bufy houfewife ply her evening care : 
Nor children run to lilp their fires retwrn, 
' Or climb his knees the envied kiis to fhare. 

Oft did the harveft to their fickle yield j 

Their furrow oft the fiubborn glebe has broke: 
How jocund did they drive their teams afield ! 

How bow'd the woods beneath their fturdy 
ftrokcj 
Let not ambition mock their ufeful toil. 

Their homely joys, and deftiny obfcure ; 
Nor gi-andeur hear with a difdainful fmile. 

The (hort and fimple annals of the po©r. 
The boafl: of heraldiy, the pomp of pnw'r. 

And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave. 
Await, alike, th' inevitable hour; 

The paths of glory lead but to the grave. 
Nor you, ye proud, impute to thefe the fault, 

If mem'ry o'er their tomb no trophies ratfe. 
Where thro'' the long-drawn ifie tc fretted vault. 

The pealing antheirl iwells the note of praile. 
Can ftoried urn, or animated bufi:. 

Back to its manfion call the fleeting breath ? 
Can Honour's voice provoke the filent duft. 

Or fiatt'ry footh the dull cold ear of death ? 



Hands, that the rod of empire might havefway"d. 

Or wak'd to extacy the living lyre. ' 

But knowledge to their ej/es her ample page, 

Rich with the fpoii? of Time, did ne^er i^nroll^ 
Chill Penury reprefs'd their noble rage, 

And froze the genial current of the fovil. 
FuU many a gem, of pureft ray ferene. 

The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear; 
Full manv a fiow'r is born to blufli unfeen. " 

And wafle its fv/eetnefs on the defeit air. 
Som.e vJllage-Hampden,thatwith daunt lefsbreaft 

The little-tyrant of his fields withftood ; 
Som.e mute inglorious Milton here may reft: 

SomtCromwell guiltlefsof his country 'sbloocj- 
Th' applaufe of lift'ning fenates to command. 

The threats of pain and ruin to defpife, 
To fcatter plenty o'er a iiniling land, 

And read their hiitory in a nation's eyes. 
Their lotforbade: nor circumfcrib'd alojie [fin'd; 

Their growing vj^ues, but their crimes con- 
Forbade to wade through llaughter to a throne. 

And Ihut the gates of mercy on mankind; 
The ftruggling pangs of confcio us truth to hide* 

To quench the blufiies of ingenuous fname. 
Or heap the flirine of Luxury and Pride 

Withincenie kindled at the Mufe's fiame. 
Far from the m.adding crowd's ignoble ft rife. 

Their fober wifiies never leara'd to ftray-j 
Along the cool fequeiLer'd vale of life, 

They kept the noifelefs tenor of their way. 

Yet ev'n thefe bones from infult to protect. 
Some frail memorial ftill erected nigh, 

With uncouth rhimes and fiiapelefs fculpture 
Implores the pafiing tribute of a figh. [deck'd 

Their name, their years, fpelt by th' unletter'd 
The place of fame and eleg}- lupply : [mufe. 

And many a holy text around fhe Ifrews, 
That teach the ruftic moralifi: to die. 

For who. to dumb forgetfulnefs a prey. 

This pleafing anxious being e'er refign'd. 
Left the w?.rm precin6ts of the cheerful day. 

Nor call one longing, ling'ring look behind ? 
On fume fond brealt the parting foul relies, 

Some pious drops the clafing eye requires: 
Ev'n from the tcmb, the voice of natixre cries, 

Ev'n in our alhes live their wonted fires. 
For thee, who, mindful of th' unhonour'd dead, 

Doll in theie lines their artlefs tale relate j 
If, chance, by lonely Contemplation led, 

Some kindred fpirit fnall inquire thy fate. 
Haply fome hoary-headed fwain may fay, 

" Oft have v e feen him at the peep of dawn, 
Brufliing with haily fteps the dtws away. 

To meet the fun upon the upland lawn ; 
There at the foot of yonder nodding beech. 

That wreathes its old fantaftic roots fo high. 
His liftlefs length at noon-tide v.-oaldhe llretch. 

And pore upon the brook tliat bubbles by. 

Hai-d 



Book T. 



SACRED AND MORAL, 



23 



Hard by yond wood, now fniiling, as in fcorn, 
Muttering his wayv»ard f'anciesjhe would rovcj 

Now drooping, woeful wan, like one forlorn, 
Orcraz'dwithcare,orcrois'din hopelelslove: 

One morn I mifs'd him on the cuftom'd hill, 

Along the heath, and near his fav^-ite tree: 
Another came; nor yet befide the rill. 

Nor up the lawn, nor at the wood was he: 
The next, with dirges due, in fad array, [borne: 

Slow thro' the church-yard path we iiiw him 
Approach and read (for thou canll read) the lay, 

Grav'd on the Hone benekh yon aged thorn.'' 

THE E PITAP H. 

Here refts his head upon the lap of earth, 

A Youth to Fortune and to Fame unknown ; 
Fair Science frown'd not on his humble birth, 

And Melancholy mark'd him for her own. 
Large was his bounty, and his foul ilncere, 

Heav'n did a recompence as largely fend: 
He gave to Mis'ry all he had, a tear; [a friend. 

He gain'd from Heav'n ('twas all he v/ifh'd) 
No farther feek his merits to difclofe. 

Or draw Ins frailties from their dread abode, 
(There they alike in trembling hope repofe) 

The bofom of his Father and his God. 



§ 38. Death. Dr. Porteus, Bp. of London. 

Friend to the wretch whom eveiy friend 
forfakes, 
I woo thee, Death ! In fancy's fairy paths 
Let the gay fongiler rove, and gently trill 
The ftrain of empty joy. Life and its joys 
I leave to thofe that prize them. At this hour, 
This Iblemn hour, when filence rules the world, 
And wearied nature makes a gen'ral paufe; 
Wrapt in night's fable robe, through cloyfters 
And charnels pale, tenanted by a throng [drear 
Of meagre phantoms ihooting crofs my path 
With fdent glance, I feek the (hadowy vale 
Of Death. Deep in a murky cave's rccefs, 
Lav'd by Oblivion's liftlefs Itream, and fenc'd 
By (helving rocks, and intermingled horrors 
Of yew and cyprefs iliade, from all intrullon 
Of bufy noontide beam, the Monarch iits 
In unfubftantial majeify enthron'd. 
At his right hand, neareft himfelf in place 
And frightfulnefs of form, his parent Sin 
With fatal induftry and cruel care 
Bulies herfelf in pointing all his firings, 
And tipping every (haft with venom drawn 
From her infernal ftore: around him rang'd 
In terrible array, and mixture ftrange 
Of uncouth Ihapes, ftand.his dread Minifters. 
Foremoft Old Age, his natural ally 
And firmelt friend : next him Difeafes thick, 
A motley train; Fever, with cheek of fire ; 
Confumption wan; Palfy, half warm with life, 
And halfaclay-clod lump; joint-tort'ring Gout, 
And ever-gnawing Rheum; Convulfion wild; 
Swoln Dropfy; panting Afthma; Apoplex 
Full-gorg'd. There too the Peftilence that walks 
In darknefs, and tlie Sicknefs that dcltroys 



At broad noon-day. There,anda thoufand more, 
Horrid to tell, attentive wait ; and, when 
By Heav'n's command Death waves his ebon 
Sudden ru(h forth to execute his purpole,[wanjd| 
And fcatter defolation o'er the £arth. 

Ill-fated Man, for whom fuch various forms 
Of mis'ry wait, and mark their future prey ; 
Ah! why, all-righteous Father, did It thou make 
This creature, Man ? why wake th' unconfcious 
To lifeand wretchednels? O better far [dui| 
Still had he flept in uncreated night. 
If this the lot of Being ! Was it lor this 
Thy breath divine kindled within his breaft 
The vital flame ? For this was thy fair image 
Stampt on his foul in godlike lineaments ? 
For this dominion giv'nhim ablolute 
Overall thy works, only that he might reign 
Supreme in woe ? From the bleft fource of Good, 
CouldPainandDeathproceed?Couldfuch foul illg 
Fall from fairMercy's hands? Far be the thought. 
The impious thought! God neyermadea creature 
But what was good. He made a li'-ving Soul ; 
The njor etched Mortal was the work of Man. 
Forth from his Maker's hands he fprung to life, 
Frefh with immortal bloom ; no pain he knew. 
No fear of change, no check to his defi res, [Hood 
Save one command. That one comn^and, which 
'Twixt him and Death, the telt of his obedience, 
Urg'd on by wanton curiofity, 
He broke. There in one moment was undone 
The faireft of God's works. The fime rafh hand, 
That pluck'd in evil hour the fatal fruit, 
Unbarr'd the gates of Hell, and let loofe Sin 
And Death, and all the family of Pain, 
To prey upon Mankind. Young Nature faw 
Themonftrouscrew,andfliookthro'allherframe, 
Then fled her new-born luflre, then began 
Heaven's cheerful face to low'r, then, vapours 

choak'd 
The troubled air, and formed a veil of cloudg 
To hide the willing Sun. The earth convuls'd 
With painful throes threw forth a briftly crop 
Of thorns ilnd briars; and Infect, Bird,andBeafl:, 
That wont before with admiration fond 
To gaze at Man, and fearlefs crowd around him. 
Now fled before his face, fhunning in hafte 
Th' infection of his mifery. He alone 
Who juftly might, th' ofiended Lord of Man, 
Turn'd not away his face; he, full of pity, 
Forfook not in this uttermoit diftrefs 
His beft lov'dwork. That comfort ftill remained 
('That belt, that greateft comfort in afHi(5tion) 
The countenance of God, and thro' the gloom 
Shot forth Ibme kindly gleams,to cheerandwarm 
Th'offender'sfinkingfoul.HopefentfromHeav^i 
Upraised his drooping head, andfliew'd afar 
A happier Iceneof things; the Promis'd Seed 
Trampling upon the Serpent's humbled creit : 
Death of his fling difarm'd; and the dark grave. 
Made pervious to the realms of endlels day. 
No more the limit but the gate of life, [ground 
Cheer'd with the view, Man went to till the 
From whence herofe; fentenc'd indeed to toil 
I As to a puniUiment, yet (ev'n in v/rath, 



S« 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



24 

v'o merciful is Heav"*!!) this toil became 
The folace of his woes, the fweet employ 
Of many a live-long hour, and fureft guard 
Againft Difeafe and Death. Death, tho' de- 
Was yet a diftant ill, by feeble arm fnounc^d 
Of Age, his fole Aipport, led flowly on. 
Not then, as fmce the lliort-livM fons of men 
Flock'd to his realms in countlefs multitudes 5 
Scai ce in the courfe of twice five hundred years, 
One folitan,' gholt went fhiv'ring down 
To his unpeopled Ihore. In fober ftate. 
Through the fequeiler'd vale of rural life, 
The venerable Patriarch guilelefs held 
The tenoiir of his way ; Labour prepared 
His rimplefare,andTemperancerurd his board. 
Tir'd with his daily toil, at early eve 
Ke funk to fudden reft^ gentle and pure 
As breath of evening Zephyr, and as fweet. 
Were all his {lumbers 5 with the Sun he rofe, 
Alert and vigorous as He, to run [jflrength 
His dePtin'd courfe. Thus nerv'd with giant 
He ftemmM the tide of time, and flood the iliock 
Of ages rolling harmlefs o'er his head. 
At life's meridian point arriv'd, he flood, 
And, looking round faw all the valleys fill'd 
V/ith nations from his loins; fall-well content 
To leave his race thus fcatter'd o'er the earth, 
Along the gentle flope of life's decline 
He bent his gradual way, till, full of years. 
He dropp'd like mellow fruit into his grave, 

Such in the infancy of Time was Man 5 
So calm was life, fo' impotent was Death ! 
O had he but preferv'd thefe few remains, 
The fhatter'd fragments, of loft happinefs, 
Snatch'dbythehandof Heav'n from thefadwreck 
Of innocence primjevai; flill had he liv\l 
In ruin great; tho' fall'n, yet not forlorn; 
Though mortal, yet not eveiy where befet 
With Death in every fliape ! But he, itn patient 
To be completely wretched, hafles to fill up 
The meafu)-e of his woes. — Twas Man himfelf 
Brought Death into theworld; and Man himfelf 
Gave keenefs to his darts, quicken'd his pace. 
And multiply'd deitruftion on mankind. 

Firll Envy, eldefl born of Hell, embrued 
Her hands in blood, and taught the Sons of Men 
To make a Death which Nature never made, 
And God abhorr'd; with violence rude to break 
The thread of life ere half its length was nin, 
And rob a wretched brother of his being. 
With joy Ambition faw, and foon improv'd 
The execrable deed. 'Twas not enough 
By A btle fraud to fnatch a fingle life, 
Puny impiety ! whole kingdoms fell 
To fate the lufl of power: more horrid flill. 
The fouleft fiain and fcandal of our nature, 
B::cam.e its boafl. One Murder made a Villain ; 
Mil.io7is a Hero. Princes were privileg'd 
To kill, and numbers fanftified the crime. 
Ah ' why will Kings forget that they are Men ? 
And Men that they are brethren ? Why delight 
In nurnan iacrifice ? Why burfl the ties 
Of N::ture, that fhould knit their fouls together 
In one loft bond of amity and love ? 
9 



Book I, 



Yet flill they breathe deftruftion, flill go on 
Inhumanly ingenious to find out 
New pains for life, new terrors for the grave, 
Artificers of Death ! Still Monarchs dream 
Of univerfal empire growing up 
From univerfal loiin. Blafl the defign 
Great God of Hofls, nor let thy creatures fall 
Unpitied vi6tim.s at Ambition's fhrine ! 

Yet fay, fliould Tyrants learn at lafl to feel. 
And the loud din of battle ceafe to bray ; 
Should dove-eyed Peace o'er all the earth extend 
Her olive-branch, and give the world rcpofe. 
Would Death be foil'd ? Would health, and 

flrength, and youth 
Defy his pow'r ? Has he no arts in flora. 
No other fhafts fave thofe of War ? Alas ! 
Ev'n in the fmile of Peace, that fmile which fheds 
A heav'nly funfhine o'er the foul, there baiks 
That ferpent Luxury. War its thoufand flays; 
Peace its ten thoufand s. In th' embattled plain, 
Tho' Death exults, and claps his raven wings. 
Yet reigns he not ev'n there fo abfolute. 
So mercilefs, as in yon frantic fcenes 
Of midnight revel and tumultuous mirth. 
Where in th' intoxicating draught conceal'd. 
Or couch'd beneath the glance of lawlefs love, 
Hefharesthefimpleyouth,whonoughtfufpe6ling, 
Means to be bleft — but finds himfelf undone. 
Down thefmoothftream of life theflriplingdarts. 
Gay as the morn; bright glows the vernal fky, 
Hopefwellshis fails.and palTion fleers his courfe. 
Safe glides his little bark along the fhore 
Where virtue takes her Hand; but if too far 
He launches forth beyond difcretion's mark. 
Sudden the tempefl fcowls, the furges roar. 
Blot his fair day, and plunge him in the deep, 
O fad but fure mifchance! O happier far 
To' lie like gallant Howe 'midll Indian wilds 
A breathlefs corfC; cut off by favage hands 
In earlieft prime, a generous facrifice 
To freedom's holy caufe ; than fo to fall. 
Torn immature from life's meridian joys, 
A prey to Vice, In temp 'ranee, and Difeafe. 

Yet die ev*n thus, thus rather perifli flill. 
Ye fons of Pleafure, by tli' Almighty ilrick'n. 
Than ever dare (though oft, alas I ye dare) 
To lift againft yourfelves the murd'rous flee], 
To wrefl from God's own hand the fword of 

Juflice, 
And be your own avengers ! Hol^ rafh Man, 
Though with anticipating fpeed thou'flrang'd 
Through eveiy region of delight, nor left 
One joy to gild the evening of thy d.aysj 
Though life feem one uncomfortable void. 
Guilt at thy heels, before thy face defpair; 
Yet gay this feene, and light this load of woe, 
Compar'd with thy hereafter. Think, O think. 
And, ere thou plunge into the vail abyfs, 
Paufe on the verge a while : look down and fee 
Thy future manfion. Why that Hart of horror ? 
From thy ilack hand why drops th' uplifted fleel? 
Didfl thou not think fuch vengeance mult .await 
The wretch, that with his crimes all frefh about 
Rufhes irreverent, nnprep.ir'd, uncaU'd, f him 

IntQ 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



2^ 



Into his Maker's prefence, throwing back 
With infolent difdain his choiceft gift ? 

Live theiijwhile Heav'n in pity lends thee life, 
And think it all too (hort to wafh away, 
By penitential tears and deep contrition, 
The fcarlet of thy crimes. So fhalt thou find 
Reft to thy foul ; fo unappalPd fhall meet 
Death when he comes, not wantonly invite 
His lingering ftfoke. Be it thy fole concern 
With innocence to live : with patience wait 
Th'appointed hour; toofoon that hour will come, 
Tho'Nature run her courfe. But Nature's God, 
If need require, by thoufand various ways, 
Without thy aid can fhorten that fhort I'pan, 
And quench the lamp of life. O when he comes, 
Rous'd by the cry of wickednefs extreme. 
To heav''n afcending from fome guilty land. 
Now ripe for vengeance; when he comes array'd 
In all the terrors of Almighty wrath, 
Forth from his bofom plucks his ling'ring arm, 
And on the mifcreants pours deftru6lion downj 
Who can abide his coming? Who can bear 
His whole difpleafure ? In no common form 
Death then appears, but (farting into fize 
Enormous, meafures with gigantic ilr-de 
Th' aitonifh-d Earth, and from his looks throws 
Unutterable horror and difmay. [round, 

All Nature lends her aid, each Element 
Arms in his caufe. Ope fly the doors of Heav'n ; 
The fountains of the deep their barriers break ; 
Above, below, the rival torrents pour. 
And drown Creation : or in floods of fire 
Defcends a livid cataraft, and confumes [peace, 
An impious race. Sometimes, when all feems 
Wakes thegrimwhi rlwindjandwithrude.enibrace 
Sweeps nations to their grave, or in the deep 
Whelms the proud wooden world ; full many a 
Floats on his wat'ry bier, or lies unwept [youth 
On fome fad defart fliore ! At dead of night. 
In fullen filence ftalks forth Pellilence: 
Contagion clofe behind taints ail her fteps 
With poisonous dew ; no fmiting hand is feen, 
No found is heard, but foon her fecret path 
Is mark'd with deiblation ; heaps on heaps 
Promifcuous drop. No friend, no refuge, near ; 
All, all, is falfe and treacherous around ; 
All that they touch,or tafte,or breathe, is Death. 
But ah! what meansthat ruinousroar ? why fail 
Thefe tott'ring feet ? Earth to it's centre feels 
TheGodhead'spower,and tremblingathis touch 
Through all its pillars, and in ev'ry pore. 
Hurls to the giound, with one convulfive heave, 
Precipitating domes, and towns, and tow'rs, 
The work of ages. Crufli'd beneath the weight 
Of general devaftation, millions find 
One common grave ; not ev'n a widow left 
To wail her fons : the houfe, that ftiould proteft. 
Entombs his mafter; and the faithlefs plain. 
If there he flies for help, with fudden yawn 
Starts from beneath him. Shield me, gracious 

Heav'n, 
O fnatch me from deftruftioft ! If this Globe, 
This folid Globe, which thine own hand hath 
§0 firm and fure, if this my Iteps betray 5 [made 



If my own mother Earth, from whence T fprung, 
Rife up with rage unnatural to devour 
Her wretched offspring, whither fliall I fly ? 
Where look for fuccour? Where, but up to thee. 
Almighty Father ? Save, O fave, thy fuppliant 
From horrors fuch as thefe ! At thy good time 
Letdeathapproach; 1 reck not — let him but come 
In genuine form, not with thy vengeancearm'd. 
Too much for m.an to bear. O rather lend 
Thy kindly aid to mitigate his fl:roke ; 
And at that hour when all aghaft I ftand 
(A trembling candidate for thy compafliou) 
On this World's brink, and look into the next; 
When my foul, ftarting from the dark unknown, 
Cafts back a wifhful look, and fondly clings 
To her frail prop, unwilling to be wrench'd 
From this fair fcene, from all her cuftom'd joys. 
And all the lovely relatives of life ; 
Then flied thy comforts o'er me, then put on 
The gentleft of thy looks. Let no dark crimes. 
In all their hideous forms then ftarting up. 
Plant themfelvcs round my couch in grim array. 
And ftab my bleeding heart with two-edg'd 

torture, 
Senfe of paft guilt, and dread of future woe. 
Far be the ghaftly crew ! And in their ftead 
Let cheerful Memory from her pureft cells 
Lead forth a goodly train of Virtues fair, 
Cherifh'd in earlieft youth, now paying back 
With tenfold ulury the pious care. 
And pouring o'er my wounds the heav''n lybalm 
Of conlcious innocence. But chiefly, Thou, ' 
Whom foft-eyedPityonceled down from Jleav'n 
To bleed for man, to teach him how to live. 
And, oh ! ftill harder leflbn ! how to die ; 
Difdain not Thou to fmooth the reftlefs bed 
Of Sicknefs and of Pain Forgive the tear 
That feeble Nature drops, calm all her fears. 
Wake all her hopes, and animate her faith. 
Till my rapt Soul, anticipating Heav'n, 
Burfts from the thraldom of incumb'ring clay. 
And on the wing of Ecftafy upborne. 
Springs into Liberty, and Light, and Life. 



§ 39. The Gra've. Blair. 
'* The houfe appointed for all living." Jcs. 
.Whilst fome afte6l the fun, and fome the 
fhade, 
Some flee the city, fome the hermitage. 
Their aims as various as the roads they take 
In journeying through life; the tafk be mine 
To paint the gloomy horrors of the tomb\ 
Th' appointed place of rendezvous, where all 
Thefe trav'llers meet. Thy fuccours I implore. 
Eternal King, whofe potent arm fuftains 
The keys of hell and death. The Grave, dread 

thing 1 
Men fliiver when thou"" rt nam'd: Nature appall'd 
Shakes oft'her wonted firmnefs. Ah! how dark 
Thy long-extended realms, and rueful waftes; 
Where nought butfilence reignsjand night,dark 
Dark as was Chaos ere the infant Sun [night. 
Was roli'd together, or had tried its beams 

Athwart 



26 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



Athwart the gloom profound ! The fickly taper. 
By giimm'ring thro' thy low-brow'd mifty vault?, 
Furr'd round with mouldy damps,and ropyllime, 
Lets fall a fiipernumerary horror, 
^\iid only ferves to make thy night more irkfome. 
"Well do I Imow thee by thy trulty yew, 
Cheerlefs, unfocial plant ! That loves to dwell 
.'Miaft fculls and coffins, epitaphs and worms 5 
Where light-heerd ghofls and vifionary ih'ades, 
Beneath the wan cold moon (as fame reports) 
Embodied thick, perform their m.yftic rounds. 
No other merriment, dull tree! is thine. 

See yonder hallow'd fane I the pious work 
Of names once fam'd, now dubious or forgot^ 
And baried'midflthewreckof tbingswhich were : 
There lie interrM the more iiliiftrious dead. 
The wind is up : hark! how it howls! Methinks 
Till now, I never heard a found fo dreary: [bird 
Doors creak, and windows clap, and night's foul 
Rook'dinthefpirefcreamsloudjtheglooHfiyaiiles 
Black plafter'd, and hung round with flireds of 
fcutcheons, | 

And tatter'd coats of arms, fend back the found 
Laden with heavier airs, from the low vaults, j 
The manfions of the dead/ RousM from their i 
In grim array the grifly fpe6tres rife, [(lumbers, 
Grin horrible, and obffcinately fullen 
Pafs and repafs, huQiM as the foot of night. 
Again' thefereech-owlfhrieks: ungraciousfound! 
I'll hear no more; it makes one's blood run chill. 

Quite round the pile, a rovv- of rev 'rend elnis, 
Coffival near with that, all ragged fhew, [down 
Long lafh'd by the rude winds: fome rift half 
Their branchlefs trunks; others lo ihin a-top, 
Thait fcarce two crows could lodge in the fame 
tree. [pen'd here: 

Strange things, the neighbours fiy, have hap- 
Wild Ihrieks liave iilued from the hollow tombs; 
Dead v^en have come again, and walk'd about; 
And the great bell has toU'd, unrung,untouch'd. 
Such tales their cheer, at wake or goihpping. 
When it draws near to witching time of night. 

Oft in the lone church-yard at night I've feen. 
By glimpfe of mooniliine, cheq'ring thro' the 

trees, 
The fchool-boy, with his fatchel in his hand, 
Whiitling aloutl to bear his courage up. 
And lightly tripping o'er the long fiatltones 
(With nettles l'k!rted,and with moiso'ergrown) 
That tell in homely phrale who lie below; 
Sudden he ftarts'. aud hears, or thinks he hears, 
The found of fomcthing puiring at his heels, 
Full fall he Hies, and dares not look behindhim, 
Till out of breath he ovei'takes his fellows; 
Who gather round, and wonder at the tale 
Of horrid apparition, tail and ghiiiti)^, 
That walks at dead of night, or takes his ftand 
O'er fome new-open'd grave; and,ftrange to tell! 
Evanifties at crowing of the cock. 

The new-raadewidov/tooI'vefometimesJ'pied, 
Sad fight ? flow moving o'er the proftrate dead: 
Liitlels, fhe crawls along in doleful black, 
"^.Vhile bur/Is of forrow gufh from either eye. 
Fall-falling down her now untallcd cheek. 



Prone on the lonely grave of the dear man 
She drops ^ whilft bufy meddling Memory, 
In barbarous fucceffion, mufters up 
The paft endearments of their fofter hours, 
Tenacious of its theme. Still, ftill fne thinks 
She fees him, and, indulging the fond thought. 
Clings yet more clofely to the fenfelefs turf. 
Nor heeds the paffenger who looks that way. 

Invidious Grave! howdoft thou rend infunder 
Whom love has knit, and fympathy made one ! 
A tie more ftubborn far than nature's band. 
Friendfhip ! myfterious cement of the foul I 
Sweet'ner of life, and folder of fociety ! 
I owe thee much. Thou halt deferv'd from me. 
Far, far beyond what I can ever pay. 
Oft have I prov'd the labours of thy love. 
And the warm efforts of the gentle heart 
Anxious to pieafe. Ol when my friend and I 
In fome thick wood have wandered heedlefs on. 
Hid from the vulgar eve, and fet us down 
Upon the floping cowflip-cover'd bank, 
Where the pure limpid ftream has Aid along. 
In grateful errors tho' the underwood [thrufh 
Sweet murm'ring;methought,theflirill-tongued 
Mended hi§ fong of love ; the footy blackbird 
Meilow'd his pipe, and foften'd every notej 
The eglantine fmellM fweeter, and the rofe 
Aflum'd a dye more deep ; wliillt ev'ry flow'r 
Vied with his fellow-plant in luxury 
Of drefs. Oh! then the longeft fummer's day 
Seem'dtoo, toomuchinhaile; ftill the full heart 
Had not imparted half: 'twas happinefs 
Too exquifite to laft. Of joys departed. 
Not to return, how painful the remembrance! 

Dull Grave! thou fpoil'ft the dance of youth- 
ful blood, 
Strik'il out the dimple from the cheek of mirth. 
And ev'ry fmirking feature from the face; 
B;-andingourlaughterwiththenameofmadnefs. 
Where are the jelters now ? the man of health 
Complexionally pleafant ? where the droll ? 
Whole ev'ry look and gefture was a joke 
To clapping theatres and fhouting crowds, 
And madecv'n thick-lipp'd muflng Melancholy 
To gather up her face mto a fmile 
Before fhe was aware ? Ah ! fullen now, 
And dumb as the green turf that covers tliem! 

Where are the mighty thunderbolts of war ? 
The Roman Ciefirs and the Grecian chiefs, 
Theboallofftory? Where thehot-brain'd youdi? 
Who the tiara at his pleafure tore 
From kings of all the then difcover'd globe; 
And cried, forfooth, becaufe his ami was ham- 
And had notroom enough to do itswork? [f er'd, 
Alas ! how flim, difhonourably flim ! 
And cramm'd into a fpace we blufli to name. 
Proud royalty ! how alter'd in thy looks ! 
How blank thy features, and how wan thy hse! 
Son of the morning ! whither art thou gone ? 
Where haft thou hid thy many-fpangled head. 
And the majeftic menace of thine eyes 
Felt from afar? Pliant and powcrlefs now, 
Like new-born infajit bound up in his fwathes. 
Or victim tumbled fi^at upon his back. 

That 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



27 



That throbs beneath the facrificer's knife r 
Mute mull thou bear the Itrife of little tongues, 
And coward infuhs of the bafe-boni crowd, 
That grudge a privilege thou never hadll, 
But only nop'd for in the peaceful grave, 
(Of being unmolefted and aione. 
Araby's gums, and odoriferous drugs, 
And honours by the heralds duly paid 
In mode and fonn, ev'n to a very icruple ; 
O cruel irony ! thefe come too late ; 
And onlymock whom they were meant to honor. 
Surely, there's notadungeon-fiaye that's buried 
In the high-w-ay unfhrouded and uncoffin'd, 
But lies as foft, and fleeps as lound, as he. 
Sorry pre-eminence of high defcent 
Above the vulgar-born, to rot in ftate ! [on 

But fee! the well -plumdhearfecomesnoddinc 
Stately and fiow^ and properly attended 
By the whole fable tribe, that painful watch 
The fick man's door, and live upon the dead. 
By letting out their perfons by the hour 
■^o mimic forrow when the heart's not fad! 
How rich thetrapping3,now they're all unfurl'd 
And glitt'ring in thefvm! triumphant entries 
Of conquerors, and coronation pomps. 
In gloiy fcarce exceed. Great gluts of people 
Retard the unwieldy fliowj vvhilft from the 

calcmcnts, 

Andhoufestops,ranksbehindranksclofewedg'd 
Hang bellying o'er. But tell us, why this wafte ? 
Why this ado in earthing up a carcafe 
That's fallen into difgrace, and in the nollril 
Smells horrible ? Ye undertakers ! tell us, 
'Midft all the gorgeous figures you exhibit. 
Why is the principal conceal'd, for which 
You make this mighty ftir? 'Tis wifely done: 
What would offend the eye in a good pi6lure. 
The Painter caftsdifcreetly into fliades. 

Proud lineage, now how little thouappear'ft! 
Below the envy of the private man ! 
Honour, that meddlcfume officious ill, 
Purfucsthee e'en to death, nor there Hops fhort. 
Strange perlecution! when the grave itfelf 
Is no proteftion from rude fufferance. 

Abfurd ! to think to over- reach the grave,! 
And from the wreck of names to rel'cue ours ! 
The beft concerted fchemes men lay for fame 
Die fall away : only themfelves die fafter. 
The far-fam'd fculptor, and the laurel bard, 
Thofe bold infuiers of eternal fame. 
Supply their little feeble aids in vain, 
The tap'ring pyramid, th' Egyptian's pride. 
And wonder of the world ! whole fpiky top 
Has wounded the thick cloud, and long outliv'd 
The angiy fliaking of the winter's ftorm ; 
Yet fpent at laft by th' injuries of heav'n. 
Shattered with age, and furrow'd o'er with years. 
The myffic cone with hieroglyphics crafted. 
Gives way. O lamentable fight ! at once 
The labour of whole ages lumbers down ; 
A hideous and mif-fliapen length of ruins. 
Sepulchral columns wreltle but in vain 
With all-fubduing Time 5 her cank'ring hand 
With c?im deliberate malice wafteth them ; 



Worn on the edge of days, the brafs confumes. 
The bulto moulders, and the deep-cut marble, 
Unlteady to the fteel, gives up its charge. 
Ambition, half convi6ted of her folly, 
Hangs down the head, and reddens at the tale. 

Here all the mighty troublers of the earth, 
Who fwam to fbv'reign rule, thro' feas of blood; 
Th'o^preifive, ft-ardy, man-deltroyi ng villains. 
Who ravag'd kingdoms, and laic*, empires waite. 
And in a cruel wantonneis of pow'r, 
Thinn'd ftates of half their people, and gave up 
To want the reft j now, like a Itorm that's fpent 
Liehufh'd, and meanly fneak behind thy covert. 
Vain thought! to hide themfrom the gen'ralfcorn 
That haunts and dogs them like an injur'dghcft: 
Implacable, Here too, the petty tyrant. 
Whole leant domains geographer ne'ernotic'd. 
And, well for neighboring grounds, of arm as 
Who fix'd his iron talons on the poor, [fliort. 
And grip'd them like fome lordly beaft of prey. 
Deaf to the forceful cries of gnawing hunger. 
And piteous plaintive voice of miieiy 
(As if a Have was not a flu-ed of nature. 
Of the fame com.racn nature with his lord) ; 
Nowtameand humble, like achild that'swhipp'd. 
Shakes hands with duft, and calls the worm his 

kinfman ; 
Norpleads his rankand birthright. Underground 
Precedency's a jeft; vaffal and lord, 
Grofsly familiar, f de by fide confume. 

When felf-efteem, or others adulation. 
Would cunninglyperfuade us wewere fomething 
Above the common level of our kind j [i^att'iy. 
The Grave gainfays the fmooth complexion''d 
And with blunt truthacquaints us what we are. 

Beauty ! thou pretty plaything ! dear deceit 1 
That fteals i'o Ibftly o'er the ftripling's heart". 
And gives it a new pulfe unknown before ! 
The grave difcredits thee: thy charms expung'd. 
Thy rofes faded, and thy lilies foil'd. 
What haft thou more to boaft of? Will thy lovers 
Flock round thee now,to gaze & do thee homage J 
Methinks I fee thee with thy head low-laid 5 
Whilft lurfeited upon thy dama^K cheek, 
The high-fed worm in lazy volumes roH'd, 
Riots unfcar'd. For this was all thy cautiQ>n ! 
For this thy painful labours at thy glafs, 
T'improve thofe charms,andkeepthemin repiair, 
Forwhichthefpoilerthankstheenot? Foulfeecler! 
Coarfe faj-e and carrion pleafe thee full as well. 
And leave as keen a relifti on the fenfe. 
Look how the fair one weeps! the confcious tears 
Stand thick as dew-drops on the bells of flow'rs: 
Honeft eftulion ! the fwoln heart in vain 
Works hard to put a glofs on its diftrefs. 

Strength too! thou furly, andlefs gentle boail 
Of thofe that laugh loud at the village ring! 
A fit of common ficknefs pulls thee down. 
With greatereafeth^me'er thou didfttheftripllng 
That ralhly dar'd thee to th' unequal fight. 
What groan was that I heard? deepgroanindeed! 
Vv^ith anguifli heavy laden ! let me trace it ; 
From yonder bed it comes, where the ftrong man 
By ftronger arm belabour'd, gafps for breath 

Like 



28 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



Like a hard hunted beaft. How his great heart 
Beats thick ! his roomy cheft by far too fcant 
To give the lungs full play ! what now avail 
The ftrong-builtfinewy limbs, and well-fpread 

fhoulders ! 
See how he tugs for life, and lays about him. 
Mad with his pain ! eager he catches hold 
Of what comes next to hand, and grafps it hard, 
Juft like a creature drowning ! hideous light! 
Oh ! how his eyes (land out and flare full ghaftly! 
Whilfl the dillemper's rank and deadly venom 
Shoots like a burning arrow crofs his bowels. 
And drinkshismarrowup. Heard you thatgroan? 
It was his laft. See how the great Goliath, . 
Jiiftlikeachi]dthatbrawl'ditfeiftoreft,[boall:er! 
Xies flill. What mean'ft thou then, O mighty 
To vauntofnervesof thine? Whatmeansthebull, 
Unconfcious of his ftrength, to play the coward, 
And i^.ee before a feeble thing like man; 
That, knowing well the (lacknefs of his arm. 
Trulls only in the well-invented knife I 

With ftudy pale, and midnight vigils fpcot. 
The ftar-furveying fage clofe to his eye 
Applies the fight-invigorating tube j 
And trav'Ilingthro'theboundlefslengthoffpace, 
Marks well the courfes of the far-feen orbs. 
That roll with regular confufion there, 
In ecilacy of thought. But ah ! proud man ! 
Great heights are hazardous to the weak head ! 
Soon, very Ibon.thy firmeft footing fails ; [place. 
And dovvn thou dropp'ft into that darkfome 
Where nor device nor knowledge ever came. 

Here the tongue-warrior lies ! difabled now, 
Diiarm'd,diflionour'd,likeawretchthat'sgagg"'d, 
And cannot tell his ail to paifers-by. [change? 
Great man of language whence this mighty 
T["his dumb defpair, and drooping of the head? 
Though fliong peri'uafion hung upon thy lip. 
And fly infinuation's Ibfter arts 
In ambufh hy about thy flowing tongue: 
Ahis ! how chop-fairn now ' thick mifls and 
Refl, like a weary cloud, upon thy breaft[rilence 
Unceafing. Ah ! where is the lifted arm, 
The ftrength of action, and the force of words, 
Thewell-turn\iperiod,andthe weil-tun'dvoice, 
With all the lelfer ornaments of phrafe ? 
Ah ! fied for ever, as they ne'er had been ! 
Raz'dfromthe bookoffame, cr,more provoking, 
Perhaps fome hackney, hunger-bitten fcribbler 
Infuits thy memory, and blots thy tomb 
NVith long fiat narrative, or duller rhimes 
With heavy halting pace that drawl along j 
Enough to roufe a dead man into rage. 
And warm with red reTentment the wan cheek. 

Here the great maflers of the healing art, 
Thefe mighty mock defrauders of the tomb 1 
Spite of their ialaps and catholicons, 
Refignto fate. Proud ^fculapius' fon, 
WTiere are thy boafted implements of art. 
And all thy well-crammM magazines of health? 
Nor hill, nor vale, as far as fhip could go. 
Nor margin of tlie- gravel-bottom'd brook, 
Efcap'd thy rifling hand: from flubborn fhrubs 
Thou wrung'fl their fhy retiring virtues out, 



And vex'd them in the fire : nor Ry, nor infe6t. 
Nor writhy fnake, efcap'd thy deep refearch. 
But why this apparatus ? why this cofl ? 
Tell us thou doughty keeper from the grave ! 
Where are thy recipes and cordials now, 
With the long lift of vouchers for thy cures? 
Alas ! thou fpeakeft not. The bold impoftor 
Looks not more filly when the cheat's found out. 

Here, the lank-fided mifer, worft of felons ! 
Who meanly ftole, difcreditable fhift ! 
From back and belly too, their proper cheer j 
Eas'd of a tax it irk'd the wretch to pay 
To his own carcafe, now lies cheaply lodg'd. 
By clam'rous appetites no longer teas'd, 
Nor tedious bills of charges and repairs. 
But, ah! where are his rents, his comings in? 
Ay! now you've made the richmanpoor indeed : 
Robb'd of his gods, what has he left behind > 
O curfed luft of gold ! when for thy fake 
The fool throAvs up his int'reft in both worlds, 
Firft ftarv*d in this, thendamn'd in that to come. 

How Ih ocking mu ft thy fummon s be, O Death J 
To him that is at eafe in his pofTefTions; 
Who, counting on long years of pleafure here. 
Is quite unfumifli'd for tliat world to come 1 
In that dread moment, how the frantic foul 
Raves round the walls of her clay tenement. 
Runs to each avenue, and fhrieks for help. 
But fhrieks in vain! how wifhfully fhe looks 
On all fhe's leaving, now no longer her's! 
A little longer, yet a little longer, 
O might file ftay to waih away her ftains, 
And fit her for her paflage ! mournful fight ! 
Her very eyes weep blood; and every gi'oan 
She heaves is big with honor: but the foe, 
Like a ftaunch murd'rer fteady to his purpofe, 
Purfues her clofe thro' ev'ry lane of life, 
Nor milles once the track, but prefixes on ; 
Till, foj c'd at laft to the tremendous verge, 
At once fhe finks to everlafting ruin. 

Sure, 'tis a ferious thing to die ! my foul ? 
What a.ftrange moment muft it ITe, when near 
Thy journey's end thou haft the gulf in view.i 
That awful gulf no mortal e'er repafs'd 
To tell what's doing on the other fide! 
Nature runs back, andfnudders at thefight, [mg? 
And ev'ry life-ftring bleeds at thoughts of part- 
For part they muft : body and foul muft part} 
Fond couple! link'dmoreclofe thanweddedpair. 
This wings its way to its Almighty Source, 
The witnefs of its a6lions, now its judge; 
That drops into the dark and noifome grave, 
Like a difabled pitcher, of no ufe. 

If death was nothing, and nought after death ; 
If, when men died, at once they ceas'd to be, 
Returning to the barren womb of nothing,[chee 
Whencefirft they fprung; then might the debau- 
Untremhl ing mouth the heav'ns; thenmight the 

drunkard 
Reel over his full bowl, and when 'tis drain'd, 
Fill up another to the brim, and laugh [wretch 
At the poor bug-bear Death; then might the 
That's weary of the world, and tir'd of life, 
At once give each inquietude the flip, 



Book I. 



SACRED wAND MORAL. 



29 



By ftealing out of being when he pleas'd, 
And by what way; whether by hemp or Iteel: 
Death's thoufand doors Hand open. Who could 
The ill-pleas'd gueft to fit out his full time, [force 
Or blame him if he goes ? Sure ! he does well 
That helps himfclf as timely as he can, 
When able. But if there is an hereafter. 
And that there is, confcience uninfluenc'd, 
And fuffer'ti to fpeak out, tells ev'ry man. 
Then muft it be an awful thing to die ; 
More horrid yet to die by one's own hand. 
Self-murder! name it not; our inland's fliame, 
Thatmakes her the reproach of neighb Yingftates. 
Shall nature, fwerving from her earlieft di6i:ate, 
Self-prefervation, fall by her own aft ? 
Forbid it, Heav'n ! let not upon difguft. 
The fhamelefs hand be foully crimfon'd o'er 
With blood of its own lord. Dreadful attempt ! 
Juil reeking from felf-llaughter, in a rage 
To ru(h into the prefence of o«r Judge ! 
As if we challenged him to do his worft. 
And mattered not his wrath. Unheard of tortures 
Muft be referv'd for fuch : thefe herd together ; 
The common damn'd (hun tlieir fociety, 
And look upon themfelves as fiends lefs foul. 
Our time is fix'd ; and all our days are number'd ^ 
How long,how (hort,we know not : this we know. 
Duty requires we calmly wait the fummons. 
Nor dare to ftir till Heav'n (hall give permiiTion. 
Like fentries that muft keep their deftin'dftand. 
And wait th' appointed hour, till they're reliev'd. 
Thofe only are the brave who keep their ground, 
And keep it to the laft. To run away 
Is but a coward's trick: to run away 
From this world's ills, that at the very worft 
Will foon blow o'er, thinking to mend ourfelves 
By boldly vent'ring on a world unknown, 
And plunging headlong in the darkj 'tis mad 
No frenzy half fo defperate as this. 

Tell us, ye dead ! will none of you in pity 
To thofe you left behind difclofe the fecret ? 
O ! that fome courteous ghoft would blab it out, 
What 'tis you are, and we muft ftiortly be. ' 
I've heard that fouls departed have fometimes 
Forewarn'dmenoftheirdeath: 'twas kindlydone 
To knock and give th' alarm. But what means 
This ftinted charity ? 'tis but lame kindnefs 
That does its work by halves. Why might you not 
Tell us what 'tis to die? Do the ftri6l laws 
Of your fociety forbid your fpeaking 
Upon a point fo nice ? I'll afk no more; 
Sullen like lamps in fepulchres, your fhine 
Enlightens butyourfelves: well — 'tisnomatter: 
A very little time will cjear up all. 
And make us learn'd as you are, and as clofe. 
Death's fhafts fly thick ! Here falls the village 
Iwain, [round, 

And there his pamper'd lord! The^cup goes 
And who fo artful as to put it by ? 
'Tis long fmce death had the majority; 
Yet, ftrange ! the living lay it not to heart. 
See yonder maker of the dead man's bed. 
The fexton, hoary-headed chronicle! 
Of hard unmeaning face, down which ne'er ftole 



A gentle tear ; with mattock in his hand [ance 
Digs thro' whole rows of kindred and acquaint- 
By far his juniors ! Scarce a fcuU 's caft up. 
But well he knew its owner, and can tell 
Some paflage of his life. Thus, hand in hand. 
The fot has walk'd with death twice twenty years; 
Andyetne'eryounkeronthegreenlaughslouder, 
Or clubs a fmuttier tale; when drunkards meet, 
N®ne fnigs a merrier catch, or lends a hand [not 
More willing to his cup. Poor wretch ! he minds 
That foon fbme trufty brother of the trade 
Shall do for him what he has done for thoufands. 
Ortthis fide, and on that, men fee their friends 
Drop ofi^, like leaves in autumn ; yet launch out 
Into fantaftic fchemes, which three long livers 
In the world's hale and undegen'rate days 
Could fcarce have leifure for; fools that we are! 
Never to think of death and of ourfelves 
At the fame time ! as if to learn to die 
Were no concern of ours. O more than fottilh! 
For creatuies of a day, in gamefome mood 
To frolic on eternity's dread brink, 
Unapprehenfive ; when for aught we know 
The very firft fwoln furge fhall fweep us in. 
Think we, or think we not, time hurries 011 
With a refiftlefs unremitting ftream. 
Yet treads more foft than e'er did midnight thief. 
That Aides his hand under the mifer's pillow, 
And carries off his prize. What is this world ? 
What but a fpacious burial-field unwall'd, 
Strew'd with death's fpoils, the fpoils of animals. 
Savage and tame, and full of dead men's bones ? 
The very turf on which w^e tread once liv'd'j 
And we that live muft lend our carcafes 
To cover our own oft'spring: in their turns 
They too muft cover theirs. 'Tis here all meet ! 
The Ihiv'rin^ Icelander, and fun- burnt Moorj 
Men of all climes, that never met before ; 
And of all creeds,thejew,the Turk, the Chriftian. 
Here the proud prince, and fav®uriteyet prouder. 
His fov'reign's keeper, and the people's f»:ourge. 
Are huddled out of fight. Here lie abafh'd 
The great negotiators of the earth, 
And celebrated mafters of the balance. 
Deep read in ftratagems, and wiles of courts: 
Now vain their treaty- ikill ! Death fcorns to treat. 
Here the o'erloaded fiave flings down his burthen 
From his gall'd ftioulders; and when the cruel 

tyrant. 
With all his guards and tools of pow'r about him 
Is meditating new unheard-of hardftiips. 
Mocks his fliortarm,and quick asthoughtefcapes, 
Where tyrants vex not, and the weary reft. 
Here the warm lover, leaving the cool fiiade, 
The tell-tale echo, and the bubbling ftream. 
Time out of mind the fav'rite feats of love, 
Faft by his gentle miftrefs lays hini down 
Unblafted by foul tongue. Here friends and foes 
Lie clofe, unrnindful of their former feuds. 
The lawn-rob'd prelate, and plain preftjyter. 
Ere while that ftood aloof, as fliy to meet. 
Familiar mingle here, like fifter-ftreams 
That fome rude interpofing rock had fplit. 
Here is the large-limb 'd peufantj here the child 

Of 



50 



eLega^nt extract $i 



Book T. 



Of a fmii lonff, that never flw the fun, | Sick of his blifs, and bent on new adventures, 

Norpr'cfsM the nipple, ftraagled ill life's porch:; Evil he would needs ny: nor tried in vain. 



Here is the mother with her fons and daughters 
Tne barren wife: the long-demurring maid, 
Whole lonely unappropriated iweets 
Siuird like yon knot of cowflips on the "clift, 
Not to be come at by the willing hand. 
Heie are the prude fevere, and gay coquette, 
The Ibber widow, and the young green virgin, 
Cropp'd like a roie before "'tis fiilly blown. 
Or half its worth difcl ..s\l. vStrange medley here ! 
Here garrulous oid age winds up his tale; 
And jovial youth, oflightfome vacant heart, 
Whole ev'ry day was made of melody, [fhrew, 
Hears not the voice of mirth; the ihrilltongued 
Meek as the turtle-dove, foi gets her cliiding. 
Here are the wife, the gen'rous, and the brave; 
The jult, the good, the worthlefs, tiie profane, 
The downright clov^'n, and perfectly well-bred ; 
The fool, the churl, the fcour.drel, and the mean, 
The fupple llatefman, and the patriot ftern; 
Ti-e wrecks of nations, and the fpoils of time, 
\Vith ail the lum.ber of lix thoufand years. 

Poor man ! how happy once in thy firft ftate ! 
When yet but warm from thy gre.atMaker's hand, 
He ilamp'd thee with his image, and well pleas'd 
Smii'd on his ialt fair work ! Then all was well. 
Sound was the body, and the foul ferene; 
Like two fweet inflruments ne'er out of tune. 
That play their feveral parts. Nor head,nor heart, 
Cifer'd to ache; nor was there caule they fhould, 
For all was pure within: no fell remorfe, 



Nor anxious callings up of what may be, 
AlarmM his peaceful bofom : fummer feas 
Shew not more fmooth when kiis'd by fouthern 



;| ( Dread fa 1 experiment ! deftruelive meafuie ! 
Where the worft thing could happen, is faccefs.) 
Alas! too well he fped : the good he fcorn'd 
5talk'd off" reluiSlant, like a» ill-us'd -ghoft, 
Not to return; or, if it did^ its vilits 
Like thofe of angels luort, and far between : 
VVhijihheblackdaemonjwithhishell-rcap'dtraini 
Admitted once into its better room, 
Grew loud and mutinous, nor would be gonej 
Lording it o'er the man^ who now too late 
Saw the ralh error which he could not mend j 
An error fatal not to him alone, 
!-ut to his future {bns, his fortune's heirs. 
Inglorious bondage I human nature groans 
Beneath a vaiTalage fo vile and cruel, 
And its vail body bleeds through ev'ry vein. . 
Whathavock haft thoumade,foul monfter.Sin* 
Greateil and nrlt of ills ! the fruitful parent 
Oi woes of all dimenfions ! but for thee 
Sorrow liad never beeu. All noxious things 
Of vilefl nature, other forts of evils. 
Are kindly circumfcrib'd,and have their bounds. 
The fierce volcano, from its burning entrails 
That belches molten ftone and globes of fire. 
Involved in pitchy clouds of fmoke and ftench^ 
Mars the adjacent fields for fonie leagues round. 
And there it ftops. The big-fwoln inundation^ 
Of mifchief more diffufive, raving loud, 
Buries whole traits of country, threatening morej 
But that too has its fhore it cannot pafs. 
More dreadful far than thefe, Sin has laid wafte* 
Not here and there a country, but a world ; 
Difpatching at a wide-extended blow 



Juft ready toexpire. Scarce impoitun'd, [winds.j Entire mankind, and for their fakes defacing 



The gen'rous foil with a luxuriant hand 
GiferM the various produce of the year, 
And ev'iy thing moll perfect in its kind 



A v.hole creation's beauty with rude hands 
Blafting the fruitful grain, the loaded branchesy 
And marking all along its way with ruin. 



Lkffed, thrice bleffed days ! but ah, how fhort ! Accurfed thing ! O where (hall fimcy find 



Blels'd as the ple?fing dreams of holy men, 
Bi^.t fugitive, like thofe, and quickly gone, 
O iUppVy Itate of things ! What fudden turns, 
Wnat ftrange vicifiitudes, in the firil leaf 
Of man's fad hiftory ! to dav molt happy ; 
And, ere to-morrow s fun has list, moft abjeil ! 
How fcantthe fpace between thefe vait extremes ! 
Thus far'd it with our Sire : not long he enjoy'd 
His paradife ! fcarce had the happy tenant 
Of the fair fpot due time to prove its fweets. 
Or fum them up, v/hen ftraight he muft be gone. 
Ne'er to return again. And mult he go 
Can nought compound for the nrll dire oiFenGe 
Of erring man ? Like one that is condemn'd 
Fain would he trifle time with idle talk, 
And parley with his fats. But 'tis in vain. 
Not all the lavifli odours of the place, 
Orfer'd in incenfe, can procure his pardon, 
Or mitigate his doom. A mighty angel 
With fiaming fword forbids his longer Hay, 
And drives the loit'rer forth ; nor mull he take 
One lad and f.trev/el round. At once he loft 
His gloiy antl his God. If mortal now. 
And forely nuum'd,no wonder ! Manilas fmn'd 

5 



A proper name to call thee by, expreflive 
Of all thy horroi-s ? pregnant womb of ills ! 
Of temper fo tranfcendantly malign. 
That toads and ferpents of moft cfeadly kind 
Com.par'd to thee are harmlefs. SicknelTes 
Of ev'ry fize and fyraptom, racking pains. 
And blueft plagues are thine ! See how the fiend 
Profufely fcatters the contagion round ! [heels, 
Whillldeep-raouth'dllaught-er, bellowing at her 
Wades deep inbloodnewfpilt; yet forto-morrow 
Shapes out new work of great uncommon da-'ng. 
And inly pines till the dread blow is ftruck. " 
But hold! I've gone too far; too much difcovef-d 
My fither's nakednefs, and na^are's fharae^ 
Here let me p;iufe ! and drop an honeft tear. 
One burft of filial duty, and condolence. 
O'er all thofe ample deferts Death has fpread. 
This chaos (if mankind. O great man-eater! 
Whofe ev'iy day is carnival, not fated yet! 
Unheard-of epirure ! without a fellow '/ 
The verieft gluttons do not always cramj 
Some intervals of abftinence are fought 
To edge the appetite: thou feekeft none. 
Meihuiks thecoumlefsfwarrastliouhaildevour'd. 

And 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



Andthoufeinds that each hour thou gobbleft up, 
Th'it, lels than this, might gorge thee to the full. 
But, ah ! rapacious Hill, thou gap'il for more : 
Like one, whole days defrauded of his meals, 
On whom lank hunger lays his ikinny hand, 
And whets to keenell eagernefs his cravings 
(As if Difeafes, Maffacres, and Poilbn, 
Famine and War, were not thy caterers) ! 

But know that thou muftrendfer up thy dead, 
And with high interelt too 1 they are not thine 
But only in thy keeping for a feafon, ^ 
Till the great promised day of reftitutionj 
When loud ditTufive found from brazen trump 
Of ftrong-lung'd cherub Ihall alarm thy captives 
And roufe the long, long (leepers into life. 
Day-light, and liberty 



Then mult thy gates fly open, and reveal 

The mines that lay long forming under ground,! Each earth-born joy grows vile, or difappears. 



Our bane turn'd to a bleiTing ! Death difarm'd 
Lofes his fellnefs quite j all thanks to Him 
Who fcourgM the venom out ! Sure the laft end 
Of the good man is peace. How calm his exit I 
Night-dews fall not more gently to the ground. 
Nor weary worn-out winds expire fo foft. 
Behold him ! in the ev'ning-tide of life, 
A life well-fpent, whofe early care it was. 
His riper years fliould not upbraid his green: 
By unperceiv'd degrees he wears away^ 
Yet like the fun feems larger at his fetting! 
High in his faith-and hopes,look ! how he reaches 
After the prize in view 1 and, like a bird 
That's hamper'd, ftruggles hard to get away ! 
Whilft the glad gates of light are wide expanded. 
To let new glories in, the firft talr fruits 
Of the faft-coming harveft ! Then ! O then I 



In their dark cells immurM; but now full ripe 
And piu'e as filver from the crucible. 
That twice has flood the torture of the fire, 
And inquifition of the forge. We know, 
Th' IlluRrious Deliverer of mankind, 
The Son of God, thee foil 'd. Him in thy pow'r 
Thou couldil not hold: felf- vigorous he rofe. 
And, fliaking off thy fetters, foon retook 
Thofe fpoils his voluntaiy yielding lent. 
(Sure pledge of our releafement from thy thrall ! ) 
Twice twenty days he fojourn'd here on earth, 
And Ihew'd himfelf alive to chofen witnefies 
By proofs fo flrong, that the moft flow afienting 
Had not a fcruple left. This having done, 
He mounted up to heav'n. .Methinks I fee him 
Climb the aerial heights, and glide along 
Athwart the fevering clouds : but the faint eye, 
Flung backward in the chace,foon drops its hold, 
Difabled quite, and j:ided with purfuing. 
Heaven's portals wide expand to let him in ; 
Nor are his friends fhut out : as fome great prince 
Not for himfelf alone procures admifhon. 
But for his train j it was his royal will, 
That where he is, there ihouid his followers be. 
Death only lies between ! a gloomy path ! 
Made yet more gloomy by our coward fears ! 
But not untrod, nor tedious : the fatigue 
Will foon go off. Befides, there 's no by-road 
To blifs. Then why,likeill-condition'd children. 
Start we at tranflent hardfliips in the way 
That leads to purer air and fofter fkies, 
And a ne'er-fetting fun ? Fools that we are \ 
Wev.'ifli to be where fweets unwithVing bloom j 
But Itrait our wifh revoke, and will not go. 
So have I feen, upon a fummer's even, 
Fafl by a riv'let's brink a youngfter play ! 
. How wiih fully he looks to ftem the tide I 
This moment refolute, next unrefolv'd, 
At laft he dips his foot ; but as he dips 
His fears redouble, and he runs away 
From th' inotfenfive ftream, unmindful now 
Of all the fiow'rs that paint the further bank, 
And fmird fo fweet of late. Thrice welcome 
That.aftermany apainful bleedingftep, [Death ! 
Conducts us to our home, and lands u» fafe 
4^n the long wiih'd-for fiiore. Prodigious change ! 



Shrunk to a thing of nought. O how he longs 
To have his paffport fign'd, and be difmifs'd ! 
'Tis done, and now he's happy ! The glad foul 
Has not a wii'h uncrown'd^ Ev'n the lag fiefh 
Refts too in hope of meeting once again 
Its better half, never to funder more. 
Nor fhall it hope in vain : the time draws on 
When not a fingle fpot of burial-earth. 
Whether on land, or in the fpacious fea, 
But mull give back its long committed dull 
Inviolate: and faithfully Ihall thefe 
Make up the full account i not the leaft atom 
Embezzled, or millaid, of the whole tale. 
Each foul fhall have a body ready-furnifli'd j 
And each fhall have his own. Hence,yeprophane' 
Afk not, ho^v this can be? Sure the fame pow'r 
That rear'd the piece at firft, and took it down. 
Can re-afTemble the loofe fcatter'd parts. 
And put them as they were. Almighty God 
Has done much raoie; nor is his arm impaired 
Thro' length of days ; and what he can he will; 
His faithfulnefs itands bound to fee it done. 
When the dread trumpet founds, the flumb'ring 
Not unattentive to the call, fhall wake ; [daft. 
And ev'r)'^ joint poflefs its proper place. 
With a new elegance of form, unknown 
To its firft ftate. Nor fhall the confcious foul 
Miftake its partner j but amidft the crowd. 
Singling its other half, into its arms 
Shall nifti, with all the impatience of a man 
That's new^ come home, who having long beeH 

abfent. 

With hafte runs over ev'ry different room. 
In pain to fee the whole. Thrice happy meeting I 
Nor time, nor death, faall ever part them raore^ 

'Tis brut a night, a long and moonlefs night ; 
We make the grave our bed, and then are gone. 

Thu&, at the fhut of even, the weary bird 
Leaves the wide air, and in fome lonely break 
Cow'rs down, and dofes till th'^ dawn of day ; 
Then claps his well-fiedg'd wings, and bears 
away. 



§ 40. Ilappmefs to befcundin Virtue alone. Pope. 

Know then this truth (enough for man to 

" Vh'tue alone Is Happinefs below." [know) 



3s 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



The only point where human blifs ftandsftill. 
And takes the good without the fall to illj 
Wiitre only Merit conllant pay receives, 
Is blell in what it takes, and what it gives j 
The joy unequal'd if its end it gain. 
And, if it lofe, attended with no pain : 
Without il^tiety, tho' e>r fo blefs'd. 
And but more relifli'd as the more diftrefs'd. 
The broadelt mirth unfeeling Folly wears, 
Lefs pleafmg far than Virtue's very tears : 
Good from each objeft, from each place ac- 
For ever exercis'd, yet never tir'dj [quir'd, 
Never elated while one man 's opprefs'd; 
Never dejefted while another 's blefs'd ; 
And where no wants, no wifhes can remain, 
Since but to wifh more Virtue is to gain. 

See ! the fole blifs Heav'n could on all beftow, 
Which who but feels can tafte j but thinks, can 

know : 
Yet poor with fortune, and with learning blind, 
The bad muftmifs ; the good, untaught,will findj 
Slave to no fe6t, who takes no private road, 
But looks thro"' Nature up to Nature's God j 
Purfues that chain which iinkss th' inunenfe 

delign. 
Joins heav'n and earth, and mortal and divine ; 
Sees, that no being any blifs Cvin know, 
But touches fome above, and fome below j 
Learns from this union of the riling whole, 
The iirft, lail purpofe of the human foul ; 
And knows where Faith, Law, Morals, all began. 
All end in Love of God, and Love of Man. 

For him alone, Hope leads from goal to goal, 
And opens ftill, and opens on his foul j 
Till lengthen'd on to Faith, and unconfin'd. 
It pours the blifs that fills up all the mind. 
He fees why Nature plants in Man alone 
Hope of known blifs, and faith in blifs imknown 
(Nature, whofe diftates to no other kind 
Are giv'n in vain, but what they feek they find) : 
Wife is her prefentj flie connefts in this 
His greateft Virtue with his greateft Blifs ; 
At once his own bright prolpe6t to be bieil. 
And ilrongeft motive to affill: the relL 

Self-love thus pufh'd to fecial, to divine, 
Gives thee to make thy neighbour's blellmg 
Is this too little for the boundlefs heart ? [thine. 
Extend it, let thy enemies have part: 
Grafp the whole worlds of Reaibn, Life, and 
In one clofe fyftem of Benevolence: [Senfe, 
Happier as kinder, in whate'er degree. 
And height of Blifs but height of Charity. 
God loves from Whole to Parts: but human 
Mult rife from Individual to the Whole, [foul 
Self-love but ferves the virtuous mind to wake. 
As the fmall pebble ilirs the peaceful lake; 
The center mov'd, a circle ftraight fucceeds, 
Another ftill, and ftill another fpreads ; 
Friend,^arent, neighbour, firll it will embrace ; 
His country next j and next all human race: 
Wide and more wide,th' overflowings of the mind 
Take evVy creature in. of ev'ry kind; 
Earth fmiles around,v/ithboundlefsboantybleft. 
And Heav'n beholds its image in his breaft. 



48. 



On the Eternity of the Supreme Being. 
Smart. 



fu- 



Hail, wondrous Being, who in pow'r 
preme 
Exifts from everlafting ! whofe great name 
Deep in the human heart, and ev'ry atom 
The Air, the Earth, or azure Main contains. 
In undecypher'd characters is wrote — 
Incomprehenfible \ — O what can words. 
The weak interpreters o{ mortal thoughts. 
Or what can thoughts(tho' wild ofwing they rove 
Thro' the vaft concave of th' aethereai round) ? 
If to the Heav'n of Heav'ns they wing their way 
Advent'rous, bke the birds of night they're loft, 
And delug'd in the flood of dazzling day. — 

May then the youthful, uninfpired Bard 
Prefume to hymn th' Eternal ? may he foar 
Where Seraph and where Cherubim on high 
Refound th' unceafmg plaudits, and with thera 
In the grand chorus mix his feeble voice ? 

He may — if thou, who from the witlefs babe 
Ordaineft honour, glory, ftrength, and praife. 
Uplift th' unpinion'd Mufe, and deign'ft to aftlft. 
Great Poet of the Univerfe ! his fong. 

Before thi? earthly Planet wound her courfe 
Round Light's perennial fountain ; before Light 
Herfelf 'gan fhine, and at th' infpiring word 
Shot to exiftence in a blaze of day; 
Before " the Morning-Stars together fang," 
And hail'd Thee architet^l of countJefs worlds j 
Thou art — All-glorious, Al!-beneficent, 
All Wifdom and Omnipotence Thou art. 

But is the acra of Creation fix'd 
At when thefe worlds began? Could aught retard 
Goodnefs, that knows no bounds, from blefTmg 
Or keep th' immenle Artificer in floth ? [ever, 
Avaunt the daft-dire<51:ed crawling thought. 
That Puillance immeafurably vail. 
And Bounty inconceivable, could reft 
Content, exhaufted with one week of aftion ! 
No — in th' exertion of thy righteous pow'r. 
Ten thoufand times more active than the Sun, 
Thou reign'd,and with a mighty hand composed 
Syltems innumerable, matchlefs all. 
An ftampt with thine uncounterfeited feal. 

But yet (if ftill to more Itupendous heights 
TheMufe unblam'd her aching fenfemay llrain) 
Perhaps wrapt up in contemplation deep, 
The beft of Beings on the noblell theme 
Might ruminate a"t leifure, ibope immenfe ! 
Th' Eternal Pow'r and Godhead to explore. 
And with itfelf th' Omnifcient Mind replete. 
This were enough to fill the boundlefs All. 
This were a Sabbath worthy tiie Supreme! 
Perhaps enthron'd amidft a' choicer few 
Of fpiiits inferior, he might greatly plan 
The two prime Pillars of the Univerfe, 
Creation and Redemption — and awhile 
Paufe — with the grand prefentiments of gloryi 
Perhaps— but all 's conjefture here below. 
All ignorance, and felf-plum'd vanity — 
O Thou, whofe ways to wonder at 's diftruft. 

Whom 



Book !• 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



35 



"Whom to defcribe 's prefumption (all we can, 
And all we may), be glorified, be prais'd. [rifh, 
A day fnall come, when all this Earth fhall pe- 
Nor leave behind ev'n Chaos; it fliail come. 
When all the armies of the elements 
Shall war again ft themfelves, and mutual rage, 
To make Fe/dition triumph; it fhall covne, 
AVhen the capacious atmofphere above 
Shall in fulphureous thunders groan, and die. 
And vaniih into void; the earth beneath 
Shall fever to the centre, and devour 
*rh' enormous blaze of the deitru6tive flames. 
Ye rocks that mock the ravings of the floods, 
And proudly frown upon th' impatient deep, 
Where isyourgrandeurnow? Ye foaming waves, 
That ail along th"* immenfe Atlantic roar, 
in vain ye fwell ; will a few drops f uflice 
To quench the inextinguiihable fire ? [cedars, 
Yei mountains, oh whole cloud-crown'd tops the 
Are leifen'd into flirubs, magnific piles. 
That prop the painted chamber of the heavens, 
And fix the earth continual ; Athos, where ? 
Where, Tenerif, 's thy llatelinefs to-dav ? 
What, iEtna, are thy fiaraes to thefe ? No more 
Than the poor glow-v^orm to the golden fun. 
' Nor fliall the verdant valleys then remain 
Safe in their meek fubnnfTion ; they the debt 
Of nature and of juflice too mult pay. 
Yet I muit weep for you, ye rival fair, 
Arno and Andaluiia; but for thee 
More largely, and with filial tears mud: weep, 

Albion ! O my country 1 Thou muft join. 
In vain difTever'd from the rell, mull join 
The terrors of th' inevitable ruin. 

Nor thou, illullrious monarch of the day ; 
Nor thou, fair queen of night; nor you, ye ilars, 
Tho"" million leagues and million Itiil remote, 
Shall yet furvive that day; ye muft fubmit, 
Sharers, not bright fpe6tatois of the fcene. 

But tho' the Earth fhall to the centre perifh, 
Nor leave behind ev'n Chaos ; tho' the air 
With all the elements muft pals away. 
Vain as an idiot's dream ; tho' the huge rocks. 
That brandifii the tall cedars on their tops, 
With hmnbler vales muli: to perdition yield ; 
Tho' the gilt Sun, and filver-trefted Moon, 
With all her bright retinue, muft be loft: 
Yet Thou, Great Father of the world, fui-viv"'ft 
Etern:d, as thou wert. Yet ftill furvives 
The ibul of man immortal, perfe6t now. 
And candidate for unexpiring joys. 

He comes ! he comes ! the awful trump I hear; 
The flaming fword's intolerable blaze 

1 fee! He comes ! th' Archangel from above^ 
" Arife, ye tenants of the filent grave, 

*' Awake incorruptible, andariie: 
" From eaft to weft, frcrn the Antarctic pole 
" To regions Hyperborean, all ye fons, 
" Ye fbns of Adam, and ye heirs of heaven — 
." Arife, ye ten-ants of the fiient grave, 
". Awake incorruptible, and arile." 

'Tis then, nor iooner, that the reftlefs mind 
Shall find itlelf at home; and like the ark, 
. Fix'd on the mountain top, iliall look aiufi: 



O'er the vague paffage of precarious life; 
And winds and waves, and rocks and tempefts. 
Enjoy the everlafting calm of Heav'n : [pail, 
Tis then, nor fooner, that the deathlefs foul 
Shall juftly know its nature and its rife: 
'Tis then the human tongue,new-tun'd,fhallgive 
Praifes more worthy the Eternal ear. 
Yetwhat we can ,weought;— andthereforeThou, 
Purge Thou my heart, OmnipoteriL and Gooil 1 
Purge Thou my heart witn hyftbp, left, like Cain j 
I ofler fruitlefs facrifice, and with gifts 
Offend, £yid not propitiate the Ador'd. 
Tho' Gradtude were bleit with all the powers 
Her burfting heart Could long for; tho' the fwift^ 
Tiie fiery wing'd Imagination foar'd 
Beyond Ambition's wifti — -yet all were vain 
To fpeak him as he is, who is ineffable. 
Yet ftill let Realbn thro' the eye of Faith 
View him with fearful love; letTruthpronouncej 
And Adoration on her bended knee, 
With heav'n-dire6ted hands, confefs his reign. 
And let the angelic, archangelic band. 
With all the hofts of Heaven, cherubic forms. 
And forms feraphic, with their filver trump 
And golden lyres attend : — ■" For thou art holy^ 
" For thou art one, th' Eternal, who alone 
'* Exerts all goodnefs. and tranicends ail praife l" 



§42. 



On the Immenfity of the Supreme Being. 
Smart. 

Once more I dare to roufethe founding itrnigj 
The Poet of my God — Awake, my g'or}^. 
Awake, my lute and harp — my felt" fliall wSke, 
Soon as the Itately night-exploding bird 
In lively lay fings welcome to che dawn. 

Lift ye ! howNature with ten thoufand tongues 
Begins the grand thanklgiving, Hail, all hailj 
Ye tenants of the foreft and the field ! 
My fellow fubjedts of th' Eternal King, 
I gladly join your matins, and with you 
Confefs his prelence. and repoit his praife. 

O Thou, who or tt.e lambkin, or the dove. 
When ofter'd by the lowly, meek and poor, 
Prefer'ft to pride's v/hole hecatomb, accept 
This mean Ellay, nor from thy treafure-lioufe 
Of glory immenfe the Orphan's mite exclude. 
What tho' theAlmighty 's regal thronebe raised 
High o'er yon azure Heaven's exalted dome, 
P»y mortal eye unkenn'd — where Eaft nor Weft^ 
Nor South nor bluftering North has breath to 
AlbeitKetherewith angels and withiaints[blow5 
Hold conference, and to his radiant hoft 
Ev'n face to face Itands vifibly confeft; 
Yet know, that nor in prefence or in power 
Shines he lefs perfeft here ; 'ris man's dim eye 
That makes th' obicurity. He is the fame j 
x\like in all his univerfe the fam.e. 

Whether the mind along the fpungled fky 
Meafures her pathlefs v/alk, ftudious to view 
The works of vafter fabric, where 'jhe planets 
Weave their harmonious rounds,theirm3rch di- 
still faithful, ftill inconftanr,to the fun.; [r£6ting 
Or where the comet, tliro' fpace infinite 
(Tho' whirling worlds oppofe in globes of fire) 
D Darts, 



34 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



Darts, like a iavelin, to his diftant goal ; [vens, 
Or where in Heaven above, the Heaven of Hea- 
Burn brighter funs, and goodlier planets ro!l 
With fatellites more glorious— Thou art there. 

Or vs'hether on the ocean's boifterous back 
Thou ride triumphant,and with outftretchM ai-m 
Curb the wild winds and difcipline the billows, 
The fuppliant failor finds Thee there, his chief, 
His only help— When Thou rebukTt the ftorm, 
It ceafes — and the vefTel gently glides 
Along the glofly level of the calm. 

O ! could I fearch the bofom of the fea, 
Down the greatdepth delcending,there thy works 
Would alfo fpeak thy refidence; and there 
Would I, thy fervant, like the itill profound, 
Aftonifli'd into filence mufe thy praife \ 
Behold ! behold ! th' unplanted garden round 
Of vegetable coral, fea-flowers gay, [torn, 

And Ihrubs of amber from the pearl-pavM bot- 
iR.ife richly varied, where the finny race 
In blithe fecUrity their gambols play : 
While high above their heads Leviathan, 
The terror and the glory of the main, 
His paftime takes with tranfport, proud to fee 
The ocean's vail dominion all his own. 

Hence thro"" the genial bowels of the earth 
Eafy may fancy pafs ; till at thy mines, 
Gani or Raolconda, fhe arrive, 
And from the adamant's imperial blaze 
Form weak ideas of her Maker's gloiy. 
Kext to Pegu or Ceylon let me rove. 
Where the rich ruby (deem'd by fages old 
Of fov'reign virtue) fparkles ev'n like Sirius, 
And blufhes into flames. Thence will I go 
To nndermine the treafure-fertile womb 
Of the huge Pyienean, to dete(3: 
The agate and the deep-intrenched gem 
Of kindred jafper— Nature in them both 
Delights to play the mimic on herfelf; 
And in their veins flie oft pourtrays the forms 
bf leaning hills, of trees ereft, and llreams 
Now ftealing foftly nn, now thundering down 
In defperate cafcade, with flowers and bealls, 
And all the living landlkip of the vale : 
In vain thy pencil, Claudio or Pouflin, 
Or thine, Immortal Guido, would eflay 
Such Ikill to imitate — ^it is the hand 
OfGodhimfelf— for God himfelf is there, [vance 
Hence with th' afcendin^ fprings let me ad- 
Thro' beds of magnets, mmerals, and fpar. 
Up to the mountains fummit, there t' indulge 
Th' ambition of the compreher five eye, 
That dares to call th' horizon all her own. 
Behold the forefl:, and th' expanfive verdure 
Of yonder level lawn, whofe fmooth-fhorn fod 
No objeft interrupts, unlefs the oak 
His lordly head uprears, and branching arms 
Extends-^Behold in regal folitude, 
And paft:oral magnificence, he ftands 
So fimple, and fb great, the under-wood 
Of meaner rank an awful difl:ance keep. 
Yet Thou art there, y' God himfelf is there, 
Ev'n on the bufli (tho' not as when to Mofes 
He ftione in burning majefty reveal'd). 



Nathlefs confpicuous in the linnet's throat 
Is his unbounded goodnefs — Thee her Maker^ 
Thee her Preferver chants (he in her fongj 
While all the emulative vocal tribe 
The grateful lelfon learn — no other voice 
Is heard, no other found — for, in attention 
Buried, ev'n babbling Echo holds her peace. 

Nowfrom the plains,w here theunboundedpro-^ 
Gives hberty her utmofl: fcope to range, [fpeft 
Turn we to yon inclofures, where appears 
Chequer'd variety in all her forms, 
Which the vague mind attract, and ftill fufpend 
With fweet perplexity. What are yon towers, 
The work of labouring men and clumfy art. 
Seen with the ringdove's nell ? On that tall beech 
Her penfile houfe the feather'd artill builds-^ 
The rocking winds moleft her not; for fee 
With fuch due poife the wond'rous fabric's hung. 
That, like the compafs in the bark, i^ keeps 
True to itfelf, and ftedfafl ev'n in llornas. 
Thou idiot, that aflerts there is no God, 
View, and be dumb for ever — 
Go bid Vitruvius or Palladio build 
The bee his manfion, or the ant her cave — 
Go call Correggio, or let Titian come [cherry 
To paint the hawthorn's bloom, or teach the 
To blufti with juft Vermillion — Hence away-^ 
Hence, ye profane ! for God himfelf is here. 
Vain were th' attempt, and impious, to trace 
Thro' all his works th' Artificer Divine — 
And tho' nor fliining fun, nor twinkling ftar^ 
Bedeck'd the crimlbn curtains of the ikyj 
Tho' neither vegetable, bealt, nor bird 
Wert- extant on the furface of this ball, 
Nor lurking gem beneath; tho' the great fea 
Slept in profound ItignatioD, and the air 
Had" left no thunder to pronounce its Maker; 
Yet man at home, within himlelf, might find 
The Deity immenfe, and in that frame. 
So fearfully, fo wonderfully made, 
See and adore his providence and power — 
I fee, and I adore — O God molt bounteous ! 
O infinite of goodnefs and of glosy, [Thee; 
The knee that thou halt ftiap'd ihall bend to 
The tongue which thou hviit tun'd Ihall chaiu 

thy praiie ; 
And thine own image, the immortal foul. 
Shall confecrate herlelf to Thee for ever. 



§ 43. On the Omnifdence of the Supreme Being. 

Smart. 

Arise, divine Urania, with new drains 
To hymn thy God ! and thou, immortal Fame, 
Arlfe and blow thy everlalting trump ? 
All glory to the Omnilcient, and praife. 
And power and domination in the height ! 
And thou, cherubic Gratitude, whofe voice 
To pious ears founds filverly fo fweet, 
Come with thy precious inceiife, bring thy g:ft<v - 
And with thy choiceit Itores the altar crown. 
Thou too, my heart, whom He, and He alone 
Who all t'nings knows, can know, with love re- 
Regenerate, and pure, pour all thyfelf [plet«, 

A living 



iBoOK T. 



SACRED AND MORA L: 



3; 



A living facriiice before his throne! 
And may th' eternal, high, myfterioas tree, 
That In the centre ofthearched heavens [branch 
Bears the rich fruit of knowledge, with Ibrae 
Stoop to my humble reach, and blefs my toil ! 
When in my mother's womb conceaPd I lay, 
A ienfelefs embryo, then my foul thou knew'fl: j 
Knew'ft all her future workings, every thought, 
And every faint idea yet unform.M. 
When up the imperceptible afcent 
Of growing years, led by thy hand, I rofe. 
Perception's gradual light, that ever dawns 
Infenfibly to-day, thou didll vouch fafe. 
And taught me by that reafon thou infpir'dil. 
That what of knowledge in my mind was low, 
Imperfeft, incorrect, — in Thee is wond'rous, 
Uncircamicrib'd, unfearchably profound, 
And ehimable folcly by itfelf. [brutes, 

What is that fecret powV that guides the 
Which Ignoj-ance calls iniHnft ! 'Tis fromTiiee j 
It is the operation of thine hands. 
Immediate, inftantaneous ; 'tis thy wifdom 
That glorious fhines tranfparent thro' thy works. 
Who taught thepye, or who forewarn'dthe jay, 
To ihun t!.e deadly niglitfliade? Tho' the cheiiy 
Boalls not a gioflier hue, nor does the plum 
Lure with more feeming Avects the amo'rous eye, 
Yet will net the fagacious birds, decoyed 
By f-jir appearance, touch the noxious fruit. 
They know to taiie is fatal 5 whence, alarm'd, 
Swift on the winnowing winds they work their 

way. 
Go to, proud reafoner, philofophic man, 
Hall tliou fuch. prudence, thou fiich knowledge ; 
Full many a race has fall'n into tlii. Inare [ — No 
Of meretricious looks, of pleaf; ng llirface; 
And oft in dtiert illes the fami-hM pilgrim, 
Bv forms of fruit, and lufcious taltc, beguil'd, 
Like his forefather Adam, eats and d'rs. 
For why? his wifdom on the leu' n reet 
Of flow Experience, duliy tedious, creeps, 
And comes, like vengeance, after long delay. 

The venerable fage, that nightly trims 
The learned lamp, t' inveftigate the powers 
Of plants metlicin:d, the earth, the air, 
And the dark regions of the foflil world, 
Grows old in following wliat he ne'er fuall find ; 
Studious in vain ! till haply at the laft 
He fpies a mifc, then Iha-es it into mountains, 
And bafelefs f;brics from conjeftuie builds; 
While the domellic animal, that guards 
At midiiight hours his threfnold, if opprefs'd 
By fudden ficknefs, at his mailer's feet 
Begsnot that aid his fervices might claim. 
But is his own phyfician, knows the cafe. 
And from th' emetic herbage works his cure. 
Hark ! from afar the featherM matron * fcreams, 
And all her brood alaims ! The docile crew 
Accept the fignal one and all, expert 
In th' art of Nature and unlearn'd deceit: 
Along the fod, in counterfeited death, 
Mute, motionlefs they liej full well appriz'd 
Th^ the rapacious adverfary's near, 

« The Hen Turkey. 



But who inform'd her of th"" approaching danger? 
Who taught the cautious mother, that the hawk 
Was hatch'd her foe,and liv'd by her dellru6lion? 
Her own prophetic foul is aftive in her, 
And more than human providence her guard. 

When Philomela, ere the cold domain 
Of crippled Winter 'gins t' advance, prepares 
Ker annual flight, and in fome poplar fhade 
Takes her melodious leave, whothen '^ herpilot? 
Who points her paflage thro' the p athiefs void 
To realms from us remote, tons un.<nown? 
Her fcience is the fcience of her God. 
Not the magnetic index to the North 
E'erafcertains her courfe, nor buoy, nor beacon : 
She, Heaven-taught voyager, that fads in air, 
Courts nor coy Weil norEaft, but inftant knows 
What Newton or not fought, orfought in vain f . 

lUullrious name ! irrefragable proof 
Of man's vail genius, and the ibaring foul ! 
Yet what wert thou to Him, who knew his works 
Before creation form'd them, long before 
He meafur'd in the hollov/ of his hand 
rh' exulting ocean, and the higheft heavens 
He comprehended with a fpan, and weigh'd 
The mighty mountains in his golden fcales; 
Who flione fupreme, who was himfelf the light. 
Ere yet Refraction learn'd her Ikill to paint, 
And bend athwart the clouds her beauteous bow. 

When Knowledge at her father's dread com- 
mand 
Refign'd to Ifrael's king her golden key, 
O ! to have join'd the frequent aud to's 
In wonder and delight, that whilom neard 
Great Solomon defcanting on the brutes. 
O ! how fublimely glorious to apply 
To God's own honour, and good-will to man, 
That wifdom he alone of men pofi'el's'd 
In plenitude fo rich, and fcope fo rare. 
How did he roufe the pamper'd filken fons 
U't bloated Eafe, by plncii-g to their view 
The fage induflrious Ant, the wifell mk6t. 
And bell occonomift of all the^field ! 
Tho.' ihe prefumes not by the folar orb 
To meafure times and feafons, nor confults 
Cluildean calculations, for a guide ; 
Vet, conjcious that December's on the march. 
Pointing with icy hand to Want and \Voe, 
She waits his dire approach, and undifmay'd 
Receives him as a welcome guelt, prepared 
Againft the churlith Winter's fiercell blow. 
For when as yet the favourable Sun 
Gives to the genial earth th^ enlivening ray. 
Not the poor fuffering flave, that hourly toils 
To rive the groaning earth for ill -fought gold. 
Endures fuch trouble, fuch fatigue, as Ihej 
While all her fubterraneous avenues, [meet 
And llorm-proof cells, witn management moll 
And, unexampled houlewifery fne forms: 
Then to the field flie hies, and on her back, 
Burden immenfe ! Ihe bears the cumbrous corn. 
Tiien many a weary ftep, and many a itrain, 
And many a grievous groan fubdu'd, at length 
Up the huge iiill flie hardly heave* it home. 



+ Tlie Longitude. 



Nor 



36 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



Kor reds flie here her providence, but nips 
With I'ubtle tooth the grain, left from her garner 
In miichicvous fertiiity it Iceal, 
And back to daj^-light vegetate its way. 
Go to the Ant, thon lluggard, learn to li\'^, 
And by her wary ways I'eform thine own. 
But if thy deaden'd fenfe, and liitlefs thought, 
More glaring evidence demand ; behold, 
Where yon pellucid populous hive pi-efents 
A yfet uncopied model to the world ! 
There Wachiavel in the refiefting glafs 
May read liimlelf a fool. The chemiil there 
May with ailouidiment invidious view 
His toils outdone by each plebeian bee. 
Who, at the royal mandate, on the wing-, 
From various lierbs,and from difcordant ilowers, 
A perfe61: harmony of fweets corapounds. 

Avaunt, Conceit ! Ambition, take thy flight 
Back to, tBfe Prince of vanity and air ! 
O! 'tisathought of energy moft piercing; [force 
Fonn'd to make pride grow humble ; form'd to 
Its weight on the reludtant mind, and give her 
A true but irkfom.e image of herfeif. 
Woeful vicifTitude ! when man, fallen man, 
Whofiril from Heaven, from graciousGod himfelf 
Learn'd knowledge of the brutes, muft know, by 

brutes 
Inftrucled and reproach'd, the fcale of being; 
By fljw degrees from lowly fleps afccnd. 
And trace Omnifcience upwards to its fpring ! 
Yet murmur not, but praife — for tho' we Hand 
Of n;any a godlike privilege amerced 
By Adam's dire tranfgrefhon ; tho' no more 
Is Paradife our home, but o'er the portal 
Hang^ in terrific pomp the burning blade ; 
Still with ten thouiand beauties bloom the earth, 
WithpleafurespopuiouSjandwithrichescroWn'd. 
Stiil is there fcope for wonder and for love 
Ev'n to their laft exertion — (bowers of bleffings 
Far riiore than human virtue can deferve, 
Or hope expefr, or gratitude return. 
Then, O ye people, O ye fons of men, 
Whatever be the colour of your lives, 
Whatever portion of itfelf his wifdom 
Shall deign t' allow, fcill patiently abide. 
And prairehiramoreandmore; norccafetochant 
** All glory to th' Omnifcient, and praife, 
" And pov/'r, and domination in the height ! 
*' And thou, cherubic Gratitude, whofe voice 
*' To piors ears founds filverly fo fweet, 
" Come wit]i thy precious incenle,bringthygift?, 
«' And with thy choicelt ftorc's the altar cro\vn." 

Til ©EH AOEA. 



§ 44. On the Poiuer oflhe Supreme Beh.'g. Smart. 
" Tremble, thou Earth !" tli' anointed poet 
. ^^id, [mountains ! 

♦•' At God's bright pre.'ence ; tremble all ye 
" And all ye hillocks on the furface bound !" 
Then once again, ye glorious thunders, roll ! 
The Mu;e with trar.fport hears ye; once again 
fionvuUe the folid continent ! and fhake. 
Grand mui'k of Omnipotence, the iftes ! 
'I is tl-iy terrific voice,' thou God of power. 



'Tis tbv terrific voice ; all nature hears it, 
Awaken'd and alarm'd ; fhe feels its force j 
In every fpring flie feels it, every wheel, 
And every movement of her vaft majchine. 
Behold! quakes Apennine; behold! recoils 
Athos; and all the hoary headed Alps 
Leap from their bafes at the god-like found. 
But what is this, celeftial tho' the note. 
And proclamation of the reign lupreme, 
Corapar'd with fuch as, for a mortal ear 
Too great, amaze the incorporeal worlds ? 
Shouid Ocean to his congregated v.aves 
Call in each river, catai-act, and lake, 
And Avith the wat'ry world down a huge rock 
Fall headlong in one horrible cafcade,. 
'Twere but the echo of the parting breeze, 
When zephyr faints upon the lily's breaft; 
'Twere but the cealing of fome inilrument. 
When the laft lingering undulation 
Dies on the doubting ear, if nam'd with founds 
So mighty ! fo frupendcus ! fo divine ! 

But not alone in the aerial vault 
Does He the dread theocracy maintain ; 
For oft, enrag'd with his inteftine thunders. 
He harrcv/s up tiie bowels of tne earth, 
And lliocks the central magnet — Cities then 
Totter on their foundations, {lately columns, 
Mngniiic walls, and heaven-afi'aulting fpires. 
What tho' in haughty eminence erefl: 
Stands the ftrong citadel, and frowns denancc 
On adverfe hofls ; tho' many a baftion jut 
Fort'i from the rampart's elevated mound} 
Vain the poor providence of hum.an art, 
A n d mortal ftrength how vain ! whil e und erneatia 
Triumphs his mining vengeance in th' uproar 
Of Ihatter'd towers, riven rocks, and m.ountains. 
With clamour inconceivable uptorn, 
And huri'dadownth'abyf<;. Sulphureous pyrites 
Buriting abrupt from darknefs into day. 
With din outrageous nd deftru6tive ire. 
Augment the hideous tumult, while it wounds 
Th' afflictive ear, and terriries the eye, [felt. 
And rends the heart in twriin. Twice have wc 
Within Augufta^s walls, tvnct have we felt 
Thy threaten'd indignation : but even Thou, 
Incens'd Omnipotent, art gracious ever; 
Thy gcodnefs infinite but mildlv warn'd us, 
With mercy-blended wrath ; O ipare us flill. 
Nor fend more dire conviction ! We confefs 
That thou art He, th' Almigjity: we believe. 
For at thy righteous power whole fyftems quake; 
For at thy nod tremble ten thouiand worlds. 

Hark ! on the wing'd whirlwinds rapid rage. 
Which is and is not In a moment— hark ! 
On th' hurricane's tempeftuous fweep he rides 
Invincible, and oaks, and pines, and cedars. 
And forelh are no more. For. coniiitl dreadful! 
The Weft encounters Eaft, and Notus rutets 
In his career the Hyperborean biaft. 
1 he lordly lions iluiddering feck their dens, 
And fly like timorous deer"; the king of birds. 
Who dar'd the folar ray, is weak :f w"-,;. 
And faints,andfhlis.and dies; — \> 
Stands ftedfaft in the cen're ci 

Wherefore ye objeas terrible aud great 



renac 



Ya 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL 



Ye tlnmders, earthquakes, and ye fire -fraught 
Of fell volcaiioSjWhirlwinds, hurricanes, [wombs 
And boiling billows, hail ! in chorus join 
To celeb.'-ate and magnify your Maker, 
Who yet in works of a minuter mould 
Is TxOt lefs manifell, is not lefs mighty. 

Survey the magnet's fy mpathetic love 
That woos the yielding needle ; contemplate 
Til'' attraftive amber's power, invilible 
Ev'n to the mental eye; or when the blow -. 
Sent fj-om th' eleftric fphere afliialts thy frame, 
Shew me the hand that dealt it ^Banied here 
By his Omnipotence, Philoibphy 
Slowly her thoughts inadequate revolves, 
Aad Hands, with all his circling wonders round 
Like heavy Saturn in th' ethereal fpace [i'-er, 
Begirt with an inexplicable rip.g. 

If fuch the operations of his power. 
Which at all J'eaions and in Qva-y place 
(Rul'd by eitablhh'd laws and current nature) 
Arreft th' attention; who, oh who flialliell 
His a6ls miraculous ? when his own decrees 
Repeals he, or fufpends^ when by the iiand 
Of Mofes or of Jofhua, or the mouths 
Of his prophetic feers, fuch deeds be wrought, 
Before th' afconiih'd fun's all-feeing eye. 
That faith was fcarce a virtue. Need I fmg 
The fate of Pharaoh and his numerous band 
Loit in the reflux of the wat'ry walls, * 
That melted to their fluid ftate again ? 
Need 1 recount how Samfon's warlike arm, 
With more than mortal nerves was ftrung,t' o'er- 
Idolatrous Phiiiflla? Shall I tell [throw 

How David triumph'd, and what Job fullain'd ? 
— But, O iupreme, unutterable merey ! 
O love unequal! 'd, mylleiy immenfe, [tion 
Which angels longt'unfold ! 'tis man's redemp- 
That crowns thy glory, ajul thy power confirms ; 
Confirms the great, th' unccntroverted claim. 
When from the Virgin's unpolluted womb 
Shone forth the Son of Righteoufnefs reveai'd. 
And on benighted realbn pour'd the day ; 
*' Let there be peace 1" he faid,and all was calm 
Amonglt the warring world — calm as the lea 
When, " O be flill, ye boiilerous winds 1" he 

cried. 
And not a breath was blown, nor raurrpur heard. 
His was a life of mirac'es and might, 
And charity and love, ere yet he talle 
The bitter draught of death, ere yet he rife 
Vi(5rorious o'er The univerlal foe. 
And death, and iin, and hell in triumnh lead. 
His by the right of conqueft is mankind, 
And in fweet lervitude and golden bonds 
Were tied to him for ever. — O how eaiy 
Is his ungaliing yoke, and all his burdens 
'Tis ecfcafy to bear. Him, bleifed Sheoherd ! 



37 

With thofe tha.l love him — for fweet is their fa - 
And ail Eternity fliali be their fpring. [vour. 
Then (hall the gates and everlaifling doors. 
At which the King of Glory enters in, [fure 
Be to the laints^unbarr'd : and there, where plea- 
Boaiis an undying Tloom, where dubious hope 
Is certainty, and grief-attended love 
Is freed from pafhon — there we '11 celebrate, 
With worthier numbers. Him who is, and was. 
And, in immortal prowefs King of kings, 
Shall be the monarch of all worlds for ever. 



§45. 



On the Gocdnefs of the Supreme Being, 
Smart. 

for fo the Gentiles * call'd 



His flocks' 



hall follow thro' the maze of life. 



And fhades that tend today-fpring from on high 
And as the radiant rofes, after fading, 
In fuller foliage, and more fragrant breath . 
Iltyive in fmiling fpring, fo fliall it fare 



Orpheus, for fo the Gentiles * call'd thy 

name, 
Ifrael's fweet Pfalmifl:, who alone couldH wake 
Th' inanimate to motion ; who alone 
The joy fill hillocks, the applauding rocks, 
And flooas with mulical perfuallon drew ; 
Thou, who to hail and fnowgav'ilvoiceandfound, 
And mad' 11 the m'lite melodious ! — greater yet 
V/as thy divinefl fkiil, and ruTd o'er more 
Than art and nature ; for thy tuneful touch 
Drove trembling Satan from the heart of Saul, 
And queli'd the evil Angel — in this breail 
Some portion of thy genuine fpirit breathe, 
And lift me from mylelf; each thought impure 
Banifli ; each low idea raife, refine. 
Enlarge, and fanclify; — lb {liall the Mufe 
Above the ilars afpire, and aim to praife 
Her God on earth' as he is prais'd in heaven. 

Immenfe Creiitor ! whole all-powerful hand 
Fram'd univerlal being, and whofe eye 
SaWjlike thyfelf,thatari things form'd weregood; 
Where fhall the timorous Bard thy praife begin. 
Where end the purelt facrifice of ion^^ [light. 
And jufi: thankfgiving? — The thought-kindling;. 
Thy prime produdion, daits upon my mind 
Its vivifying beam.s, my he^irt illumines. 
And fills my foul with gratitude and Thee. 
Hail to the cheerful rays of ruddy niorn. 
That paint the flreaky Eaft, and blightfome rouf^ 
The birds, the cattle, and mankind from reit J 
Hail to the fred-inciis of the early breeze,^ 
And Iris dancing on the new-fail'n dew, 
Without the aid of yonder goldeu glebe. 
Loft were ti:e garnet's lulcre, loilthe lily. 
The tulip and auricula's fpotted pride; 
Loft were the peacock's plumage, to the fight 
So pleafing in its pomp and g^olfy glow. 
O thrice-iiiultrious ! were it not for Thee. 
Thofe panfies,. that reclining f om the bank 
View thro' th' immaculate pellucid Ureas 1 
Their portraiture in the inverted neaven. 
Might as well change their triple hoait, the white. 
The purple, and the gold, that far outvig 
The Eailern monarch's garb, ev'n with the dock, 
Ev'n with the b,aleful hemlockf. irkfome green. 
Without thy aid, without chy ciadiome beams. 
The tribes of woodland warblers vyouid remain 



* See this conjedure ilronsly fupported by Delany, In his Life of David. 



Mute 



38 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



Mute on the bending branches, nor recite 
Tlic praife of Him, who, ere he fbrm'd their lord, 
Their voices tun'd to tranlport, wing'd their 

flight, 
And b:ule them call for nurture, and receive : 
And lo ! they call j the blackbird and the thrufli, 
The woodlark and the redbrealt, jointly call} 
He hears, and feeds their feathered families; 
He feeds his fweet muficians — nor neglects 
Th' inv.^king ravens in the greenwood wide; 
Andtho'theirthroatscoarferattlinghurttheearj 
They mean it all for mufic, thanks and pralfe 
They mean, and leave ingratitude to man : — 
But not to all — for, hark ! the organs blow 
Their fwelling notes round the cathedral's dome, 
And grace the harmonious choir, celeftial feali: 
To pious ears, and raed"cine of the mind ! 
The thrilling trebles and the manly bafe 
Join in accordance meet, and with one voice 
All to the facred fubjeft fuit their fong. 
Wbile in each breaii: fweet melancholy reigns 
Angelically penfive, till the joy 
Improves and purifies ; the foiemn fcene 
The liin thro' floried panes furveys with awe, 
And baftifuily withholds each bolder beam. 
Here, as her home, from morn to eve frequents 
The cherub Gratitude ; behold her eyes ! 
With love and gladnefs weepingly they flied 
Ecftatic fmiies ; the incenfe, that her hands 
Uprear, is fweeter than rhe breath of May 
Caught from the ne61:arine'sbioirom,andher voice 
Is more than voice can tell: to Him fhe iings, 
To Him who feeds,who clothes,and who adorns, 
Who made, and who prcferves, Vv'hatever dwells 
In air, in lledfaft earth, or fickle fea. 
O He is good, He is immenfely good ! [man ; 
Who all things form'd, and form'd them all for 
Who mark'd the climates, varied every zone, 
Difpenfing ail his bleffings for the beft, 
In order and in beauty : — rife, attend, 
Arrelt, and praife, ye quarters of the world ! 
Bow down, ye elephants, fubmiffive bow 
To Him who made the mite ! Tho', Afia's pride, 
Ye carry armies on your tower-crown'd backs, 
And grace the turban'd tyrants, bow to Him 
Who is as great, as perfeft, and as good 
In his lefs ftriking wonders, till at length 
Tke eye's at fault, and ieeks th' aiTifting glafs. 
Approach, and bring from Araby the Bled 
The fragrant cafna, frankincenfe, and myrrh, 
And, meekly kneeling at the altar's foot. 
Lay all the tributary incenfe down. 
Stoop, feeble Africa, with reverence ftoop, 
And from thy brow take off the painted plume ; 
With golden ingots all thy camels load 
To' adorn his temples, haften with thy fpear 
Reverted, and thy trufty bow unstrung. 
While unpurfued thy lions roam and roar. 
And ruin'dtowcri;, rude rocks, and caverns wide 
y-t-murmnr to the glorious, furly fbund. 
And tl.ou, fair fnf!ia*r, whofe immenft- domain 
To coiinterpoiie the hemifphere extends, [ers, 
Kafte from the Wef{:,aiid with thy fruits and fiow- 
'i ii y mint:, and med cincs, wealtjiy maid, attend. 
6 



More than the plenteoufnefs fo fam'd to flow 
iJy fabling baids from Amalthea''s horn 
!■; thine; thine therefore be a portion due [crowa 
Of thanks and praife: come with thy brilliant 
And veit of fur^ and from thy fragrant lap 
Pomegranates and the rich an::nas pour. 
But chieiiy thou, Europa, feat of Grace 
And Chriltian excellence, his Goodnefs own. 
Forth from ten thoulard tem.ples pour his praife. 
Clad in the armour of the living God, 
Approach, undieath the Spirit's fiaming fword; 
Faith's fhieldjf^vation's glory— compafs'd helm 
VVirh fortitude afrum.e, and o'er }'^our heart 
Fair Truth's invulnerable breail-plate fpread ; 
Then join the general chorus of all worlds. 
And let the fong of Charity begin 
In flrains feraphic, and melodious prayer : 
" O all-fufficient, all-beneficent, 
" Thou God of Goodnefs and of Gloiy, hear! 
'* Thou, who to Joweft minds dolt condefcend, 
" Afiuming paffions to enforce thy laws, 
" Adopting jealoufy to prove thy love ; 
" Tnou, v/ho refign'd humility uphold 'fl, 
" Ev'n as the fioritl- props the drooping rofe, 
" But queirH tyrannic pride with peerlefs power, 
'■' Ev'n as the tempeit rives the ftubborn oak: 
" O all-fufticient, all-beneficen't, 
" Thou God of Goodnefs and of Glory, hear ! 
" Blefsall mankind ; and bring them in the end 
" To heav'ii, to immortality, and Thee 1'* 



§ 46. C^e to JVifdom. Mifs Carter. 
The fblitary bird of night 
Thro' the pale fhades now wings his flight. 

And quits the time-fliook tow'r, 
Where, Ihelter'd froiu the blaze of day. 
In philofophic gloom he lay. 

Beneath his ivy bow'r. 

With joy I hear the foiemn found. 
Which midnight echoes waft around^' 

And fighing gales repeat: 
Fav'rite of Palla"^s ! I attend, 
And, faithful to thy fummions, bend 

At Wifdom's awful feat. 
She loves the cool, the filent eve, 
V/here no falfe fhows of life deceive. 

Beneath the lunar ray: 
Here Folly drops each vain difguife. 
Nor fports her gaily-colcur'd dyes, 
. As in the glare of day. 

O Pallas !, queen of ev'ry art 

" That glads the fenfe or mends the hcar^"* 

Bleft Iburce of purer joys; 
In ev'ry form of beauty bright. 
That captivates the mental fight 

With pieafure and furprize; 
To thy unfpotted fhrine I bow, 
Affifl thy modeft fuppliant's vow. 

That breathes no wild defires: 
But, taught by thy unerring rules 
To fhun the fruitlefs wifli or fools. 

To nobler views afpires. 



Net 



Book T. 



SACRED AND MORAL; 



39 



Not Fortune's gem, Ambition's plume, 
Nor Cytherea's fading bloom, 

Be objefts of my pray'r; 
Let av'rice, vanity, and pride,^ 
Thefe glittVing envied toys divide, 

The dull rewards of care. 

To me thy better gifts impart, 
Each moral beauty of the heart, 

By ftudious thought refin'd: 
For wealth, the fmiles of glad content j 
For pow'er, its ampleil, belt extent, 

An empire o'er my mind. 

When Fortune drops her gay parade. 
When Pleafure's tranlient rofes fade. 

And wither in the tomb, 
Unchang'd is thy immortal prize, 
Thy ever-verdant laurels rile 

In undecaying bloom. 

By thee prote<5led, I defy 

The coxcomb's fneer, the ftupid lye 

Of ignorance and fpite ; 
Alike contemn the leaden fool, 
And all the pointed ridicule 

Of undjfcerning wit. 

From envy, hurry, nolle, and Itrife, 
The dull impertinence of life, 

In thy retreat I reilj 
Parfue thee to thy peaceful groves. 
Where Plato's Hicred fpirit roves, 

In all thy graces drell. 

He bid IlyjTus' tuneful ftream 
Convey the philofophic theme 

Of perfeft, fair, and good : 
Attentive Athens caught the found. 
And all her lilt'ning fons around 

In awful filence flood. 

Reclaim'd, her wild licentious youth 
Confeis'd the potent voice of truth. 

And felt its jult controul : 
The paffions ceas'd their loud alarms, 
And virtue's foft perfuafive charms 

O'er all their fenfes itole. 

Thy breath infpires the poet's fongj 
The patriot's free unbiafs'd tongue^ 

The hero's gen'rous ftrife: 
Thine are retirement's filent joys. 
And all the fweet endearing ties 

Of mil, domeftic life. 
No more to fabled names confin'd. 
To thee, fupreme, all perfe6l mind^ 

My thoughts direft their flight : 
Wifdom's thy gift, and all her force 
From thee deriv'd, unchanging fource 

Of intelleaual light ! 
O fend her fure;^ her fteady ray 
To regulate nay doubtful way, 

Thro' life's perplexing roadj 
The mills of error to controul; 
And thro' its gloom dire6l my {oul 

To happin^ils and good ! " 



Beneath her clear difcerning eye 
The vifionary fhadows fly 

Of Folly's painted fliow: 
She fees, thro' ev'ry fair difguife. 
That all but Virtue's folid joys 

Is vanity and woe. 



§ 47. On Human Life. Ogllvie, 
BYTime'sflow-heavingtide,theworksofmar| 
Are whelm'd; how flnks beneath his wlfte-. 

ful fway 
The pride of empire ! Glittering for a while. 
The gilded yelfels fport along the ftream, 
Fann'd with propitious gales: the fides arc firnii 
The hull capacious, and the fwelling fails 
Float to the breeze of fummer. Ah ! how fooHi 
Torn by the tempeft's wildly-ruftiing wing,. 
And foundering on the deep it lies deform'd, 
A Ihatter'd wreck ! Nor lefs on life defcends 
The ftorm impetuous; let thy filver hairs, 
Time-hallow'd age, be witnefs! the dim eye, 
The tottering tread,the furrow'd cheek,the hand 
Yet trembling from the blafl:. Tell,ye who ten4 
The bed of death, how o'er the helplefs race 
Of human viftims ftrides the harpy foot 
Of Milery triumphant 1 while the veins 
Shrink to the Fever's fcorching breath, or feel. 
Starting, the fiery dart of racking Pain, 
That writhes to agony ; or loolen'd fliake 
Before Confumption ; when her baleful I'pong© 
Drops its green poifon on the fprings of life. 

Nor thefe alone purfue the race of man. 
Far other ills await ; far other woes 
Like vultures revel on his canker'd heart, 

O ye who nightly languifli o'er the tomb. 
Where fieepsthyduft,Eugenio! Ye whofe hearts 
0'erVirtuebleed,when^reeking from the fcourge 
Of dire OpprefiTion, in fome lonely cave 
She pities all defolate !-^Ye powers that haunt 
The valewhere Genius breathes her plaint alone. 
Wild to the whiftling wind ; her voice unhearcj 
As airs that warble o'er the murmering dale 
Remote, to Solitude's inch^^nting ear J 
O tell, why w'rapt in Grancleur's floating robe 
Vice rnounts her tjirone ', while trembling at the 

bar, 
Stands Innocence appall'd ! Tell why the handi 
Of ftrutting Impudence, unlicens'd, grafps 
The palm of Worth, and his indignant brow 
Looksdown,whilemeek-ey'd]Mod.efty,difmay'd', 
Klantles her eheek in crimfon, and retires 
To blu(h in filence! why thy pvtrple car, 
Jiigh-plum'dAmbitionjbathesits rollingwheels 
In blood, and o'er pale Virtue's ftreaming corfe. 
Rapid and madd'ning fprings to^each the goal ! 



^§ 48. Difeafes are the Con[equ-^c£ of Intempe- 
rance. Ogilvie. 
LoN G o'er the lilit-d plaii,i I cafl: my eye, 
Lo ig markM the crowd that roam'd delighted 
Alternate traniport, pity, \o,ve, a^id fear, [on^^ 
work d 111 my bofom. 
I look'd, and hovering o'er th,e flowery turf 
P ^ \Ver^ 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS. 



4© 

"Were fe^n innumerable fliapes, wbofe wings 
Wav'd on the wind, or o'er the r^littering field 
"Who trod in lilence. Cai-e with lowering bt-ow 
Slow italk'd ; and Slander, fpeckled as the fnake 
That llings th' unwaiy traveller, along 
The tainted earth trailed looie,or borne on wings 
Ell e as the brimilone's gleam, ia fecret fhot 
HtT pjilbn'd arrows. Pining Envy gnaw'd 
A blasted laurel, from the locks of Far-e 
Snatch 'd, as the goddefs to her lips applied 
Her mighty trump, and fwell'd a iblemn note 
To Komer's ^ ^lerable name — Not far 
Stood Diicord foaming. Riot doubJe-tongu'd, 
And gleaming Frenzy, and thy yellow wing, 
J\evenge,feUnend! ihock plagaes,and thro'the 
Jnius'd their venom to the inmoit foul, [breail 
O'er all, Diieafe her beauty-withering wand 
"VVav'd high; and, heaving on the heavy air, 
Her raven pinions, bloated as fne iaii'd 
The face of Nature. Shapeiefs was her fomi, 
And void; the owl's iil-cmen^d eyes high-rais'd 
Speckled her front; her noftrils breath 'd a cloud; 
l^aleFamine's fallowband had fcoop'd her cheek; 
And a green viper fovni'd her forky tongue. 

— '-■^. Slew file mov'd 

A.long the troubled air ; and from a bag 
(Wrought deep by Envy in her irddnight den ) 
Scatter'dthe feeds of death. The fparkling bowl 
Receiv'dthem novv'; cipdnowthe enfeebled corfe, 
Lank, open, fpent, at each unfolding pore 
Siick'd in the poifon, as it rofe decay'd, 
Livid and weak, from Pleafure's loole embrace. 

Soon o'er each withering cheek the baleful 
pow'r 
Had fpread unfeen her life-confuming flain: 
Norknev/th' exulting youth, who quaff 'd elate 
The draught delicious, that untimely froft 
Xurk'd by the fprings of life; and iecret chiird> 
The florid blood, and mark'd him for the tomb. 

At lafcwithv.'eak fcepcame the tremblingSagc, 
Haggard.andflirinkingfrcm the breeze;hisvofce 
V/a3deep,and hollow; and the loofe nervesfhook 
His filvei%fprinkled head. He thus began: 

*' O yet,whi]e Heav'n fufpends your doom, be 
My fony ! O ceafe to liilen to the lure [wife. 
Of PJeafure ! Death attends her forward Ifep, ' 
And Peril lays the fure, tho' /ecret fnare. 
Hear, then, the words of a^e. Yet Fate bellows 
One hour; yet Virtue, with indulgent voice. 
By me invites to fliun the devious maze. 
Of Error: —Yet to crown witli length of days, 
w irh icy, with hapninefs, your bold career 
Shehopc-i! Ofnatchtheproffer'dhoon! berous'd;" 
Ere^her ilirong arm tremendous at your heads 
Shall launch th'avenging thunder; ere difmay'd 



Book I, 



Of high-brow'd Opulence! Intemperance, 
The fruitful paient dflDifeale, behind 
Reels loofe,andlilentplanis th'entangling fnare. 
Oft when,tovengeanterous'd,tli'Eternal dooms 
Some wretch to milery extreme, he grants 
The fervent wifn ; he gives th' infatiate eye 
To rove tranf ported o'er its golden (tore ; 
The heart tofweil like Xerxes^, when he view'd 
His hofts that wrapt th' imraeafurable plain. 
And trium,ph'd in his pow'r. Thus fares the 

wretch 
As, W'hirl'd by PaiTion, thro' life's dully field 
He burfts exulting. On the drooping head 
Of Merit, (liy to cenfure, and reprelt 
By decent Pride from murmering; his rude hand 
An tils the palm. He gains it; and ador'd 
ByFoily'swond' ring train.prtfumptuous fiiapes 
His courfe ; till like a canker at the root. 
That fecret ]iot5 on the vital ftream. 
Slow, but fu'-e-wafting Fate in filence takes 
Th' inevilalile aim; and fpares the hand. 
Of hoary Time his filver and his fcythe. 

vv-eak ! thro' P^^IkGu's erring gla's to view 
What cooler thought coudemns! Thh.k'fl thou 

the man 
By birth exalted, by the kivifii b.and [hours 
Of Fortune crcwn'd with honour, whole gay 
Dance to the melting lute's melcdious lay, 
Is happy? — Know.thywanderingfearchmiltakes 
The Ihade for fubltance. Could thy thought 
The mind within, wiiat real ills excite [explore 
The mental tumult, to the trem.bling gaze 
Of Fear what phantoms of imagined woes 
Svv-im thro' the dark night's folemn noon, when 

Sleep 
Shakes not her poppies o'er his longing eyes. 
That roll in vain; wb.Kt inward-eating care 
Preys on his prm.per'd blood; what wilhes wild; 
Vv'iiat dreiid of future miiery; what dreams 
Of horror gleamathvs-art the fable fcroll [fcene 
Where Memory prints her records: would the 
Vv'ake thee to envy ? Would thy wifhing foul 
Pant for the boon that glitters to the eye. 
But ftings the heart, and poilbns ail its joy ? 

1 read' thy fecret ^oubt:—"'Tis Gailtthat 

ihades 
The brov.^ of Grandeur; tis the folemn peal. 
Of Confcience thundering in the mental ear. 
That wakes to quick fenlation. To the dream 
Of harmlefs innocence, no Demon Ihakes 
His front terrific: all is calm within, 
And tun'd to perfect harmony. — Yet Peace 
May dw^ell with Opulence; cne happy mind 
May eye rejoicing it extended pow'r 
To work for miSn; exalting as it views 



Perplcx'd, bewiider'd, wild, you ieek the haunt A frailing tiibe around, fnatch'd from the grafo 



Of Peace, when darknefs veils her lowly cot 
And^rnoarn her gcjitle fmile for ever gone. 



§ 49- 



Ylt 



^ij^^iS obtained oftm male Msntniferahle- 

OgiJvie. 
w-^rn'd, behold what dan'-er :narks "he 
patli ■ ^ "f" ■ • ■ 



Of] ruthieis want, and bafking in the beam' 
Of joy, to tranfport kindling, and to love." 

'Tis juil — Thenobie mind bvFortune rais'd. 
And warm'd by ftrong benevolence to fpreacf 
Its happinefs to all, difplays to man 
His Maker's image. To a godlike few 
Heav'n gives at once the virtue and the power j 
Yet plants not Opulence for theiba fnare, 

Tlut 



Book I,. 



SACRED AND MORA Li 



41 



That poveit.yefcapes?— r-Thewretch who draggM 
His ';re '-elentiel's to the tomb — fay rofe 
No boilir.;,; paulon in his rankled heart ? 
Felt no: his tortnr'd breail the venom tting 
Of keen Impatience r Flam'd not to his eye 
Gold, t'tles, honour; all the tinfel-fhow, 
That o ! the lulkn front of Avai-ice wakes 
A [I'liK-Any Imiie. and bids his little thought 
Receive ;i gleam of joy ? From thefe fecure 
Lives nor uatntor'd Indigence at eafe ? 
And lieat; unfeen along the vale of lif>, 
CrJm, peaceful, fhelter'd from the ftcrmy blaft 
That fnakes Ambition's pl^me: that wrecks 

the hope. 

The quiet of mankind?-!— What though to thefe 
The means are fcantyr— O'fer the roughen'd 

cheek 
Health fVcds her bloom; theirfinews knitbytoii, 
Rcbuic r-nct firm, fupport th' allotted weight : 
And gradual loofed by long revolving years, 
Reiign their charge, untainted by the feeds 
Of lurking Death, flow thro' the form diifus'd 
From meals that N:itarenaufe:ites, from the cup 
WlierethewinelaughSjandonthemantliugcheek 
Kindles a tranfjent blufli, but works dileafe. 
And lliades the temples with untimely Ihow, 



§ 50. DEITY. Boyfe. 

Unde nil tnajus gsr.erntuy Ipjot 

Ncc viget quidf.iamjimik aut fecundum. HoR. 

From earth's low profpetts and deceitful aims, 
jFrom wealth's allurements, and ambition's 

dream.s, 
The lover's raptures, and the hero's views, 
All the falfe joys miltaken man purfues; 
The fchemes of fcience, the delights of wine, 
Or the more pleafmg follies of the Nine ! 
Recal, fond Bard, thy long-enchanted fight 
Deluded with the viiionary light ! 
A nobler theme demands thy facred fong, 
A theme beyond or man's or angel's tongue! 

But oh, alas ! imhaliow'd and profane, 
Kowfnalt thou dare toraife the heav'nly ftrain ?- 
Do Thou, who from the aftar's living fire 
Ifaiah's tuneful lips didft once infpire, 
Come to my aid, celeltial Wiidom, come ; 
From my dark mind difpel the doubtful gloom: 
My palilons ftill, my purer breaft infiame. 
To fmg that God from whom exiftence came j 
Till heav'n and nature in the concert join, 
And own the Author of their birth divine. 

I. ETEP.NITY. 

"Whence fprung this gloriousframe! or whence 
The various forms the univerfe com.pofe ? [arofe 
From v/hat Almighty Caufe, what myfticfprin-gs 
Shall we derive the origin of things ?. 
Sing, heav'nly Guide r whofe all-efficient light 
prew dawning planets from the womb of night! 
Since reafon, by the facred dictates taught. 
Adores a pow'r beyond the reach of thought. 

Firft Caufe of caufes ! Sire fupreme of birth ! 
Sole light 9f heav'n ! acknowledg'd life of eai'th! 



Whofe Word from nothing calPd this beauteous 

whole, 
This wide expanded All from pole to pole 1 
Who fhall prefcribe the boundary to Thee, 
Or fix the sera of Eternity ? 

Should we, deceived by error's fceptic glafsy 
Admit the thought abfurd-^-That Nothing was! 
Thencewould this wild,thisfalfe conclufionflow. 
That Nothing rais'd this beauteous All below'. 
Whenfrom dilclofing darknefsfplendour breaks, 
Aflbciate atoms move, and matter fpeaks, 
When non-exij(lence burfts its clofe difguife. 
How blind are mortals — not to own the Ikiesl 

If one vaft void eternal held its place, 
Whence ftarted timePor whence expandedfpace? 
What gave the fiumb'ringmafs to feel a change. 
Or bid confenting worlds harmonious range ? 
Could Nothing link the univerial chain ? 
No, 'tis impoihble, abfurd, and vain I 
Here reafon irs eternal Author finds, "7 

The whole who regulates, unites, and binds, > 
Enlivens matter, and produces minds! 3 

Inaftive Chaos lleeps in dull repofe. 
Nor knowledge thence, nor free volition flows I 
A nobler fburce thofe powers ethereal fhow. 
By which we think, defign, refleft, and know j 
Thefe from a caufe faperior date their rife, 
" Abflraft in elfence from material ties>" 
An origin immortal, as fupreme. 
From whofe pure day, celeltial rays 1 they cames 
In whom all pollihle perfecfions fliine. 
Eternal, felt-exiflent, and divine ! 

From this great fpring of uncreated might I 
This all-refplendent orb of vital lii^ht; 
Whence all-created beings take their rife, 
Which beautify the earth, or paint the fkles ! 
Profufely v/ide the boundlefs bleffmgs flow, 
Which heav'n enrich and gladden v.-oridsbelowl 
Which are no lefs, when properly defin'd. 
Than emanations of th' Eternal Mind ! 
Hence triumphs truth beyond objection clear 
(Let unbelief attend and fhrink with fear!) 
lliat what for ever wns — rauft furely be 
Beyond commencement, and from period freej 
Drawn from himfelf his native excellence. 
His date eternal, and his fpace immenfe ! 
And all of whom tluit man can comprehend. 
Is, that he ne'er began, nor e'er fliall end. 

In him from whom exiitence boundlefs flows. 
Let humble faith its facred trufl repofe : 
Affur'd on his eternity depend, 
" Eternal Father ! and eternal Friend !'' 
Within that myilic circle fafety feek. 
No time canlelTen, and no force can break j 
And, loit in adoration, breathe his praife. 
High Rock of ages, ancient Sire of days I 

II. UNITY. 

Thusrecogniz'djthefpringof lifeandthought! 
Eternal, felf-deriv'd, nnd unbegot ! 
Approach, celeltial Mufe, th' empyreal throne. 
And awfully adore th' exalted One ! 
In nature pure, in place fupremely free, 
And liappy in eliential unity 1 

■ • ' * Blefs'd 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I, 



Blefs'd in himfelf, had from his forming hand 
No creatures fprung to hail his wide command ; 
Blels'd, had the facred fountxiin ne'er run o'er, 
A boundleis lea of bli^s that knows no fliore ! 

Nor fenfe can two prime origins conceive, 
Kor reafon two eternal Gods believe ! 
Could the wild Manichtean own that guide, 
The good would triumph, and the ill lubfide ! 
Again would vanquifli'd Aramanius bleed, 
And darknefs from prevailing light recede ! 

In different individuals we find 
An evident difparity of mind ; 
Hence duftile thought a thoufand changes gains. 
And aftions vary as the will ordains ; 
But fliould two Eeings, equally fupreme, 
Pivided pow'r and parted empire claim j 
How foon would univerfal order eeafe ! 
How foon would difcord harm.ony difplace ! 
Eternal fchemes maintain eternal light, 
Nor yield, fupported by-^Zerml might 5 
Where each would i>iicontroard his aim purfue, 
The links diffever,' or the chain renew ! 
Matter from mot/on crofs impreffions take, 
As ferv'd each •pbw"'r his rival's povy'r to break, 
"While neutml ^Ghaos from bis deep r§;cefs, 1 
Would view the never-endirig fcrife increafe. r 
And blefs the conteft that fecarM his peace ! J 
While new creations would oppohng rife. 
And elemental war deform the fkies ! 
Around wild uproar and confulion hurl'd, 
Eclipie the heav'ns, and wafte theruia'd world. 

Two independant caufes to admit, 
Deilroys religion, and debafes wit 5 
The firft by fuch an anarchy undone, 
The laft acknowledges its fource but one. 
As from the main the mountain rills are drawn. 
That wind irriguous thro' the flow'ry lawn ; 
So, mindful ot their fpring, one courfe they 

keep. 
Exploring, till they find their native deep } 

Exalted Power, invifible, fupreme. 
Thou fov'reign, fole unutterable Name ! 
As round thy throne thy flaming feraphs ftand, 
And touch the golden lyre with trembling handj 
Too weak thy pure effulgence to behold, 
With their rich plumes their dazzled eyesinfold; 
Tranfported with the ardors of ihy praife. 
The holy ! holy ! holy ! anthem raife 1 
To them refponfive, let creation fing, 
Thee, indivifible eternal King ! 

III. SPIRITUALITY. 

O fay, celeftial Mufe 1 whofe purer tirth 
Difdains the low material ties of earth j 
Bv what bright images (hall be denn'd 
The myftic nature of th' eternal Mind ! 
Orhow fhall thought the dazzlingheightexplore. 
Where ail that reafon can — is to ^dore ! 

That God's an immaterial eifence pure. 
Whom figure can't defcribe, nor parts immurej 
Incapably of pafTions, impulfe, fear, 
In good pre-em.inent, in truth fevere : 
Unmix'd his nature, and fublim'd his pow'rs 
From all the grofij allay that tempers ours 5 



In whofe clear eye the bright angelic train. 
Appear futfus'd with imperfeftion's Itain 1 
Impervious to the man's orferaph's eye, 
Beyond the ken of each exalted high. 
Him wouM in vain material femblance feign. 
Or figur'd flirines the boundlef's God contain ; 
ObjeC't of faith ! he ihuns the view of fenfe, 
Loit in the biaze of lightlefs excellence {; 
Moil perfeft, molt intelligent, moll wife. 
In whom the fanftity of purenefs lies ; 
In whofe adjuftingraind the whole is v/rougbt, 
Whofe form is fpirit, and whofe effence thought* 
Are truths infcrib'd by Wifdom's brighteit rayv 
In characters that gild the face of day ! 

Reafon confefs'd (howe'er we nk3.y difpute), 
Fix'd boundary! difeevers m.an from brutej 
But, dmi to us, exerts its fainter ray, 
Deprels"d in matter, and allied to clay ! 
In forms fuperior kindles lefs confined, 
Whofe drels is xther, and whofe fubitance mindj 
Yet all from Him, fupreme of caufes flov/. 
To Him their pow'rs and their exiiience owe ; 
From the bright cherub of the noblell birth. 
To thepoor reafoniri.^glow-w ormplac'don earthy 
From, matter then to fpirit IHU afcend, 
Thro' fpirit ftiil refining, higher tend ; 
Purfue, on knowledge bent, the pathiefs road,. 
Pierce thro' infinitude in quell of God ! 



Still from thy feurch, th 



e center Itii 



Ihall fty. 



Approaching fti'l — thou never {halt come night 
So its bright orb th' afpiring name would join^ 
But the vail diilance mocks the fond def)gn. 
If he. Almighty ! whofe decree is tate, 
Couid, to difplay his powr, fubvert his ftate ^ 
Bid from his piaftic hand, a greater rile. 
Produce a mailer, and relign his ikies j 
Imipart his incommunicable fiame, 
The myllic number of th' Eternal Name; 
Then might revoltmg reaibn's feeble my 
Afpire to qaeition God's all-perfe6l day! 
Vain talk 1 the clay in the directing hand. 
The reaibn of its form might fo demand. 
As man prefume to quellion his difpofe 
From whom the power he thus abules flows. 
Here point, fair Mufe t the worihip God re^ 
quires, 
The fpul inflam'd with chafi:e and }K>ly fires ^ 
Where love celeftial warms the happy breall, 
And from fincerity the thought's exprefs'd j 
Where genuine piety, and truth refin'd, 
Re-confecrate the temple of the mind j 
With grateful flames the living altars glow,. 
And God defcends to vifit man below ! 

IV. OMNIPI12SENCE. 

Thro' th' unmeafurable trails of fpace 
Go, Mufe divine! and prefent Godhead traced 
See where, by place uncu-cumfcrib'd as time. 
He reigns extended; and he fhines fublime ! 
Shouldfl thou above the heav'u of lieav'n^ 

afcend, 
Couldllthou be-ow the depth of depths defcend. 
Could thy fond flight beyond th.e Itany fphere 
The radiant morning's lucid rinions bear ! 



V 



Book I, 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



45 



There (hoiild his brighter presence fhine confeft 
Thei-e his almighty arm thy courfe arreft ! 
Could'ft thou the thickett veil of night aflume, 
Or think to hide thee in the central gloom ! 
Yet there, all patent to his piercing iight, 
Darknefs itlelf would kindle into light : 
Not the black manlions of the fdent grave, 
Nor darker hell, from his perception fave; 
What pow'r, alas ! thy footileps can convey 
Beyond the reach of omniprefent day ? 

In his wide grafp, and comprehenfive eye, 
Immediate worlds on worlds unnumber'd lie : 
Syiiems inclos'd in his perception roll, 
Whofe all-informing mind dire6ls the whole: 



Hisall-enlight'ningOmniprerenceown,[known; 
Whence firlt thou feel'lt thy dwindling prefence 
His wide Omnifcience, juftly, grateful, fmg, 
Whence thy weak fcieuce prunes its callowwingt 
And blefs th' Eternal, All-informing Soul, 
Whofe fight pervades, whofe knowledge fills the 
whole. 

V. IMMUTABILITY, 

As the Eternal and Omnifcient Mind, 
By laws not limited, nor bounds confin'd, 
I Is' always independant, always free, 
j Hence Ihines confefsM Immutability ! 
I Change, whether the fpontaneous child of will, 
: Or birth of force — is imperfection ftill. 



Lodged inhis grafp,theircertain ways theyknow; ; But he, all-perfeft, in himfelf contains 
PlacM in that fight from whence can nothing go. Pow'r felf-deriv'd, and from himfelf he reignsi 
On earth his foot:Lool fix'd, in heav'n his feat j ; If, alterM by conllraint, we could fuppofe. 
Enthroned he dictates, and his word is fate. !That God his fixM (lability (hould lofe ; 

Nor want his (hining images below, 1 How Itartles realbn at a thought fo Itrange! 

In ilreams that rnui mur, or in winds that blow \ What pow'r can force Omnipotence to change? 
His fpirit broods along the boundlefs flood, i If from his ov,'n divine produftive thought, 
Smiles in the plain, and whifpcrs in the wood j , VVere the yet llranger alteration wTOUght ; 
Warms in the genial fun's enlivening ray. Could excellence fupreme new rays acquire? 



Breathes in the air, and beautifies the duyl 

Should m.in his great immenfity deny, 
Man might as well ufurp the vacant Iky : 
For were he limited in date, or view, 
Thence were his attributes imperfect too ; 
His knowledge, power, his goodnefs all confin'd. 
And loit th' idea Qf a ruling Mind ! 
Feeble the trull, and comfortlefs the fcnfe 
Of a defe(Stive partial Providence ! 
Boldly might then his arm injuftice brave, 
Or innocence in vain his mercy crave 5 
Dejeifed virtue lift its hoptlels eye: 
And heavy forrow vent the heartlefs figh ! 
An abfent God no abler to dt-fend, 
Proted, or punilh, than an abfent friend; 
Diltant alike our wants or griefs to know, 
To eale the anguilh, or prevent the blow. 
If he, Supreme Director, were not near, 
Vain weie our hope, and empty were our fear; 
Unpunifn'd vice would o'er the world prevail. 
And unrewarded virtue toil — to fail ! 
The moral world a fecond chaos lie, 
And nature ficken to the thoughful eye 1 

Even the weak embryo, ere to life it breaks, 
From his high pow'r its llender texture takes \ 
While in his book the various parts inroU'd, 
Increafing, own eternal Wifdom's mould. 

Nor views he only the material whole, 
But pierces thought, and penetrates the foul ! 
Ere from the lips the vocal accents part. 
Or the faint purpofe dawns within the heart. 
His fteady eye the mental birth perceives. 
Ere yet to us the new idea lives ! 
Knows what we fay, ere yet the words proceed, 
And ere weTorm th' intention, marks the deed! 
But Confcience, fair vicegerent-light within, 
Alferts its Author, and reftores the fcene! 
Pt-ints out the beauty of the govern'd plan, 
** And vindicates the ways of God to man." 

Then, facred Mufe, by the vaft profpeft fir'd, 
From heav'n defcended, as by heav'n infpir'dj 



Or ilrong perfe6tion raife its glories higher? 
Abiiird !— his high meridian brightnels glowsj 
Never decreafes, never overflows ! 
Knows no addition, yields to no decay. 
The blaze of incommunicable day ! 

Below through difierent forms does matter 
And life fubfiil from elemental change; [range. 
Liquids condenfing fliapes terreflrrial wear. 
Earth mounts in fiVe, and fire dlilblves in airj 
While we, enquiring phantoms of a da}'-, 
Inconftant as the Ihadows we furvey ! 
With them, along time's rapid current pafs, 
And halle to mingle with the parent mafs ; 
But Thou, Eternal Lord of life divine ! 
In youth immortal flialt for ever (hine! 
No change fliall darken thy exalted name ^ 
F)-om eveilalting ages ftill the iame ! 

If God, like man, his purpofe could renew. 
His laws could vary, or his plans undo ; 
Defponding Faithwould droop itscheerlefswin^. 
Religion deaden to a lifelefs thing I 
Where could we, rational, repofe our trult. 
But in a Pow'r immutable as juft ? 
How judge of revelation's force divine, 
If truth unerring gave not the defign ? 
Where, as in nature's fair according plan. 
Ail fmiles benevolent and good to man. 

Plac'd in this narrow clouded fpot below, 
We darkly fee around and darkly know ! 
Religion lends the falutary beam. 
That guides our reafon thro'the dubious gleam; 
Till founds the hour, when he who rules thefkies 
Shall bid the curtain of Ommifcience rife ! 
Shall diflipate the mifts that veil our fight. 
And (hew his creatures — all his Hx}ays are right ! 

Then, when aftonifli'd nature feels its fate, 
And fetter'd time fhall know his lateft date ; 
When earth fliall in the mighty blaze expire, 
Heav'n melt withheat,andworlds diflblve infire I 
The univerfal fyftem fhrink away. 
And ceafing orbs confefs th' almighty fway ! 

Immortal 



44 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



iTiimortal He, amidll the wreck feciire, 
Shall fit exalted, permanently pure! 
As in the Sacfed Buih, ihall Thine the fame, 
Aud from the rum raife a fairer frame ! 

VI. OMNIPOTENCE. 

Far hence, ye villonary charming maids, 
Ye fanciednymphsthat haunt theGrecianfliades! 
Your birrh who from conceiving ficfion drew, 
Yourfelves pro'.lucing phantoms as untru^ 
But come, fuperior Mule ! divinely brignt, 
Daughter of heav'n,whole offspring Ihii is iightj 
Oh condefcend celeftial lacred gueit ! 
To purge my fight, and animate my breaft. 
While I preiiimc Omnipotence to trace, 
And ling that Pow'r who peopled boundiefs 
fpace ! [rode,j 

Thou prefent wert, when forth th' Almighty] 
W^hileChaostrembiedat the voiceof God ! [drew,! 
Thou faw'lf, when o'er th"" immenfe his line be 
When Nothing from bis Word exigence knew ! 
His Word, that wak\i to life the vail profound. 
While confcioub light was kindled at the found! 
Creation fair furpriz'd the angelic eyes, 
And fov'reign Wifdom faw that all was wife! 
Him, fole Almighty, nature's book difplays, 
Diilinft the page, and legible the rays ! 
Let the wild fceptic his attention throw 
To the broad horizon, or earth belov/ 5 
He finds thy foft impreffion touch his breaft. 
He feels the God, and owns him unconfefl : 
Should the ftray pilgrim, tir'd of fands and ikies, 
In Lybia's vvaite behold a palace rife, 
Wouldhe believe the channfromatotns wrought? 
Go, atheift, hence, and mend thy juirerthought ! 
What hand, i\lmighty Architeft ! but thine. 
Could give the model of this vafc delign ? 
What hand but thine adjuft th' amazing whole r 
And bid confeuting fyilems beauteous roU ! 
What hand but thine fupply the -folar light! ' 
fiver befrov.ing, yet for ever bright ! 
What hand but thine the ftariy train array, 
Or give the .Vioon to ihed.her borrowed ray ? 
What h:md but thine the azure convex fpreaid ? 
Waat hand but-thine compofe the ocean's bed? 
To the vaft main the landy barrier throw. 
And with the feeble curb reftrain the foe ! 
V/hat hand but thine the wint'ry flood alfuage, 
Or ilop the tempeii in its wiideft ra^e ! 

Thee infinite ! what finite can explore ? 
Imagination fmks beneath thy pow'r; 
Thee could the ablelt of thy creatures know, 
Lolt were thy Unity, for he v/ere Thou ! 
Yet prefent to all fenfe thy pow'r remains, 
Reveal'd in nature, nature's Autlior reigns 1 
la vain vvould error from convidlion Hy, 
Thou ev'ry vvhere art prefent to the eye ! 
The fenfe Ucw ftupid, and the fight how blind. 
That fails this univerfal truth to find ! 

Go ! all the fightlefs realms of fpace fui-vey, 
Returning trace the Planetajy Way ! 
The fun that in his central glory fnines. 
While tv'ry plaue^t round his orb inclines y 



Then at our intermediate globe repofe. 
And view j^on lunar fateliite that glov/s! 
Or call along the azure vault thy eye, 
Vv^hen gplden day enlightens all the Iky ; 
Around, behold earth'b variegated fcene. 
The mingling p'-ofpefls, and th' flow'ry greenj 
The mountain brow, the long-extended wood. 
Or the rude rock that threatens oer the flood ! 
And fay, are thefe the wild effeits of chance? 
Oh, ftrange eftei5t of reas'ning ignorance' 

Nor povv''r alone confefs'd in grandeur lies. 
The glittering planet or the painted Ikies I 
Equal, the eleplumt's or emmet's drels 
The wifdom of Omnipotence confefs; 
Equal, the cumbrous whale's enonncus mafs. 
With the fmall inJe-ffs in the crcuded gralsj 
The mite that gambols in its acid fea. 
In fnase a por))Us, though a ipeck to thee ! 
Ev'n the blue down the purple plumfurrounds, 
A living world, thy tailing light confounds, 
To him a peopled habitation ihows. 
Where millions taftethe bounty God beftows ! 

Gi-eat LordofIife,whofeall-controuiing might 
Thro' wide creation beams divinely bright. 
Nor only does thy pov/'r in forming Ihine, 



But to 



ihiiate, dread Kin?! is thine' 



Shouidft thou withdraw thy ftill-fupportmg. 

hand, 
How languid nature would aftonifh'd ftand ! 
I'hy frown the ancient reahu of night reftore, 
And raifea blank — where fyftems fmil'd before! 

See in corruption, ail-furprifmg ftate, 
How fcruggling life eludes the ftroke of fate j 
Shock'd at the Icene, tho' fenfe averts its eye. 
Nor (tops the wond'rous procefs to defcry j 
Yet jufter thought the myftic cliange purfues. 
And with delight Almighty Wifdom views! 
The brute, the vegetable world furveys, 
Sees life fub(ifting ev'n from life's decays ! 
Mark there, felf-taught, the penfive reptile come. 
Spin his thin Ihroud, and living build his tom.b! 
With confcious care his former pleafures leave. 
And drefs him for th' bus'nefs of tlie grave ! 
Thence, pafs'd the Ihort-liv'd change, renew'd 

he fp rings. 
Admires the (kies, and tries his filken wings 1 
With airy flight the infeff roves abroad. 
And Icorns the m.eaner earth he lately trod ! 

Thee, potent, let delivered Ilrael praife, 
And to thy name their grateful homage raife I 
Thee, potent God ! let Egypt's land declare. 
That felt thy jultice awfully fevere ! 
How did thy frown benight the Ihadow'd land! 
Nature revers'd, how own thy high command I 
When jarring elements their ufe forgot, 
And the fuiffelt thy overcafting blot! 
When earth prcduc'd the peftilential brood, 
And the foul ftream \vas crimion'd into blood I 
How deep the horrors of that awful night, 
How ilrong the terror, and how wild the'fright! 
When o'er the land thy fvvord vindiftive pafs'd. 
And men and infants breath'd at once their laft. 
How did thy arm thy favour'd tribes convey ! 
Thy light conducing pcint the patent wav ! 

Obedient 



Book T. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



45 



Obedient ocean to their march div'de 
The wat'ry wall diitinct on either fide; 
While thro' the deep the long proceHion led, 
And faw the wonders of the oozy bed ! 
Nor longtbeymarch''d,till,black'ninginthe rear, 
The vengeful tyrant and his hoil appear!. 
Plunge down the lleep, the waves tliy nod obey, 
Andwhelm the threatening Ilonnbeneath thelea! 

Nor yet thy pow'r thy chofen train forfook, 
"When thro' Arabia's fliuds their way they took; 
By day thy cloud was prefent to the fight, 
Thy fiery nilJar led the march by night j 
Thy hand amidlt the walle their table fpread, 
With feather'd viands, and with heav'nly bread: 
When the dry vvildernefs no ftreams fapplied, 
Gudi'd from the yielding rock the vital tide ! 
What limits can Omnipotence confine? 
What obftacies oppofe thy arm divine ? 
Since llones and waves their fettled laws forego, 
Since feas can harden, and fince rocks can fiow! 

On Sinai's top, the Mufe with ai-dent wing 
The triumphs of Omnipotence would fmg ! 
When o'er its airy brow thy cloud difpiay'd. 
Involved the nations in its awful fhadej 
When (hrunk the eartli fiom thy approaching 
And the rock trembled to its rooted bafe : [face, 
Yet where thy majefty divine appear'd. 
Where fhonethy gloi7,and thy voice was heardj 
Ev'n in the blaze of that tremendous day, 
Idolatry its impious rites could pay ! [vade. 
Oh (liame to thought ! — thy facred thron'^ in- 
And brave the bolt that lingerd round its head! 

VII. WISDOM. 

O thou,who,whenth'Almightyform'dthisAll, 
Upheld the fcale,and weigh'deacn balanc'dballj 
And as his hand completed each defign, 
Nnmber'd the work, and fix'd the feal divinej 
O Wifdom infinite ! creation's foul, 
Whofe rays diffufe new luftre o'er the whole, 
What tongue ihall make thy charms celeilial 
known ? [own ? 

What hand, fair Goddefs ! paint thee but thy 

\ 'hat tho' in nature's univerfal llore 
Apoear the wonders of almighty pow'rj 
Pow'r, unattended, terror would infpire, 
Aw'd mull we gaze, and comfortlefs admire. 
But when fair Wiidom joins in the defign. 
The beauty of the whole refult 's divine ! 

Hence life acknowledges its glorious caufe. 
And matter owns its great Difpofer's laws j 
Hence in a thoufand different models wrought. 
Now fix'd to quiet, now allied to thought j 
Hence flow the forms and properties of things, 
Ht-nce rifes harmony, and order fprings ; 
Eifs, had the mals a Ihapelefs chaos lay. 
No;- ever felt the dawn of Wifdom's day ! 

See, how affociate round their central fun, 
Their faithful rings the circling planets run j 
Still equi-diftant, never yet too near, 
Exa6tly tracing their appointed fphere. 
Mark how the moon our flying orb purfues, 
While from the fun her monthly light renews: 



Breathes her wide influence on the world below. 
And bids the tides alternate ebb and flow. 
View how in courfe the conftant feafons rife, 
Deform the earth, or beautify the fkies : 
Firft, Spring advancing, with her flow'ry train; 
Next, Summer's hand, that fpreads the fylvan 

fcene; 
Then,Autumn,with beryellowharveitscrown'd. 
And trembling Wmter clofe the annual round. 
The vegetable tribes obfervant trace. 
From the tall cedar to the creeping grafs ; 
The chain of animated beings icale. 
From the fmall reptile to the enormous whale ; 
From the (trong eagle (looping thro' the ikies. 
To the low infe6l that efcapes thy eyes I 
And fee, If fee thou canir, in ev'ry frame. 
Eternal Wifdom (liine confefs'd the fame : 
As proper organs to the lead afiign'd. 
As proper means to propagate the kind. 
As lull the Itrufture, and as wife the plan, 
As in this lord of all — debating man ! 

Hence, reas'r.ing creature,thydiitinclionfind. 
Nor longer to the ways of Heav'n be blind. 
Wifdom in outward beauty llrikes the mind. 
But outward beauty points a charm behind. 
What'gives the earth, the ambient air, or feas. 
The plain, the river, or the wood to pleafe ? 
Oh fay, in whom does, beauty's fe'if refide, - 
The Beautiner, or the beautified ? 
There dwells theGodhead in the bright difguife. 
Beyond the ken of all created eyes ; 
His works our love and our attention fl:eal; 
His works (fu^-prifii>g thought) the Maker veil; 
Too weak our fight to p.ierce the radiant clone", 
WhereWifdom ihlnes,' n all her charm« avow'd. 

O gracious God, omnipotent and wife, 
Unerrmg Lord, aiid b.uler of the Ikies ! 
All-condefcending, to my feeble heart 
One beam of thy eel filial light impart; 
I feek not fordid wealth, or glitt'ring pow'r; 
O grant me Wifdom — and I aflc no more ! 



VIII. 



PROVIDENCE. 



As fromfomelex -el country'sflielter'dground, 
Withtowns replete jwithgreenenclofuresboundj 
Where the eye kep t within the verdant maze. 
But gets a tranfiei it villa as it ftrays ; 
The pilgrim t® fo: ne rifing fummit tends. 
Whence opens all the fcene as he afcends ; 
So Providence the friendly heights fupplies. 
Where ail the cha rms of Deity furprife ; 
Here Goodnefs, P ovver, and Wifdom, all unite, 
And dazzling glo: -ies whelm the ravilh'd fight I 

Almighty Cau' e ! 'tis thy preferving care. 
That keeps thy w arks for ever frefli and fair ; 
The lun, from th y fuperior radiance bright. 
Eternal (litds his delegated light ; 
Lends to his filler orb inferior day. 
And paints the fi' Iver moon's alternate ray : 
Thv hand the wa fte of eatmg Fnne renews : 
Thou fliedd'ft the tepid morning's balmy dews : 
When raging wdn. ds the blacken'd deep deform. 
Thy fpirit rides c ommifiion'd :n the ftorm; 

Bids 



46 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book t. 



Bids at thy will the llack'ning tempcft ceafe 
While the cahn ocean fmootbs its rurfied face; 
When lightnings thro' the air tremendous fly, 
Or the blue plague is loolen'd to deftroy, 
Thy hand direfts, or turns aiide the iboke 5 
Thy word ti e fiend's commiflion can revoke; 
When lubterrancous fires the furface heave, 
And towns are buried in the yawning grave ; 
Thou lurter'll not the miichief to prevail ; 
Thy fov' reign touch the recent wound can heal. 
ToZembla's rock thou fend'ft thecheerfulgleam; 
O'erLybia's landsthoupour'ft the coo^gftream; 
Thy watchful providence o'er all intends ; 
Thy works obey their great Creator's ends. 

When man toolcngthe paths of vice purfued. 
Thy hand prepar'd the univerfal flood; 
Gracious, to Noah gave the timely fign, 
To fave a remnant from the wrath divine ! 
One fhining walle the globe terreftrial lay, 
And the ark heav'd along the troubled lea ; 
Thou bad'lt the deep his ancient bed explore, 
The clouds their wat'ry deluge pour'dno more ! 
The Ikies were clear'd — the mountain tops were 
The dove pacific brought the olive green [feen, 
On Arrarat the happy Patriarch toll, 
Found the recover'd world his hopes had loft ; 
There his fond eyes review'd the pleaung fcene, 
The earth all verdant, and the air ferene ! 
Its precious freight the guardian ark difplay'd, 
While Noah grateful adoration paid ! 
Beholding in themany-tinftur'd bow 
The prornife of a fafer world below. 

When wild ambition rear'd its impious head, 
And rifing Babel Heav'n with pride furvey'd ; 
Thy word the mighty labour could confound, 
And leave the maf s to moulder with the ground, 

FromThee all humanadtions taketheirlprings, 
The rife of empires, and the fall of kings ! 
See the vaft theatre of time difplay'd. 
While o'er the fcene fucceeding heroes tread ! 
With pomp the (hining images fucceed, 
Whatleaders triumph', andwhatmonarchsbleedl 
Perform the parts thy providence afhgn'd, 
Theirpride, their paiTions,to thy endslnclin'd : 
A while they glitter in tlie face of da}-, 
Then at thy nod the phantoms pafs away; 
No traces left of all the bufy fcene, 
ButtiiUt remembrancefays— ^57;^ thingsban)ebeen! 
"But(queil:ionsDoiibt)whenceficklynaturefeels 
"The ague-fits her face fo oft reveals ? [breaft? 
"Whenceearthquakesheavetheearth'saftonifli'd 
" Wiicnce tempelh rage? oryellowplaguesinfeft? 
<* Whence drav/s rank Afric her empoifon'd 
*'0r liquid fires explofiveiEtna pour?" [ftore? 
Go, fceptic mole ! demand th' eternal caufe. 
The fecret of his all-preferviag laws ; 
The depths of wildom infinite explore. 
And afk thy Maker — why hi: knows no more ? 

Thy error ftill in moral things as great. 
As vain to cavil at the ways of fate. 
To afk why profp'rous vice fo oft fucceed s. 
Why fufiers innocence, or vjirtue bleeds ? 
Why monfters, nature mu ft with bluflies own, 
By crimes grow pow'rful;anfldifgracea throne? 



Why faints and fages, mark'd in every age, 
Perifii the viftims of tyrannic rage ; 
Why Socrates for truth and freedom fell. 
Or Nero reign'd the delegate of hell ? 
In vain by reafon is tiit maze purfued. 
Of ill triumphant, and atflijTted good, 
Fix'd to the hold, (o might the lailor aim 
To judge the pilot, and the fteerage blame. 
As we direct to God what fhould belong, 
Or fay, that fov'reign wifdom governs wrong# 

Nor always vice does uncorrefted go, 
Nor virtue unrewarded pafs below ! 
Oft facred Juftice lilts he awful he;-d, 
And dooms the tyrant and th' ufurper dead j 
Oft Providence, more friendly th.n fevere, 
Arrells the hero in his wild career; 
Directs the fever, poniard, or the ball, 
By which an Amraon, Charles, or Caefar fallj 
Or,, when the curfed Borgias brew the cup 
For merit, bids the monfters drink it up j 
On violence oft retorts the cruel fpear. 
Or fetters cunning in its crafty fnare; 
Relieves the innocent, exalts the juft. 
And lays the proud oppreflbr in the duft I 

But. faft as Time's fwift pinions can convey, 
Haftens the pomp of that tremendous day, 
When to the view of all created eyes 
God's high tribunal fhall majeltic rife, 
When "the loud trumpet fhail afitmble round 
The dead, reviving at the piercing found 1 
Where men and angels (hail to audit come. 
And millions yet unborn receive their doom ! 
Then fhall fair Providence, to all difplay'd, 
Appear divinely bright without a fhade; 
In light triumphant all her aifts be fhown. 
And blufliing Doubt eternal Wifdom own ! 

Mean while, thou great Intelligence fupreme, 
Sov'reign Director of this mighty frame, 
Whofe watchful hand, and ail-ohlerving ken, 
Faftiions the hearts, and views the ways of men; 
Whether thy hand the plenteous table fpread. 
Or meafure fparingly the daily bread j 
Whether or wealth or honours gild the fcene. 
Or wants deform, and wafting anguilh flain j 
On thee let truth and virtue firm rely, 
Blefs'd in the care of thy approving eye I 
Know that tliyprovidence,their ccnftant friend. 
Thro' life ftiail guard them,and in death attend; 
With everlafting arms their caufe embrace. 
And crown the paths of piety wdth peace, 

IX. GOODNESS, 

Ye feraphs, who God's throne encircling ftill. 
With holy zeal )^our golden cenfers fill ; 
Ye flaming minifters, to diftant lands 
Who bear, obfequious, his divine commands j 
Ye cherubs, who corapofe the lacred choir. 
Attuning to the voice th' angelic lyre ! 
Or ye, fair natives of the heav'nly plain, 
Who once were mortal — now a happier train! 
Whofpend in peaceful love your joyful hours. 
In blifsful meads, and amaranthine "bcw'rs. 
Oh lend one fpark of your celeftial fire, 
Oh deign ray glowing bofoin to infpire, 

And 



005C 



C I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



47 



And aid the Mufe's unexperienced wing, 
While GoodnefSjtheme divine, f he ibars to fing! 

Tho' all thy attributes, divinely fair, 
Thy full perfection, glorious God! declare; 
yet if one beams fapericr to the reft, 
Oh let thy Goodnefs faircft be confefs'd : 
As fhines the moon amidll her ftarry train, 
As breathes the rofe amongft the flow'ry fcene, 
As the mild dove her filver plumes difplays. 
So flieds thy mercy its diftinguiih'd rays. 

This led, Creator mild, thy gracious hand, 
When formlefs Chaos heard thy high comniandj 
When, pleas'd, the eye thy matchlefs works re- 

view'd, 
And Goodnefs, placid, fpoke that all was good 1 
Nor only does in heav'n thy Goodnefs Ihine j 
Delighted nature feels its ws-'mth divine; 
The vital fun's illuminating beam, 
The filver crefcent, and the Harry gleam, 
As day and night alternate they command, 
Proclaim that truth to ev'ry diltant land. 

See Imiling nature, with thy treafures fiiir, 
Confefs thy bounty and parental care ; 
Renew d by thee, the faithful feafons rife, 
And earth with plenty all her fons fupplies. 
The generous lion, and the brlnded boar, 
As nightly thro' the foreft walks they roar. 
From thee. Almighty Maker, feek their prey, 
•Nor from thy hand unfated go away : 
To thee for meat the callow ravens cry, 
Supported by thy all-preferving eye : 
From thee the feather'd natives of the plain, 
Or thofe who range the field,or plough the main, 
Receivewith coniiant courfe th' appointed food. 
And tafte the cup of univerfal good; 
Thy hand thou open'ft, million'd mvriadslivej 
Thou frov.'n'ft, they faint, thou fm.irft,anQ they 
On virtue's acre,as on rapine's ftores, [revive! 
See Heav'n impartial deal the fruitful Ihow'rs! 
'Life's common blelfmgs all her children Ihare,' 
Tread the fame earth, and breathe a gen'ral air ! 
Without diltinftion boundlefs bleflings fall, 
And Goodnefs like the fun, enlightens all ! 

Oh man ! degenerate man 1 offend no more ! 
Go, leatn of brutes thy Ivlaker to adore ! 
Shall thefe thro' ev'ry tribe his bounty own, 
Of all his works ungrateful thou alone ! 
Deaf when the tuneful voice of mercy cries, 
And blind when fov'reign Goodnefs charms the 

eyes ! 
Mark howthewretch hisawful name blafphemes. 
His pity fpares— his clemency reclaims ! 
Obferve his patience with the guilty llrive. 
And bid the criminal repent and live; 
Recal the fugitive with gentle eye, 
B^leech the obilinate, he would not die 1 
Amazing tendernefj— -amazing moll:. 
The foul on whom fuch mercy ihouid be loft ! 
But wouldlt thou view the rays of goodnefs join 
In one Itrong point of radiance ail divine, 
Behold, celeitial Mufe ! yon eaftern light; 
To Bsthleni's plain, adoring, bend thy fight ! 
Hear the glad meflage to the fiiephei ds giv'n, 
Goodwill on earth to man, and peace ia heav'n! 



Attend the fwains, purfue the ftarry road, 
And nail to earth the Saviour and the God ! 

Redemption ! oh thou beauteous myltic plan! 
Thou falutary fource of life to man ! 
What tongue can fpeakthycomprehenfivegrace? 
What thought thy depths unfathomable trace ? 
When loft in fm our ruin'd nature lay, 
When awful juftice claim'd her righteous pay ! 
See the mild S'.iviour bend his pitying eye, 
Arid ftop the lightning juft prepar'd to fly I 
(O ftrange efteft of unexam.pled love I) 
View him delcend the heav'nly throne above; 
Patient the ills of mortal life endure. 
Calm, tho' revil'd, and innocent, tho' poor I 
Uncertain his abode, and coarfe his food. 
His life one fair continued fcene of good; 
P'or us fullain the wrath to man decreed. 
The viftim of eternal juftice bleed ! 
Look ! to the crofs the Lord of life is tied, 
They pierce his hands,andwound his facred lide. 
See God expires I our forfeit to atone. 
While nature trembles at his parting groan ! 

Advance,thou hopelefs mortaljfteel'd inguilt. 
Behold, and, if thou canft, forbear to melt ! 
Shall Jefus die thy freedom to regaii), 
And wilt thou drag the voluntary chain ? 
Wilt thou refufe thy kind a (lent to give. 
When dying he looks down to bid thee live ! 
Perverfe, wik thou rejeft the prolier'd good, 
Bought with his life,and ft reaming in his blood ? 
Whofe virtue can thy deepeft crimes eftace. 
Re-heal thy nature, and confirm thy peace I 
Can all the errors of thy life atone, 
And raife thee from a rebel to a fon ! 

O bleft Redeemer, from thy facred throne. 
Where laintsandangels ling thy triumphswonl 
(Where from, the grave thou rais'd thy glorious 

head, 
Chain'd to thy car the pow'rs infernal led) 
From that exalted height of blifs fupreme. 
Look down on thofe who bear thy facred name; 
Reftore their ways, inlpire them by thy gi"ace. 
Thy laws to follow, and thy fteps to trace; 
Thy bright example to thy doctrine join. 
And by their morals prove their faith divine ! 

Nor only to thy church confine thy ray. 
O'er the glad v/orld thy healing light difplay; 
Fair Sun of Righteoufhefsl in beauty rife, 
And clear the mifts that cloud the mental fkies! 
To Judah's remnant, now a fcatter'd train. 
Oh great MefFiah ! ftiaw thy promis'd reign;. 
O'er earth as v.'ide thy faving warmth diffufe. 
As fpreads the ambient air, or falling dews; 
And halte the time when, vanquifti'd by thy 

pow'r, 
Death fhall expire, and fm defile no more ! 



X. RECTITUDE. 

Hence diftant far, ye fons of earth profane, 
Tlieloofe, ambitious, covetous, or vain: 
Ye worms of pow'r ! ye minion'd Haves of ftate. 
The wanton vulgar, and the fordid great * 
But come, ye purer fouls, from drofs refin'd. 
The biamekfs heart and uncorrupted mind ! 

Let 



4S 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS. 



Book T, 



Let your chnlle hands the holy altars raife, 
Frelh incenfebringjanJ light theglowingblaze. 
Your grareFiil vofces aid the Mufe to fmg 
The Ipotlcis julHce of th' Almighty Kin^ I 

As only Reilitude divine he knows, 
As truth and fandlity his thoughts compofe ; 
So thcie the dilates which th' Eternal Mind 
To realbnable beings has affign'd ; 
Thefe has his care on ev'ry mind imprefs'd, 
The conlcious feals the hand of Heav'n atteftl 
When man, perverfe, for wrong forfakes the 

right, 
He ftill attentive keeps the fault m fight ; 
Demands that ftrift atonement fhould be made, 
And claims the forfeit on th' offender's head ! 

Bat Doubt demands — "Why man difpos'd 
" this way ? , 

*'Why leit the dang'rous choice to go aftn:}^ ? 
*=If Heav'n that made him did the fault forelee, 
*'Thence follows, Fleav'n is more to blame than 
No — had to good the heart alone inclin'd, [he." 
What toil, what prize had virtue been aaign'd r 
From oblfacles her nobieft triumphs flow, 
Her fpirits languifli when Ihe finds no foe ! 
Alan might perhaps have fo been happy Hill, > 
Happy, without the privilege of will, S 

And juft, becaufe his hands were tied from ill ! j 
O wondVous fcheime, to mend th' almightyplan, 
Ey finking all the dignity of man ! 

Yet turn thy eyes,vain fceptic,own thy pride. 
And view thy happinefs and choice allied ; 
See virtue from herfelf her blifs derive, 
Ablifs, beyond the pcwV of thrones to give ; 
See vice, of empire and of wealth poiTefsM, 
Pine at the heart, and feel herfelf unblefs'd : 
And, fay, were yet no farther marks aiiign'd. 
Is man ungrateful ? or is Heav'n unkind ? 

"Yes, all thewoes fromHeav^npermifiive fall, 
"The wretch adopts — the wretch improves them 
From his wild luft, or his opprefllvc deed, [all." 
Rape^, battles, murders, facrilege proceed j 
His wild ambition thins the peopled earth, 
Or f)X)m his av'rice famine takes her birth j 
Had nature giv'n the hero wings to fly. 
His pride would lead him to attempt the iky ! 
To angels make the pigmy's folly known, 
And draw ev'n pity from th' eternal throne. 

Yet Vv-hile on earth triumphant vice prevails, 
Celeftial Juftice balances her fcales. 
With eye unbiafs'd all the fcene furveys, 
With hand impartial ev'ry crime flie weighs ; 
Oft clofe purfuingat his trembling heels, 
The man of blood her awful prefence feels 5 
Oft from her arm, amidft the blaze of itate, ) 
The regal tyrant, with fuccef^ elate, ' 

Is forc'd to leap the precipice of fate ! 3 

Orif the villain pafs unpunifli'd here, 
'Tis but to make the future firroke fevere j 
For foon or late eternal Juftice pays 
Mankind the juft defert of all their ways. 

'Tis in that awful all-difclofmg day. 
When high Omni.'cience fnall her books difplay, 
When Juftice fnall prefent her ftrict account, 
V/hile Confcience ihail atteft tiie due amount ; 



That all who feel, condemn the dreadful rod. 
Shall own that righteous are the ways of Cod! 

Oh then, while renitence can fate difa.-n:. 
While ling'ring Juftice yet withholds its arms j 
Whileheav'nlypatiencegranis the precioustime,- 
Let the loft fmner think him of his crime; 
Immediate, to the feat of mercy fly, . 
Nor wait to-morrow— *lell to-night he die I 

But tremble, all ye fins of black-ft birth, 
Ye giants, that deform the face of earth ; 
Tremble, ye fons of aggravated j^uilt, 
And, ere too late, let Ibrrow learn to melt : 
Remorfelefs Murder ! drop thy hand ievere. 
And bathe thy bloody weapon with a tear ; 
Go, Luft impure ! converJe with friendly iight,- 
Forfake the manfions of defiling night ; 
Quit, dark Hypocrify, thy thin difguife. 
Nor think to cheat the notice of the /kies ! 
Unfocial Avarice, thy grafp forego, 
And bid the ufeful treafure learn to flow! 
Reftore, Injuftice, the defrauded gain ! 
Opprefiion, bend to eafe the captive's chain. 
Ere awful Juftice ftrike tlie fatal blow ! 
And drive you to the realms of night below ! 

But doubt refumes — ''If Juftice has decreed 
" The punifhment propoition'd to ti>€ deed; 
"Eternal mifery feems too fevere, 
" Too dread a weight for wretched man t?; bear ! 
"Tooharfa! — that endlefs torments faouldrepay 
" The crimes of life — the errors of a day !" 

In vain our reafon would prefun'ptiious piyj 
Heav'n'scounfelsare beyond conception high; - 
In vain would thought his meafur'd juftice fcant 
His ways how diiierenc fron\ the wnys of man! 
Too deep for thee his fecrets are to know. 
Enquire not, but more wifely Ihun the woe ; 
Warn'd by his threat'nings to his laws attend. 
And learn to make 0)nnJpotep.ce thy friend ! 
Our weaker laws^ to gain the purpos'd ends. 
Oft pafs the bounds the lav/giver intends j 
Oft partia pow'r, to ferve iu own defign, 
Warps from the text, exceeding reafon'^ line; 
Strikes biafs'd at the peribn, not the deed. 
And fees the guiltlefs unprotected bleed! 

But God alone, with unimpaluon'd fight. 
Surveys the riice barrier ot wrong and right ; 
And while fubfervient, as his will ordains, 
Obedient nature yields the prefent means ; 
While neither force nor paiTions guide his views, 
Ev'n Evil works the purpofe he purfues ! 
That bitter fpring, the fource of human pain ! 
Heal'dby h's touch,does mineral health ccntaii^ 
And dark aiPxiclicn, at his pctent rod. 
Withdraws its cioud, and brightens into good. 

1 bus human juftice (for as man can §0) 
For private iafety ftrikes the dubious blow; 
But Reaitnde divine, with nobler fcul, 
Confults each individual iu the whole ! 
Direfts the ilmesof each moral ftrive. 
And fees creation ftruggie into life ! 

An d vou, ye happier fouls ! who in his yfVxjs 



ervant walk, and fing his daily praife 



Obi 

Ye righteous i'ew ! whole calm unniff ed breafts 

No fears can darken, and 110 guilt infefts. 

To 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



49 



To whom his gracious proinifes extend, 
In whom they center, and in whom ih:ill end, 
Which(biers'donthatround-.ttioniurewhjbaild) 
Shall- with eternal Jaftice be fuiiili'd: 
Ye fons of life, to vvhofe glad hope is giv'n 
The bright re\reriion of approaching heav'n, 
With grateful heaits his glorious praile recite, 
Whofe love from darknefs call'd you out to 
So let your piety reflexive fhine, P'S^^^ '■> 

As men may thence confels his truth divine ! 
And when this mortal veil, as loon it mult, 
Shall drop, returning to its native dull; 
The work of life with approbation done, 
Receive from God your bright immortal crown. 

XI. GLORY. 

But oh, advenfrous Mufe, reftrain thy flight, 
Bare not the blaze of uncreated light ! 
Before whofe glorious throne with dread furprife 
Th' adoring lerapli veils his dazzled e3es j 
Whofe pure effulgence, radiant to excefs, 
No colours can defcribe, or words ex.prefs ! 
All the fair beauties, all the lucid ftores, 
Which o'er thy worksthyhaud refp!ende;itpours, 
Feeble, thy brighter glories to difpiay. 
Pale as the moon before the folar ray ! 

See on his throne the gaudy Perfian plac'd, 
In all the pomp of the luxuriant ealt! 
While mingling gems a borrow\i day unfold. 
And the rich purple waves embofs'd with gold; 
Yet mark this Icene of painted gnuideur yield 
To the fair lily that adorns the held ! 
Oblcur'd, behold that fainter lily lies, 
By the rich bird's inimitable dyes; 
Yet thefe furvey confounded and outdone 
By the fuperior lu(tre of the fun ; 
That fun himfelf withdraws his leflen'd beam 
From Thee, the glorious Author of his frame ! 

Trctnlcendent PowV ! fole arbiter of f:ite ! 
How gi-eat thy glory ! and thy bliis how great ! 
To view from thy exalted throne above, 
(Eternal fource of light, and life, and love) 
Unnumbered creatures draw their fmiling birth, 
To blefs the heav'ns, or beautify the earth j 
While fyltems roll, obecfient to thy view, 
And worlJs rejoice — which Newton never knew. 

Then raife the fong, the general anthem raife. 
And fwell the concert of eternal praife ! 
Ainft, ye orbs, that form this boundlefs whole, 
V/hich in the womb of fpace unnumbered roll; 
Ye planets who compofe our lefler fcheme, 
And bend, concertive, round the folar frame; 
Thou eye of ni-iture ! v/hofe extenfive ray 
With endlefs charm.s adorns the face of da)' ; 
Consenting raii'e th' hamionious joyful found. 
And bear his prailes thro' the valt profound! 
His praife, ye winds that fan the cheerful air, 
Swift as they pals along your pinions bear ! 
His praife let ocean thro' her realms difpiay, 
Far as her circling billows can convey ! 
His praife, ye miiiy vapours, wide diffufe, 
In rains defcending, or in milder dews ! 
His praifes whifper, ye majeftic trees. 
As your tops ruftle to the gentle breeze '. 



His praife around, ye flow'ry tribes, exhale. 
Far as your fweets embalm the fpicy gale ! 
Kis praife, yc dimpled If reams, to earth reveal, 
As pleas'd ye murmur through the flow'ry vale ! 
His praile, ye featherM choirs, diftinguifh'd ling, 
As to your notes the vocal forefts ring! 
His praife proclaim, ye monlbrs of the deep, 
Whd in the vait abyfs your revels keep ! 
Or ye, fair natives of our earthly fcene, 
Who range the wilds, or haunt the pafture green I 
Nor thou, vain lord of earth, with careleis ear 
The univerfal hymn of worlhip hear! 
But ardent in the facred chorus join, 
Thy Ibul tranfported with the talk divine ! 
While by his works th' Almighty is confefs'd. 
Supremely glorious, and fupremely blefs'd I 

Great Lord of life ! from whom this humble 
Derives the pow'r to ling thy holy name, [frai»« 
Forgive the lowly Mule, whole artlefs lay 
Has dar'd thy facred Attributes lurvey I 
Delighted oft thro' Nature's beauteous field 
Has Ihe ador'd thy Wildora bright reveal'd j 
Oft have her wiilies aim'd the fecret fong. 
But awful rev'rence Hill withheld her tongue. 
Yet as thy bounty lent the reas'ning beam. 
As feels my confcious breall thy vital flame. 
So, blelt Creator, let thy fervant pay 
His mite of giatitude this feeble way ; 
Thy Goodnefs own, thy Providence adore 
And yield thee only — what was thine before. 



§51. The Day of 'Judgment : a Seatoman Prize 
Foem. By Dr. Glynn. 

TKYjuftice, heav'niy King! and that great day, 
When Virtue, long abandon'd and forlorn, 
Shall raife her penlive head ; and Vice, that erft 
Rang'd unreprov'd and free, fhall fink appall'dj 
I fing adventurous — But what eye can pierce 
The vaft immeafurable realms of fpace, 
O'er which Mefilah drives his flaming car 
To that bright region, where enthron'd he fits, 
Firft-bornofHcav'n, to judge allembled worlds, 
Cloth'd in celellial radiai.ce ? Can the IVIufe, 
Her feeble wing all damp with earthly dew. 
Soar to that bright empyreal, where around 
Myriads of angel?, God's perpetual choir. 
Hymn hallelujahs, and in concert loud 
Chant longs of triumph to theirMaker'spraife?— 
Yet will I ftrive to fing, albeit unus'd 
To tread poetic foil. What though the wiles 
Of Fancy me enchanted, ne'er could lure 
To rove o'er fairy lands ; to fwim the If reams 
That through her valleys wave their mazy wayj 
Or climb her mountain tops; yet will 1 raife 
My feeble voice to tell what harmony 
(Sweet as the mufic of the rolling fpheres) 
Attunes the moral world : that Virtue ifill 
Mayhopeher promis'd crown; thatVicemaydread 
Vengeance, though late; that reas'ning Pride rnay 

own 
Jaft, though unfearchahle, the ways of Heav'n, 
Sceptic! whoe'erthouart,wholay'lt the foul. 
That divine particle which G;od's own breath 
E Jlnfj^ir'd 



50 



feLEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book t. 



Infpir'd Into the mortal mafs, fliaU'reft 
Annihilate, till Duration has unroU'd 
Her never-ending line; tell, if thou know'ft, 
Why every nation, eveiy clime, tliough all 
In laws, in rites, in manners difagree, 
With one conlent expe6t another world. 
Where wickednels fhall weep ? Why Paynim- 
Fabled Elylian plains, Tartarean lakes, [i)ards 
Styx and Cocytus ? Tell, why Hali's fons 
Have feigned a paradife of mirth and love, 
Banquets, and blooming nymphs ? Or rather tell, 
M'hy, on the brink of Orellana's ftream, 
Where never Science rear'd her facrfd torch, 
Th' untutor'd Indian dreams of happier worlds 
Behind the cloud-topt hill ? Why in eachbreaft 
Is placM a friendly monitor, that prompts, 
Informs, directs, encourages, forbids ? 
Tell, why on unknown evil grief attends. 
Or joy on fecret good ? Why confcience a6ls . 
With tenfold force, when ficknefs, age, or pain 
Stands tott'ring on the precipice of death ? 
Or why fuch horror gnaws the guilty foul 
Of dying fmners, while the good man fleeps 
Peaceful and calm, and with a fmile expires ? 
Look round the world ! with what a partial hand 
The fcale of blifs and mis'ry is fuilain'dl 
Beneath the ihade of cold obfcurity 
Pale Virtue lies; no arm fupports her head. 
No friendly voice fpeaks comfort to her foul, 
Nor foft-eyed Pity drops a melting tear; 
But, in their fcead. Contempt and rude Difdain 
Infult the banith'd v.-anderer: on (lie goes, 
Kegle6ted and forlorn : Difeafe and Cold, 
And Famine, worft of ills, her fteps attend t 
Yet patient, and to Heaven's juft will refign'd, 
She ne'er is I'een to weep, or heard to figh. 

Nowturnyoureyestoyon fweet- fmeliingbow'r, 
Where, fluih'd with all the infolence of wealth, 
Sits pampered Vice ! For him th' Arabian gale 
Breathes forth delicious odours ; Gallia's hills 
For him pour neftar from the purple vine. 
Nor think for thefe he pays the tribute due 
To Heav'n : of Heav'n he never names the name, 
Save wheji with imprecations dark and dire 
He points his jell obfcene. Yet buxom Health 
Sits on his rofy cheek ; yet Honour gilds 
ilis high exploits; And downy-pinion'd Sleep 
Sheds a foft opiate o'er his peaceful couch, [this, 

Scell thou tliis, righteous Father! feeft thou 
And wilt thou ne'er repay ? Shall good and ill 
Be carried undiltingui/h'd to the land 
Where all things are forgot ?--Ah, no ! the day 
Will come whenVirtue from the cloud (hallburft, 
That long oblcur'd her beams; when Sin (hall fly 
Back to her native Hell ; tliere fmk eclipsM 
In penal darknefs ; where nor Ibr ihall riie, 
Ncr ever funfhine pierce tir impervious gloom. 

On tlial- f^reat dny the folemn trump Ihall found, 
CThattrunrpwhichonceinheav'nonman'srevolt 
Convok'd th' aftonifhM feraphs) at whofe voice 
Th'unpeopledgravesfhallpourforthalltheirdcad. 
Then fhall th' aifembled Nations of the Earth 
From c\'Ty quarter at the judgment-feat , 

Unite; Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks; 



Parthians; and they who dwelt ohTyber'sbankJi 
Names fam'd of old : or who of later age, 
Chinefe and Ruffian, Mexican and Turk, 
Tenant the wild terrene; and they who pitch 
I Their tents on Niger's banks ; or, where the fun 
Pours on Golconda's fpires his early light. 
Drink Ganges' facred itream. At once Ihall rife, 
WJiom diftant ages to each others fight 
Had long denied: before the throne Ihall kneel 
Some great Progenitor, v/hile at his fide 
Stand his defcendants through a thoufand lines. 
Whatever their nation, and wbate'er their rank, 
Heroes and patriarchs, flaves and iceptredking;, 
With equal eye the God of all fliall fee. 
And judge with equal love. What though the 
With colliy pomp and aromatic fweets [great 
Erabalm'd his poor remains; or through the dome 
A thoufand tapers ihed their gloomy light. 
While folemn organs to his parting foul 
Chanted How oriibns r Say, by what mark 
Doft thou difcern him from that lowly fwain 
Whofbmoukrringbonesbeneaththethornboimd^ 
Long lay neglected? All at once fhaii rife, [turf 
But not to equal glory ; foij alas 1 
With bowlings dire, and execrations loud. 
Some wail their fatal birth. — Firft among thefe 
Behold the mighty raurd'rers of mankind: 
They who in fport whole kingdoms flew ; or they 
Who to the tott'ring pinnricle of power [curli? 
Waded through feas of blood! Hov/ will they 
The ma'dne/s of ambition ! how lament [wife 
Their dear-bought laurels; when the widow'd 
And chjldlefs mother at the judgment feat [thev 
Plead trumpet-tongu'd againftthem \ — Here are 
Who fan k an aged fluher to the gmve; 
Or with unkindnefs hard, and ccid difdain, 
Sliglited a brother's fufi''rings. — Here are they 
Whom fraud and ikilful treachery long lecur'd; 
Who from the infant virgin tore her uow'r, 
And ate the orphan's bread; who ipeiit their 
In felfifh luxury; or o'er their gold [llores 
Proftrate and pale ador'd the ufelefs heap. 
Heretoo who AluuM the chafte connubial bed! — ' 
Who mix"d the pois'nous bowl;— or broke the 
Of hofpitable friendflilp; — and the wretch [ties 
Whole iiJtlefs foul, fick with the cares of life, 
Unfummon'd, to the prelence of his God 
Rufli'd in V ith infult rude. Ho vv would they joy 
Once more to vii'it earth, and, though opprels'd 
With all that rain and famine can^infiicf. 
Pant up the hill of life ? Vain wilh ! the Judge 
Pronounces doom eternal on their heads, 
Perpetual punifnment. Seek not to know 
Whc-it puniflmient ! for that th'Almighty will 
Has hid from mortal eyes: and Ihall vain man 
With curious fearch refm'd prefume to piy 
Into thy fecrets. Father? No! let him 
With humble patience all thy w^orks adore, 
And walk in all thy paths; fo (hall his meed 
Be great in Heav'n, fo haply (liall he 'fcape 
Th' immortal worm and never-ceaiing fire. 

But whoare they, who bound in tenfold chains 
Stand horribly aghail ? This is that crew 
Who ftrove to pull Jehovah from his throne, 

An4 



fe o K I; 



SAGRED AND MORAL. 



5t 



And in the place of heaven's eternal King 
Set up the phantom Chance, For them in vain 
Alternate lealbn's cheer'd the rolling year; 
In vain the fun o'er herb, tree, fruit and flow'r 
Shed genial influence mild j and the pale moon 
Repaired her waning orb. — Next theie is plac'd 
The vile blafphemer; he whofe impious wit 
Profan'd the facred mylteries of faith, 
And 'gainft th' impenetrable walls of Heav'n 
Planted his feeble battery. By thefe ftands 
The Arch-Apoftate: he with many a wile 
Exhorts them Itill to foul revolt. Alas ! 
No hope have they from black defpair, no ray 
Shines through the gloom to cheer their fmking 

fouls: 
In agonies of grief they curfe the hour 
When firft they left Religion's onward way. 

Thefe on the left are ranged : but on the right 
A chofen band appears, who fought beneath 
The banner of Jehovah, and defied 
Sar;iii'.i united legions, home, unmov-d 



Conduft my fteps, fafe from the fiery gulph 
And dark abyfs, where Sin and Satan reign ! 

B(it can the Mufe, her numbers all too weak. 
Tell how that reftlefs elisment of fire 
Shall wage with feas and earth inteftine war. 
And delude all creation ? Whether (fo 
Some think) the comet, as through fields of air 
Lawlefs he wanders, fhall rufli headlong on 
Thwartingth'ecliptic.whereth'unconfciousearth 
Rolls in her wonted courfe j whether the fun 
With force centripetal into his orb 
Atti-aft her, long reluctant} or the caves,^ 
Thofe dead volcanos, where engend'ring lie 
Sulphureous minerals, from the dark abyfs 
Pour ftreams of liquid fire; while from above, 
As erll on Sodom, Heaven's avenging hand 
Rains fierce combuftion. — Where are now the 
Of art, the toil of ages ? — Where are now [works 
Th' imperial cities, fepulchres, and domes. 
Trophies and pillars ? Where is Egypt's boaflt. 
Thole lofty paramids, which high in air 



At thegrimtyrant's frown,o'erbarb'rous climes iRear'd their afpiring heads, to diftant times 



Ditfus'dthe Gofpcrs light; fomc iongimmurM 
(Sad fervitude !) i:i chains and dungeons pin\l ; 
Or, rack'd with all the agonies of pain, [they 
BreathM out their faithful lives. Thrice happy 
Whom Heav'n elefted to that glorious ftrife 1 — 
Here are they pl?.cM, whole kind munificence 
Made heaven-born Science raife her drooping 
And on the labours of a future race [head; 
Entaird their jull reward. Thou amongil theie, 
Good Sealon ! whofe well-judgM benevolence 
Foll'ring fair Geniu"?, bade the poet's hand 
Bring annual offerings to his Maker's (hrine, 
Shalt find the generous care was not in vain. — 
Here is that fav'rite band, whom mercy mild, 
God's beit-lov'd attribute, adorn'd ^ whofe gate 
Stood ever open to the ftraiiger's call; 
Who fed the hungry ; to the thirfly lip 
Reach'dout the friendly cup; whofe care benign 
From the rude blall: fecur'd the pili^rim's fide 



Of Memphian's pride a lafting monument ?— 
Tell me where Athens rais'd her tow'rs ? where 

Thebes 
Open'd her hundred portals ? — Tell me where 
Stood fea-girt Albion ? where Imperial Rome, 
Propt by leven hills, fat like a fceptred queen. 
And aw'd the tributary world to peace ?— 
Shew me the rampart which o'er many a hill. 
Through many a valley,llretch'd its wide extent, 
Rais'd by that mighty monarch to repel 
The roving Tartar, when with infult rude 
'GainftPekin'itovv'rshebent th' uncrringbow. 
But what is mimic art ? E'en Nature's work, 
Se;is, meadows, pailures,themeand'ring ftreams. 
And everlafting hills, ihall be no more. 
No more (hall Peneriff, cloud-piercing heightl 
O 'er hang th' Atlantic furge; northat fam'd cliff. 
Thro' which the Pernanlteer'd with many a fail, 
j Throw to the Lemnian ifie its evening Ihade 



Who heard the widow's tender tale, and fhook ! O'er half the wide ./^gean. — Where are now 



The galling fliackle from the pris'aer's feet ; 
Who each endearing tie, each office knew 
Of meek-eyed, l>eaven-defcended Charity. 
O Charity, thou nymph divinely fair! 
Sweeter than thole whom ancient poets bound 
In amity's indillbluble chain. 
The Graces ! how iliall I efiay to paint 
Thy charms, celeilial maid ! and in rude verfe 
Blazon thoie deeds thyfelf didft ne'er reveal ? 
For thee nor rankling Envy can infect, 
Nor Rage tranfport, nor hi|;h o'ervveening Pride 
Puff up with vain conceit: ne'er didft thou 
To fee the finner as a verdant tree [fmile 

Spread his luxuriant branches o'er the ftream ; 
Wliile,like fomeblafted trunk, the righteous fill 
Proftrate, forlorn. When prophecies ftiall fail, 
When tongues Ihall ceafe, when knowledge is 

no more, 
And this great day is come, thou by the throne 
Shalt lit triumphant. Thither, lovely maid ! 
Bear me, O bear me on thy foaring wing, 
And through the adarnanune gates of Heav'n 



TiieAlps that confin'd with unnumber'd realms, 
And from the Black Sea to the ocean ftream 
Stretch'd their extended arms! — Where's Ararat, 
That hill on which the faithful patriarch's ark. 
Which fevenlong months hadvoyag'do'eritstop, 
Firft rclted, when the earth with all her fons. 
As now by ftreaming cataracts of fire. 
Was whelm'd by mighty waters ? — All at once 
Are vanifh'd and diitolv'd; no trace remains, 
No mark of vain diftin6lion: heaven itfeif. 
That azure vault, with all thofe radiant orbs. 
Sinks in the univerlal ruin loft. 
No more ftiall planets round their central fun 
Move in harmonious dance; no more the moon 
Hang out her filver lamp ; and thofe fix'd ftars. 
Spangling the golden canopy of night. 
Which oft the Tufcan with his optic glafs 
CaU'dfrom their wond'rous height, to read their 
And magnitude, fome winged minifter [names 
Shall quench; and (fureft fign that all on earth 
Is loft) ihail rend from heaven the myftic boW;. 

Such is that awful, that tremendous day, 
I E z Whofe 



5* 



ELEGANt E5^TRACTS, 



Book L 



Whofe coming Avho fnall tell ? For as a thief 
Unheard, unieen, it fteals with filent pace [I fit, 
Through night's dark gloom — Perhaps as here 
And rudely carol thel'e incondite lays, [mouth 
Soon Ih.ill the hand he check'd, and dumb the 
That lifns the t'alt'ring llrain.^-0 may it ne'er 
liitrude unwelcome on an ili-fpent hoiir j 
But iind me wrapt in meditations high, 

Hjmining my great Creator! 

^" Pow'r Supreme I 

*' O o'erlafting King ! to thee I kneel, 
*' To thee I lift my voice. With fervent heat 
" Melt, all A-^e elements! And thou high heaven. 
*' Shrinklikeafliriveirdfcroll! Butthink,OLord', 
*' Think on the beft t!ie nobleft of thy works ; 
** Think on thine own bright image ! Think on 

" him 
*< Who died to favens from thy righteous wrath ; 
" And'midft tliewreckofworldsrememberman! 



§ 5 2. HYMNS. By Mrs. Barbauld. 
Quid prins dican> folitis Parentis 
Laudibus ? qui res liominum ac deorum, 
Qui mare ac terras, variifque mundum 

Temperat horis ? horAt. 

HYMN I. 

Jehovah reigns: let evVy nation hear. 
And at his footftool bow with holy fear; 
Let Hear'ns high arches echo with his name. 
And thewide peopled earth his praife proclainij 
Then fend it down to hell's deep glooms re- 
founding, [ing. 
Thro' all her caves in dreadful murmurs found- 
He rules wiih wide and abfolute command 
O'er the broad ocean and the {1:edfall land: 
Jehovah reigns, unbounded and alone^ 
And all creation hangs beneath his throne: 
He reigns alone; let no inferior nature 
Ufurp or fhare the throne of the Creator. 
He law the ftruggling beams of infant light 
Shoot thro' the nialfy gloom of ancient night ; 
His fpirit hufh'd the elemental ftrife. 
And brooded o'er the kindling feeds of life : 
Seafons and months began the long procefTion, 
And meafur'd o'er the year in bright fucceffion. 
The joyful fun fprung up th' ethereal way, 
Strong as a giant, as a bridegroom gay; 
And the pale moon diffus'dher ihadowy light 
* Superior o'er the duiky brow of night; [ine 



litt-rmg lamps the Ikies adorn 



Ten thoufand 

Numerous as dew-drops from the vv-omb of 
morning. 
Earth's blooming face with rifing flow'rs he 

drel's'd. 

And fpread a verdant mantle o'er her breaft • 

Then from the hollow of his hand he pwurs ' 

The circling waters round her winding fhores. 

The new-born world in their cool arms em- 

l^racing, 
And withfoft murrnurs ftill her banks carefling. 



At length (lie rofe complete in finifh'd pride. 
All fair and fpotlefs, like a virgin bride: 
Frefti with untarni(h"d luitre as (he itood, 
HerMaker ble(s'd his work, and calld it good, 
The morning ftars, with joyful acclamation. 
Exulting fung, and hail'd the new creation. 
Yet this fair world, the creature of a day, 
Tho' built by Gotl's right hand, muft pafs 

away; 
A^nd long' oblivion creep o'er mortal things. 
The fate of empires, and the pride of kings ; 
Eternal night ihall veil their proudeft ilorv-. 
And drop the curtain o'er all human glory. 
The fun himfelf, with we^ry clouds oppreft, 
Shall in his filent, dark pavilion reft: 
His golden urn fhall broke and ufelefs lie, 
Amidi't the common ruins of the iky ! 
The Itars I'ufli headlong in the wild commotion, 
And bathe theirglitt'ring foreheads in theocean. 
But fix'd, O God ! forever ftands thy throne j 
Jehovah reigns, a univerfe alone; 
Th' eternal fire that feeds each vital flame, 
Colle6led or diftus'd, is ftill the fame. 
He dwells within his own unfathom'd eflence. 
And fills all fpace \vith his unbounded prefence. 

But oh ! our higheil notes the theme debafe. 
And filence is our leafi: injurious praife: [troul, 
Ceafe, ceafe your longs, the daring flight con- 
Revere him in the llillnefs of the foul ; 
With filent duty meekly bend before him. 
And deep within your inmoll hearts adore him. 

HYMN II. 

Praise to God, immortal praife*. 
For the love that crowns our days; 
Bounteous fource of every joy, 
Let thy praife our tongues employ: 

For the blelTmgs of the field. 
For the ftores the gardens yield. 
For the vine's exalted juice, 
For the gen'rous olive's ufe; 

Flocks that whiten ail the plain. 
Yellow flieaves of ripcn'd grain, 
Clouds that drop their fatt'ning dew?. 
Suns that temp'rate wannth dirtufej 

All that Spring with bounteous hand 
Scvatters o'er the fmiling land; 
All that lib'ral Autumn pours 
From her rich overflowing llores : 

Thefe to thee, my God, we owe. 
Source whence all ourblefTmgs flow; 
And for thcfe my foul fhall raife 
Grateful vows and folemn praife. 

Yet, fliould rifing whirlwinds lear 
From its Hera the rip'ning ear; 
Should the fig-tree's blaited fhoot 
Drop her green untimely fruit; 



f ;> ^'i /.'"^i' , f 5? ir^ .^'''' ""^ '''offom, neither Hiall fruit be in the vines, the labour of the olive fhall 

mthTLt'' S J u ^ "". ""'"'' '^' ^"'^^ ^^^'' b^ ^"^ "ff f"-^^"^ ^he fold, and there fhall be no herd 
in the ftalL J yet I will rejoice m the Lord, I will joy in the Qod of ray falvation. 

Habakkuk., iii. 17. iS. 
Should 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



53 



Should the vine put forth no more, 
Nor the olive yield her llore ; 
Though the fick'ning flocks Ihould fall, 
And the herds defert the ftall ; 

Should thine altered hand reftrain 
The early and the latter rain ; 
Blaft each op'ning bud of joy, 
And the rifing year deftroy j 

Yet to thee my foul fhould raife 
Grateful vows, and folemn praife ; 
And, when ev'ry blefTmg's iiown> 
Love thee — for thyfelf alone. 

HYMM III. 
For B^ijier -Sunday. 

Again the Lord of life and light 

Awakes the kindling ray ^ 
Unfeais the eyelids of the morn, 

And pours increafmg day. 

O what a night was that which wrapt 
The heathen world in gloom ! 

O what a fun which broke this day, 
Triua)phant from the tomb ! 

This day be grateful homage paid, 

And loud hofannas fung; 
Let gladnefs dwell in ev'ry heart. 

And praife on ev'ry tongue. 

Ten thoufand differing lips fliall join 

To hail this welcome morn ; 
Which fcatters blelfmgs from its v/ings 

To nations yet unborn. 

Jefus, the friend of human kind, 
With ftrong compaffion mov'd, 

Defcended, like a pitying God, 
To.fave the fouls he lov'd. 

The powVs of darknefs leagu'd in vain 

To bind his foul in death j 
He (hook their kingdom, when he fell, 

With his expiring breath. 

Not long the toils of hell could keep 

The hope of Judah's line ; 
Corruption never could take hold 

On aught fo much divine. 

And now his conqu'ring chariot wheels 

Afcend the lofty Ikies ; 
While broke, beneath his pow'rful crofs. 

Death's iron fceptre lies. 

Exalted high at God's right hand, 

And Lord of all below, 
Thro' him is p^rd'ning love difpens'd, 

And boundlefs bleflings flow. 

And ftill for erring, guilty man 

A brother's pity flows j 
And fl:ill his bleeding heart is touch'd 

With mem'iy of our woes. 

To thee, my Saviour and my King, 

Glad homage let me give j 
And ftand prepared like thee to die. 

With thee that I may live. 



HYMN IV. 

Behold where, breathing love divine, 

Our dying Mailer flands! 
His weeping followers gath'ring round 

Receive his laft conmiands. 

From that mild Teacher's parting lip 

What tender accents fell ! 
The gentle precept which he gave 

Became its author well : 

" Blefs'd is the man whofe foft'ning heart 

" Feels all another's pain : 
'* To whom the fupplicating eye 

" Was never rais'd in vainj 
'* Whofe bread expands with gen'rous warmth 

*' A ftranger's woes to feel: 
" And bleeds in pity o'er the wound 

" He wants the pow'r to heal. 

•' He fpreads his kind fupporting arrays 

" To eY>y child of grief ^ 
" His fecret bounty largely flows, 
■ And brings unafk'd relief. 

" To gentle olHces of love 

" His feet are never flow j 
" He views, thro' mercy's melting eye, 

" A brother in a foe. 

" Peace from the l^ofom of his God, 

" My pe.ice to him 1 give ! 
" And when he kneels before the throne, 

" His trembling Ibul fliall live. 

" To him protedion fliall be fliewn, 

" And mercy from above 
''• Defcend on thofe who thus fulfil 

*' The perfect law of love." 

HYMN V. 

Awake, my foul ! lift up thine eyes. 
See where thy foes -again 11 thee rile. 
In long array, a nurp'rous hoft: ; 
Awake, my Ibul, or thou art loft. 

Here giant Danger threal'ning flands 
Muft'ring his pale terrific bands j 
There Pleafure's filken banners fpread, 
And willing fouls are captive led. 

See where rebellious palflons rage. 
And fierce defires and lufls engage j 
The meaneft foe of all the train 
Has thoul'ands and ten thou lands flain. 

Thou tread'ft upon enchanted ground. 
Perils and fnares befet thee round j 
Beware of all, guard ev'ry part. 
But moft the traitor in thy heart. 

Come then, my foul, now learn to wield 

The weight of thine immortal fliieldj 

Put on the armour from above 

Of heav'nly truth and heaiy'nly love. 

The terror and the charm repel. 

And pow'rs of earth, and pow'rs of hei"!^ 

The man of Calvary triumph'd here 5 

Why fliould his faithful followers tcaf ? 

E3 



54 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I» 



§ 53. An Addrsfs to the Deity. 

Mrs. Baibaiild. 
Deus eft quodcunque vides, quocunque moveris. 

Lu CAN. 

God of my life, and author of R^.y days ! 
Permit my feeble voice to lifp thy praife j 
And fembling take upon a mortal tongue 
Thathallow'd name to harps of Seraphs fung 
Yet here the brightell Seraplis could no more 
Than hide their taces, tremble, and adore. 



Nor lefs the myftic charaQ-ers I fee 
Wroughtin eachriow'r, infcrib'd on ev'ry tree : 
In ev'ry leaf that trembles to the breeze 
I hear the voice of God among the treesj 
With thee in fhady Iblitudes I walk 
With thee in buly crowded cities talk; 
In ev'ry creature own thy fonning powY, 
In each event thy providence adore. 
Thy hopes Ihall animate my drooping ibul. 
jTJiy precepts guide me, and thr fearcontnpuK 



Worms, angels, m.cn, in ev ry difr'.ent fphere,j'^hus fhali I rell unmov d by all alarms, 
Are equal all, for all are nothing here. ^ | Secure within the temple of thme arms. 

All Nature faints beneath the mighty name, } ^'"O"^ anxious cares, from gloomy te 
Which Nature's works, thro' all her parts, pro- i ^"^^ '^^' '^\vlelt omnipotent m thee 
Q\2\jn. ' Then, when tne lalt, the clofinghour d 



All Nature faints beneath the mighty name, | ^»'0"^ anxious cares, from gloomy terrors free, 
- ' And feel )nyfelt omnipotent m the 

draws nigh, 
And earth recedes before my fwimraing eye ; 
When trembling on the doubtful edge of iate 
I Hand, and ftretch my vievv to either ilatCi 
Teach mt to quit this tranfitoiy fcene 
With decent triumph and a look ferene; 
Teach me to fix my ardent hopes on high. 
And, having liv'd to thee, in thee to die. 



I feel that name my inmoft thoughts controul, 
And breathe an awful lUllnefs thro' my foul 5 
As by a charm, the waves of grief fnbfide ; 
Impetuous paflion flops her headlong tide; 
At thy felt prefence all emotions ceafe. 
And my hufh'd fpirit finds a fudden peace, 
Till ev'ry worldly thought within me dies, 
And earth's gay pageants vanifh from my eyes, 
Till all my fenie is loll in infinite, 
And one vafl objeft fills my aching fight. 

But foon, alas ! this holy calm is broke ; 
My foul fubmitb to wear her wonted yoke; 
With fhackled pinions flrives to fbar in vain, 
And mingles with the drofs of earth again. 
But he, our gracious Mafler, kind as juil. 
Knowing our frame, remembers man is dull. 
His fpirit, ever brooding o'er our mind, 
Sees the firfl wifh to better hopes inclin'd; 
Mai ks the young dawn of ev'ry virtuous aim. 
And fans the fmoaking flax into a flame. 
His ears are open to the IbfteJl cry, ' 

His grace deicends to meet the lifted eye; 
He reads the language of a filent tear. 
And fighs are incenle from a heart fincere. 
Such are the vows, the facrifice I give: 
Accept the vow, and bid the fuppliant live : 
From each terreftrial bondage fet me free ; 
Still ev'ty wifh that centers not in thee; 
Bid my fond hopes, my vain difquiets ceafe. 
And point my path to everlalling peace. 

If the foft hand cf wanning pleafure leads 
By living waters, and thro' liow'ry meads, 
When all is fmiling, tranquil and ferene, 
And vernal beauty paints the tiatt'ring fcene, 
Oh ! teach me to elude each latent fnare. 
And whifper to my fliding heart — Beware ! 
With rauticn let me hear th'^ Syren's voice. 
And doubtful, with a trembliagheart rejoice. 
If f iendlefs in a vale of tears I'frray, [way, 
Where briers wound, and thorn< perplex my 
Still Itt my fleady foul thy goodnefs fee, 
And with flrong confidence, lay hold on thee; 
With eqml eye m.y various lot receive, 
Reflgn'd to die, or reiblute to live; 
Prcpar'd to kifs the fceptre or the rod, 
V^hile God is fcen in ail, and all in God. 

I read his awful n:une emblazon'd high 
WirJi golden HtttT% qh th' illumin'd fkv. 



§ 54- 



A Summer Evening's jVIeditattM. 

Mrs. BarbauliL 
One fun by day, by night ten thouf. nd fhinc. 

Young, 
'Tis paft I the fulrry tyrant of th.e fouth 
Has fpent his fliort-liv'tl rage: more grateful 

hours 
Move filent on : the fkies no more repel 
The dnzzled light; but,with mild maiden beams 
Of tempered light, invite the cherifh'd eye 
To wander o'er their fphere ; where liung aloft 
Dian's brig\it crefcent, like a fiiver bow 
New flrungin heaven, littshigh its beamy horns. 
Impatient for the night, and f'ecms to pulh 
Her brother down the fky. Fair Vejius fliines, 
Ev'n in the eye of day; with fweeteft beam 
j Propitious fldnes, and fhalres a trembling flcM^d 
Of fbften'd radiance from her dewy locks. 
[The fhadows fpread apace; whiie meeken'd Eve, 
IHer check yer -va'-m with blulhes,ilow retires' 
Thro' theHefperian gardens of the wtlt. 
And ihuts the gates of day. 'Tis now the hour 
1 When Cointempiation, rrom her Ibnlefs haunts, 
The cool damp grotto, or the lonely depth 
Of unpierc'd wood*, were wrapt in filent fhade. 
She mus d away the gaudy hours of noon. 
And fed on thoughts unnpen'd by the fun. 
Moves forward; and with T.diant finger points 
To yon blue concave fweli'd by breath divine. 
Where, one by one, the living eyes of heaven 
Awake, quick kindling o er the face of ather 
One boundlefs blaze; ten thoufand trembling 

fires. 
And dancing hiilres, where the unfteady eye, 
Kelllefs and dazzled, wanders unconfin'd 
O'er all this field of glories: fpacious fijeld. 
And worthy of the mafter: he whole hand. 
With hiere'glyphics elder ^han the Nile, 
Ini'crib'd the myltic tablet ; hung on high 
To public grace ; and laid, Adore, O man, 
I he finger of thy God ! From wliat pure wells 

Of 



Book L 



SACxRED AND MORA Li 



iS 



Of milky light, what foft overflowing urn. 
Are all thele lamps fb fili'd? thefe friendly lamps, 
For ever ilrearuing o'er the azure deep 
To point our path and light us to our home. 
How foft they flide along their lucid fpheres ! 
And, filent as the foot of time, fulfil 
Their deftin'd courfes: Nature's felf ishufli'd, 
And, but a fcatter'd leaf which rallies thro' 
The tln*ck-wove foliage, not a found is beard 



1 o break the midni 



Said, Thus let all things be, and thus they were, 
Where Ihall I feek thy prefence ? how unblamM 

Invoke thy dread perfe6lion ?— : 

JIave the broad eyelids of the morn beheld thee ? 
Or does the beamy ihoulder of Orion 
Support thy throne ! O look with pity dow'ii 
On erring, guilty man ! not in thy names 
Of terror clad; not with thofe thunders arm'd 
That confcious Siriai felt, when fear appall'd 



•; thoVthe raised ear, [The fcatter'd tribes ! Thou hail a gentler voice. 



Intenfely lilt'ning, drinks in ev'ry breath. That whifpers comfort to the fwelling heart 

How deep the iilence, yet how loud the praife ! [ Abafti'd, yet longing to behold her Maker. 
But are they filent all ? or is th ere not But now my foul,unus'd to llretch her pow'r^ 



A tongue in evVy ftar that talks with man, 
And woos him to be wife? nor woos in vain : 
This dead of midnight is the noon of thought. 
And wifdom mounts her zenith with the Itars. 
At this ftill hour the felf-colle(5ted foul 
Turns inward and beholds a flranger there 
Of high defcent, and more than mortal rank ; 
An embryo God ; a fpark of fire divine, 
Which mult burn on forages, when the fun 
(Fair tranfitory creature of a day) 
Has clos'd hio golden eye, and wr.ipt in'fhades, 
ForL^ets his Avonted jouiney thro' the eaft. 
Ye citadels of light, and feats of Gods ! 
Perhaps ray fimire home, from v. hence the foul. 
Revolving iT^i-iods'pall, may oft lookback. 
With recollefted tendernels, on all 
The various bufy fcenes (he left below, 
lis deep-laifJ projejSls and its llrange events, 
As on i'omQ Fond and doting tale that footh'd 
Her infant hours— O be it lawful now 
To tre.id the hallow'd circle of your courts, 
And \\vA\ rnute wonder and delighted awe 

Apprcacli yourburning confines! Seiz'd in 

Or: fancy's wild and roving wing I fail [thought, 
Fiom the green borders of the peopled earth, 
And the pale moon, her duteous fair attend.ant ? 
From folitary Mars; from the vaft orb 
Of Jupiter, whofe huge gigantic bulk 
Dances in ether like the lightelt leaf; 
To the dim verge, the fuburbs of the fyilem. 
Where cheerlefs Saturn 'midJl his wat'ry moons, 
Gnt with a lucid zouc, in gloomy pomp, 
Sits like an exil'd monarch : fearlels thence 
I launch into the trackleis deeps of fpace. 



In flights lb daring, drops her weary wjng, 
And feeks again the known accullom'd fpot, 
Dreft up with fun, and fliade, and lawns, and, 
A manfion fairandlpaciousforits gueil,[(lreamsi 
And full replete with wonders. Let me here. 
Content and grateful, wait the appointed time. 
And ripen for the Ikies ; the hour will come 
When all thefe fplendours burlling on my fight 
Shall Hand unveil'd, and to my ravifli'd fenl^ 
Unlock the glories of the world unknown. 



S5' 



Hjmri to Content. Mrs. Barbauld, 

nauira be.itos 

Omnibus effe Jecic, fi quis cognoverit uti. CtAcais 

O THOU, the Nymph with placid eye ! 
O feldom found, yet ever nigh 1 

Receive my temperate vow : 
Not all the ilorms that fliake the pole. 
Can e'er dillurb thy halcyon foul, 

And fmooth unalter'd brow. 
O come, in fimple veft array'd, 
With all thy fober cheer difplay'd. 

To blefs my longing fight ; 
Thy mien compos'd, thy even pace. 
Thy meek regard, thy matron grace^ 

And challe fubdu'd delight. 
No more by varying paflions beat, 
O gently guide my pilgrim feet 

To find thy hermit cell ; 
Where in fome pure and equal (ky 
Beneath thy foft indulgent eye - 

The modefl: virtues dwell. 
Simplicity in Attic veft. 



Where,burninground,tenthoufand funs appear |^"*^ Innocence with candid breaft. 

Of elder beam 5 which afk no leave to fi'une ' " '^ "'' "'' ' '"' "'•" " 

Of our terreftrial ftar, nor borrow light 
From the proud regent of our fcanty day; 
Sons of the morning, firft-born of creation. 
And only lefs than him who marks their track, 



And clear undaunted eye; 
I And Hope, who points to diftant years, 
JFair op'ning thro' this vale of tears 
I A vifta to the fky. 
There Health, thro' whofe calm bofom gUcia 



And guides their fiery wheels. Heremuft I ftop, jThe temp'rate joys in even tide. 



Or is there aught beyond? What hand unieen 

Impels me onward thro' the glowing orbs 

Ot habitable nature, fin- remote, 

To the dread confines of eternal nioht. 

To lohtudes of vaft unpeopled fpace. 

The deferts of creation, Avide and wild, 

Where embryo lyftems and unkindled funs 

Sleep ni the womb of chaos? Fancy d 

And thought aftonifli'd ftops her bold 

ButjOh thoumiglityMind! whole pow'rfuhvcrd 



•OOi-JS, 

c ireer. 



That rarely ebb or flow ; 
And patience there, thy fifter meek, 
Prefents her mild unvarying cheek 

To meet the ofier'd blow. 
Her influence taught the Phrygian fage 
;\ tyrant's mafter's wanton rage 

With fettled fmiles to meet ; 
uur'd to toil and bitter bread, 
rie bowM his meek iubmitted head^ 

And kifs'd thy fainted ftQt. 



B«- 



56 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I^ 



But thon, O Nympb, retir'd and coy ! 
In what brown hamlet dolt thou joy 

Jo tell thy tender tule ? 
The lowliell children of the ground, 
Mois-role and violet bloiibm round, 

And lily of the vale. 

hy vhat foft propitious hour 

1 belt may chooie to haii thy povv'r. 

And court thy gentle Iway ? 
When Autumn, friendly to the Mufe, 
Shall thy own modelt trnts diftufe, 

And (hed thy milder day : 
When Eve, her dewy ftar beneath. 
Thy baimy fpirit loves to breathe. 

And ev'ry ftorni is laid 5 
If fuch an hour was e'er thy choice. 
Oft let me hear thy foothing voice 

Low whifp'ring thro' the Ihade. 



§ 56. To Wijdom. Mrs. Barbauld. 
Dona pratfentis rape laetus horee, ac 

Linque fevera. Horat, 

O wi SDOM ! if thy foft control 
Can footh the ficknefs of the foul, 
Can bid the warring paffions ceafe, 
And breathe the calm of tender peace; 
Wifdom ! I blefs thy gentle fway, 
And ever, ever will obey. 

But if thou com'il with frown auftere 
To nurfe the brood of care and fear 5 
To bid our fweeteft pafTions die, 
And leave us in their room a figh ? 
Or if thine afpeft ftern have pow'r 
To wither each poor traniient fiow'r 
That cheers this pilgrimage of woe, 
And dry the fprings whence hope.fhould flow 5 
Wifdom, thine empire I difclaim, 
Thou empty boaft of pompous name 1 
In gloomy Ihade of cloifters dwell. 
But never haunt my clieerful cell. 
Kail to pieaiure's frolic tiain ! 
Hail to fancy's golden reign ! 
Feftive miith and laughter wild. 
Free and fportful as the child ! 
Hope with eager fparkling eyes, 
And eafy faith and fond lurprife ! 
Let thele, in faiiy colours dreit, 
For ever {hare my carelefs breail: 
Then, tho' wife I may not be. 
The wife themfelves fhall envy me. 



S 57. Defpondency, An Ode. Burns. 
Opprkss'd with grief, opprefs'd with care, 
A burden more than I can bear, 

I fit me down and iigh : 
life ! thou art a galling load, 
Along a rough, a weary "load, 

To wretches fuch as I ! 
Dim backward as 1 caft m.y view. 
What f.ck'ning fcenes appear? 
V\'hat forrows yet may pierce me through, 
' Too jultly I may fear ! 
Stil: caring, defpairing 

Mull be my bitter doom J • 



My wees here fliall cli^fe ne'er. 
But with the clofmg tomb ! 
Happy! yefonsofbufy life, 
Who, equal to the bultiing llrife. 

No other view rep.\'.rd ! 
"f,v'n when the wifhed end's denied, 
Yet, while the bufy m.eans are plied. 

They bring their own reward : 
Whilxl I, a liope-abandon'd w'ight, 

Ur:f;ite(i with an aim, 
Me,ct ev'ry fad returning night 
Aiid joyiefs morn the fame. 
Yen, buftling and iuftling 

Forget each g'ief and pain; 
I, li/Uefs yet reltlefs 

Find ev'ry profpefl vain. 
How Ijlell; the Solitary's lot, 
Who all -forgetting, all-forgot. 

Within this humble ceil. 
The cavern wild with tangling roots, 
jSits o'er his newiy-gather'd fruits, 

Beiide his cryftal well ! 
Or haply to his ev'ning thought. 

By I m frequented ftream. 
The wMys ot men are diflant brought, 
A faint-collefted dream : 
While praifmg, and railing 

His thpnghts to Heav'n on high. 
As wandTing, meand'ring. 
He view-^ the foltmn iky, 
Than I, no lonely Hermit phc'd 
Where never humin footitep tiac'd, 

Lcfs fit to play the part. 
The kicky moment to improve, 
^-nd j'.ut to liop andjuft to move. 

With felf-»refpe«5ling art: 
But ah ! thole pleafures, loves, and joys. 

Which I too l;etnly t*lle, 
The Solitary can defpife. 
Can want, and yet be bleft ! 
He needs not, he heeds not, 

Or human love or hate ; 
Whilil I here, muft cry here. 
At perfidy ingrate ! 
Oh ! enviable early days. 
When dancing th'oughtlefs Pleafure's maze, 

To Care, to Guilt unknown 1 
HoAv ill exchang'd for riper times. 
To feel the follies or the crimes 

Of others, or mv own I 
Ye tiny elves, that guiltlels fport 

Like linnets in the bulh, 
Ye little know the ills ye court. 
When manhood is your wiHi ! 
The loffes, the croffes. 

That active man engage; 
The fears all, the tears afl. 
Of dim decliiiing asre ! 



§58 The Frailty a?id tolly of Man. Prior. 
Great Heav'n! how frail thy creature Man 

is made ! 
How by himfelf inftnfibly betray 'd 1 

in 



Book I. 



SACREt) AND MORAL. 



57 



In oar own Ilrength unhappily fecure, 
Too little cautious of the adverie pow'r; 
And, by the blalt of lelr-opinion mov'd. 
We wi(h to charm, and feek to be belov'd. 
On plealbre's flonVy brink, we idly ftray, 
Malters as yet of our returning w.iy : 
Seeing no danger, we diiarm our rnind, 
And yive our condiiii: to the waves and wind : 
Then in the fiov%'"ry mead, or verdant (hade. 
To wanton dalliance negligently laid. 
We weave the chaplet, and wc crown the bowl. 
Aid rmiling fee the nearer waters roll : 
Till the Itrong gults of i-aging pa.Tion rife. 
Till the dire ttmpe.t mi:;gles earth and (kies; 
And, iWift into the boundlefs ocean borne. 
Our foolilV; conHdence too late we mourn: 
Round our devoted heads the billows beat; 
And from our troubled view the leifen'd lands 
retreat. 



§ 59. /? Paraphrafe c« the latter Part rfthe Sixth 

Chapter of St. Matthew. Thomlbn. 
When xny breaft labours with oppredjve care, 
And o'er my cheek deicends the falling tear; 
"While all my warring pujiions rire at Itrife, 
Oh let me iilten tc th. words of life ! 
Raptures deep felt his doctrine did impart. 
And thus he rais\i rrom earth thedroopingl^cart: 

Think not, when ?.!1 your fcanty ftorts afford 
I? in read at once upon the fparing board ; 
Think not. wl'.en worn the homely robe appsears, 
While on the roof the howiing tempelt bears; 
What farther (hall this feeblelite iuftain, 
Andwliatfliail clothe thcfelhiv'ringlimbsagain. 
Say; does not life its nouri(hment exceed ? 
And tl;e fair body its invelting weed ? 
Behold ! and look away your low dtlpair — 
See the light tenants <;f the barren air : 
To tliem nor Itores nor granaries belong. 
Nought but the woodland and the plcafnig fong; 
Yet your kind henv'nly Father bendf his eye 
On the lealt wing that tilts along the (ky. 
To him they ling when fpring renews the plain, 1 
To iiini they ciy in winter's pinching reign; > 
Nor is their mullc or their plaint in vain ; y 
He hears the gay and the diltrefsful call, 
And with unlparing bounty fills them all. 

Obferve the riling lily's (hovvy grace, 
Obferve the various vegetable race ; 
They neither toil nor fpin. but carelefs grow, 
Yet fee how warm they biulli ! how bright they 

glow ! 
What regal veftments can with them compare? 
What king fo (hining, or what queen io fair ? 

If ceafelefs thus the fowls of heav'n he feeds, 
If o'er the fields fuch lucid robes he fpreads. 
Will he not care for you, ye faithlefs, fay ? 
Is he unwife ? or are ye lefs than they ? 



§60. S O N G S 0/ Pr<7?/>. Watts. 
A general Song of Praife to God, 
How glorious is our heav'nly King, 
Who reigns above the Iky ! 



How fhall a child prefume to fing 

His dreadful Majelly ! 
Ho-.v great his pow^- is, nor-e can tell. 

Nor think how large his grace; 
Not men below, nor iaints that dwell 

On high before his face. 
Not angels, that ftand round the Lord, 

Can fearch his fecret will ; 
But they perform his heav'nly word. 

And ling his praifes Hill. 
Then let me join this holy train. 

And my firilofT rings bring; 
Th' eternal God will not dildaiu 

To hear an infant fing. 
My heart refolves, my tongue obeys; 

And angels (liall rejoice 
To hear their mighty Maker's praife 

Sound from a feeble voice. 

Praife for Creation and Providence. 

I SING th' almighty pow'r of God» 

That made the mountains rife; 
That fpread the flowing feas abroad. 

And built the lofty Ikies ! 
I fing the wifdom that ordained 

The fun to rule the day j 
Th? moon fiilnes full at his command, 

And all the itars obey. 
I fing the goodnefs of the Lord, 

That fill'd the earth with food; 
He form'd the creatures with his word, 

And tlien pionounc'd them good. 
Lord, how thy wonders are dilplay'd. 

Where'er I turn mine eye ! 
If 1 furvey the ground I tread. 

Or gaze upon the (ky; 
There's not a plant or flow'r below 

But makes thy glories known; 
And clouds a-ife, and tempefts blow. 

By order from thy throne. 
Creatures (as num'rous as they be) 

Are fubjedt to thy care; 
There's not a place where we can flee. 

But God is prelent there. 
In heav'n he fliines with beams of love, 

With wrath in hell beneath! 
'Tii on his earth I ftand or move. 

And 'tis his air I breathe. 
His hand is my perpetual guard. 

He keeps me with his eye : 
Why fhould I then forget the Lord, 

Who is for ever nigh ? 

Prafe to God for our Redemption, 
Blest be the wifdom and the pow'r. 

The juftice and the grace, 
That join'd in counfel to reftore 

And (ave our ruin'd race ! 
Our father ate forbidden fruit. 

And from his glory fell; 
And we his children thus were brought 

To deatli, and near to hell. 



Bleft 



55 



ELEGANT' EXfRACTS, 



Book L 



Jleft b6 the Lord that fent his Son 

To take our flefh and blood! 
le for o\it lives gave up his own 

To make our peace with God. 
le Ironour'd all his Father's laws. 

Which we have difobeyM 5 
fie bore our fms upon the crofs. 

And our full ranfom paid. 
Sehold him rifing from the grave 5 

Behold hira rais'd on high : 
He pleads his merit there, to fave 

Tranigreflbrs doom'd to dk. 

rhere on a glorious throne he reigns. 

And by his powV divine 
iedeems us from the flavilh chains 

Of Satan and of fm. 

rhence fhall the Lord to judgment come. 

And with a fov'reign voice 
Shall call and break up ev'ry tomb, 

While waking faints rejoice. 

3 may I then with joy appear. 

Before tlie Judge's face ! 
And, with the blefs'd affembly there, 

Sing his redeeming grace ! 
Fraifefor Mercies Spiritual and TemporaK 

Whene'er I take my walks abroad. 

How many poor I fee ! 
What fhall I render to my God 

For all his gifts to me ( 
Not more than others I deferv^e. 

Yet God his given me more; 
For I have food while others Ilarve, 

Or beg from door to door. 

How many children in the itreet 

Half naked I behold 1 
Wiiile I am clothM from head to feet. 

And coverM from the cold 1 

While Ibme poor wretches fcarce can tell 
Where they may lay their head, 

I have a home wherem to dwell, 
And reft upon my bed. 

While others early learn to fwear, 
And curfe, and lie, and Iteal, 

Lord, I am taught thy name to fear, 
And do thy holy will. 

Are thefe thy /avours, day by day, 

To me above the rell ? 
Then let me love thee more than they, 

And try to ferve thee belt. 



Fraifefor Birth and Education in a Cbrlfian Land. 

Great God ! to thee m.y voice I raifc. 
To thee my youngefl; hours belongs 
I would begin my life with praile, 
Till growing years impi'ove the fong, 
■'Tis to thy fcv'reign grice I owe 
That I \va3 bo.n on Erjtilh ground 5 
Where ftrearns of hcav'nly mercy liow. 
And word*, of fwctt falvation found. 



I would not change my native land 
For ricli Pei-u, with all her gold j 
A nobler prize lies in my hand 
Than Eaft or'Weftern Indies hold. 
How do I pity thole that dw^ll 
Where ignorance or darknefs reigns ! 
They know no heav'n, they fear no hell, 
Thofe enlefs joys, th^fe endlefs paini. 

Thy glorious promifes, O Lord, 
Kindle my hopes and my deiire ^ 
While alt the preachers of thy word 
Warn me to 'fcape eternal fire. 

Thy praife fliall ftill employ my breath. 
Since thou haft mark'd my way to heav'ttj 
Nor will I run the road to detith, 

e blef] 

Fraifefor the Gofpel. 
Lord, I afcribe it to thy grace. 
And not to chance, as othei-s &o. 
That I was born of Chriftian race. 
And not a Heathen or a Jew. 

What would the ancient Jewifh kings> 
And Jewilh piophets once have giv'n. 
Could they have heard thofe glorious things 
Which Chrill reveaPdand brought from heaven? 

How glad the Heathens would have been. 
That worlliip'd idols, wood and llone. 
If they the book of God had feen^ 
Or Jefus and his Gofpel knovv'n ! 

Then, if this Gofpel I refuie, 
How fliall I e'er lift up mine eyes ! 
For all the Gentiles and the Jews 
Againll me will in judgment rile. 

Fraife to Cod for learning to RcsJ, 

The praifes of my tongue 

I oifer to the Lord, 
That I was taught, ar;d learnt fo youn^j^ 

To read his holy word. 

That I am brought to know 

The d uiger I was >;\ ; 
By nature, and by pi\i*.4;ce too, 

A wretched flave to lin. 

That I am led to fee 

I can do nothing well ; 
And whither ihaJl a linncr flee 

To fave himfelf from hell ? 

Dear Lord, this book of tlime 

Informs me where to go 
For grace to pardon all my fin. 

And make me holy too. 

Here I can read and learn. 

How Chriil, the Son of God, 
Did undertake our great conccin- 

Our ranfom cofl his blood. 



And now he reigns above. 
He fends his Spirit down, 

To Ihevv the wonders of liis lose. 
And puke his goi^el kn.>.vii. 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL, 



59 



O may that Spirit teach, 

And make my heart receive 
Thofe truths, which all thy ferv^nts preach, 

And all thy faints believe. 
Then fhall I praife the Lord, 

In a more cheerful ftrain, 
That I was taught to read his word. 

And have not learnt in vain. 



§ 6i. Th& Excellency of the Bible demonJlraUd, 

Watts. 
Great God, with wonder and with praife 

On all thy works I look; 
But ftill thy wifdom, powV, and grace, 

Shine brighteft in thy book. 
The ftars, that in their courfes roll, 

Have much inftraftion given ; 
But thy good word informs my foul 

How I may climb to heav'n. 
The fields provide me food, and (hew 

Tlie goodnefs of the Lord ; 
But fruits of i:fe ar.d glory grow 

In thy molt holy word. 
Here are my choicefl: treafures hid. 

Here my bell comfort lies : 
Here my (Jefires are iatisfied. 

And hence my hopts arile. 
Lord, mr\ke me underftand thy law, 

Shew whit my faults have been ; 
And from thy gofpei let me draw 

Pardon for all my fin. 
Here would I learn how Chrill has died 

To iave my foul from hell : 
Not all the books on earth befide 

Such heav'nly wonders tell. 
Then let me love my Bible more. 

And takd a frefh delight 
By day to read theie wonders o'er, 

And meditate by night. 
I 
§ 6z. The All-feeing God. Watts. 

Almighty God, thy piercing eye. 

Strikes thro' the Ihides of night, 
And our moll fecret adlions lie 

All open to thy fight : 
There's not a fin that we conmiit. 

Nor wicked word we fay, 
But in thy dreadful book 'tis writ, 

Againft the judgment day. 
And muft the crimes that I have done 

Be read and publilh'd there ? ' 
Be all expos'd before the Suil, 

While men and angels hear ? 
Lord, at thy foot afham'd I lie j 
' Upward I dare not look: 
Pardon my fins before I die, 

And blvt them from thy Ijook. 
Remember* all the dying pains 

That my Redeemer feltj 
And let his blood wafti out my ftains, 
' And aafwer for my ^\x\\u 



O may I now for ever fear 
T' indulge aiinful thought, 

Since the great God can fee and hear. 
And writes down ev'ry fault. 



§ 63. Solemn 'Thsughts concermng God and Death. 

Watti. 

There is a God that reigns above, 
Lord of the heav'ns, and earth, and feas: 
I fear his wrath, I afK^ his love, 
And with my lips I fing his praife. 
There is a law which he has writ. 
To teach us all what we mult do : 
My Ibul, to his commands fubmit. 
For they are holy, jufl, and true. 
There is a gofpei of rich grace, 
Whence finners all their comforts draw: 
Lord, I repent, and feek thy face, 
For I have often broke thy law. 
There is an hour when I muft diej 
No do I know how fooji 'twill come j 
A thouiand children, young as I, 
Are caird by death to hear their doom. 
L^ me improve the hours I have. 
Before the day of grace is fled \ 
There's no repentance in the grave. 
Nor pardons otl'er'd to the dead. 
Juft as the tree, cut down, that fell 
To north or fouthward, there it lies: 
So man departs to heav'n or hell, 
Fix'd in the ftate wherein he dies. 



§ 64. Hea'ven and Hell. Watts. 

There is beyond the iky 

A heav'n of joy and love; 
And holy children when they die. 

Go to that world above. 
There is a dreadful hell. 

And everlafting pains ; 
There finners muft with devils dweli. 

In darknefs, fire, and chains. 
Can fuch a wretch as I 

Efcape this curfed end ? 
And may I hope, whene'er I die, 

I ftiall to heav'n afcend ! 
Then will I read and pray. 

While I have life and breath, 
Left I fliould be cut off to-day, 

.And fent to eternal death. 



§ 65. The Ad'vantages of early Religion, Watts^ 

Happy the child whofe tender years 

Receive inftru6lions well j 
Who hates the finner's path, and fears 

The road that leads to hell. 
When we devote our youth to God, 

' Tis pleafing in his eyes j 
A flow'r when ofter'd in th^ bud 

Is no vain lacrifice* 

*Ti;^ 



6o 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



Tis caficr work, if we begin 

To fear the Lord betimes ; 
While finners that grow old in fin 

Are hardenM in their crimes. 
'Twill fave us from a thoufand fnares, 

To mind religion young , 
Grace will preferve our following years, 

And make our virtue ftrong. 
To thee. Almighty God, to thee, 

Our childhood we refign ; 
'Twill pleafe us to look back and fee 

That our whole lives were thine. 
Let the fweet work of pray'r and praife 

Employ my youngeft breath ; 
Thus I 'm prepared for longer days. 

Or fit for early deatli. 



§66. I'he Danger of Delay. Watts. 
Why fhould I fay, " 'Tis yet too foon 
" To feek for Heav'n, or think of death V 
A flow'r may fade before 'tis noon, 
And I this day may lofe my breath. 
If this rebellious heart of mine 
Defpife the gracious calls of Heaven, 
1 may be harden'd in my fin, * 

And never have repentance given. 
What if the Lord grow wroth, and fwear, 
While Irefufe to read and pra)'-, 
That he '11 refufe to lend an ear 
To all ray groans another day I 
What if his dreadful anger burn, 
While I refufe his offer'd grace, 
And all his love to fury turn, 
And ftrike me dead upon the place ! 
^Tis dangerous to provoke a God ! 
His pow'r and vengeance none can tell : 
One ftroke of his almighty rod 
Shall fend young finners quick to hell. 
Then 'twill for ever be in vain 
To cry for pardon and for grace j 
To wifti I had my time again. 
Or hope to fee my Maker's face ! 



§ 67. Examples of tarly Piety. Watts. 
What blefs'd examples do I find 

Writ in the word of truth, 
Of children that began to mind 

Religion in their youth '. 
Jefus, who reigns above the iky, 

And keeps the world in awe. 
Was once a child as young as I, 

And kept his Father's law. 
At twelve years old he talk'd with men, 

(The Jews all wond'ring ftand) 
Yet he obey'd his mother then, 

And came at her command. 
CJiildren a fweet hofanna fung, 

And blefs'd their Saviour's name! 
They gave him honour with their tongue. 

While fcribes and prlefts bhfpheme. 
5 



Samuel the child was wean'd, and brought 

To wait upon the Lord; 
Young Timothy betimes was taught 

To know his holy word. 

Then why ftiould I fo long delay 

What others learn fo foon ? 
I would not pafs another day 

Without this work begun. 



§ 68. Againjl Lying. Watts. 

O 'tis a lovely thing for youth 
To walk betimes in wifdom's w?y; 
To fear a lie, to fpeak the tnithj 
That we may truft to all they fay. 

But liars we can never truft, 

Tho' they fliouid fpeak the thing that 's true ; 

And he that does one fault at firft. 

And lies to hide it, makes it two. 

Have we not known, nor heard, nor read. 
How God abhors deceit and wrong ? 
How Ananias was Itruck dead. 
Caught with a lie upon his tongue. 

So did his wife Sapphira die, 
Whe/i ihe came in, and grew fo bold 
As to confirm that wicked lie 
That juft befoi-e her hufljand told. 

The Lord delights in them that fpeak 
The words of truth 5 but evVy liar 
Muft have his portion in the lake 
That burns with brimltone and with fire. 

Then let me always watch my lips. 
Left I be ftruck to death and heil. 
Since God a book of reck'ning keeps 
For ev'ry lie that children tell. 



§ 69. Againjl Sluarrelling and Figbiing. Watts. 

Let dogs delight to bark and bite. 

For God hatli made them fo; 
Let bears and lions growl and fight. 

For 'tis their nature too : 

But children, you ftjould never let 

Such angry paifions rife ; 
Your little hands were never made 

To tear each others eyes. 
Let love through all your a<^ions run. 

And all your words be mild ; 
Live like the blefted Virgin's Son, 

That fweet and lovely Child. 

His foul was gentle as a lamb : 
' And, as his fiature grew, 
He grew in favour both v.ith man. 
And God his Father too. 

Now, Lord of all, be reigns above ; 

And from his heav'nly throne 
He fees what children dwell in love. 

And marks thera for his own. 



Boo 

§ 70- 



R L 



SACRED AND MORAL* 



6i 



Lo've bet<ween Brothers and Sijlers, 
Watts. 
Whatever, brawls difturb the ftreet, 

There ftiould be peace at home ; 
Where fifters dwell and brothers meet. 

Quarrels fhould never come. 
Birds in their little nefts agree; 

And 'cis a Ihameful fight, 
When children of one family 

Fall out, and chide, and fight ! 
Hard names at firft, and threatening words, 

That are but noify breath, 
May grow to clubs and naked fwords, 

To murder and to death. 
The devil tempts one mother's fon 

To rage againft another; 
So wicked Cain was hurried on 

Till he had kilPd his brother. 
The wife will make their anger cool, 

At leaft before 'tis night j 
But in the bofom of a fool 

It burns till morning- light. 

Pardon, O Lord, our childifh rage, 

Our little brawls remove ; 
That, as we grow to riper agf, 

Our hearts may all be love. 



§71- 



Againfi Scoffing and calling Names. 
Watts. 
Our tongues were made to blefs the Lord, 

And not fpeak ill of. men; 
When others give a railing word. 

We muft not rail again. 
Crofs words and angry names require 

To be chaftis'd at Ichool ; 
And he 's in danger of hell-fire 

That calls his brother Fool. 

But lips that dare be (o profane, 

To mock and jeer and fcolf 
At holy things or holy men. 

The Lord Ihall cut them off. 

When children in their wanton pJay 

ServM old Elifha fo^ 
And bid the prophet go his way, 

" Go up, thou bald-hedd go!" 

God quickly iloppM their wicked breath. 

And fent two raging bears. 
That tore them limb from limb to death, 

With blood, and eroans, and tears. 

Great God, how terrible art thou 

To finners e'er fo young ! 
Grant me thy grace, ana teach me how 

To tame and rule my tongue 1 



And yet how wicked children dare 
Abule thy dreadful glorious name ! 
And, when they 're angry, how they fwear. 
And curfe their fellows, and blafpheme ! 

How will they ftand before thy face. 
Who treated thee with fuch difdain. 
While thou fhalt doom them to the place 
Of everlailing fire and pain ! 

Then never (hall one cooling drop 
To quench their burning tongues be given ; 
But I will praife thee here, and hope 
Thus to employ my tongue in heaven. 

My heart (hall be in pain to hear 
Wretches affront the Lord above ; ^ 
'Tis that great God whofe pow'r I fear. 
That heav'nly Father whom I love. 

If my companions grow profane, 
ril leave their friendlhip when I hear 
Young finners take thy name in vain. 
And learn to curfe, and learn to fwear. 



§ 72. AgainJ} S<^eaTi.:'g and Curjnig, and taking 

God^s Name in <vain. Watts. 
Angels, th;.t higu in gl ry dwell. 
Adore thy n.ime, rih-.Tjhty God! 
And devils tremble, uowa in hell. 
Beneath the terrors of thy rod. 



§ 73. Againfi Idlenefs and Mif chief. 

How doth the little bufy bee 
Improve each (hining hour. 

And gather honey all the day 
From ev'ry op'ning flow'r; 

How fkilfully (he builds her cell ! 

How neats (he fpreads the wax I 
And labours hard to (lore it well 

With the fweet food (he makes. 

In works of labour, or of (kill, 

I would be bufy too ; 
For Satan finds Ibme mifchief ftill 

For idle hands to do. 

In books, or work, or healthful play, 
Let my firft years be paft, 

That I may give for ev'ry day 
Some good account at laft. 



Watts. 



§ 74. Againfi E-uil Company,^ Watts. 

Why (hould I join with thofe in play 

In whom I 've no delight; 
Who curfe and fwear, but never prayj 

Who call ill names, and fight? 

I hate to hear a wanton fong. 
Their words offend mine ears; 

I (hould not dare defile my tongue 
With language luch as theirs. 

Away from fools I'll turn mine eyes. 

Nor with the (coffers go : 
I would be walking with the wife. 

That v.'ifer I may grow. 

From one rude boy that's us'd to mock, 

They learn the wicked je(t ; 
One fickly (beep infe6Vs the flock. 

And poifons all the reft. 



My 



6z 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS^ 



!}6tL 



My God, I hate to walk or dwell 
With Tinful children here: 

TJien let me not be lent to hell, 
Where none but finners are. 



§ 7ij. Jgainji Pride m Clothes, Watts. 
Why Ihoulii our garments, made to hide 
Our parents' fliame, provoke our pride ? 
The art of drels did ne'er begin 
Till Eve, our mother, learnt to fm. 
When firft Hie put the cov'ring on* 
Her robe of innocence was gone ; 
And yet her children vainly boali 
In the fad marks of glory loft. 
How proud we are ! how fond to fhew 
Our dothes, and call them rich and new ! 
When the poor flieep and filkworm wore 
That very clothing long before. 
The tulip and the butterfly 
Appear in gayer coats than I: 
Let me be drelt fine as I will, 
Flies, worms, and flow'rs, exceed me ftill. 
Then will I fet my heart to find 
Inward adornings of the mind; 
Knowledge and virtue, truth and grace : 
Thefe are the robes of richeft drefs. 
No more fhall worms with me compare j 
This is the raiment angels wear; 
The Son of God, when here below. 
Put on this bleft apparel too. 
It never fades, it ne'er grows old ; 
Nor fears the rain, nor moth, nor mould : 
It tal-es no fpot, but ftill refines ; 
The more 'tis worn, the more it fnines. 
In this on earth would I appear, 
Then go to heav'n and wear it there, 
God will approve it in his fight ; 
'Tis his own work, and his delight. 



§ 76. Obedience to Parents. Watts. 
Let children that would fear the Lord 

Hear what their teachers fay; 
With rev'rence meet their parent's word. 

And with delight obey. 
Have you n«t heard what dreadful plagues 

Are threaten'd by the Lord, 
To him that breaks his father's law. 

Or mocks his mother's word? 
Vv'hat he^j'vy guilt upon him lies ! 

How curfed is his name ! 
The ravens ftiall pick out his eyes. 

And eagles eat the fiime. 
But thofe who worfhip God, and give 

Their parents honour due, 
Httc on this' earth they long fhall live, 

And live hereafter too. 



§ 77. The Child's Complaint, Watts. 
Why ftiould I love my fport 16 well, 

So conftant at my pby. 
And iofe the thoughts of heav'^ and hell, 

Aad then forget to prRy r 



What do I read my Bible for, 

But, Lord, to learn thy will > 
And ftiall I daily know thee more^ 

And lefs obey thee ftill ? 
How fenfelefs is my heart, and wild ? 

How vain dre all ray thoughts ! 
Pity the weaknefs of a child. 

And j^ardon all my faults. 
Make me thy heav'nly voice to hear, 

And let me love to pray; 
Since God will lend a gracious ear 

To what a child can fay. 



§ 78. A Morning and E'vening Song. 
Morning Song. 
My God, who makes the fun to know 

His proper hour to rife. 
And to give light to all below, 

Doth fend him round the fkies. 
When fi-om the chambers of the eaft 

His morning race begins. 
He never tires, n.or ftops to reft, 

But round the world he ftiines. 
So, like the fun, would I fulfil 

The bui'nefs of the day : 
Begin my work betimes, and ftill 

March on my heav'nly way. 
Give me, O Lord, thy early grate, 

Nor let my foul complain 
That the young morning of my dayif 

Has all been fpent in vain ! 

Evening Song, . 

And now another day is gone, 

I'll fing my Maker's praife: 
My comforts ev'ry hour make known. 

His provideiice and grace. 
But how my childhood runs to wafte! 

My fins, how great their fum ! 
Lord, give me pardon for the paft. 

And ftrength for days to come. 
I lay my body down to fleep ; 

Let angels guard my head, 
And through the hours of darknefs keep 

Their watch around my be-1. 

With cheerful heart I clofe my eyes. 

Since thou wilt not remove; 
And in the morning let me rife,- 

Rejoicing in thy love. 



Watts; 



§ 79. For the Lcrd^s Day Morning, Watts. 

This is the day when Chrift arofe 

So early from the dead; 
Why ftiould I keep my eye-lids clos'd. 

And wafte ray hours in bed ? 

This is the day when Jefus broke 

The pow'r of death and hell ? 
And ftiall I ftill wear Satan's yoke, 

And love my fins fo well? 

To 



Book L 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



63 



To-day with pleafure Chriftians meet 

To pray, and hear the word: 
And I would go with cheerful feet 

To learn thy will, O Lord. 
I'll leave my fport to read and pray> 

And fo prepare for heaven ; 
O may I love this blefied dav 

The bell of all the fevenf 



§ 80. For the Lord's Day E-vemng, Watts. 
jLord, how delightful 'tis to fee 
A whole aflembly worfhip thee ! 
At once they fin^, at once they pray; 
They hear of heav'n, and learn the way. 
1 have been there, and ftill would go j 
Tis like a little heav'n below : 
Not all my pleafure and my play 
Shall tempt rae to forget this day. 

write upon my mem'ry. Lord, 
The tenets and doftrines of thy word; 
That I may br€ak thy laws no more, 
Sut love thee better than^ before. 

With tho^ights of Chrift, and things divine, 
Fill up this foolifti heart of mine; 
That, hoping pardon thro' his blood, 

1 riiay lie down and wake with God. 



If we had been ducks, we might dabble In mud. 
Or dogs, we might play till it ended in blood j 

€0 foul and fo fierce are their natures : 
But Thomas and William.andfuch prettynames. 
Should be cleanly and harmlefs as doves or as 

Thofe lovely fweet innocent creatures. [lambs, 
Not a thing that we do, nor a word that we fay. 
Should hinder another in jelling or play ; 

For he's ftill in earnelt that's hurt : [mire ! 
How rude are the boys that throw pebbles and 
There's none but a madman willfling about fire. 

And tell you " 'Tis all but in fpoit." 



^ 83. The Rofe. Watts. 
How fairis'tlie Rofe ! what a beautiful flow'r ! 

The glory of April and May ! 
Bat tire leaves are beginning to fade in an hour. 

And they wither and die in a day. 
Yet the rofe has one powerful virtue to boaft. 

Above all the flowS-s of the field: [loft. 

When its leaves are all dead, and fine colours are 

Still how fweet a perfume it w ill yield ! 
So frail is the youth and the beauty of men, 

Tho' they bloom and look gay like the rofe ; 
But all our fond care to preferve them is vain j 

Time kills them as fall as he goes. 
Then I'll not be proudof my youth ormybeauty, 

Since both of them wither and fade; 
But gain a goovd name by well doing my duty;' 

This will fcent like a rofe when I'm dead.- 



r> 81. The Sluggard, Watts. 
'Tis the voice of a fluggard — I heard him 
complain, [again." 

" You have wak'd me too foon, Imuft llumber § 84. The Thief. Watts, 

As the door on its hinges, foliton hisbed[head. why fhould I deprive m.y neighbour 
Turns his fides :md his Ihoulders, and his heavy! Of his goods againft his will ? 
" A litt^iC more lleep and a little more fluml^er."! Hands were made for honeft labour, 
Thus he waltes half his days, and his hours! 

without number-; 
And when he gets up, he fits folding fiis hands. 



Not to plunder or to fteal. 
j 'Tis a foolifh felf-deceiving. 

By I'ucb tricks to hope for gain i 



Or walks about fauntring, or trifling he Hands j ^\\ that's ever o-ot by thievino- 
I pafs'd by his garden and faw tlve wild brier, | Turns to forrow, (hame, and pain. 
The thorn k the thiftle grow broader 5: higher ;j Have not Eve and Adam taught us 
The clothesthathangonhimareturnmgtorags;| Their fad profit to compute ? 
Andhismoneyftillwaftes,tillheftarvesorhebegs:Xo what difmal Itate they brought us, 
1 made him a vifit, ftill hoping to find I When they ftole forbidden fruit ! 

He had took better care for improving his mindj Oft we fee a young beginner 
Hetoldme hi sdreams,talk 'defeating &drinking, ' Pra6life little pilfering ways, 
But he icafce reads his Bible, and never loves,' Till grown up a hardened finners 

thinking. 
- Said I then to my heart, 

That man's but a picture of wlv.it I might be; 
ISiit thanks to my friends for their care in my 
breeding, [reading "! ' ' 

Who taught me betimes to love working and|Q^a,-d roy heart, O God of heaven, 

Lett I covet what's not mine ;. 
I2. Inmcent Play. Watts 



Then the galJows ends his days. 
Here's a lefibn for rae; \ Theft W'ili not be always hidden, 

Though we fancy none can fpy 1 
When we take a thing forbidden, 
God beholds it with his eye. 



Abr6a"d inthemeadows,tof€etheyonng1ambs, 
Hun fporting about by the fide of their uams. 

With fleeces fo cle m aiid fo white ; 
Or a neft of young doves in a large open cage, 
Where they playall inIove,v/ithoutangei or rage; 

How much we \\\iy icurn from the light i 



Left I fteal what is not given. 

Guard my heart and hands from fin. 



§ 85. Tie Ant, or Emmet. Watts. 
These emmet=, howlittle they are in our eves! 
We tread them to dull, and a troop of them 

dies, 
•* - Withovt 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



V/ithout our regard or concern: 
Ytrt as wHeas we aVe, if we went to their ichool. 
There's many a lluggard. and many a fool, 

Some ieilc'ns of wiidom nnglit learn. 
Theydon'twcar their time out iiifleeping or play? 
But gather np corn in a iim-fliiny day. 

And foi- winter they lay up their llores : 
They manage their work in fuch regular forms, 
One'wouUrthir.k they forelaw all tiie frolls and 
the Itorins, 

And fo broiight their food within doors. 
But I have lefs fenfe thana poor creeping ant? 
If I take not due care for the things I fliall want, 

Nor provide againft dangers in time : 
When death or old age Ihall ftare in my face, 
What a wretch fhall I be in the end of my days, 

If I trifle away all their prime ! 
Now, now, while my ftrength and my youth are 
in bloom, [fliall come, 

Let me think what will ferve me when flcknefs 

And pray that my flns be forgiven : 
Let me read in good books,and believe and obey, 
That, when death turns me out of this cottage 

I may dwell in a palace in heaven, [of clay, 



§ 86. GoodRefolutions. Watts. 

Though I am now in younger days. 

Nor can tell what fliall befal me, 
I'll prepare for ev'ry place 

Where my growing age fhall call me. 
Should I e'er be rich or great, 

Others fliall pajtake my goodnefs j 
I'll lupply the poor with meat. 

Never ihewing fcorn or rudenefs. 
Where I fee the blind or lame. 

Deaf or dumb, I'll kindly treat them 5 
I deferve to feel the fame ^ 

If I mock, or hurt, or cheat them. 
If I meet with railing tongues, 

Why fliould I return them railing? 
Since I beft: revenge my wrongs 

By my patience never failing. 
When I hear them telling lies, 

Talking foolifli, curfing, fwearing; 
Firft ril try to make them wife, 

Or TU foon go out of hearing. 
What thoug,h I be lew and mean, 

I'll engage the rich to love me, 
While I'm mcdefl:, neat and clean, 

And fubmit when they reprove me.i 
If I fhouid be poor and Tick, 

J fliall meet, I hope, with pity; 
Since I love to help the weak. 

Though they're neither fair nor witty. 
I'll not vvillingly offend. 

Nor be eafily offended : 
V/hnt's amifs I'll ftrive to mend, 

And endure what can't be mended. 



May I be fo watchful Hill 

d'tr my humours and luy paflion, 
As to (peak and do no ill. 

Though it (hould be all the fafliion! 
Wicked fiifliions lead to hellj 

Ne'er m:iy I be found complying; 
But in life behave fo well. 

Not to be afraid of dying. 



§ 87 . A Summer E'vening. Watts. 
How fine has the day been, how bright was 

the fun, 
Hov/ lovely and joyful the courfe that he run. 
Though he rofe in a rnilt whenhis race he begun. 

And there followed fome droppings of rain I 
But now the fair traveller's come to the weft. 
His rays all are gold, and his beauties are beftj 
He paints the flcy gay as he finks to his reft. 

And foretels a bright rifing again. 
Juft fuch is the Chriftian : his courfe he begins 
Like the fun in a mift,whenhemourns for hisfms. 
And melts into tearsjthenhe breaks out &fliines. 

And travels his heavenly way : 
But, when he comes nearer to finifli his race. 
Like a fine fetting fun, he looks richer in grace, 
And gives a fure hope at the end of his days 

Of rifing in brighter array ! 



§ 88. A Cradle Hymn, Watts. 
Hush ! my dear, lie ftill and flumber, 

Holy angels guard thy bed ! 
Heav'nly blefllngs, without number, 

Gently falling on thy head. 

Steep, my babe ! thy food and raim.ent, 
Houle and home, thy friends provide i 

All without thy care or payment, 
All thy wants are well kjpplied. 

How much better thou'rt attended 
Than the Son of God could bej 

When from heav'n he defcended. 
And became a child like thee I 

Soft and eafy is thy cradle, 

Coarfe and hard thy Saviour lay; 

When his birth-place was a ftable. 
And his fofteft bed was hay. 

Blefled babe 1 what glorious features 
Sporlefs fair ! divinely bright ! 

Muft he dwell with brutal creatures ? 
How could angels bear the fight? 

Was there nothing but a manger 

Curfed finners could afi-brd, 
To receive the heav'nly ftranger ? 

Did they thus affront their Lord ? 
Soft, my child ! I did not chide thee, 

Though my fong might found too hard f 

And her arms lliall be thy guard. 



• Here ycu may ufe the words Brother, S'ljier, NdghUur, Friend, &c» 



Yet 



3b ook L 



SACRED ANb MORAL 



Yet to read the fhameful ftory, 

How the Jews abusM their King, 
How they fcrv'd the Lord of glory. 

Makes me angry while I fmg. 
See the kinder (hepherds round him. 

Telling wonders from the (ky ! 
Where they fought him. there they found him, 

With his Virgin mother by. 
See the lovely babe a-d re (hng, 

Lovely Infant, how he fmil'd ! 
When he wept, the Mother's "Elefling 

SoothM and hufli'd the holy child. 

Lo, he {lumbers in his manger, 

Where the horned oxen fed : 
Peace, my darling, here 's no danger^ 

Here 's no ox a-near thy bed. 
'Twas to fave thee, child, from dyings 

Save my dear from burning flame, 
Bitter groans, and endlefs crying, 

That thy bleft Redeemer came. 
May'ft thou live to know and fear him, 

Trull and love him all thy daysj 
Then go dwell for ever near him, 

See his face^ and ling his praife ! 
I could give thee thoufand kilTes, 

Hoping what I mufl delire; 
Not a mother's fondeft wifhes 

Can to greater joys afpire. 



^ 89. "The Nunc Dimitis, Merrick. 
*Tis enough— the hour is come: 
Now within the filent tomb 
Let this mortal frame decay, 
Mingled with its kindred clayj 
Since thy mercies, oft of old 
By thy chofen feers foretold. 
Faithful now and ftedfafl prove,, 
God of truth, and God of love ! 
Since at length my aged eye 
Sees the day-fpring from on high ! 
Son of righteoufnefs, to thee, 
Lo ! the nations bow the knse ; 
And the realms of diftant kings 
Own the healing of thy wings. 
Thofe whom death had overi'pread 
With his dark and dreary fhade, 
Lift their eyes, and from afar 
Hail the light of Jacob's Star j 
AVaiting till the promised ray 
Turn their darknefs into day. 
See the beams, intenfely fhed, 
Shine o'er Sion's favour'd head! 
Never may they hence remove, 
God of truth, and God of love 1 



§ 90. The Benedidt'e pcycpbyafed. Merrick, 
Ye works of God, on him alone. 
In earth his footftool, heav'n his throne. 

Be all your praife beirovs'^d ; 
Whofe hand the beauteous fabric made, 
Whofe eye the finifhi'd work furvey'd. 

And faw that all was s:ood, 



Ye angels, that with loud acclaim 
Admiring view'd the new-born frame. 

And haiPd the Eternal King,^ 
Again proclaim yonr Maker's praife 5 
Again your thankful voices raife, 

And touch the tuneful firing. 

PrafTe him, ye bleft sethcreal plains. 
Where, in full majelly, he deigns 

To fix his avvful throne: 
Ye waters that above him. roll, 
From orb to orb, from pole to pole, 

O make his praifes known 1 

Ye thrones, do^^JJ^'^riSy virtues, pow'rs> 
Join ye ydiir joyful longs with oursj 

With us your voices raife; 
From age to age extend the lay. 
To Heaven's Eternal Monarch pay 

Hymns of eternal praife. 

Celeftial orb ! whofe powerful ray 
Opes the glad eyelids of the day, 

Whofe influence all things ovv^n ; 
Praife him, whofe courts effulgent fl?in^ • 
With light as far excelling thine. 

As thine 'Jie paler moon. 

Ye glitt'ring planets of the fky, 
Whofe lamps the abfent fun fupply^ 

With him the fong purfue; 
And let himfelf fubmiiTive own. 
He borrov/s from a brighter Sun 

The light he lends to you. 

Ye fhow'rs and dews, whofe moiilure fiiecl 
Calls into life the op'ning feed, 

To him your praifes yield, 
Whofe influence wakes the genial birth^ 
Drops fatnefs on the pregnant earth. 

And crowns the laughing field. 

Ye winds, that oft tempefliuous fweep 
The ruffied furface of the deep, 

With us confefs your God; 
See thro' the heav'ns the King of kingSj 
Upborne on your expanded wings. 

Come flying all abroad. 

Ye floods of fire, where'er ye flow. 
With jull fubmiflion humbly bow 

To his fliperior pow'r, 
Who flops the ternpelt on its way. 
Or bids the flaming deluge flray. 

And gives it Itrength to roar. 

Ye fummer's heat, and winter's cold^ 
By turns in long fucceflion roll'd, 

The drooping ^vorld to cheer, 
Praife him who gave the fun and m.oon. 
To lead the various feafons on. 

And guide the cii-cling year. 

Ye frofrs, that bind the w^at^y plain. 
Ye fllent fhdw'rs of fleecy rain, 

Pur/ue the heav 'nly theme; 
Praife him who Iheds the driving fnow, 
Forbids the. harden'd waves to flow, 

And flops the rapid flream. 



Xe 



66 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book t 



Ve days and nights, that fwiftly borne 
From morn to eve, from eve to morn, 

Alternate glide away, 
Praife him, whole never- vaiying light, 
Ablent, adds horror to the night, 

But, prefent, gives the day. 

Light, from whofe rays all beauty fpringS J 
Darknefs, whofe wide-expanded wings 

Involve the duiky globe j 
Praife him who, when the heav'ns he fpread, 
iDarknefs his thick pavilion made. 

And light his regal robe. 

Praife him, )'^e lightnings, as ye fly 
Wing'd with his vengeance thro' the (ky,> 

And red with wrath divine; 
Praife him, ye clouds that WvandVing ftray. 
Or, fixM by him, in clofe array 

Sarround his awful flirine. 

Exalt, O Earth! thy Heav'nly King, 
Who bids the plants that form the fpring 

With annual verdure bloom; 
Whofe frequent drops of kindly rain, 
Prolific fwell the rip'ning grain. 

And blefs thy fertile womK 

Ye mountaihsj that ambitious rife, 
And heave your iummits to the Ikies, 

Revere his awful nod; 
Think how you once affrighted fled; 
When Jordan fought his fountain-head, 

And own'd the approaching God. 

Ve trees, that fill the rural fcene; 

Ye flowVs, that o'er the enameird green 

In nntive beauty reign ; 
O praife the Ruler of the fkies, 
Whofe hand the genial fap fhpplies, 

And clothes the lii:iiling plain. 

Ye fecret fprings, ye gentle rills, 
That murm'ring rife among the hills. 

Or fJl the Immble vale; 
Praife him, at whofe Almighty nod 
The rugged rock diffolving flow'd, 

And formed a fpringi ng well. 

Praife him, yj floods, and feas profound, 
Whofe waves the fpacious earth furround. 

And roll from fiiore to fhore; 
Aw'd by his voice, ye feas, fu'ofide ; 
Ye floods, within your channels glide, 

And tremble and adore. 

Ye whales, tliat ftir the boiling deep, 
Or in its dark recefles fleep. 

Remote from human eye," 
Praife him by v/hom ye all are fed ; 
Praife him, without whofe heavenly aid 

Ye languifh, faint, and die. 

Ye birds, exalt/ our Maker's name; 
Begin, and with th' important theme 

Your artlefs lays improve ; 
Wake with your fongs the rifmg day, 
Let mufic found on ev'ry fpray, 

And ilU tl e vocal grove. 



Praife him, ye beafl:s, that nightly roam 
Amid the fblitary gloom, 

Th' expe6led prey to feize; 
Ye flaves of the laborious plough, 
Yoiir fhibborn necks fubmiffive bow. 

And bend your wearied knees. 

Ye fbns of men, his praife difplay, 
Who flamp'd his image on your clay* 

And gave it pow'r to rnove; 
Ye that in Judah's confines dwell, 
From age to age fuccefhve teil 

The vv'onders of his love. 

Let Levi's tribe the lay prolong. 
Till angels lilten to the fong, 

And bend attentive down ; 
Let wonder feize the heavenly train, 
PleasM while they hear a mortal llraiil 

So fweet, fo like their own. 

And you yotir thankful voices join. 
That oft at Salem's facred flirine 

Before his altars kneel; 
Where thron'd iji m.ajefty he dwells^ 
And from thy rayltic cloud reveals 

The diftates of his will. 

Ye fpirits of the jufl: and good, 
That, eager for the blefs ""d abode. 

To heavenly raanfions foarj 
O let your fongs his praife difplay. 
Till heaven itfelf fhall melt away, 

And time fhall be no more 1 

Praife him, ye meek and humble train^ 
Ye faints, whom his decrees ordain 

The boundlefs blifs to flhiare ; 
O praife him, till ye take your way 
To regions of eternal day, 

And reign for ever there* 

Let us, who now impafllve fl:and, 
Aw'd by the tyrant's fliern command. 

Amid the fiery blaze ; 
While thus we triumph in the flame, 
Rife, and our Maker's love proclaim, 

In hymns of endlefs praife. 



§ 91. The Ignorance of Man. Merrick* 
Behold yon new-born infant griev'd 

With hunger, thirfl:, and pain; 
That afks to have the wants reliev'd. 

It knotvs not to complain. 

Aloud the fpeechlefs fuppliant cries. 

And utters, as it can, 
The woes that in its bofom rife. 

And fpeak its nature— ^man. 

That infant, whofe advancing hour 

Life's various forrows tiy 
(Sad proof of fin's tranfmiflive pow'r), 

That infant. Lord, am I* 

A childhood yet my thoughts confefs^ 

Though long in years mature; 
Unknowing whence I feel diftrefs, 

And where, or what, its cure. 

Author 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



^7 



Author of good ! to thee I turn: 

Thy ever- wakeful eye 
Alone can all my wants difcern j 

Thy hand alone fupply. 

O let thy fear within me dwell, 

Thy love my footfteps guide; 
Tha: love fliall vainer loves expel; 

That fear all fears bellde. 
And, oh ! by error's force fubdued, 

Since oft ray ftubborn v/ill 
Prepoft'rous (huns the latent good, 

And grafps the fpecious ill j 
Not to my wifli, but to ray want, 

Do thou thy gifts apply: 
Ujiafk'd, what good thou knoweft grant j 

Wliat ill, tho' alk'd, deny. 



§ 92. The 'trials of Virtue, Merrick. 

Plac'd ©n the verge of youth, my mind 
Life's opening fcene farvey'd: 

1 view'd its ills of various kind, 
Afflicted and afraid. 

But chief my feair the dangers mov'd. 

That virtue's path inclofe : 
My heart the wife purfuit approved j 

But, oh, what toils oppofe ! 

For fee ! ah fee ! while yet her ways 

With doubtful ftep I tread, 
A holHle world its terrors raife, 

It5 fnares delufive fpread. 

Oh how fhall I, with heart prepar'd, 

Thofe terrors learn to meet ? 
How from the thoufand fnares to guard 

My unexperienced feet ? 
As thus I mus'd opprefTive fleep 

Soft oVr my temples drew 
Oblivion's veil.— The watVy deep, 

An objeft ilrange and new. 

Before me rofe: on the wide Ihore 

Obfervant as 1 flood, 
The gathering ftorms around me roar, 

And heave the boiling flood. 

Near and more near the billows rife } 

E'en now my fteps they lave ! 
And death to my affrighted eyes 

Approach'd in ev'ry wave. 

What hope, or whither to retreat ! 

Each nerve at once unftrung. 
Chill fear had fetter'd fall my feet. 

And chain'd my ipeechlefs tongue. 

I feel my hearfe within me die; 

When ludden to mine ear 
A voice, defcending from on high, 

Reprov'd my erring fear : 

* What tho' the fwelling furge thou fee 

* Impatient to devour ; 

* Reft, mortal, reft on God's decree, 

* And thankful own his powV. 



' Know, when he bade the deep appear, 
" Thus far," th' Almighty faid, 

'' Thus far, nor farther, rage; and here^ 
" Let thy proud waves be ftay'd." 

I heard ; and, lo ! at once controul'd, 

The v/aves, in wild retreat. 
Back on themfelves reluftant roU'd, 

And murmuring left my feet. 

Deeps to aflembling deeps in vain 

Once more the lignal gave : 
The fhores the rufhing weight fuftaln. 

And check th* ufurping wave. 

Convinc'd, in Nature's volume wife, 

The imag'd truth I read; 
And fudden from my waking eyes 

Th' inilruftive vifion fled. 

' Then why thus heavy, O my foul ! 

' Say why, diftruilful ftill, 
' Thy thoughts v.'ith vain impatience roll 

* O'er fcenes of future ill ? 

• Let faith fupprefs each rifing fear, 

* Each anxious doubt exclude ; 

^ Thy Maker's will has plac'd thee here, 

* A Maker wife and good ! 

•He to thy ev'iy trial knows 

* Its juft rellraint to give; 
Attentive to behold thy woes, 
' And faithful to relieve. 

Then why thus heavy, O my foul ! 
■ ' Say why, diftruftfal ftill, 
Thy thoughts with vain impatience roll 

* 0"er fcenes of future ill ? 

Tho' griefs unnumber'd throng thee round 
' Still in thy God confide, 
Whofe finger marks the feas their bound, 

* And curbs the headlong tide.' 



§93. Cbriji's PaJJlon : from a Greek Ode of Mr, 
Mafters, formerly of Ne^w Co- lege. Pitt. 

No more of earthly fubjefts fing; 
To heaven, my mafe, afpire; 
To raife the fong, charge ev'ry fcring, 

And ftrike the living lyre. 
Begin, in lofty numbers fhow 

Th' Eternal King's unfathom'd love. 

Who reigns the Sov'reign God above. 
And fufters on the crofs below. 
Prodigious pile of wc^nders ! rais'd too high 
For the dim ken of frail mortality. 

What numbers ftiall I bring along ? 

From whence fliali I begin the fong ? 
The mighty rayftery I '11 fing, infpir'd, 
Beyond the reach of human wifdom wrought, 
Beyond the compafs of an angel's thought. 
How by the rage of man his God expired- 
I '11 make the trackleis depths of mercy known. 
How to redeem his foe God render'd up his Son ; 
I'll raife my voice to tell mankind 

The vidtor's conqueft o'er his doom j 
How in the grave he lay confin'd. 

To feal more fure the ravenous tomb. 

F 2 Three 



€3 



feLEGANT EXTRACT Si 



S K ti 



Three days, tli* infernal empire to fubdue, 
He pafs'd triumphant through the coafts of woe; 
With his own dart the tymnt Death he flew, 
And led Hell captive through her realms below. 

A mingled found from Calvary I hear, 
And the loud tumult thickens on my ear. 
The ihouts of murdVers, that infulttheflain, 
The voice of torment, and the fhrieks of pain. 

I call my eyes v/ith horror up 

To the curll mountain's guilty top ; 
See there ! whom hanging in the midft I view ! 
Ah ! how unlike the other two ! 
I fee him high above his foes, 
And gently bending from the wood 
His head in pity down to thofe 
Whofe guilt confpires to (hed his blood. 

His wide-extended arms I fee 

Transfixed with nails, and falien'd to the tree: 

Man, fenfelefs man ! canft thou look on, 

Nor make thy Saviour's pains thy own ? 

The rage of all thy grief exert, 

Rend thy garments and thy heart: 

3jeat thy breaft, and grovel low, 

Beneath the burden of thy woe ; 

Bleed through thy bowels, tear thy hairs, 
i^rtathe gales of fighs, and weep a flood of tears. 

Behold thy King, with purple covered round; 
Not in the Tyrian tin6lures dyed, 

Nor dipt in poifon of Sidonian pride ; 
But in his own rich blood that llreams from 
every wound. 

Dofl thou not fee the thorny circled red ? 
The guilty wreath iliatbluflies round his head ! 
And with what rage the bloody fcourge applied 
Curls round his limbs, and ploughs into his fide. 
At fuch a iight let all thy anguifii rife; 
Break up, break up the fountains of thy eyes. 
Here bid thy tears in gufhing torrents flow. 
Indulge thy grief, and give a loofe to woe. 

V/eep from thy foul, till earth be drown'd ; 

Weep, till thy forrows drench the ground. 
Canft thou, ungrateful man ! his torments fee, 
Nor drop a tear £or him, who pours his blood 
for thee ? 



§ 94. A FuJieral Bymn. Mallet, 

Ve midnight fhades, o'er nature fpread! 

Dumb lilence of the dreary hour! 

In honour of th' approaching dead. 

Around your awful terrors pour. 

Yes, pour around 

On this pale ground 
Through all this deep furrounding gloom, 

The fober thought, 

The tear untaught, 
Thofe meetefc mourners at a tomb. 

Lo ! as the furplic'd train drew near 
To this iaft manfion of mankind. 
The flow fad bell, the fable bier. 
In holy mufing wrapt the mindl 
And v/liile their beam, 
With treanbling llream. 



Attending tapers faintly dart J 
Each mould'ring bone, 
Each fculptur'd Itone, 
Strikes mute inftruftion to the heart! 
Nov/ let the facred organ blow. 
With folemn paufe, and founding flow;~ 
Now let the voice due meafure keep, 
In flirains that figh, and words that weep; 
Till all the vocal current blended roll, 
Not to deprefs, but lift the foaring foul : 
To lift it in the Maker's praife. 

Who firfl inform'd our frame with breath j 
And, after fome few flormy days. 

Now, gracious, gives us o'er to death. 
No King of Fears 
In him appears. 
Who fliuts the fcene of human woes: 
Beneath his fhade 
Securely laid. 
The dead alone find true repofe. 
Then, while we mingle duft with duft. 

To One, fupremeiy good and wife, 
Raife hallelujahs ! God is juft, 

And man moft happy when he dies \ 
His winter pall, 
Fair fpring at iaft 
Receives him on her flow'ry ftiQip 1 
Where pieafure's rofe 
Immortal blows, 
And fm and forrovv are no more ! 



§ 95. Fcni Creator SpirituSi paraphrafed, 

Dryden. 

Creator Spirit, by whofe aid 

The world's foundations firfl were laid. 

Come vifit ev'ry pious mind ; 

Come pour thy joys on human kind. 

From iin and forroAV fet us free. 

And make thy temples worthy thee. 

O fource of uncreated light, 
The Father's promis'd Paraclete ! 
Thrice holy fount, thrice holy fire, 
Our hearts with heavenly love infpire;. 
Come, and thy facred un6tion bring 
To fanCtify us, while we fing. 

Plenteous of grace, defcendfrom high. 
Rich in thy fevenfold energy ! 
Thou ftrength of his Almighty hand. 
Whole pow'r does heaven and earth command* 
Proceeding Spirit, our defence. 
Who doll the gift of tongues difpenfe, 
x-\nd crov.'n thy gift with eloquence ! 

Reflne and purge our earthly parts ; 
But, oh, inflame and fire our hearts 1 
Our frailties help, our vice controul. 
Submit tlic fenfcs to th-e foul ; 
And when rebellious they are grown. 
Then lay thy hand, and hold them down. 
Chafe from our m.inds th' infernal fot. 
And peace, the fruit of love, bellow. 
And, lefi: our feet fhould ftep afrray, 
Proteft and guide us in the way. 



Book T. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



69 



Make us eternal truth receive. 

And pradife all that we believe: 
Give u? thyfelf that we may fee 
The Father, and the Son, by thee. 
Immortal honour, endlefs fame. 
Attend th' Almighty Father's name: 
Thy Saviour fon be glorified, 
Who for loft man's redemption died; 
And equal adoration be. 
Eternal Paraclete, to thee ! 



§ 95. On True Nobilitj. Dryden's Juvenal. 
Nobility of blood 



Is but a glitt'ring and fallacious good. 

The Nobleman is he, whofe noble mind [kind. 

Is fiird with inbred worth, unborrowed from his 

Virtue alone is true nobility: 

Let your own a£ts immortalize your name, 

'Tis poor relying on another's fame : 

For take the pillJ^'s but away, and all 

The (bperltru^Slure muit in ruins fall j 

As a viiie droops, when by divorce remov'd 

From the embraces of the elm Ihe lov'd. 



§ 97. A Night Piece. Mifs Carter. 
While night iv^, folemn fhade inverts the pole, 
And calm reiie6^ion fooths the penfive foul. 
While reafon undiilurb'd aiferts her fway. 
And life's deceitful colours fade away; 
To thee ! all-confcious Prefence ! I devote 
This peaceful interval of fober thought : 
Here all my better faculties confine; 
And be this hour of lacred filence thine ! 

If, by the day's illufive fcenes milled, 
My erring foul from virtue's path has ftray'd ; 
Snar'd by example, or by paifion warm'd. 
Some falfe delight my giddy fenfehas charm'd; 
Mycalmerthoughtsthe wretched choice reprove. 
And my beft hopes are center'd in thy love. 
Depriv'd of this can life one joy afford ? 
Its utmoft boait a vain unmeaning word. 

But, ah ! how oft my lawlefs palTions rove, 
And break thofe awful precepts I approve ! 
Purfue the fatal impulfe I abhor. 
And violate the virtue I adore 1 
Oft when thy better Spirit's guardian care 
Warn'd my fond foul tofnunthe tempting fnare. 
My Itubborn will his gentle aid reprels'd, 
And check'd the riling goodneis in my breafl ; 
Mad with vain hopes, or urg'd by falfe defires, 
Stiii'dhis fott voice, and quench'dhisfacredfires. 

With grief opprefs'd,and proftrate in the duft, 
Shouldfl thou condemn, I own thy fentence juft. 
But, oh 1 thy fofter titles let me claim, 
And plead my caufe by Mercy's gentle name. 
Mercy ! that wipes the penitential tear, 
And diffipates tlie hon'ors of defpair ; 
From righteous juftice flealsthe vengeful hour, 
Softens the dreadful attribute of pow'r, 
Difarms the wrath of an offended God, 
And feals my pardon in a Saviour's blood ! 

All powe'rtul Grace, exert thy gentle fway, 
And teach my rebel palfions to obey j 



Left lurking Folly, with infidious art, 
Regain my volatile inconflant heart 1 
Shall every high refblve Devotion frames 
Be only lifelefs founds and fpecious names ? 
Oh rather, while thy hopes and fears controul. 
In this ftill hour, each motion of my foul. 
Secures its fafety by a fudden doom. 
And be the foft retreat of fleep my tomb I 
Calm let me fluraber in that dark repofe. 
Till the laft morn its orient beam difclofe : 
Then, when the great archangel's potent found 
Shall echo thro' creation's ample round, 
Wak'd from the fleep of death, with joy furvey 
The opening fplendours of eternal day, 



§ 98. Ode to Melancholy. Carter* 
Come, Melancholy! filent pow'r. 
Companion of my lonely hour. 

To fbber thought confin'd I 
Thou fweetly fad ideal gueft. 
In all thy Toothing charms confefl. 

Indulge my penfive mind. 

No longer wildly hurried through 

The tides of mirth, that ebb and flow , 

In folly's noify flream, 
I from the bufy crowd retire. 
To court the objects that inlpire 

Thy philofophic dream. 

Thro' yon dark grove of mournful yewg, 
With fblitary Heps I mufe, 

By thy direftion led : 
Here, cold to pleafures tempting forms^ 
Confbciate with my filler worms. 

And mingle with the dead. 

Ye midnight horrors, awful gloom I 
Ye filent regions of the tomb, 

My future peaceful bed: 
Here fliall my weary eyes be clos'dji 
And ev'ry forrow lie repos'd 

In death's refrefhing fliade. 

Ye pale inhabitants of night. 
Before my intellectual fight 

In folemn pomp afcend : 
O tell how trifling now appears 
The train of idle hopes and fears. 

That varying life attend 1 
Ye faithlefs idols of our fenfe. 
Here own how vain the fond pretencCg 

Ye empty names of joy ! 
Your tranfient forms like ihadows pafs, 
Frail offspring pf the magic glafs. 

Before the fnentaJ eye. 

The dazzling colours, fallely bright^ 
Attra6t the gazing vulgar fight 

With fuperficial ftat^^ 
Thro' reafon's clearer optics vievv'd. 
How llripp'd of all its pomp, how rude 

Appears the painted cheat 1 
Can wild ambition's tyrant pow'r, • 
Or ill got wealth's fuperfluous flore, 

The dread of death controul ? 

f 3 Catt 



70 

Csn pleafure's more bewitching charms 
Avert or (both the dire alarms 

That Ihake the parting foul ? 
Reiii^ion ! ere the hand of Fate 
Shall make refleiftion plead too late, 

My erring fenles teach, 
Araidll the flalt'ring hopes of youth, 
To meditate the Iblemn truth 

Thefe awful relics preach. 
Thy penetrating beams difperfe- 
The mift of error, whence our fears 

Derive their fatal Spring ; 
'Tis thine the trembling heart to warm, 
And ibften to an angel form 

The pale terrific king. 

When, funk by guilt in fad defpair, 
Repert-'-nce breathes her humble pray'r, 

.-^nd owns thy thitat'nings juft; 
Thy wice the flauddVing fuppliant cheers,' 
With mercy cairns her torturing fears, 

A!)d lifts her from the duft. 
Sr.^lin'd by thee, the foul afpires 
Beyond the range of low defires, 

lii jioo'er views elate: 
Unmov'd her diftant change furveys, 
And, arm'd by faith, intrepid pays 

The univer/:d debt. 

In death's foft fmm.ber lulPd to reft. 
She fleeps by fmiling vifions bleft, 

That gently whifper peace; 
Till the laii moin's fair opening ray 
Unfolds the bright eternal day 

Ofaaivelifeandblifs. 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Boo 



Thy life may all the tend'reft care 

Of Providence defend ; 
And delegated angels round 

Their guardian wings extend ! 
"When thro' creations vaft expanfe 

The laft dread thunders rod, 
Untune the concord of the inheres. 

And (liake the rifing foul ; 
Unmov'd may 'ft thou the final ftorm 

Of jarring worlds furvey, 
That ufliers in the glad ferene 

Of everiafting day ! 



§ 99. IFritien at Midnight in a 'thunder 
Storm. Carter. 
Let coward Guilt, with pallid Feai*, 

To fhel taring caverns fly, 
And jiiftly dread the vengeful fate 

That thunders through the fky. 
Protefted by that hand, whofe law 

The threat'ning ftorm s obey, 
Intrepid virtue fmiles fecure, 

As in the blaze of day. 

In the thick cloud's tremendous gloom, 

The lightning's lurid glare, 
It views the fame al!-gracious Pow'r 

That breathes the vernal air. 
Thro' Nature's over-varying fcene. 

By different ways purfued. 
The one eternal end of Heav'n 

Is univerfal good : 

With like beneficent effeft 

O'er flaming a;ther glows, 
As when it tunes the linnet's voice. 

Or bluOies in the rofe. 

By reafon taught to fcorn thofe fears 

That vulgar minds moleft. 
Let no fantaftic terrors break 

My de;ir ^.'arcifla's reft. 



§ 100- 'T^he Vanity of Human Wijhes. 

Johnfon. 
In Imitation of the Tenth Satire ofjwvenal, 
"Let * obfervation with extenfive view 
Survey mankind, from China to Peru ; 
Rem.ark each anxious toil, each eager ftrife, 
And watch the bufy fcenes of crowded life: 
Th.en fay how hope and fear, defire and hate, 
O'erfpread with fnares the clouded maze of fate. 
Where wav'ring man, betray 'd by vent'rous 

pride 
To tread the dreary paths without a guide j 
As treach'rous phantoms in the mift delude. 
Shuns fancied ills, or chaies airy good : 
How rarely reafon guides the ftubborn choice, 
Rules the bold hand, or prompts the fuppliant 

voice : 
How nations fink by darling fchemes bppreft, 
When vengeance liftens to the foo^s requeft. 
Fate wings with ev'iy wifn th' atBic^ive dart, 
Each gift of nature, and each grace of art ; 
With fatal heat impeteous courage glows, 
With fatal fweetnefs elocution flows ? 
Impeachn-ient ftopsthefpeaker's powerfulbreath. 
And reitiefs fire precipitates on death. [bold 

+ But, i'carce obierv'd, the knowing and the 
Fall in the gen'ral m,alTacre of gold ; 
Wide-wafting peft ! that rages unconfin'd, 
And crowds with crimes therecordsof mankind' 
For gold his fword the hiieling ruffian «.iraws. 
For gold the hireling judge diftorts the.laws ; 
Wealth heap'd on wealth nor truth nor fafety 
The dangers gather as thetreafures rife, [buys ; 

Let hilt'r)^ tell, where rival kings command. 
And dubious title fliake^^ the madden'd land. 
When liatutes glean the refufe of the fword, 
Uow much more fafe the valTal than the lord : 
Low fculks the hind beneath the rage of pow'r. 
And leaves the wealthy traitor in the Tow'r, 
Untouch'd his cottage, and his {lumbers found, 
Tho' confifcation's vultures hover round. 

The needy traveller, lerene and ga^y. 
Walks the wild heath, and fmgs his toil away. 
Does envy feize thee? crufti th' upbraiding joy j 
Increafe his riches, and his peace deftroy. 
New fears in dire vicifhtude invade, 
The ruftling break alanr.Sjand quiv'ring (hade ; 
Nor light nor darknefs brings his pain relief, 
One fliews the plunder, and one hides the thief. 

Yet 
» Ver. I— II, f Ver. iz-^22. 



Book I, 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



Yet * ftill one general cry the fkies afTails, 
And gain and grandeur load the tainted gales ; 
Few k iow the toiling llatefman's fear or care, 
Th' infidious rival and the gaping heir. 

Once f more, Democritus, aril'e on earth. 
With cheerful wifdom and inibuclive mirth, 
See motley life in modern trappings dreft, 
And feed v/ith varied fools th' eternal jeft : 
Thou who couldit laugh where want enchained 

caprice, 
Toil crufli'd conceit, and man was of a piece ; 
Where wealth unlov'd without a mourner died. 
And fcarce a fycophant was fed by pride; 
Where ne 'er was known the form of mock debate, 
Or feen a new mide mayor's unwieldy ftate ; 
Where change of fav'ritesmade nochangeof laws, 
And fenates heard before they jadg'd acaufe; 
How wouldilthoufliakeatBri tain's modi/h tribe, 
Part the quick taunt,and edge the piercing gibe ? 
Attentive truth and nature tc defcry. 
And pierce each fcene with philoibphic eye, 
To thee were folemn toys or empty fliow. 
The robes of pleafure and the veils of woe : 
All aid the farce, and all thy mirth maintain, 
Whofe joysare cauielefs, or whofe griefs are vain. 

Such was the fcorn that filPd the fage's mind, 
Renew'd at every glance on human kind j 
How jull that fcorn ere yet thy voice declare. 
Search every ftate, and canvafs ev'ry prayV, 

J Unnumbered fuppliants crowd Preferment's 
gate, 
A thirft for wealth, and burning to be great; 
Delufive Fortune hears th' incelTant call, 
They mount, they fhine, evaporate, and fall. 
On ev'ry Ilage the foes of peace attend. 
Hate dogs their flight, and in fult mocks their end. 
Love ends with hope,the fnikingftatefman'sdoor 
Pours in the moniing worfhipper no more ; 
For growing names the weekly fcribbler lies. 
To growing wealth the dedicator flies; 
From ev'ry room defcends the painted face. 
That hung the bright palladium of the place. 
And fmok'd in kitchens, or in au6lions fold. 
To better features yields the frame of gold ; 
For now no more we trace in ev'iy line 
Heroic worth, benevolence divine: 
The form diftorted juftifies the fall. 
And deteftation rids th' indignant wall. 
But will not Britain hear the laft appeal. 
Sign her foes doom, or guard her fav'rites zeal ? 
Thro'Freedomsfonsnomoreremonftrance rings, 
Degrading nobles and controuling kings ; 
Our fupple tribes reprefs their patriot throats. 
And aflc no queftions but the price of votes i 
With weekly libels and feptennial ale. 
Their wifti is full, to riot and to rail. 

In full-bloom dignity, fee Wolfey ftand. 
Law in his voice, and fortune in his hand : 
To him the church, the realm, their pow'rs con 
Thro' him the rays of regal bounty fhine ; [fign. 



Turn'd by his nod the llream of honour flows. 
His fniile alone fecurity beftows : 
Still to new heights his reftlefs wifhes tow'r; 
Claim leads to claim, and pow'r advances pow'r; 
Till conquefl unrefifted ceas'd lo pleafe. 
And rights fubmitted left him none to feize. 
At length his fovereign frowns — the train of ftate 
Mark the keen glance, and watch the fign to hate. 
Where'er he turns he meets a ftranger's eye. 
His fuppliants fcorn him, and his followers fly: 
Now drops at once the pride of awful ftate. 
The golden canopy, the glitt'ring plate. 
The regal palace, the luxurious board. 
The liv'ried army, and the menial lord. 
With age, with cares, with maladies oppreft. 
He feeks the refuge of monaftic reft. 
Grief aids difeafe, remember'd folly ftings. 
And his laft fighs reproach the faith of kings. 

Speak thou, whofe thoughts at humble peace 
repine. 
Shall Wolfey's wealthwithWolfey's endbe thine? 
Or liv'ft thou now, with fafer pride content. 
The wifeft juftice on the banks of Trent ! 
For why did Wolfey, near the fteeps of fate. 
On weak fo\mdationsraife th' enormous weight ? 
Why but to fink, beneath misfortune's blow, 
With loudei- ruin to the gulphs below ? 

What § gave great Villicrs to th' affafTrn's knife, 
And fix-'d difeafe on Harley's clcfmg life ? 
What raurder'd Went worth, and what exiPd 

Hyde, 
By kings protefted, and to king's ally'd ? 
What but their wifh indulg'd in courts to fhine. 
And pow'r too great to keep, or to refign ? 

When II firft the college rolls receive his name. 
The young enthufiaft quits hiseafe for fame; 
Refifllefs burns the fever of renown. 
Caught from the ftrong contagion of the gown: 
O'er Bodley's dome his future libours fpread. 
And ff Bacon's manfion trembles o'er his head. 
Are thefe thy views ? proceed, illuftrious youth. 
And Virtue guard thee to the throne of Truth I 
Yet fliould thy foul indulge the gen'rous he.at. 
Till captive Science yields her laft retreat; 
Should Reafon guide thee -with her brightelt ray» 
And pour on mifty Doubt refiftlefs day: 
Should no falfe kindnefs lure to loofe delight. 
Nor praife relax, nor difficulty fright; 
Should tempting Novelty thy cell refrain. 
And Sloth elfufe her opiate fumes in vain; 
Should Beauty blunt on fops her fatal dart. 
Nor claim the triumph of a letterM heart; 
Should no Difeafe thy torpid veins invade. 
Nor Melancholy's phantoms haunt thy fhade; 
Yet hope not life from grief or danger free. 
Nor think the doorai of man revers'd for thee s 
Deign on the paffing world to turn thine eyes. 
And paufe a while from learning, to be wife ; 
There mark wliat ills tlie fcholar'^s life aifail. 
Toil, envy, want, the patroji, and the jail. 

* Ver. 23—27. f Ver. 28—55, t ^^r. 56—107. § Ver. 108—113^. || Ver. 114—1320 
m Tliere is a tradition, that the ftvidy of friar Bacon, bujlt oi> an arch over the. bridge, will fall when 
A man greater Uiaii Bacon flvtU pafs uAU.er i;». 

F4 S(f4 



$« 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



See nations flowl)' wife, and meanly j aft. 
To buried merit raife the tardy buft. 
It" dreams yet flatter, once again attend, 
llf ar Lydiat's life *, and Galileo's end. 

Nor deem, whenLearning her lailprizebeftowSj 
The glltt'ring eminence exempt tVom fces} 
See, when the vulgar 'fcapes, defpisM or aw'd, 
Rebellion's vengetul talons leize on Laud. 
From meaner minds, tho' fmaller fines content, 
The plun<ler"d palace or fequefterVl rent; 
M^rk'd out by dang- rous parts he meets thefhock 
And fatal Learning leads him^ to the block: 
Around his tomb let Art and Genius weep, 
But hear his dtath, ye blockheads, hear and ileep. 

The f fcftal bia/.Co, the triumplial fliow, 
The ravi(h'd ijtandard, and the captive foe, 
The ftnate's thanks, the gazette's pojgipous tale, 
With force rcfutlcfs o'er the brave prevail. 
Such bribco the r;.pid Greek o'er Aiia whirl'd, 
iPor fuch the ileady Romans (hook the world 5 
For fuch in diftant lands the Britons fliine. 
And ftain with blood the Danube or tl'.e Rhine ^ 
This pow'rhas praii'e, that virtue fcarce can warm 
Till fame lupplies the univerfai charm. 
Yet Reaibn frowns on War's unequal game, 
Where waited nations raiie a fmgie name. 
And mortgag'dftates their graiidfires wreaths re- 
From age to age in, everl?.(ting debt; [gi"et, 
\yreaths whicli at laftthe dear-bouglit right con- 
To ruft on medals, or on Rones decay. [vey 

On I what foundation Hands the warrior's 
pride. 
How juli: his hopes, let Swedjih Charles decide ; 
A frame rf adamant, a foul of fire, 
No dangers fright him, and no labours tiie ; 
O'er love, o'er fear, extendls his wide domain, 
Unconquer'd lord of plealiire and of pain j 
No joys to hirp pacific fcepires yield, ' 
War founds the trump, he rulhes to the field ; 
Behold furrounding kings their pow'r pombine, 
And one capitulate, and one YtrLc:i\ ; [vain 
Peace courts his hand, bat fpreads'^her charms in 
■•' Tlihik nothing gain'd, he cries, till nought 

remain, 
*' On Mofcow's walls till Gothic fiandards fiy, 
** And all be mine beneath the polar iky."" 
The march begins in military ftate, 
And nations on his eye fufpended wait; 
vStern Famine guards the foiltary coall', 
And Winter barricades the reahns of Froft; 
He comes, nor want nor cold his courfir delay;— 
Hide, blufhing Gloiy, hide Pultowa's day: ' 
'i he vanquifli'd hero leaves his broken bands. 
And (hews his miferies in d;flc;nt iands^ ' 



Coudemn'd a needy fupplicant to wait, 
While ladies interpofe, and flaves debate. 
But did not Chance at length her error mend ? 
Did no lubverted empire mark his end ? 
Did rival monarchs give the fatal wound? 
Or hoftile millions prefs him to the ground ? 
His fall was delHn'd to a barren ftrand, 
A petty fortrefs, and a dubious hand; 
He left the name, at wdiich the world grew pale. 
To point a moral, or adorn a tale. 

All § times their fcen-es of pompous woes afford, 
From Perfia's tyrant, to Havana's lord. 
In gaj^ hoftility, and harb'roiis pride, 
With half mankind enibatlied at his fide, 
Great Xerxes comes to feize the certain prey. 
And Harves exhaufled regions in his way ; 
Attendant Flatt'ry counts his myriads o'er, 
Till counted myriads footh his pride no morej 
Frefli praife is try'd till m.adnefs fires his mind^ 
The \raves he lallies, and enchains the wind ; 
Nev/ pov/'rs are claim'd, new povv'rs are ftill 

' bellow 'd, 
Till ruue refiiiance Icps the fpreading gsd; 
The daring Greeks deride the marthl Ihow, 
And heap their vallies with the gaudy foe; 
rh'infiiitedfea with humbler thought 3 he gains, 
A fingle ikitf to fpeed his flight remains; 
Th'incum.ber'd oar fcarceleaves thedreadedcoall 
Tin-o' purple billows and a floating hoft:. 

The bold Bavarian, in a lucklels hour, 
i Tries the' dread fuminits of Cssfarean pow'r, 
jWith unexpeiled legions burits away. 
And fees defencelels realms receive his fway, 
Shcit f.yay ! fair Auftria Ipreads her moufnful 

• charnis. 
The qut en, the beaaty, fets the world in arms ; 
From hill to hill the beacon's roufing blaze 
Spreads wide tlie hope of plunder and of praife; 
The fierce Croatian, and the wild Hufiar, 
With all the fens of ravage crowd the war; 
The baffled prince in honour's fiatt'ring bloom. 
Of haity greatnefs finds the fatal doom. 
His foes derifion, luid his fubjecls blam.e. 
And Heals to death from anguifli and from fliame, 

* Enlarge 1| m.y life with multitude of days;' 
In health, in iicknefs, thus the fuppliant prays ; 
Hides from himfelf his ftate, and iliuns to know. 
That life prctraSted is prctra6led woe. 
Time hovers o'er, impatient to deftroy, 
And fliuts up ail the paffages of joy: 
In yain their gifts tne boiniteous feafons pour. 
The fruit autumnal, and the verna,! tlow'r — ~ 
With liftlefs eyes the dotard ^views the Ito^e, 
He views, s.n^ wonders that they plea^fe no more j 



A very learneJ Jivme and mnthematirian, fellow of New Coilere Oxford, and rfe^or of Okerton 

near Ksnbi.ry. He wrote, among nvM^y otli rs, a Latin Tren:ife De Natma Cceli, 5.c. in which he at- 

t.v ke.l the fcntime.MS of Scaliger and A: iftotle ; not beariun to hear it ur-ed that fome ihins-s are true in 

ghilou.phy and laHe in divmity. He made above fix hundred fern-.ons on the harmony of t\^ Evangelifts." 

Kci.g unfuccefsful ni publi/bjng bis woiks, he lay in the prilon cf Boca, do at Oxford, and the King's- 

hcnch, tul bifhop I ftcr. Dr. Laiu!, Sir WiH.Qm Bofweli, and Dv. Tink, releafed him by paying bis debts. 

c r etit.oned ki-g Chai Jes I. to be fent into EUiiopia, &c. to procure WSS. Having fpoken in favour 

njonarchy and biOiups, h.e was |dnnae--ed by the parliameMt- fot.cs, and twice car;ied axvav prifoner 

-rM hi. r.:>'tury ; and afterwarctb hau nut a ffcirt t<. (h.fL mrn in three months, unlefs he borrowed it, and 

-r, very poi;r m -.6^6. '• .. ■ , ^ ., . 

Ver. 13--.;-,'' ;{ Vcr. 147— 157. ^ Vcr. !6^--?7- M'er. iSS— :SS. 



Book L 



SACRED AND MORAL, 



Now pall the taftelefs meats, and joylefs wines, 
And Luxury with fighs her flave refigns. 
Approach, ye rainftrels, try the foothing ftrain, 
PhTule the tuneful lenitives of pain: 
No founds, alas ! would touch th' impervious ear. 
Though dancing mountains witnefs'd Orpheus 
Nor lute norlyrehisfeeblepow'rs attend, [near; 
Nor fweeter niuiic of a virtuous friend : 
But everlafting di6lates crowd his tongue, 
Perverfely grave, or pofitively wrong. 
The Itill returning tale, and ling''ring jeft, 
Perplex the fawning niece and paniper'd gueft. 
While growing hopes fcarce awe the gathering 
And fcarce a legacy can bribe to hear ; [fneer, 
The watchful guelts fhill hint the laft offence. 
The daughter's petulance, the fon's expence, 
Improve his heady rage with treach'rous fkiil. 
And mould his pafiions till they m.ake his will. 

Unnumber'd maladies his joints invade. 
Lay fiege to life, and prefs the dire blockade j 
But unextinguifli'd Av'rice ftill remains. 
And dreaded loffes aggravate his pains ; 
He turns, with anxious heart and crippled hands, 
His bonds of debt, and mortgages of lands; 
Or views his cotfers with fufpicious eyes, 
Unlocks his gold, and counts it till he dies. 

But grant, the virtues of a temp'rate prime 
Blefs with an age exempt from fcorn or crime 3 
An age that melts with unperceiv'd decay, 
And glides in modell innocence axvay j 
Whole peaceful day Benevolence endears, 
Whofe night congratulating Confcience cheers ; 
The general favorite as the gen'ral friend: 
Such age there is, and who fliall wifh its end ? 

Yet ev'n on this her load Misfortune flings, 
To prefs the weary minutes flagging wings; 
New ibrrow rifes as the day returns, 
A After fickens, or a daughter mourns. 
Now kindred Merit fills the fable bier. 
Now lacerated Friendfliip claims a tear. 
Year chafes year, decay purfues decay. 
Still drops fome joy from withering life away; 
New forms arife, and diff'rent views engage. 
Superfluous lags the vet'ran on the ftage. 
Till pitying Nature figns the laft releafe. 
And bids afiii(5ted wortli retire to peace. 

But fewthere are whom hours like theieawait, 
Who fet unclouded in the gulphs of Fate, 
FromLydia's m.onarch fliould the fearch defcend, 
By Solon caution'd to regard his end. 
In life's laft fcene wh.-jt prodigies furprife, 
Fears of the brave, and follies of the wife! 
From Marlb'rough's eyes the ftreams of dotage 
And Swift expires a driv'ler and a fncw. [flow. 

The * teeming mother, anxious for her race, 
Begs for each birth thiS fortune of a face : 
Yet Vane could tell what ills from beauty fpring : 
And Sedley curs'd the form that pleas'd a' king. 
Ye nymphs of rofy lips and radiant eyes. 
Whom Plealure keeps too bufy to be wife. 
Whom joys with foft varieties invite, 
'py day the frolic, and the dance by iiigbt, 

f Yer. 2.89—345. 



Who frown with vanity, who fmile with art. 

And afk the lateft fafhion of the heart. 

What care, what rules your heedlefs charms Ihall 

faye. 
Each nymph your rival,and each youthyourflave? 
Againft your fame with fondnefs hate combines. 
The rival batters, and the lover mines. 
With diftant voice negle6led Virtue calls, 
Lefs heard and lefs, the faint remonftrance falls j 
Tir'd with contempt, (he quits the flipp'ry rein^^ 
And Pride and Prudence take her feat in vain. 
In crowd at once, where none the pafs defend. 
The harmlefs freedom, and the private friend. 
The guardians yield, by force fuperior plyM; 
To Int'reft, Prudence; and to Flatt'ry, Pride, 
Here beauty falls betray'd, defpis'd, diftreft, 
And hilling Infamy proclaims the reft. 
Where f then fliall Hope and Fear their objects 

find ? 
Muft dull Sufpenfe corrupt the ftagnant mind ? 
Mutt helplefs man, in ignorance fedate, 
Roll darkling down the torrent of his fate ? 
Muft no diflike alann, no wiflies rife. 
No cries invoke the mercies of the Ikies ? 
Enquirer, ceafe, petitions yet remain 
Which Heav'n may hear, nor deem religion vain^ 
Still raife for goocl the fupplicating voice. 
But leave to Heav'n the m.eafure and the choice, 
Safe in his pow'r, whofe eyes difcern afar 
The fecret arabufli of a fpecious pray'r3( 
Implore his aid, in his decifions reft. 
Secure whate'er he gives, he gives the beft. 
Yet when the fenfe of facred prefence fires. 
And ftrong devotion to the Ikies afpires. 
Pour forth thy fervours for a healthful mind. 
Obedient pafiions, and a will refign'd ; 
For love, which fcarce collective man can fill; 
For patience, fov'reign o'er tranfmuted ill; 
For faith, that, panting for a happier feat. 
Counts death kind Nature's fignal of retreat: 
Thefe goods for man the laws of Heav'n ordaiu, 
Thefe goods he grants, who grants the pow'r ta, 

gain ; 
With thefe celeftial Wifdom calms the mind. 
And makes the Happinefs ihe does not find. 



§ 101. Elegy on the Death of Lady Co'V entry ^ 
Written in 1760. Mafon. 
The midnight clock has toll'd— -and, hark 
the bell [found > 

Of death beats flow! heard ye the note pro- 
It paufes now; and now, with riling knell. 
Flings to the hollow gale its fullen found. 

Yes — Coventry is dead. Attend the ftrain. 

Daughters of Albion ! ye that, light as air. 
So oft have tripp'd in her fantaftic train. 

With hearts as^ gay, and faces half as fain 
For (he was fair beyond your brighteft bloom 

(This envy ov*?ns, fince now her bloom is fled) J 
Fair as the fonns that, wove in Fancy's loom. 

Float in light vifion round the poet's head. 



f Ver. 346—366. 



Whene'er 



74 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book T. 



Whene'er with foft ferenity ftie fmil'd, 

Or caught the orient blulh of quick furprife, 
How fweetly mutable, how brightly wild, 

The liquid luftre darted from her eyes ! 
Each look, each motion, wak'd anew-born grace, 

That o'er her form its tranfient glory caft : 
Some lovelier wonder foon ulurp'd the place, 

Chas'd by a charm llill lovelier than the laft. 

That bell again ! It tells us what (he is; 

On what fhe was, no more the ftrain prolong ; 
Luxuriant fancy, paufe ! an hour like this 

Demands the tribute of a ferious fong. 

Maria claims it from that fable bier, 

Where cold and wan the llumb'rer refls her 
head ; 

In ftill fmall whifpers to refleiSlion's ear 
She breathes the folemn diftates of the dead. 

O catch the awful notes, and lift them loud ! 

Proclaim the theme by fage, by fool rever'd ; 
Hear it, ye young, ye vain, ye great, ye proud ! 

'Tis Nature fpeaks, and Nature will be heard. 

Yes; ye (hall hear, and tremble as ye hear, 
While, high with health, your hearts exulting 

E'en in the midlt of pleafure's mad career, [leap , 
The mental monitor (hall wake and weep ! 

For fay, than Coventry's propitioiis itar. 
What brighter planet on your births srofe > 

Or gave of fortune's gifts an ampler fhare, 
In life to lavifh, or by death to lofe f 

Early to lofe! While, borne on bufy wing. 
Ye fip the neftar of each varying bloom ; 

Nor fear, while bafking in the beams of fpring. 
The wint'ry ftcrm that fweeps y ou to the tombj 

Think of her fate! revere the heavenly hand 

That led her hence, tho' foon, by fteps fo ilow j 
Long at her couch Death took his patient Hand, 

And menaced oft, and oft withheld the blow : 
To give refleftion time, with lenient art, 

Each fond delufion from her foul to ileal ; 
Tea'ch her from folly peaceably to part. 

And wean her from a world fne lov'd fo well. 
Sa.y, are you fure his mercy fhall extend 

To you fo long a fpan ? Alas, yefigh ! [fi lend, 
Make then, while yet ye may, your God your 

And learn with equal esJe to fleep or die! 
Nor think the Mufe, whofe fober voice ye hear. 

Contracts with bigot frown her fulleii brow 5 
Cads roundreligion'sorbthemifts of fear, [glow. 

Or Hnades with horrors what with fmilesfhould 
No — (he would warn you with feraphic fire, 

Heirs as ye are of heaven's eternal day; 
Would bid you boldly to that heaven afpire, 

Not rink and flumber in your cells of clay. 
Know, ye were form'd to range yon azure field, 

In yen ethereal founts of blifs to lave : 
Fo.ce tlien, fecure in faith's protecting fhield, 

Thefting from death,thevi6l'ry from thegrave! 
I: thlsthe bigot's rant? Away, yevain! [fleep: 

Your hopes, your fears, in doubt, in duUnefs 



Go footh your fouls in ficknefs, grief, or pain. 
With the fad folace of eternal fleep ! 

Yet will I praife you, triflers as you are, 

More than thofepreachers of your fav'rite creed. 
Who proudly fwell the brazen throat of war. 
Who from the phalanx, bid the battle bleed. 

Nor wifh for more ; who conquer but to die. 

Hear, Folly, hear, and triumph in the tale ! 
Like you they reafon, not like you enjoy 

The breeze of blifs that fills your fiiken fail : 

On pleafure's glitt'ring ftream ye gaily fteer 

Your little courfe to cold oblivion's fhore j 
They dare the florm, and thro' th' in clement year 

Stem the rough furge, and brave the torrent's 
roar. 
Is it for glory ? That jufl Fate denies ; 

Long muil the warrior moulder in his (hroud,^ 
Ere from her trump the heaven-breath'd accents. 

That lift the hero from the fighting crowd I [rife 

Is it his grafp OLf empire to extend ? 

To curb the fury of infulting foes ? 
Ambition, ceafe ! the idle conteit end: 

'Tis but a kingdom thou canft win or lofe. 

And why mufl murder'd myriads lofe their all 
(If life be all), why defblation low'r 

With familh'd frown on this affrighted ball, 
That thou mayfl flame the meteor of an hour ? 

Go, wifer ye, that flutter life away. 
Crown with the mantlingjuice the goblet high? 

Weave the light dance, with feiHve freedom gay. 
And live your moment, fmce the next ye die ! 

Yet know, vain Iceptics ! know, th' Almighty 
Mind, 

Who breath 'd on man a portion of his fire. 
Bade his free foul, by earth nor time confin'd. 

To heav'n, to immortality afpire. 

Nor fhall the pile of hope his mercy rear'd 
By vain philolbphy be e'er deftroy'd ; 

Eternity, by all or wifli'd or fear'd. 
Shall he by all or friffer'd or enjoy'd ! 

Note. In a book of French verfes, intitled^. 
Owvres du Philofopke de Sans Souci, and lately 
reprinted at Berlin by authority, under the title 
of Poejies Di'verfes, may be found an Epiftie to 
Marflial Keith, written profefledly againft the 
immortality of the foul. Byway of fpecimen of 
the whole, take the following lines : 
De Tavenir, cher Keith, jugeons par le pafle : 
Comme avant que je fuffe il n'avoit point penfe j 
De meme,apres ma mort,quandtoutes mes parties 
Par la corruption feront aneanties. 
Par un meme defl:in il ne penfera plus ! 
Non, rien n'eft plus certain, foyons en convvaincu. 

It is to this Epiflle that the latter part of the 
Elegy alludes. 



§ 102. £legy to a young Nobleman leaving the 

Uni^uerfity. Mafon. 
Ere yet, ingenuous youth, thy fteps retire [^'ale. 
From Cam's finooth margin, and die peaceful 

Where 



B o o ic I. 



SACRED AND MORAL, 



75 



Where Science callM thee to her ftudious quire, 

And met thee muiing in her cloifters pale; 
O let thy friend (and may he boaft the name!) 

Breathe from his artlefs reedone parting lay: 
A lay like this thy early virtues claim, 

And this let voluntary friendfiiip pay. 
Yet know, the time arrives, the dangVous time, 

When all thofe virtues, opening now fo fair, 
Tranfplanted to the world's tempeftuous clime, 

Muft learn each pafiion's boiil'rous breath to 
bear; 
There, if ambition, peftilent and pale, 

Or luxury fhould taint their vernal glow ; 
If cold {elf-intereft,with her chilling gale, [blow; 

Should blaft th' unfolding bloffoms ere they : 
If mimic hues, by art or fafhion fpread. 

Their genuine fimple colouring fhould fupply; 
O may with them thefe laureate honours fade, 

And with them, (if it can) ray friendfliip die! 
Then do not blame, if, tho' thyfelf Infpire, 

Cautious I ftrike the panegyric firing; 
The mufe full-oft puriiies a meteor fire. 

And, vainly vent'rous, foarson waxen wing: 

Too actively awake at friendfnip's voice, 
^ The poet's bofom pours the fervent firain, 
Till fad refleftion blames the hafty choice, 

And oft invokes oblivion's aid in vain. 
Call we the fhade of Pope from that blefl bow'r» 

Where thron'd he fits with many a tuneful fage ; 
Aik, if he ne'er bemoans that haplefs hour 

When St. John's name iliumin'd glory's page. 
Afk, if the wretch, v»'ho dar'd his mem'ry flain j 

Aflc, if his countiy's, his religion's foe, 
Dei'erv'd the meed that Marlbro' fail'd to gain; 

The deathlefs meed he only could beftovv : 

The bard will tell thee, the mifguided praife 

Cloads the celellial funfliine of his breafl; 
E-en now, repentant of his erring lays, 

He heaves a ligh amid the realms of refl. 
If Pope thro' friendiliip fail'd. indignant view, 

Yet pity, Dryden — hark, whene'er he fmgs, 
How adulation drops her courtly dew 

On titled rhymers and inglorious kings ! 
See. from the depths of his exhauftlefs mine, 

His glitt'ring flores the tuneful fpendthrift 
throws: 
Where fear orint'reflbids, behold they fhine ; 

NowgraceaCromwell's, now a Charles's brows. 
Born with too gen'rous or too mean a heart, 

Dryden ! in vain to thee thofe ftores v/ere lent; 
Thy iweetefl numbers but a trifling art : 

Thy flrongeft di6lion idly eloquent. 
The fimplefl lyre, if truth direfts its lays, 

Warbles a melody ne'er heard from thine: 
Not to difguft with falfe or venal praife. 

Was Parnell's raodeft fame, and may be mine. 
Go then, my friend, nor let thy candid breaft 

Condemn me, if I check the plaufive firing ; 
Go to the wayward world ; complete the refl ; 

Be what the purefl mufe would wifh to fmg. 



Be flill thyfelf: that open path of truth, 

Which led thee here, let manhood firm purfuej 
Retain the fweet fimplicity of youth ; 

And all thy virtue dictates dare to do. 
Still fcorn, with confcious pride, the mafk of art. 

On vice's front let fearful caution low'rj 
And teach the diflident, difcreeter part 

Of knaves that plot, and fools that fawn for 
pow'r. 
So, round thy brow when age's honours fpread. 

When death's cold hand unftrings thy Ma- 
fon's lyre, 
When the green turf lies lightly on his head. 

Thy worth fnall fome fuperior bard infpire : 
He to the ampleil bounds of time's domain 

On raptures plume fhall give thy name to fly; 
Fortruflj with rev'rencetrufl, this Sabine firain, 

* The Mufe forbids the virtuous man to die.* 



§ 103. ^he Choice of Hercules: from the Greek 
of Pr adieus. .6/>. Lowth. 

Now had the fon of Jove, mature, attain'd 

The joyful prime; when youth, elate and gay. 
Steps into life, and follows unreflrain'd [way. 

Where paffion leads, or prudence points tlie 
In the pure mind, at thofe ambiguous years. 

Or vice, rank weed, firft flrikes her pois'nous 
Or haply virtue's op'ning bud appears [root 5 

By jull degrees, fair bloom of fairefl fruit I 
For, if on youth's untainted thought impreft. 
The gen'rous purpofe flill fhall warm the manly 

breail. 
As on a day, reflefting on his age 

For highefl deeds now ripe, Alcides fought 
Retirement, nurfe of contemplation fage. 

Step following flep, and thought fucceeding 
thought; 
Mufmg, with fleady pace the youth purfued 

His walk, and lofl in meditation ftray'd 
Far in a lonely vale, with fblitude 

Convening; while intent his mind furveyM 
The dubious path of life: before him lay, [way. 
Here virtue's rough afcent,therepleafure'3flow'ry 
Much did the view divide his wav'ring mind: 
Now glow'd his breafl with gen'rous thirfl of 
Nowlove of eafetofofter thoughts inclin'd [fame; 

Hisyieldingfoul,andquench'dtherifmgfiame: 
When, lo ! far oft' two female forms he fpies : 

Direft to him their fteps they feem to bear; 
Both large and tall, exceeding human fize j 

Both, far exceeding human beauty, fair. 
Graceful, yet each with diflerent grace they move; 
This ilrikingfacred awe; that, fofterwinninglove. 
The firfl in native dignity furpafs'd; 

Artlefs and unadorn'd ihe pleas'd the more ; 
Health o'er her looks a genuine luflre cafl; 

A vefl more white than new-fallen fnow flift 
Augufl Ihe trod, yet modefl was her air; [wore; 

Serene her eye, yet darting heavenly fire; 
Still fhe drew near; and nearer flill more fair, 

More mild, appear'd : yet fuch as might infpire 
Pleafiire correfted with an awful fear; 
Majeftically fweet, and amiably ievere. 

The 



76 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book T. 



The ether dame fecniM cA'en of fairer hue; I Thro' Slander call rne Sloth (detra61ion vam !), 

But bold her mien, unguarded rov'd her eye, ' Heed not what Slander, vain detrafil^or, laysj 
And her Huflrd cheeks confefs'd at nearer view Slander,ltillprompt true merit to defame, [naine." 

The borrowed bluihes of an artful dye. j To blot the brighteft worth, and blaft the iairell 

All loft and delicate, with airy fv^lm L.. , . ■ , i ^u r • • n_- xt -j 

Lightly (he dancM along; her robe betray'd , ^'yj'"'\f'}'' '^ f^f '^^'l' H' T ^ '^'"^^ r 
Thro' the clear texture evl^ tender limb, ! ^ ^''^ ^^' /^^ '''^''\'j Y,'^^^ '^'' ^"^^ f «1rJ Pf .^| 

Heidu'ningthechanns itonlyfeem'dtoflKade: i Conapos d advanc d: Knov. Hercules, (he laid 
And a^it tlow'd adown, fo loofe and thin, [ikin. ^ ^^^'^'^ ;}^-^^^'>' tone "tny birth of heavenly race: 
HerllaturelhewMmoretali,morefnowywhiteheriThy tender age, thatlov d milruftion s voice 

■' I Promis dtneegeneroa3,patient,brave,anawiie: 

Oft with a fmile fhe view'dherfeif afkance;% {When manhood fnouid confirm thy glorious 

Even on her Ihade a conlcious look fhe threw : Now expeftation waits to fee thee riie. [choice. 
Then all around her calt a carelefs glance, jRife, youth ! exalt thyfelf and me; approve 

To mark what gazing eyes her beauty drew. : Thy high defcent from heaveo, and dare he 
As they came near, before that other maid worthy Jove. [difguife: 

Approaching decent, eagerly fhe prefs'd But what truth prompts, my tongue (hah not 

With hally Hep; nor of repulie afraid, [drefsM ; The iteep afcent niulf be with toil fubdued ; 

With freedom bland the wond'ri ng youth ad- Vv'^atching and cares mull win the lofty v)rize 

Propos'd by Heav'r. — true blifs and real good. 
'Honour rewards the brave and bold alone; 
She fpurns the timorous, indolent, and bafe: 
- Dear Hercules, whence this unkind delay ? I ^^^S^J and toil^ftand item before her throne. 

Dear youth, what doubts can thus dillraa thy ' Andguard(fojove comm.ands)tne.acred place. 
Secm-el/ follow where I lead the way, [mind ? Y'"a ^''^''^''' ^:^"^^ Yf ""'^ i ^i ' ?"' 

And range thro' wilds of plearureuncomln'd.:^^^ P^^ ^^"^^ P"^^ ^^ fame~iabour, and care, 
With me retire from noife, and pain, and care,! ^ pain. 

Embath'd in blifs, and wrapt in endlefs eafe : | Wouldft thou engage the gods peculiar care ? 
Rough is the road to fam.e, thro' blood and war;' O Hercules, th' immortal pow'rs adore! 

Smooth is my way, and all my paths are peace. , With a pure heart, with facrihce, and pray'r 

With me retire, from toils and perils free, j Attend their altars, and their aid implore. 

Leave honour to che wretch ! pleafures weremade Or.wouldft thou gain thycountry'sloud applaufe^ 

for thee. Lov'd as her father, as her god ador'd ? 

„^, .„ T ^^, 11 .1 /- 1. 1 r Be thou the bold alferter of her caufe; 

^I]Z ""I ^T .1 "' ^^^^ ' f ' r ■' I tier voice in council, in the fight her fword : 

All th3t may ch4rm thme ear, ana pleaie thy j^ ^^^^^^ -^ ^^,^,.^ ^^^^^ ,v,y country's good ; 

fliwi i^.^'.-^ w r -n ■ j For her, bare thy bold breall, and pour thy gc- 

Ail that the thought can frame, or wiPnreqmre, ,L,.^„. kw^ 

-n ii ,\ „-L> 1 r r • J r 1 nerous biood. 

To keep thy ravun d lenles m delight : j 

The fumptuous feaft, enhanc'd with mufic'sj Wouldftthou,toquelltheproudand]iftth'oppreft, 
Fittcft to tune the melting i'bul to love, [Ibund, | In arts of w ar and matchlefs flrength excel ? 



Sweet as the honey-dew iiow'd her enchanting ; 
tonaue: I 



Kich odours, breathing choiceit fvveets around; 

The fragrant bow'r,cool fountain, fiiady grove; 

Frclh flovy''rs to ftrewthy couch, andcrovvn thy 

l->ead : [thy bed. 

Joy Ihail attend thy fteps, and eafe fhall fmooth 

*' Thefe will I freely, conftantly fupply, 
Pleaf 



Firit conquer thou thyfelf: to eaie, to red. 
To each loft tliought of pleafure, bid farewel. 

The night alternate, due to fweet repofe. 

In watches wafce; in painful march, the day: 

Congeal'd amldit the rigorous winter's fnows. 

Scorch 'd by the fummer's thirlt-intlaming ray, 

-, , . , .,- '•:-,, ., Thy harden'd limbs fnaliboallfuperior might: 

^'•C;not^^-amd_withtoii,nornuxdwith|vip;l,unihallbracethine^^^^ 
Far from tny reit repirnng v.^ant fiiail liy, [woe- ' * ^ 



Kor labour bathe in fweat thy careful brow. 
Mature the copious harveft fi^.all be thine, 

Let tiie lahorioa:> hind fiibdue tb.e ioil ; 
Leave the rafh fo'dii^r i'poils of war to win, 

Won by the foldierthou Ihult ftiare the fpoil: 
Thefe lofter cares my bcfc allies employ, 
New pleafures to inyent, to wilh,and to enjoy." 

Her winning voice the youth attentive caught : 
He ga7M impatient on th.e fmlllng maid; 

8tlii g-i7/d,and liften'd ; then her name befought : 
"Wy name, fairycuth,is}la|)piners," fhe faid. 

^ Weil can rny friends this envied truth maintain ; 
7 hey flK^re my blifs, they bell can ipeak my 



" Hear'ft thou what monfcers then thou muft 
engage? [prove?" 

What diaigers, gentle youth, (lie bids thee 
(Abrupt fays Sloth) — '^ 111 fit thy tender age 

Tumult and wars, fit age»for joy and love. 
Turn, gentle youth, to me, to love, and joy ! 

To thefe I l^ad : no monfters here fliall ftay 
Thine eafy courfe ; no cares thy peace annoy ; 

I lead to blifs a nearer, fmoother way : 
Short is my way, fair, eafy, fmooth, and plain : 
Ti;rn gentle youth— v/ith m.e eternal pleafures 

'■^'^"•" _ ^ [thine?" 

" What ])leafures, vain mifl^aken wretch, are 
(yiriue with fcoin replied)"who ileep'ilin eafe 

Inlenfate j 



'Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



11 



'■' Nor need my friends the various coftly feaft; 

Hunger to them th' effefts of art fupplies j 
Labour prepares their \veaiy limbs to relt; 

Sweet is their fleepi light, cheerful, rtrong,: 

they rife. [nown 

Thio' health, thro' joy, thro' pleafure and re- 

They tread my paths : and by a foft defeent 
At length to age all gently fmking down. 

Look back with tranfport on a life well (pent. 
In which no hour flew unimprov'd aw^ay j [day. 
In which fomegen'rous deed diltinguilh'd ev'iy 
" And w^hen the deltin''d term at lengh's com- 

Their afhes reft in peace, eternal fame [plete. 
Sounds wide their praife : tiiuniphant o'er fate^ 

In facred fong for ever lives their name. 
This, Hercules, is happinefs ! obey 

Thatkindlyftealsth'inaclivehoursaway[theday, My voice, and live: let thy celeftial biith 
FromthelongiingVingfpace,thatlengthensoutlL>tt and enlarge thy thoughts: behold tne vfaf 
=> o ° ' -> That leads to fame, and raiies thee from eaitn^ 

" From bounteous nature's unexhaufted ftores ^ immortal ! Lo, I guide thy fteps, Arife, [ikies.^' 

Flows the pure fountam of imceie delights: 1 Purfue the glorious path and claim thy native 
Averfe to her, you walte the joylels hours ; jj^^ ^^^^^3 g,.^^^^^^ f.^.^ cdeilhl, and imoart 

Sleep drowns thy days, and n_ot rules thy , ^^^ ^^j ^^ j^j^ .^^,j^ .j^^^ ^-^^^^^ '^^^^ 



Infenfate ; whofe foft limbs the toil decline 

That feafonsblifs, and makes enjoymentpleafe: 
Draining the copious bowl ere thiril require ; 

Feafting ere hunger to the feaft invite: 
.Whofe taftelefs joys anticipate defire. 

Whom luxury fupplies with appetite : ^ 
Yet nature loaths, and you employ in vain 
Variety and art to conquer her difdain. 
''Thefparklingneftarcoordwithfummerfnows, 

The dainty board with choiceft viands fpread, 
To thee are taftelefs all! lincere repofe 

Flies from, thy flow'iy couch and downy bed. 
For thou art only tir'd wuth indolence j 

Nor is thy fleep with toil and labour bought, 
Th' iraperlect ijeep, that lulls thy languid knfe 

In dull oblivious interval of thought; 



Immortal tho' thouart, indignant Jove [nights. 

Hurl'd -thee from heav'n, th' immortals blifs- 
fui place, 
For ever baniili'd from the realm.s above. 

To dwell on earth with man's depenerate 
Fitter abode] on earth alike difgrac'dj [race . 
Rejected by the wife, and by the fool embrac'd^ 

*' Fond wretch, that vainly weeneft all delight 
To gratify the fenfe, referv'dfor thee ! 

Yet the molt pleafing objecl: to the fight. 
Thine own fair adtion never didft thou fee. 

Tho' luird with fofteft founds thou lieft along, 
Softraufic,warblingvoices,mejting lays, [fong 



The generous flame; with great intent his heart 

Swells full, andlabours with exalted thought. 
The mift of error from his eyes difpellM, 

Thro' all her fraudful arts, in cleareft light, 
Siotli in her native form he novv- beheld ; 

Unveil'd flie Itood confeit before his fight : 
Falfe Siren! — All her vaunted charms, that fhone 
So frefh erewhile and fair, now vvither'd, pale^ 

and gone. 
No moretherofy bloomin fweet difguife [grace 

Mafks her diffembled looks ; each borrow'd 
Leaves her wan cheek ; ^ale ficknefs clouds her 

Livid and funk.and pafiions dim herface.[eyes 



Ne'er didft thou hear, more fweet than fweetefti As when fair Iris has awhile difplay'd 

Charming the foul, thou ne'er didft hear thy | Her wat'r}^ arch with gaudy painture gav. 
No— to thy revels let the fool repair 5 [praife ! . While yet we gaze the glorious colours fade. 



To fuch go fmooth thy fpeech, and fpread thy 

tempting fnare. 
" Vaft happinels enjoy thy gay allies ! 

A youth of follies, an old age of cares ; 
Young yet enervate, old yet never wife, [pairs. 

Vice waftes their vigour, and their mind im- 
Vain, idle, delicate, in^houghtlefs eafe, [fpend; 

Referving woes for age, their prime they 
All wretched, hopelefs, in the evil days. 

With forrow to the verge of life they tend. 
Griev'd with the prefent, of the paft alham'd, 
"ithey live and are defpis'd; they die, nor more 

are nam'd. 
**But with the gods, and godlike men I dwell j 
* Me, his fupren-.e delight, th' Almighty Sire 
Regards well pleas'd: whatever works excel. 



A.nd from our wonder gently Iteal away 
Where fhone the beauteous phantom, erft lb 

bright, 
Now low'rs the low-hung cloud, all gloomy to 

the fight. 
But Virtue more engaging, all the while [rene. 

Diiclos'd new charms, more lovely, more fe- 
Beaming fweet influence, a milder fmile 

Soften'd the terrors of her lofty mien. 
" Lead, goddefs j I am thine !" tranfported cried 
Alcidesj " O propitious pow'r, thy way 
Teach me ! poflTefs my foul ! be thou my guide: 

From thee oli never, never let me ftray !" 
While ardent thus the youth his vows addrefs'd. 
With all the goddefs fill'd, already glow'd his 
breaft. 



All, or divine or human I infpi'-e. The heav'nly maid with ftrength divine endued 

Counfel with ftrength, and induilry with art. His daring foul^ there all lier pow'rs com- 

In union meet co'ijoln'd with me refide : Firm conftancy, undaunted fortitude, [bin'd; 
My^diftates arm, inftru6t, and mend the heart, | Enduring patience, arin'd his mighty mind 

The fureft policy, the wifeft guide. [bind Unmov'd in toils, in dangers undifmay'd, 
^^Jth me true friendfliip dwells : fhe deigns to By many a hardy deed and bold emprize, 



Thofe generous fouls aione, whom I before 
faaye joia'd. 



From fierceft monfiers. thro' her powerful aid. 
He freed the earth ! thro'herhe gaifi'dthefkies, 

' I'was 



78 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



*Twas Virtue placed him in the bleftabode; [god. 
Crowii'd with eternal youth, among the gods a 



§ 104. "The Hermit. Parnell. 
Far in a wild, unknown to public view, 
Fronj 3'outh to age a rev 'rend Hermit grew; 
TI:e mofs his bed, the cave his humble cell: 
His food the fruits, his drink the cryftal well : 
Remote from man, with God he pafs'd his days, 
Pray'r all his bufiuefs, all his pleafure praife. 

A life fo facred, fuch lerene repole, 
Seem'd heav'n itfelf till one fuggeltion rofe— 
That vice fliould triumph, virtue vice obey; 
This fprung Tome doubt of Providence's fway: 
His hopes no more a certain profped boaft. 
And all the tencur of his foul is loft. 
So when a fmooth expanfe receives impreft 
Calm nature's image on its w at ' ry breaft,[ grow, 
Down bend the banks, the trees depending 
And iTcies beneath with anfwering colours 

But if a ftone the gentle fea divide, [glow: 
Swift ruffling circles curl on ev'ry fide, 
And glimmering fiagments of a broken fun; 
Banks, trees, and Ikies in thick diforder run. 

To clear this doubt, to know the world by 
To find if booksor fvvains report itright}[fight, 
(For yet by fwains alone the world he knew, 
■VVhoiefeet came wand'ringo'erthenightly dew) 
He quits his ceil; the pilgrim ftaft'he bore, 
And fix'd the fcrllop in his hat before ! 
Then with the fun a riling journey went. 
Sedate to think, and watching each event. 

The morn was wafted in the pathlefs grafs. 
And long and Icnefome w:rs the wild to pals; 
But when the fouthern fun had v/arm'd the day, 
A youth came poftiag o'er a croffing way ; 
His raiment decent, his complexion fair. 
And foft in graceful ringlets wav'd his hairr 
Then near approaching," Father,hail!" hecried: 
And " Hail, my Ion V the rev'rendfire replied: 
Words follow'd words, from queftion anfwer 

fow'd. 
And talk of various kind deceived the road; 
Till er-.ch v/ith other pleas'd, and loth to part. 
While in their age they difter, join in heart. 
Thus ftands an aged elm in ivy bound. 
Thus youthful ivy clafps an elm aroand. 
Now funk the fun ; the clofmg hour of day 
Came onward, mantled o'er with fober grey ; 
Nature in filence bid the world repofe: 
When near the road a ftately palace rofe. [pafs, 
There, by the moon, through ranks of trees they 
Whofe verdure crown'd their floping fides of 
It chanc'd the noble mafter of the dome [grafs. 
Stillmadehi';houfethevvand'ringftranger'sh1:mej 
Yet ftili the kindnefs, from a thirft of praife, 
Prov'd the vain flourilh of expenfive eafe. 
The pair arrive: the liveried fervants wait; 
Their lord receives them at the pompous ^te. 
The table groans with coftly piles of food. 
And 5li i, more thiwi hofpitably good, [drown, 
Then, led to reft, the day's long toil they 
Deep funk in deep, and lilk, and heaps of down. 



At length 'tis morn, and at the dawn of day 
Along the wide canals the Zephyrs play ; 
Frefh o'er the gay parterres the breezes creep. 
And fhake the neighb'ring wood to banifh 
Up rife the guefts obedient to the call ; [fieep. 
Au early banquet deck'd the fplendid hall; 
Rich lufcious wine a golden goblet grac'd. 
Which the kind mafter forc'd theguefts to tafte. 
Then, pleas'd and thankful, from the porch 

they go; 
And, but the landlord, none had caufe of woe: 
His cup was vanifti'd; for in fecret guife 
The younger gueft, purloin'd the glitt'ring 
As one who fpies a ferpent in his way, [prize. 
Glift'ning and baficing in the fummer ray, 
Diforder'd ftops to fliun the danger near. 
Then walks with faintnefs on, and looks with 
So feem'd the fire, when far upon the road [fearj 
The ftiining fpoil his wily partner fhow'd. 
He ftcpp'd with filence, w:;lk'd with trembling 

heart. 
And much he wifh'd, but durft not a/k, to part : 
Murm'ring he lifts his eyes, and thinks it hard 
That gen'rous aftions meet a bafe reward. 

While thus they pafs, the fun his glorylhrouds. 
The changing fkies hang out their fable clouds j 
A found in air prefag'd approaching rain. 
And beafts to covert feud acrofs the plain. 
Warn'd by the figns, the wand'ring pair retreat 
To feek for ftielter at a neighb'ring feat : 
'Twas built with turrets on a rifing ground. 
And ftrong, and large, andunimprov'daroundj 
Its ov.'ner's temper, tim'rous and fevere. 
Unkind and griping caus'd a defert there. 
As near the mifer's heavy doors they drew. 
Fierce rifing gufts with iudden fury blew ; 
The nimble lightningmix'd with fliow'rsbegan, 
And o'er their heads loud rolling thunder ran, 
Here long they knock, but knock or callinvain. 
Driven by the wind and batter'd by the rain. 
At length fome pity warm'd the mafter's breaft 
('Twas then his threfhold firft receiv'd a gueft)j 
Slow creaking turns the door with jealous care, 
And half he welcomes in th' (hiv'ring pair; 
One frugal faggot lights the naked walls, [calls : 
And nature's fervour through their limbs re- 
Bread of the coarfer fort with meagre wine, 
(Each hardly granted) ferv'd them both to dine : 
And when the tempeft firft appear'd to ceale, 
A ready warning bid tliem part in peace. 

With ftill remarkthepond'ringHermit view'd. 
In one fo rich a life fo poor and rude ; 
And why fliould fuch (within himfelf he cried) 
Lock the loft wealth a thoufand want befide ? 
But what new marks of wonder foon took place 
In ev'ry fettling feature of his face, 
When from his veft the young companion bore 
That cup the gen'rous landlord own'd before. 
And paid profufely with the precious bowl 
The ftinted kindnefs of this churlifli foul ! 

But now the clouds in airy tumult fly j 
The fun emerging opes an azure iky; 
A freftier green the fmelling leaves difplay. 
And, glitt'ring as they tremble, cheer the day; 

The 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL* 



19 



:\ 



The weather courts them from the poor retreat, 
And the glad mafter bolts the wary gate. 
While hence they walk the Pilgrim's bofom 
wrought 
With all the travail of uncertain thought} 
His partner's afts withour their caufe appear; 
'Twas there a vice ; and ieern'd a madnefs here: 
Detefting that, and pitying this, he goes, 
Lolt and confounded with the various fhows. 

Now night'sdimfhadesagaininvolvethe (ky 
Again the wand'rers want a place to lie 
Again they fearch, and find a lodging nigh 
The foil improv'd around, the maniion neat, 
And neither poorly low nor idly great, 
It feem'd to fpeak its mafter's tarn of mind, 
Content, and not for praife but virtue kind. 
Hither the walkers turn with weaiy feet, 
Then blefs the manfion, and the mafter greet. 
Their greeting fair, beftow'd with modeft guife. 
The courteous mafter hears and thus replies : 

** Without a vain, without a grudging heart, 
*ro him who gives us all, I yield a part ; 
From him you come, for him accept it here, 
A frank and fober, more than coftly cheer.'' 
He fpoke, and bid the welcome table i'pread, 
Then talk'd of virtue till the time of bed ; 
When the grave houfehold round his hall repair, 
Warn'd by a bell,and clofe the hours withpray'r. 
At length the world renew'd by calm repofe, 
Was ftrong for toil ; the dappled morn arofe 
Before the Pilgrims part, the younger crept, 
Near the clos'd cradle, where an inlant llept, 
And writh'd his neck: the landlord's littlepride, 
O ftrange return ! grew black, and gafp'd, and 
Horror of horrors ! what! his only fon? [died, 
How look'd our Hermit when the faft was done? 
Not hell, rho' hell's black jaws in funder part, 
And breathe bluefire,could more aflaulthisheart. 
Confus'd and ftruck with filence at the deed, 
hie flies ; but, trembling fails to fly with fpeed. 
His fteps the youth purfues : the country lay 
Perplex'd with roads ; a fervant fhew'd the way: 
A river crofs'd the path; the palTage o'er 
Was nice to find ; the fervant trod before : 
JLongarmsofoaksan open bridge fupplied, [glide 
Ahddeepthe wavesbeneaththe bending branches 
The youth, who leem'd to watch a time to fin, 
Approach'd the carelefs guide,and*.thruft him in: 
Plunging he falls; and rifing lifts his head ; 
Then flaftiing turns and fmks among the dead. 

Wild fparklingrage inflames the father's eyes ; 
He burfts the bands of fear, and madly cries, 
*' Deteftedwretchr'—Butfcarcehis fpeechbegan. 
When the ftrange partner feem'dnb longer man. 
His youthful face grew more ferenely iv.eet; 
His robeturn'd v.'hite, and flow'd npon hisfeet; 
Fair rounds of radiant points inveft his hair; 
Celeftial odours breathe through purpled air; 
And wings whofe colours glitter'd on the day. 
Wide at his back their gradual plumes difplay. 
The form ethereal burfts upon hi;; fight, 
And moves in all the majefty of light. 

Tho" loud at firft the Pilgrim's paftion grew, 
Suddenhe gaz'daad wift not what to do j 



Surprife In fecret chains his words fufpends. 
And in a calm his fettling temper ends. 
But filence here the beauteous angel broke 
(The voice of mufic ravifti'd as he fpoke): 
" Thypray'r,thypraife,thylifeto vice unknovs^ri^ 
In fweet memorial rife before the throne: 
Thefe charms fuccefs in our bright region find. 
And force an angel down to calm thy mindj 
For this commiffion'd, I forfook the iky—; 
Nay, ceafe to kneel ! — 'thy fellow-fervant T. 

*' Then know the truth of government divine. 
And let thefe tcruples be no longer thin-e. 

" The Maker juftlyclaims that world he made. 
In this the right of Providence is laid 3 
Its lacred majefty through all depends 
On ufing fecond means to work his ends; 
Tis thus withdrawn in ftate from human eye. 
The Pow'r exerts his attributes on high ; 
Your aftions ufes, nor controuls your will. 
And bids the doubting fons of men be ftill.prife> 
" What ftrange eventscan ftrike with morefur- 
ThanthofewhichlatelyftruckthywondYingeyes ? 
Yet, taught by thefe, confefs th' Almighty juft; 
And, where you can't unriddle, learn to truft. 
" The great vain man,whofar'd on coftlyfood, 
Whofe life was too luxurious to be good ; 
Who made his iv'ry ftands with goblets fhine, 
Andforc'dhisgueftstomorningdraughtsofwinejjf 
Has with the cup, the gracelefs cuftom loft. 
And ftill he welcomes, but with lefs of coft. 

*'Themeanfufpiciouswretch,whofebolteddooi? 
Ne'er mov'd in pity to the wand'ring poor, 
With him I left the cup, to teach his mind 
That Heaven can blefs, if mortals will be kind. 
Confcious of wanting worth, he views the bowl. 
And feels compafTion touch his grateful foul. 
Thus artifts melt the fuUen ore of lead. 
With heaping coals of fire upon its head ; 
In the kind warmth the metal learns to glow, . 
And loofe from drofs, the filver runs below. 

" Long had our pious friend in virtue trod, 
Butnowthechildhalf-wean'dhis heart fromGodj 
(Child of his age) for him he liv'd in pain. 
And meafur'd back his fteps to earth again. 
To what excefles had his dotage run ! 
But God, to fave the father, took the fon. 
To all but thee in fits he feem'd to go j 
And 'twas my miniftry to deal the blow. 
The poor fond parent, humbled in the duft. 
Now owns in tears the puniftiment was juft:. 
"But how had all his fortunes felt a wrack. 
Had that falfe fervant fped in fafety back ! 
This, night his treafur'd heaps he meant to fteal, 
And what a fund of charity would fail ! , 
Thus Heaven inftrufts thy mind: this trial o'er. 
Depart in peace, refign, and fin no more." 

On founding pinionsherethe youth withdrew} 
The fage ftood wond'ring as the feraph flew. 
Thus lookM Eliftia, when, to mount on high. 
His mafter took the chariot of the fky: 
The fiery pomp afcending left the view; 
The prophet gaz'd, and wifli'd to follow too. 
The bending Hermit here a pray'r begun ; 
Lord! as in heaven, on earth thy 'wiU be done. 

Then, 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS', 



%6 

Then, gladly turning, fought his ancient place. 
And palVd a life of piety and peace. 



SooK t: 



§ 105- 



< . The Golden Verfes of Pythagoras. 

Fitzgerald. 

hidieft reverence 



First, the Supreme doth 

claim ; 

life with religious awe his fUcred name : 
AlFiir'd he views thy ways, let nought controul 
The oafh thou once haft bound upon thy foul. 

Next to the heroes bear a grateful mind, 
Whofe g)orious cares and toils have bleft man- 
Let juft refpeet and decent rites be paid [kind. 
To the immortal manes of the dead. 
Honour thy parents, and thy next of kind ; 1 
And vii-tuous men wherever thou canft find, \ 
Ih the fame bond of love let them be joinM. j 

Uftful and fteady let thy life proceed. 
Mild ev'ry word, good-na'tur'd ev'ry deed; 
Oh, never with the man thou lovTt contend ! 
But bear a thoufand frailties from thy friend. 
Ra(hly inflam'd, vain fuleen, and flight fimiiife, 
To real feuds, and endlefs difcords rife. 

O'er luft, o'er anger, keep the ftri(5teil rein, 
Subdue thy floth, thy appetite reftrain. 
With no vile aditon venture to comply, 
Kot tho"" unfeen by ev'ry mortal eye. 
Above all witnefTes thy confcience fear, 
And more than all mankind thyfelf revere. 

One way let all thy words and aftions tend, 
Reafon their conftant guide, and truth their end. 
And ever mindful of thy mortal ftate. 
How quick, how various are the turns of fate; 
How here, how there, the tides of fortune roll : 
How foon impending death concl tides the whole, 
Compofethy mind, and free from anxious ftrife 
Endure thy portion of the ills of life: 
The' ftillthe good manftands fecurefrom harms 



Then grieve the moments tjiou haft idly fpents 
The reft will yield thee comfort and content. 

Bethefe good rules thy ftudy and delight, 
Pra6life by day, and ponder them by night -, 
Thus all thy thoughts to virtue's height fhallrifcj 
And truth fhall ftand unveil'd before thy eyes. 
Of beings the whole fyftem thou (halt fee, 
Rang'd as they are in beauteous harmony, 
Whilft all depend from one faperior caufe. 
And Nature works obedient to her laws. 
Hence, as thou labour'ft with judicious care 
To run the courfe allotted to thy fhare, 
Wifdom refulgent with a heavenly ray 
Shall clear thy profpe6t, and direft thy way. 

Then, all around compaflionately view. 
The wretched ends which vain mankind purfue^ 
Tofs'd to and fro by each impeteous guft. 
The rage of paflion, or the fire of luft, 
No certain ftay, no fafe retreat they kno\v. 
But blindly wander through a maze of woe. 
Meanwhile congenial vilenefs works within. 
And cuftom quite fubdues the foul to f.n. 
Save us from this diftrefs, Almighty Lord, 
Our minds illumine, and th.y aid afford ! 

But O ! fecure from all thy Hfe is led, 
Whofe feet the happy paths of virtue tread. 
Thou ftand'ft united to the race divine. 
And the perfeftion of the fkies is thine. 
Imperial reafon, icet from all controul, 
Maintains her juft dominion in thy foul : 
Till purg'd at length from ever)'' fmful ftain. 
When friendly death fnall break the cumbrous? 

chain. 
Loosed from the body^thou fiialt take thy flight; 
And range immortal in the fields of light. 



§ 1 06. On Cheerfulnefs. Fitzgerald. 
Fair as the dawning light! aufpicicus gueft } 
Source of all comfort to the human breaft ; 
Nor can misf^ortune wound, whom virtue arms.j Depriv'd of thee, in fad defpair we moan, 
Difcourfe in common converfe, thou wilt find t And tedious roll the heavy moments on. 



Some to improve, and fome to taint the mindj 
Grateful to that a due obfervance pay: 
Beware, left this entice thy thoughts aftray ; 
And bold untruths which thou artforc'd to hear, 
Receive difbreetly with a patient ear. 

Woulft thou be juftly rank'd among the wife. 
Think ere thou doft, ere thou refolv'it advife. 
Still let thy aims with fage experience fquare. 
And plan thy conduft with fagacious care; 
So ftialt thou all thy courfe with pleaflire run, .- 
Nor wifh an action of thy life undone. 

Among the various ends of thy defires, 
'Tis no inferior place thy health requires. 
Firmly for this from all excefs refrain. 
Thy cups be mod'raate, and thy diet plain s 
Nor yet unelegant thy bonrd fupply. 
But fliun the naufeous pomp of luxury. 
Let fpleen, by cheerful converfe be withftood. 
And honeft labours purify the blood. 

Fach night, ere needful flumber feals thy eyes. 
Home to thy foul let thefe refie6rions rife : 
How has this day my duty feen exprefs'd ? 
What have I done, omitted, or tranfgrefs'd ? 



Though beauteous objects all around us rife. 
To charm the fancy and delight the eyes ; 
Though art's fair works and nature's gifts con- 

fpii'e 
To pleafe each fenfe, and fatiate each defire, 
'Tis joylefs all— till thy enliv'ning ray 
Scatters the melancholy gloom away. 
Then opens to the foul a heavenly fcene, 
Gladnefs and peace, all fp rightly, all ferene. 

Where doft thou reign, fay, in what bleft 
retreat. 
To chooie thy manflon, and to fix thy feat ? 
Thy facred prefence how fliall we explore ? 
Can av'rice gain thee with her golden itcre ? 
Can vain ambition with her boafted charms 
Tempt thee within her wide-extended arms ? 
No, with Content alone canft thou abide. 
Thy fifter, ever fmiling by thy fide. 

When boon companions void of ev'rv care V 
Crown the full bowl,and therich banquetfhare, > 
And give a loofe to pleafore — art thou there?> 
Or when th' aflembled great and fair advance 
To celebrate the malk, the plav, the dance, 

Whilit 



feooK L 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



ii 



XVhilft beauty i^reads its fweeteft charms "J 
around, ( 

And airs ecltatic fwell their tuneful found, \ 
Art thou within the pompous circle found ? J 
Does not thy influence more fedatcly Ihiae ? • 
Can fuch tumultuous joys as thele be thine ? 
Surely more mild, more conftant in their courfe, 
Thypleafures iifue from a nobler fource; 
From fweet difcretion ruling in the breaft, 
From pafTions temper'd, and from lults repreft; 
From thoughts unconfcious of a guilty fmart. 
And the calm tranfports of an honeft heart. 

Thy aid, O ever faithful, ever kind ! 
Thro' life-, thro' death, attends the virtaous 

mind j 
Of angry fate, wards from us ev'ry blow, 
Cures ev'ry ill, and foftens ev'f)'- woe. 
Whatever good our mortal ftatis defires, 
What wifdom rinds, or innocence infpires; 
From nature's bounteous hand whatever flows, 
Whate'er our Maker's providence bellows. 
By thee mankind enjoys 5 by thee repays 
A grateful tribute of perpetual praife. 



§ 107. Ofi InJuJIry. Fitzgerald. 
Queen of all virtues! for whate'er Vv^e call 
Godlike nnd great, 'tis thou obtain'ft it all. 
No tafk too arduous for thy flirong eflay. 
And art and nature own thy potent fway, 
Infpir'd by thee to each fuperior aim, 
We prefs with ardour thro' the paths cf fame, 
tJp to the /acred top, and leave behind 
Th' inglorious crowd, the herd of human kindj 
While wifdom round \is pours her heavenly ray, 
And old experience guides our fteady way. 
No anxious care, no fuiious lulls controul 
The free habitual vigour of the foul. 
Each part, each ftation gracefully we fill. 
And bend and fnape our fortune to our will. 
The hero, down thro' ev'iy age renown'd. 
With triumph,praire,and glorious titles crown'd. 
By thee has gain'd his honourable fpoils. 
And mighty fame atchiev'd by mighty toils. 
The fage, whilfl learning ftudious he purfues. 
By thee the ftubborn fciences fubdues; 
Thro' truth's v.-ide fields expatiates unconfin'd, 
And (lores for ever his capacious mind. 
Nor feek the lov/er ranks thy aid in vain 5 
The poor mechanic and the laboring fwain: 
Health,peacejandfweetcontenttothefeit brings, 
More precious prizes than the wealth of kings. 
When whelming round us death's fad terrors 

roll, 
'Tis thou fpeak'fl: peace and comfort to the foul. 
Then if our rccolle^fingtlroughts prelent 
A v/ell-plann'd life in virtuous Labour fpent j 
If ufeful we liave pafs'd thro' every llage. 
And paid our debt of fervice to the ag'ej 
If Hill we 've'made our duty our delight, 
Norliid our niafter's talent from our light, 
All 's- well, *ti.s all by our own heart approv'd, 
^rom hence we pafs, by God ai:fid man belov'd j 
Cheerful we pafs, to Heaven's hi^h will refign'd; 
,And leave a bk.Tsd memory l?chind. 



§108. A Thought upon Death, Fitzgerald, 

'Tis vain, my foul, 'tis impious all. 

The human lot to mourn. 
That life fo foon mull fleet away. 

And dull to duft return. 
Alas ! from death the terrors fly. 

When once 'tis underilood ; 
'Tis Nature's call, 'tis God's decree. 

And is, and mull be good. 
Wearied his limbs with honelt toil. 

And void of cares his bread, 
Ses how the lab'ring hind links down 

E?/:h night to wholefome 1 ell. 
No naufeous fumes perplex his fleep, 

No guilty Harts furprife; 
The -".'ifions that his fancy forms. 

All free and cheerful rife. 
So tliou, nor led by lulls aUray, 

Nor gail'd with anxious fcrife. 
With virtaous induft;ry fulfil 

The plain intent of life. 
Pafs calmly thy appointed day, 

/\nd ulefuily employ. 
And then thou 'art fure whate'er fucceed 

Is reil, and peace, and joy. 



§ 109. tie Tire Side. Cotton. 

Dear Chloe, while the bufy crowd. 

The vain, the wealthy, and the proud, 

Ift Folly's maze advance j 
Tho' linguiarity and pride 
Be cali'd our choice, we '11 flep aflde. 

Nor join the giddy dance. 
From the gay world we '11 oft retire 
To our own family and fire. 

Where love our hours employs; 
' No noiiy neighbour enters here, 
'No intermeddling flranger near. 

To fpoil our heart-felt joys. 
If folid happinefs we prize. 
Within our breall this jewel lies ; 

And they are fools who roam: 
The world has nothing to bellow; 
From our own felves our joys mull flow. 

And that dear hut, our home. 
Of refl: was Noah's dove bereft. 
When with impatient wing .xC left 

T^at fafe retreat, the ark ; 
Gl-Jng her vain excurfion o'er. 
The difappointed bird once more 

Explor'd the facred bark. 
Tho' fools fpurn Hymen's gentle powVs, 
We, v/ho improve his golden hours, 

By fweet experience know, 
That marriage, rightly undeillood. 
Gives to the tender and the good 

A paradife below. 
Our babes 'liaU richeil comforts brin^ j 
li tutor'd right, tJiey '11 prove x ipring 

Whep.ce pisafures ever rife ; 

" 7 ' G Wi'll 



?2 ELEGANT 

\Vc '11 form their minds, with ftndioiis care. 
To all thar 's manly, ^ood and tUir, 

And train ihem ior the Ikies. 
While they our wileft hours engage, 
They 'H joy our youth, iiipport our age. 

And crown our hoary hairs : 
They 'II grow in virtue ev'ry day, 
And thus our t'ondell loves repay, 

And recompence our cares. 
No borrowed joys, they 're all our own. 
While to the worid we live unknown. 

Or by the world forgot : 
Monarchs ! we envy not your ftate j 
Wc look with pity on the great, 

And blels our humble lot. 
Our portion is not large, indeed; 
But then how little do we need J 

For nature's calls are few: 
In this the art of living lies, 
To want no more than may fuffice. 

And make that little do. , .. 

We '11 therefore relifh, with content, ' 
Whatever kind Providence has fent. 

Nor aim beyond our pow'rj 
For, if our Hock be very fmall, 
'Tis prudence to enjoy it all. 

Nor lofe the prefent hour. 
To be rcfign'd when ills betide. 
Patient when favours are denied. 

And pleas'd with favours givenj 
Dear Chloe, this is wifdom's part j 
This is that iucenfe of the heart 

Wholie fragrance fmells to heaven. 
We '11 alk no long protrafted treat. 
Since winter life is feldom fweet; 

But, when our feaft is o'er, 
Grateful from table we '11 arife. 
Nor grudge our fons with envious eyes 

The relics of ourftore. 
Thus, hand in hand, thro' life we '11 goj 
Its chequer'd paths of joy and woe 

With cautious fteps we '11 tread j 
Quit its vain fcenes without a tear, 
Without a trouble or a fear. 

And mingle with the dead. 
While confcience, like a faithful friend. 
Shall thro' the gloomy vale attend, 

And cheer our dying breath; 
Shall, when all other comforts ceafe, 
Like a kind angel whifper peace. 

And fmooth the bed of deatli. 



^110. VISIONS for the Entertainment and In 

Ji ruction of younger Minds, Cotton. 

Virgiiiibus puerifque cauto. hok. 

TO THE READER. 

Authors, you know, of greateft fame, 
Tliro' modefly fupprefs their name* ; 
And v/ould you wifh me to reveal 
What thefe luperior wits conceal ? 

* Though f)r Cotton is weU known *o 
Jcen pubJifh'-.d without prefixing his name 



EXTRACTS, Book 1. 

Forego the fearch, my curious friend, 

And'huiband time to better end. 

All my ambition is, I own. 

To profit and to pleafe unknown-; 

Like ftreams fupplied from fprings below*. 

Which fcatter bleflings as they iiow. 

Were you difeas'd, or prefs'd vv'ith pain, 
Straight you 'd apply to Warwick Lane. 
The thoughtful Doifor feels your pulfe 
(No matter whether Mead or Hulfe), 
Writes-— Arabic to you and me — 
Then figns his hand, and takes his fee. 
Now, (liould the (age omit his name. 
Would not the cure remain the lame ? 
Not but phyficians fign their bill, 
Or when they cure, or when they kill. 

'Tis often known, the mental race 
Their fond ambitious fires difgrace. 
Dar'd I avow a parent's claim, 
Critics might hieer, and friends might blame. 
This dang'rous fecret let me hide, 
1 '11 tell you ev'ry thing befide: 
Not that it boots the world a tittle. 
Whether the author 's big or little ; 
Or whether fair, or black, or brown-: 
No writer's hue concerns the town. 

I pafs the filent rural hour, 
No Ib.ve to wealth, no tool to pow'r: 
My manfion's warm, and very neat; 
You 'd fay, ' A pretty fnug retreat !* 
My rooms no coAly paintings gi-ace, 
The humbler print fupplies their place. 
Behind the houfe my garden lies. 
And opens to the fouthern ficiesf 
The diftant hills gay profpefts yield> 
And plenty friiiles in ev'ry field. 

The faithful malHlf is my guard : 
The feather'd tribes adorn my yard; 
Alive my joy, my treat when dead. 
And their foft plumes improve my bed. 

My cow rewards me all flie can 
(Brutes leave ingratitude to man) ; 
She dai^y thankful to her.lord. 
Crowns with nedareous fweets my board? 
Am I difeas'd ? the cure is known. 
Her fweeter juices mend my own. 

I love my houfe, and feldom roam ; 
Few vifits pleafe me more than home : ^ 
I pity that unhappy elf 
Who loves all company but felf; 
By idle paihons borne away 
To opera, mafquerade, or play ; 
Fond of tbofe hives where Folly reignsy 
And Britain's peers receive her chains j 
Where the pert virgin flights a name, 
And fcorns to redden int® ihame. 
But know, my fair, to whom belong 
The poet and hisartlefs fong. 
When female cheeks refufe to glow. 
Farewell to virtue here below 1 
Our fex ia loft to ev'ry rule ; 
Our fole dillinftion, knave or fool 
have been the author of thefe V:fions, they hare generally 

'Tis 



Bo<>ic L 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



83 



"*Tis to your Inflocence we run ; 
Save vis, ye fair, or we 're undone; 
Maintain your modedy and itatjon, 
So women fbidl' preferve the nation. 

Mothers, 'tis Taid, in days of old, 
Efteem'd their girls more choice than gold ; 
Too well a daughter's worth they knew, 
I'o make her cheap by public view: 
Few, who their diamonds' value weigh, 
Expofe thofe diamonds ev'ry day. 
Then, if Sir Plume drew near, and frnird. 
The parent trembled for her child : 
The firft advance alarm'd her brealt; 
And fancy pidur'd all the reft. 
But now no mother fears a foe j 
No daughter fhudders at a beau. 

Pleafure is all the reigning theme; 
Our noon-day thought, our midnight dream. 
In Folly's chace our youths engage, 
And fhameiefs crowds of tott'i'ing age. 
The die, the dance, th' internp'rate bowl, 
With various charms engrofs the foul. 
Are gold, fame, health, the terms of vice ? 
The frantic tribes fliall pay the price. 
.But tho' to ruin poft they run. 
They '11 think it hard to be undone. 

Do not arraign my want of taite. 
Or fight, to ksn where joys are plac'd. 
They widely err who think me blind; 
And I difclaim a Itoic's mind. 
Like yours are my fenfations quite ; 
I only ftrive to feel aright. 
My joys, like ftreams, glide gently by; 
Tho' linall their channel, never dry ; 
Keep a Itill, even, fruitful wave. 
And blefs the neighb'ring meads they lave. 

My fortune (for I'll mention all. 
And more than you dare tell) is fmall ; 
Yet ev'ry fj'iend partakes m.y flore, 
And want goes fmiling from my door. 
Will forty Ihillings warm the breaft 
Of worth or induftry diftreft — 
This fum I cheerfully impart, 
"^ Tis fourfcore pleafures to my heart ; 
And you may make, by means like thefe. 
Five talents ten, whene'er you pleafe. 
■'TIS true, my little purfe grows light ; 
But then I lleep fo fweet at night ! 
This grand I'peciiic will prevail 
When all the do61:or's opiates fail. 

You aik what party I purfue ; 
Perhaps you mean, ' Whofe fool are you ?' 
The names of party I deteft ; 
Badges of flavery at beil : 
r 've too much grace to play the knave. 
And too much pride to turn a flave. 

I Jove my country from my foul. 
And grieve when knaves or fools controt^l: 
I 'm pleas'd when vice and folly fmart, 
Or at the gibbet or the cart: 
Yet always pity where I can ; 
Abhor the guilt,, but mourn the man. 



Now the religion of your poet — 
Does not this little preface fhow it ! 
IVfy Vifions if you fcan with care, 
'Tis ten to one you '11 find it there. 
And if my aftions fuit my fong. 
You can 't in confcience think me wrong. 



§ III. Fi/wn T. Slander, btfcribedto Mifs ****, 
My lovely girl, I write for you. 
And pray believe my Vifions true ; 
riiey '11 form your mind to ev'ry grace; 
They '11 add new beauties to your face; 
And when old age impairs your prime, 
You '11 triumph o'er the fpoils of time. 
Childhood and youth engage my pen; 
Tis labour loft to talk to men: 
Youth may perhaps reform when wrongs 
Age will not liften to my foag. 
He who at fifty is a fool. 
Is far too ftubborn grown for fchool. 

What is that vice which ftill prevails. 
When almoft ev'ry pafllon fiiils ; 
Which with our very dawn begun, 
Nor ends but with our fettihg fun ; 
Which, like a noxious weed, can fpoil 
The faireft flow'rs, and choke the foil I 
'Tis Slander — and, with fhame I own, 
The vice of human kind alone. 

Be Slander, then, my leading dream, 
Tho' you 're a ftranger to the theme ; 
Thy fofter breaft, arid honeft heart, 
Scorn the defamatory art; 
Thy foul aflerts her native Ikies, 
Nor afks detra(51:ion's wings to rife; 
In foreign fpoiis let others fhine, 
Intrinfic excellence is thine. ^ 

The bird in peacock's plumes who'ftione 
Could plead no merit of her own ; 
The filly theft betray 'd her pride. 
And fpoke her poverty befide. 

Th' infidious fland'ring thief is worfe 
Than the poor rogue who fteals your purfe. 
Say, he purloins your glitt'ring ftore ; 
Who takes yoiir gold, takes tralh — ^no more 5 
Perhaps he pilfers — to be fed — 
Ah ! guiltlefs wretch who fteals for bread! 
But the dark %'illain who {hall aim 
To blaft, my fair, thy fpotlefs name. 
He'd fteal a precious gem away, 
Steal what both Indies can 't repay f 
Here the ftrong pleas of want are vain, 
Or the more pious pleas of gain. 
No fmking family to fave ! 
No gold to glut th' infatiate knave \ 

Improve the hint of Shakfpeare's tongue; 
'Twas thus immortal Shakfpeare fung * : 
And truft the bard's unerring rule, 
For nature was that poet's fchool. 

As I was nodding in my chair, 
I faw a rueful wild appear; ^ 

No verdure met my aching fight. 
But hemlock and cold aconite; 



OtheUo. 



Gz 



Two 



«4 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



Tv*o very poi;,'nou.^ plants, 'tis true, 
But not lb bad as vice to you. 

The dreaiy prolpcft fpread around; 
Deep Inow had whiten'd all the ground: 
A bleak and barren mountain nigh, 
Kxpos'd to ev'ry triendlefs Iky ! 
Here foul-mouth\i Slander lay reclin'd, 
Her Jhaky trefles hifs'd behind ; 
' A bloated toad-ilool raisM her head, 
* The plumes of ravens were her bed*;* 
She fed upon the viper's brood, 
And flak'd her impious thiril with blood. 

The rifing fun, and weftern ray, 
Were witnefs to her diltant fway. 
The tyrant claimM a mightier hoft 
Than the proud Perfian e'er could boaft. 
No ccnquell grac'd Darius' fbn f , 
By his own numbers half undone: 
Succefs attended Slander's pow'r; 
She reap'd freih laurels ev'ry hour. 
Her troops a deeper fcarlet wore 
Than ever armies knew before. 

No plea diverts the fury's rage, 
The fury fpares nor fex nor age. 
E'en Merit, with deftruftive charms> 
Provokes the vengeance of her arms. 

Whene'er the tyrant foiinds to war, 
Her canker'd trump is heard afar. 
Pnde> with a heart unknown to yield, 
Commands in chief, and guides the field; 
He Iblks with vail gigantic llride. 
And fcatters fear and ruin wide s 
So the impetuous torrents fweep 
At once whole nations to the deep. 

Revenge, that bafe Hefperian J, known 
A^phief iupport of Slander's throne, 
JVm'itUI: the bloody crowd is feen, 
And treach'ry brooding in his mien ; 
The mcnfter ofien chang'd his gait, 
"But marclfd refolv'd and fix'd as fate. 
Thus the fell kite, whom hunger flings, 
Now flowly moves his out-ftretch'd wings ; 
Now fwift as lightning bears away, 
And darts upon his trembling prey. 

Envy commands a facred band, 
With fword and poifon in her liand. 
Around her haggard eye-balls rollj 
A thouflind iiends p&ffefs her foui 
The artful unfufpeiSled fprite 
With fatal aim attacks by night. 
Her troops advance with filent tread. 
And ftab the hero in his bed; 
Or (hoot the wing'd maligriant lie, 
And female honours pine and die. 
So prowling wolves, when darknefs reigns, 
Intent on murder, fcour the plains ; 
Approach the folds where lambs repofe, 
Whofe guilelefs breafls fufpe^t no foes j 

• Garth's Difpaifatory. 

■f Xerxes, king of Perfia, and fon of Darius. 



, The favage gluts his fierce defires, 
And bleating innocence expires. 

Slander fmil'd horribly, to view 
How wide herconquefts daily grewi 
Around the crowded levees wait, 
Like oriental flaves of ftate ; 
Of either lex whole armies prell. 
But chiefly of the fair and beft. 

Is it a breach of friendihip's law, 
To fay what female friends I faw? 
Slander alTumes the idol's part, 
And claims the tribute of the heart; 
The beft in fome unguarded hour, 
Have bow'd the knee, and own'd her pow'f. 
Then let the poet not reveal 
What candour wiihes to conceal. 

If I beheld fome faulty fair, 
Much worfe delinquents crowded there: 
Prelates in facred lawn I faw. 
Grave phyfic, and loquacious law ; 
Courtiers, like fummer, flies, abound} 
And hungiy poets fwarm around. 
But now my partial ftoiy ends. 
And makes my females full amends. 

If Albion's ille fuch dreams fulfils^ 
'Tis Albion's ifle which cures the ills: 
Feitile of ev'ry worth and grace. 
Which warm the heart and flufli the face. 

Fancy difclos'd a fmiling train 
Of Britifli nymphs that tripp'd the plain. 
Good-nature firllj a fyivan queen, 
Attir'd in robes of cheerful green ; 
A fair and Irniling virgin fhe ! 
With ev'ry charm that Ihines in thee. 
Prudence afllim'd the chief command. 
And bore a mirror in her hand ; 
Grey was the matron's head by age, 
Her mind by long experience lage; 
Of ev'ry diitant ill afraid, 
And anxious for the fimp'ring maid. 
The Graces danc'd before the fair; 
And white-rob'd Innocence was there. 
The trees with golden fruits were crownM, 
And rifing flow's s adorn'd the ground; 
The fun difplay'd each brighter ray. 
And Ihone in all the pride of day; 

When Slander ficken'd at the fight, 
And fculk'd away to Ihun the light.. 



§ 112. Fijion II. Plea fare. 
Hear, ye fair mothers of our ifle. 
Nor fcorn your Poet's homely fl:yle. 
What tho' my thoughts be quaint or new, 
I'll warrant that my'"do6lrine 's true: 
Or, if ray fentiments be old. 
Remember truth ^s fterling gold. 

You judge it of important weight, 
To keep your rifing ofl'sprinjtfliraightj 



He invaded Greece with ai army confifting cf more 
thnn 2 million of men (fom fay more than tvi^o millions) ; wiio, together witl; their caiUe, periiheJ ia 
a great mealure through the inability of the countries to fapply fuch a vatt iiofl with provlfion. 

X Hefpcrirv include* Italy as well as Spain; and the iuhabitaats of both are remarkable for their 
r^rvci.gcful Jifpori:io;;k. 

''* , For 



Book I, 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



85 



For this fuch anxious moments feel, 

And afk the friendly aids of fteel ; 

For this import the diltant cane, 

Or flay the monarch of the main. 

And Ihall the foul be warp'd afide 

By paflion, prejudice, and pride? 

Deformitv of heart I call 

The vvorit deformity of all. 

Your cares to body are confin'd ; > 

Few fear obliquity of mind. 

Why not adorn the better part ? 

This is a noble therne for art. 

For 'A-hit is form, or what is face, ^ 

Eiit the foul's index, or its cafe ? 

Now take a fimile at hand, 
Compare the mental foil to land. 
Shall fields be tiilM with annual care, 
And minds lie fallow e^^'ry year? 
Oh, fince the crop depends on you, 
Give them, the culture which is due : 
Koe ev'iy weed, and drefs the foil, 
So harvell fhall repay youp toil. 

If human minds refemble trees 
(As ev'ry momlift agrees), 
Prune all the ftraggiers of your vine, 
Then fliall the purple clufters fhine. 
The gardener knows that fruitful life 
Demands his falutaiy knife : 
For ev'ry wild luxuriant (lioot 
Or robs the bloom, or Itarves the fruit. 

A fatirilt * in Roman times. 
When Rome, like Britain, groan'd with crimes, 
Airerts it for a facred truth, 
That plealures are the bane of youth 3 
That {brrows fuch purfuits attend, 
Or fuch purfuits in forrows end : 
That all the wild advent'rer gains. 
Are perils, penitence, and pains. 
Approve, ye fair, the Roman page. 
And bid your fons revere the iage; 
In ftudy fpend their midnight oil, 
And llring their nerves by manly toil. 
Thus fhaii they grow, like Temple, wife ; 
Thus future Lockes and Newtons rifej 
Or hardy chiefs to wield the lance, 
And lave us from the chains of France, 
Yes, bid your fons hethnes forego 
Tlioie treacherous paths where pleafures grow. 
Where the young mind is Folly's flave j 
Where ev'ry virtue finds a grave. 

Let each bright charader be nam'd. 
For wifdom or for valour fam'd. 
Are the dear youths to fcience prone ?• 
Tell how th' immortal Bacon fuone ! 
Who, leaving meaner joys to kings. 
Soared high on contemplation's v.-ings j 
]<:ang'd the fair fields of nature o'er. 
Where ii.?ver mortal trod before : 
Bacon ! whofe valt capacious plan 
Befpoke him angel more than m ui ! 

Does love of mirdai fame in pi re ? 
CUeriih, ye fair, tlie geu'rous firej 

* rcrfiU";, 



Teach tl>em to fpurn inglorious rttft. 
And roufe the hero in their breall : 
Painty Crefly's vanquifh'd field anew, 
Their fouls Ihall kindle at the view; 
Refolv'd to conquer or to fall. 
When Liberty and Britain call. 
Thus fhall they rule the crimfon plain, 
Or hurl their thunders thro' the main ; 
Gain with their blood, nor grudge the coft. 
What their degen'rate fires have loll: 
The laurel thus fhall grace their brow. 
As Churchill's once, or Warren's now. 

One fummer's evening, as I ftray'd 
Alon^ the filent moon-light glade. 
With thefe reflections in my breafl. 
Beneath an oak I funk to reftj 
A gentle flumber intervenes, 
And fancy drefs 'd inffruftive fcenes. 

Methought a fpacious road I fpied. 
And ftately trees adorn'd its fide ; 
Frequented by a giddy crowd 
Of thoughtlefs mortals, vain and loud; 
y/ho tripp'd with jocund heel along, 
And bade me join their fmiling throng. 

I flraight obey'd — perfuafion hung 
Like honey on the fpeaker's tongue* 
A cloudlefs fun improv'd the day. 
And pinks and rofes ftrew'd our way. 

Now as our journey we purfue, 
A beauteous fabric rofe to view ; 
A flately dome, and fweetly grac'd 
With ev'iy ornament of tafte. 
This ftrudlure was a female's claim, 
And.Pleafure was the Monarch's name. 

The hall we enter'd uncontroul'd, 
And faw the queen enthron'd on. gold: 
Arabian fweets perfum'd the ground. 
And laughmg Cuoid's flutter 'd round; 
A flowing veft adorn'd the fair, 
And flow'ry chapiets wreath'd httv hair. 
Fraud taught the queen a thoufand wileSi 
A thoufand foft infidious fmiles ; 
Love taught her lifping tongue to fpeak, 
And form'd the dimple in her cheek j 
The lily and the damafk rofe 
The tinfture of her face compofe j 
Nor did the god of wit difdain 
To mingle with the fhining train. 
Her vot'ries flock from various parts. 
And cluefly youth refign'd their hearts j 
The old in fparing numbers nrefs'd. 
But awkward devotees at befl: ! 

* Nov/ let us range at large,' we cried, 
' Thro' all the garden's boafted pride.' 
Here jaimines fpread the fil/er fiow'r, 
Fo deck the wall, or weave the bow'r; 
The woodbines mix irk am'rous play, 
And breathe their fragrant lives away. 
Here rifing myrtles form a fhade; 
["here rofes blufh, and fcent the gladej 
The orange, with a vernal face, 
vVears ev'ry rich autumnal grace j 



63 



•^mi 



^6 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



While the ycung bloflbms here unibid, 
Tliere Hiincs the fruit like pendent gold. 
Citrons their balmy i'wects exhale, 
And triumph in the dilbnt gale. 
Now fountains, murmuring to the fong, 
Roll t'.ieir traniluccnt ftreums along j 
Thro' all the aromatic groves 
The faithful turtles coo their loves; 
The lark alcending pours his notes, 
And linnets fwell their rapt'rous throats. 

Pleafure, imperial fair ! how gay 
Thy empire, and how wide thy fway ! 
Enchanting queen, how foft thy reign ! 
How man, foud man ! implores thy chain! 
Yet thine each meretricious art, 
That weakens and corrupts the heart : 
The childilh toys, and wanton page. 
Which fmk and proftitute the ftage 1 
The mafquerade, that juft offence 
To virtue, and reproach to fer-fe ! 
The midnight dance, the mantling bowl, 
And all that diffipate the foul; 
All that to ruin man combine. 
Yes, ipecious harlot ! all are thine. 

Whence I'prung th' accurfed lull of play, 
Which beggars thoufands in a day ? 
Speak, forc'iefs, fpeak (for thou canft tell). 
Who caird the treach'rous card from hell: 
^.ow man profanes his reasoning powVs, 
Ircfanes fweet friendfiiip's facred hours; 
Abandoned to inglorious ends. 
And faithlefs to himfelf and friends; 
A dupe to ev'ry artful knave, 
To ev'ry abject wifh a flave: 
Eut who agajnft himftlf combines. 
Abets his enemj^'s defigns. 
When rapine meditates a blow. 
He ihares the guiit who aids the foe. 
Is man a thief who fteals my pelf — 
How great his theft who robs himfelf? 
Is man, who gulls his friend, a cheat- 
How heinous, then, is felf- deceit ? 
Is murder julily deem'd a crime — 
How black his guilt who murders time ! 
Should cuilom plead, as cuflom will. 
Grand precedents to palliate ill; 
Shall modes and forms avail with me, 
When reafon difavows the plea ? 
Who games is fclcn of his v.'ealth. 
His time, his liberty, his health : 
Virtue forfakes his fordid mind, 
And Honour (corns to Hay behind. 
From man when thefe bright cherubs part, 
Ah, what's the poor deferted heart ! 
A favage wild that fliocks the fight ! 
Or chacs, and impervious night ! 
Each gen'rous principle deltroy'd, 
And daemons crowd the frightful voids 

Shall Siam's elephant fupply 
'^ he baneful defolating die ! 
Againfl: the honeft fylvan's will. 
You taught his iv'ry tufk to kill. 
Heaven, fond its favours to difpenfe, 
Gave;him that weapon for defcuceT 



That weapon for his guard dc%n'd. 
You render'd fatal to mankind. 
He plann'd no death for thought^efs youth ; 
Vou gave the venom to his tooth. 
Biufli, tyrant, blufli ! for, oil ! 'tis true. 
That no fell ferpent bites like you. 

The guelts were order'd to depai't ; 
Reluftance fat on every heart : 
A porter fhew'd a different door. 
Not the fair portal known beforxf. 
The gates, m.cthonght, were open'd wide ; 
The crowds defcended in a tide : 
But oh ! ye heavens, what vaft furprife 
Struck the advint'rers'' frighted eyes ! 
A barren heath before us lay, 
And gath'ring clouds obfcur'd the day; 
The darknefs rofe in fmoky fpires ; 
The lightnings flafn'd their livid fires ; 
Loud peals of thunder rent the air. 
While vengeance chill'd our hearts with fear. 

Five ruthless tyri-uts fway'd the plain, 
And triumph'd o'er the mangled flain. 
Here fat Diilaile, with fickly mien, 
And more than halt devour' d with fpleen : 
There ftood Remorfe with thought oppreft, 
And vipers feeding on his breait : 
Then Want, dejected, pale, and thin. 
With bones juft ftarting thro' his fkinj 
A ghaitly fiend ! —and clofe behind, 
Difeafe his aching head reclin'd; 
Ilis everlafti ng thirft confefsM 
The fires which rag'd within his breaft : 
Death clos'd the train 1 the hideous form 
Smii'd, unrelentincr, in the ftorm ; 
When ftraight a doleful fliiiek was heard : 
I 'v.'oke — the vifion diiappear'd. 

Let not the unexperiencM boy 
Deny that pleafures will deftroy; 
Or fay thlt dreams are vain and wild. 
Like fairy tales to pleafe a child. 
Important hints the wife may reap 
From flillies of the foul in flcep : 
And fince there 's meaning in my dream. 
The moral merits your efleem. 

§ I J' 3- Vi/io» III. Health. 
Attend my Vifions, thoughtlefs youths, 
Ere long you '11 think them weighty truths; 
Prudent it were to think fo nov/. 
Ere age has filver'd o'er your brow : 
For he, who at his early years 
Has lown in vice, fhall reap in tears. 
If folly has pofTefs'd his prime, 
Difeafe fhall gather flrength in time : 
Poifon fn .11 Bp'ge in ev'ry vein ; 
Nor penitence dilute the ftain : 
And when each hour fhall urge his f.it€, 
Thought, like the do6tor, comes too late. 

The fubjeft of my fong is Health, 
A good fuperior far to wealth. 
Can the young mind diftruft its worth ? 
Confult the monarchs of the earth : 
Imperial czars, and fultans, own 
No gem fo bright that decks theij- throne ; 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



Each for this pearl his crown would quit, 
And turn a ruftic, or a cit. 

Mark, tho' the blefTing's loft with eafe, 
'Tis not recoverM when you pleaie. 
Say not that gruels fnall avail ; 
For lalutary gruels tail : 
Say not, Apollo's ions lucceed; 
Apollo's Ton is Egypt's * reed. 
How fruitiefs the phylician's Ikill, 
How vain the penitential pill, 
The marble monuments pioclaim; 
The humbler turf conii^ms the lame! 
Prevention is the better curej 
So fays the proverb, and 'tis fure. 

Would you extend your narrow fpan, 
And Hiake the molt of lite you canj 
Would you, when med'cines cannot fave, 
Defcend with eaie into the grave — 
Calmly retire, like evening light, 
And cheerful bid the wodd good night ? 
Let Tenip'rance conftantly prelidej 
Our belt: phyiician, friend, and guide! 
Would you to wifdom make pretence, 
Proud to be thought a man of fenfe ? 
Let 1 emp'rance (always friend to fame) 
With Heady hand direft your ann ! 
Or, like an archer in the dark. 
Your random fhaft will mifs the mark: 
For they who flight her golden rules, 
In wiidom's volume ftand for fools. 

B\it mcrals, uuadorn'd by art, 
Are leldom known to reach the heart: 
I '11 therefore llrive to raiie my theme 
With all the Icenery of a dream. 

Soft were my flumbers, I'weet my reft. 
Such as the infant's on the brcaft j 
When fancy, ever on the wing. 
And fVaitt'ul as the genial ipring, 
prefented in a blaze of light, 
A new creation to my fight. 

A rural landfcape I de'cried, 
Dreft in the robes of fummer pride ; 
The herds adorn'd the (loping hills ; 
That glitter'd with their tinkling rills; 
Below, the fleecy mothers Itray'd, 
And round their fportive lambkins play'd. 

Nigh to a murm'ring brook I iaw 
An humble cottage, thatch'd with ftraw; 
Behind, a garden, that fupplied 
All things for ufe, and none for pride : 
Beauty prevail'd thro' ev'ry part; 
But more of nature than of art. 

* Hail, thou fvveet, calm, unenvied featT 
I faid, and blefs'd the fair retreat; 

* Here would I pafs my remnant days, 
' Unknown to cenfure or to praife; 

* Forget the world, and be forgot, 

* As Pope defcribes his veftal's lot.* 

While thus I mus'd, a beauteous maid 
Stepp'd from a thicket's neighbouring fhade; 
Not Hampton's gallery can boaft, 
Nor Hudfqn paint, fo fair a toaft: • 



She claim'd the cottage for her own; 

To Health a cottage is a throne. 

The annals fay (to prove her worth) 

The Graces folemniz'd her birth. 

Garlands of various liow'rs they wrought. 

The orchard's blulhing pride they brought: 

Hence in her face the lily fpeaks, 

And hence the rofe which paints her cheeks; 

The cherry gave her lips to glow; 

Her eyes were debtors to the floe; 

And, to complete the lovely fair, 

'Tis faid the chefnut ftaln'd her hair. 
The virgin was averfe to courts. 

But often feen in rural fports: 

When in her rofy veft the morn 

Walks o'er the dew-befpangled h\vn, 

The nymph is firft to form the race, 

Or wind the horn, and lead the chace. 
Sudden I heard a fliouting train ; 

Glad acclamations fiU'd the plain; 

Unbounded joy improv'd the fcene, 

For Health was loud proclaimed a queen. 
Two fmiling cherubs grac'd her throne 

(To modern courts, I fear, unknown) •. 

One was the nymph that loves the light. 

Fair Innocence, array'd in white; 
With iifter Peace in clofe embrace, 

And heaven all opening in her face. 
The reign was long, the empire great,. 

And Viitue minirter"'of ftate. 

In other kingdoms, ev'ry hour. 
You bear of Vice preferr'd to power: 

Vice was a perfeft ftranger here; 

No knaves engrofs'd the royal ear: 

No fools obtain'd this monarch's grace; 

Virtue difpos'd of ev'ry place. 

What iickly appetites are ours, 
Still varying with the varying hours ! 
And tho' from good to bad we range, 
* No matter' fiys the fool, * 'tis change-' 

Her fubjefts now exprefs'd apace 
Diffatisfa^Lion in their face; 
Some view the Hate with Envy's eye ; 
Some were diipleas'd, they knew not why; 
When Faftion, ever bold and vain. 
With rigour tax'd their monarch's reign, 
Thus, ihould an angel from above, 
Fraught with benevolence and love, 
Defcend to earth, and here impart 
Important truths to mend the heart. 
Would not th' inftru6Hve gueft difpenfg 
With paflion, appetite, and fenfe. 
We (liould his heavenly lore defpife. 
And fend him to his former fkies. 
A dang'rous hoi'lile pow'r arofe 
To Health, whofe houfehold were her foes; 
A harlot's loofe attire ftie wore, 
And Luxury the name flie bore. 
This princefs of unbounded fway. 
Whom Afia^s fofter fons obey. 
Made war againft the queen of Health 
Aihflred by the troops of Wealth. 



* In allufion to z Kin^s, xviii, ai. 

G 4- 



8S 



ELEGANT 



The queen was firfl: to take the fiehl, 
Arm\l \vith her hchnet and her ihicld ; 
Teniper'd with fach lupcrior art, 
Thai both were proof to ev'ry dart. 
Two warlike chief's approached the green, 
And wond'rous fav'rites with the queen j 
I^cth were of Amazonian racej 
Both high in merit and in place. 
Here Relolution march Vi, whofe foul 
Ko fear could Ihake, no powV controul ; 
The heroine wore a Roman veft ; 
-A ii. n's heart informed her breail. 
Tiiere prudence (hone, whofe bofom wrought 
With all the various plans of Thought} 
"Twas l-.er? to bid the troops engage. 
And teach the battle where to rage. 

And now the Syren's armies prefs; 
Their vTin was headed by Excefsj 
The mighty wings that form'd the fide, 
Coir.::vK-!''cd by that giant Pride; 
Wjiije Sicknefs, and her fillers, Pain 
And Poverty, the centre gain: 
Hepentance, with a brow fevere. 
And JJeath were fiation'd in the rear! 

HealtK rang'd her troops with matchlefs art. 
And acted the defenlive part: 
Her arn-y pofced on a hill. 
Plainly beipoke fuperior ikill. 
Hence were difcover'd. through the plain. 
The motions of the hoilile train : 
While Prudence, to prevent farprife. 
Oft faliied with her trufty fpies j 
Explored each ambufcade below, 
And reconnoitred well the foe. 
Afar when Luxury defcried 
Inferior force by art fupplied. 
The Syren fpake — * Let Fraud prevail, 
'' Since all my numerous hofts muft fail; 

* Henceforth hoftilities fnall ccafe ; ■ 

* I'll fend to Health and offer pe-:ice.' 

Strai vht flie difp.nlch'd, with pow'rs complete, 
Pleafure, her ininifler, to treat. 
This wicked flrunipct topp'd her part, 
And fow'd fedition in the heart ! 
Thro' ev'r)' troop the poifon ran ; 
All were infected to a man. 
The wary generals were won 
By Pleafure's wiles, and both undone. 

Jove held the troops in high difgrace. 
And bade difeafes blafc the race; 
Look'd on the queen with melting eyes, 
And fnatch'd his darling to the fkies': 
Who flill regards thofe wifer few, 
That dare her di6tates to purfue. 
For where her ftricter law prevails, 
Tr.o' pafllon prompts or vice affails. 
Long fnaii rl e/ cloudlefs fkies behold, 
And their calm fun-ftt beam with gold. 



§ 114. Fj/son. IV. Content, 
Man is deceived by outvvard fhow — 

Ti- a plain homefpun truth I know ; 

»' );c fraud prevails at ev'ry age, 
■ *. '«ty<: t-he fchool-boy and the 1^^:^ ■ 



EXTRACTS, Book l^ 

Yet ftill we hug the doar deceit, 
And Itiil exclaim againft the cheat. 
But whence this inconiiftent part? 
Say, moralifcs, who know the heart: 
If you'll this labyrinth purfue, 
ril go before, and find the clue. 

I dream'd ('twas on a birth-day night} 
A iamptuous palace rofe to fight: 
The builder had, thro' ev'ry part, 
Obferv^d the chafleft rnles of art; 
Raphael and Titian had difplay'd 
All the full foi-ce of light and fliadc: 
Around the liveried fervants wait; 
An aged porter kept the gate. 

As^I wu^. l-raverfmg the hall. 
Where Bruifeis looms adorn'd the wall 
(Whofe tap'ilry fliews, without my aid, 
A mm is no fu'ch ufelefs m.aid), 
A».graceful perfon came in view 
(His form, it feems, is known to few) j 
His dref^ was unadorn'd with lace. 
But charm.s I a thoufand in his face. 

' This, Sir, your property r' I cried j 
' Mafter and manfion coincide: 

• Where all, indeed, is truly great, 

' And proves that blifs m^y dwell with ftatej 
' Pray, Sir, indulge a ftm.nger's claim, 
' And grant the favour of your name.' 

* Content!' the lovely form replied; 
' But think not here that I refide: 

' Here lives a courtier, bafe and lly; 

■ An open, honeit ruft r, I. 

' Our taite and manners difagree; 
' His levee boafls no charms for me : 
^ For titles, and the finiles of kings, 
' To me are cheap> unheeded things. 
' ('Tis virtue can a!one impart 

• The patent of a ducal heart : 

' Uniefs this herald fpeaks him great, 

■ What fhall avail the glare of ftate ?) 
' Thofe fecret charms are my delight, 

' Which iliine remote from pub;ic light— 

' Paflions lubdued, defirc? r^t refl: 

' And hence hi? chaplain ihares my breaff, 

* There was a time (his grace can tell) 
' I knew the duke exceeding well; 

' Knev/ ev'ry fecret cf his heart; 
' In tn.ith, we never were apart: 
' But when the court became his endy 

■ He turn'd his back upon his friend. 

* One day I call'd upon his grace, 

■ Jufl as the duke had got a place: 

' I thought (but thought amifs, 'tis clear) 

■ I fliould be welcome to the peer ; 

• Yes, welcome to a man in pow'r ; 

■ And fo I v.^as — for half an hour : 

• But he grew weaiy of his gueft-, 

' And ibon difcarded me his breafl ; 

■ Upbraided me with want of merit, 
But moft for poverty of fpirit. 

* You relifli not the great man's lot ! 
Come, haftcn to my humbler cot. 
Think me not partial to the great, 
I'm a Avorn foe to pride and ftatej 

^ ^ < No 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



«^ 



* No monarch fhares my kind embrace; 

* There's fcarce a monarch knows my face ; 

* Content fhuns courts, and oftner dwells 

* With modelt worth in rural cells; 

* There's no complaint, tho' brown the bread, 

* Or the rude turt' failam the he:*d; 

< Tho' hard the couclu and coarfe the meat, 

* Still the brown loaf aid fleep are fweet. 

' Far from the city I re fide, 

* Aad a thatch d cott:^ge all my pride. 

* True to ray heart, I ieldom roam, 

* Bccaule I find my Joys at home : 
« For foreign vir}ts;Lhen begin 

* When die m:>n feels a void within. 

* But tho' from towns and crowds I fly, 

* No humorift, nor cynic, I. 
^"Amidit fe(iUeli-er\l <hades I prize 

* The friendihips of the good and wife. 

* Bid Virtue and her fons attend, 

* Virtue will teil thte, I'm her friend;. 

« Tell thee I'm faithful, conftant, kind, 
■f And meek, and lowly, and reiign'd; 

< Will fay, there's no diitinft ion known 

< Betwixt her houfliould and my ov.n.' 

AUTHOR. 

If ihefe the friendfnips you purfue. 
Your friends, J fear, are very few. 
So little company, you .ay, 
yet fond of home from day to day ! 
Row do you flusn DetraClion's rod? 
I doubt your neighbours think you odd 1 

CONTENT. 

I commune wi'th myfelf at night, 
And alk my heart if ail be right: 
If ' Right' replies my faithful breaft, 
I fraiie, and dole my eyes to reft. 

AUTHOR. 

You feem regardlefs of the town : 
Pray, bir, how ftand you with the gown > 

CONTENT. 

The clergy fay they love me well; 
Whether they do, they beft can tell : 
They paint me modeil, friendly wife, 
And always praiie me to the flcies: 
But if convidion's at the heart. 
Why not a correfpondent part? 
For fhall the learned tongue prevail. 
If actions preach a ditf'rent tale ? 
Who'll leek my door, and grace my walls, 
When neither dean nor prelate calls? 

With thofe my friendfliips muft obtain, 
Who pn V their duty more than gain ; 
Soft flow the hours whene'er we meet, 
And confcious virtue is our treat ; 
Our h:irn\lef§ breaits no envy know. 
And hence we fear no fecret foe ; 
Our walks Ambition ne'er attends. 
And hence we alk no pow'rful friends : 
We wilh the belt to church and ftate. 
But leave the fteerage to tlie great; 
Carelefs wi.o rifes or w4io fall's, 
-^od ntvcr dream of vacant ftalls; 



Aluch lefs, by pfide or int'reft drawn. 
Sigh for the mitre and the lawn, 
^bbfervc the fecrets of my art, 
rii fundamental truths impart; 
If you '11 ray kind advice purfue, 
I'll quit my hut, and dwell with you. 
The paflions are a num'rous crowd, 
Imperioits, politive, and loud : 
Curb thefe licentious fons of ftrife ; 
Hence chiefly riii the itorms of life: 
If they grow mutinous, and rave, 
They are thy mafters, thou their Have. 
Regard the world with cautious eye. 
Nor raii'e your expectation high. 
See that the balanc'd Icales be fuch, 
You neither fear nor hope too much : 
For difappointmeiit's not the thing; 
'Tis pride and paflicn point the fting. 
Life is a fea, where ftorms muft rifej 
'Tis folly talks of clondiefs Ikies; 
He who contracts his fweliing fail, 
El'ddes the fury oi' the gale. 

Be itill, nor anxious thoughts employ; 
Diftruft embitters prefent joy : 
On God for ail events depend; 
You cannot want when God's your Friend, 
Weigh well your part, and do your b^-it; 
Leave to your Maker all the reit. 
The hand which form'd thee in the Avcmb, 
Guides from the cradle to the tomb. ' 
Can the fond mother (light her boy-? 

I Can (he forget her prattling joy ? 

t Say, then, (hall fov'reign love defert 

j The humble and the honeft heart ? 

; Heaven may not grant thee all thy mind; 

i Yet fay not thou, that Heav'ns unkind. 

I God is alike both good and wife 
In what he grants and what denies : 

; Perhaps, what Goodnefs gives to-da}', 

[ To-morrow Goodnefs takes away. 

I You fay, that troubles intervene-; 

I That forrows darken half the fcenc. 

■ True — and this confequence you lee, 

I The world was ne'er delign'd for thee.* 

': You 're like a paftenger below. 
That ftays perhaps a night or fo ; 
But Itill his native country lies 
Beyond the bound'ries of the ikies. 

Of Heaven aflc virtue, wifdom, healtli. 
But never let thy pray'r be wealth. 

1 If food be thine (tho' little gold), 

I And raiment to repel the cold ; 

I Such as may Nature's wants fuffice. 
Not what from pride and folly'rife ; 
If loft the motions of thy foul, 

I And a calm confcience crown the whole j 
Add but a friend to all this ftore. 
You can't in reafon wifh for more: 
And if kind Heaven this comfort brin^^s, 
'Tis more than Heaven beftows on kings. 

He fpake — the aiiy fpeftre Hies, 
And ftraight the iweet'illullon diesi. 
The vifion, at the early dawn, 
Confign'd me to the thoughtful morn; 



-I 



Tm 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



To all the cares of waking clay, 
/Vnd inconlillent dreams of day. 



§ 115. Vijion V. Happhicfi. 
Ye diK^ile youths, whole riling iun 
Hath many circles ftill to run \ 
Who v.iitly wilh the pilot's chart, 
To lleer thro' life th' uuftcady heart; 
And, all the thoughtful voyage pall, 
To gain a happy^ port at laft : 
Attend a Seer's inilruaive fong; 
For mo:-al truths to dreams belong. 
I faw this wondrous Vifion iocn, 
Long ere my fun had reached its noonj 
Julc when the rifing be-rd began 
To grace my chin, and cail me man. 

One night, when balmy llumbers Ihed 
Their peaceful poppies o'er my. head, 
My fancy led me to explore 
A thoufand fcenes unknown before. 
I faw a plain extended wide, 
And crowds pour'd in from ev'ry fide; 
All feem'd to ftart a diff'rent game, 
Yet all declared their views. the feme; 
The chale was Kappinels, I found} 
But all, alas ! enchanted ground. 

Indeed, I judg'd it wondrous ftrange, 
To fee the giddy numbers range 
Thro' roads, which promis'd nought, at beil, 
But forrow to the.hum.an breaft. 
f^Iethought, if biifs was all their view, 
Why did they diif'rent paths purfuer 
TiiC w'.ikjng world has long agreed. 
That Eag(h^t's not the road to Tweed z 
And he who Berwick feeks thro' Staines, 

Shall have his labour for his pains. 
As Parnell fays *, my bofom wrought 

With travail of uncertain thought 5 

And, as an angel help'd the dean, 

My angel chofe to intervene. 

Tne drefs of each was much the fame; 

And virtue was ruy feraph's name. 

When thus the angel filence broke; 

Her voice was mufic as Ihe fiooke : 
' A^llend, O m.an ! nor leave my fide, 

* And iafer;/ ftiall thy fobtlleps guide; 

* SucIj truths I'll teach, fuch fecrets fliow, 

* As none but favour'd mortals know.' 

She faid — and ftraight we march'd along 
To join Ambition's active throng: 
Crowds urg'd on crowds with eager pace, 
And happy he who led the race. 
Axes and daggers lay unfeen 
L". anibufcade along the green : 
While vapours (lieddcluhve light. 
And bubbles mock'd the diftant fight. 

We faw a (liining mountain rife, 
Whofe tow'ring fummit reach'd the fkies; 
The flopes were deep, and form'd of glafs, 
Painful and hazardous to pafs : 
Courtiers ar»d ftatelmen led the way; 
riie faithiefs paths their Heps betray; 

* See the 



This moment feen aloft to foar, 
The next to fall, and rife no more. 
' Twas here Ambition kept her court, 
A phantom of gigantic port: 
The fav'rite that fullain'd her throne 
Was Falfehood, by her vizard known ; 
Next liood Miftrull, with frequent figh, 
Difcrder'd look, and fquinting eye; 
While meagre Envy claim'd a place; 
And Jealoufy, with jaundic'd face. 

' But where is Kappinefs?' I cried. 
My guardian turn'd, and thus replied : 

' Mortal, by Foily ilill beguil'd, 
' Thou haft not yet outftripp'd the child; 
' Tiiou v/ho haft tv/enty winters feen 

* (I hardly think thee pad fifteen) 

* To aik if bappinefs can dwell 

* With ev'ry dirty imp of hell ! 

' Go to the fchool-boy; he {hall preach 
^ What twenty winters cannot teach ; 
' He '11 tel! thee, from his weekly theme, 
' That thy puriuit is all a dream ; 
' That blifs ambitious views difowns, 

* And, feif-dependant, laughs at thrones; 
' Prefers the fliades, and lowly feats, 

' Whither fair Innocence retreats. 
' So the coy lily of the vale 

* Shuns eminence, and loves the dale.' 

I blufn'd; and now we crofs'd the plain,. 
To find the money-getting train ; 
Thofe filent, fnug, commercial bands. 
With bufy looks, and dirty hands. 
Amidft tliefe thoughtful crov/ds, the old 
Plac'd all their happinefs in gold; 
And furely, if there's blifs below, 
Thefe hoary heads the fccret knew.' 
We journey'd with the plodding crew, 
When foon a temple rofe to view; 
A Gothic pile! with mois o'ergrown; 
Strong were the walls, and built with ftone* 
Without, a thoufand mafliffs wait j 
A thoufand bolts fecure the gate. 
We fought adrnilhon long in vain, 
For here all favours fell for gain. 
The greedy porter yields to gold ; 
His fee receiv'd, the gates unfold. 
Aflembled nations here we found. 
And view'd the cringing herds around. 
Who daily facrific'd to Wealth 
Their honour, confcience, peace, andhealth=> 
I faw no charms that could engage ; 
The god a{)pear'd like fordid age, 
V^'ith hooked nofe, and famifh'd jaws, 
But ferpent's eyes, and harpy's claws : 
Behind flood Fear, that reftlefs fprite. 
Which haunts the watches of the night j 
And viper Care, that flings fo deep, 
Whofe deadly venom murders fleep. 

We haflen now to Pleafure's flow'rs. 
Where the gay tribes fat crown'd with flow'rs : 
Here beauty ev'ry charm difplay'd. 
And love inflam'd the yielding maid; 
Hermit, pnge 7S. 

Delicious 



Book t. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



91 



Delicious wine our tafte employs j , 
His crimfon bowl exalts our joys. 
I felt its gen'rous pow'!*, and thought 
The pearl was found that long I louglit. 
Determin'd here to fix my home, 
1 bleis'd the change, nor wilh'd to roam: 
The leraph difapprov'd my ftay j 
Spread her fair plumes, and wing'd away. 

Abs ! whene'er we talk of blifs, 
How prone is man to judge amlis I 
See, a long train or ills confpires 
To fccurge our uncontrourd dtfires; 
Like fummer iwarms difeafes ciowd, 
Each bears a crutch, or each a fhroud: 
Fever, thatthirlly fury came. 
With inextinguiihable flame; 
Confumption, fworn ally of Death 1 
Crent flowiy on with panting breath; 
Gout roar'd, and fhew'd his throbbing feet; 
And Dropiy took the drunkard's feat ; 
Stone brought his torfring racks : and near 
Sat Palfy, fliaking in his chair. 

A mangled youth, beneath a fliade, 
A melancholy fcene dilpUy"d : 
His noJelefs face, and ioathfome ftains, 
Proclaim'd the poiibn in his veins; 
He raisM his eyes, he fmote his breaft. 
He wept aloud, and thus addrefs'd : 

' Forbear the harlot's falfe embrace, 

* Tho"" lewdnefs wear an angel's face : 

* Be wife, by my experience taught; 

* I die, alas ! for want of thought !' 
As he who travels Lybia's plains, 

Where the fierce lion law kfs reigns, 
Is ieiz'd with fear and wild difmay, 
When the grim foe obilru6ls his way ; 
My foul was pierc'd with equal fright, 
My tott'ring limbs oppos'd ray flight: 
I caird on Virtue, but in vain; 
Her abfence quicken'd ev'ry pain. 
At length the flighted angel heard; 
The dear refulgent form appeared : 

* Prefumptuous youth 1 fne faid, and frown' 
(My heart-ftrings iiutter'd at the Ibund) j 

* Who turns to me reluilant ears, 

* Shall Ihed repeated floods of tears. 
' Thefe rivers fliall for ever laft ; 

* There's no retracing what is paft: 

* Nor think avenging ills to fliun ; 

* Play a^alfe card,, and you're undone. 

* Of Pleafurc's gilded baits beware, 

* Nor tempt the Syren's fatal fnare : 

* Forego this curs'd detefted place ; 

* Abhor the ftrumpet, and her race. 

* Had you thofe fofter paths purfu'd, 

* Perdition, tripling, had enfued : 

* Yes, fly-r-you fl:and upon its brink ! 

* To-morrow is too late to think. 

* Indeed, unwelcome truths I tell, 
f But mark my facred leiTon well : 

* With me whoever lives at flirife, 

* Lofes his better friend for life; 

^ With me, who lives in friendfliip's ties^ 

* Finds all that's fought for by the w;fe. 



Folly exclaims, and well ihe may, 

Becaufe I take her malk awayj 

If once I bring her to the fun, 

Tiie painted harlot is undone. 

But prize, my child, oh prize ray rules. 

And leave Deception to her fools. 

* Ambition deals in tiniel toys ; 
Her trafHc gewgaws, fleeting joys. 
An errant juggler in difguile, 
Who holds faife optics to your eyes. 
But ah ! how quick the fnadows pafs 1 
Tho' the bright vifjons thro' her glafs 
Charm at a diftance ! yet, when near. 
The bafeiefs fabrics diiappear. 

' Nor riches boall intrinfic worth ; 
Their charms, at beiJ:, luperior earth : 
Thefe oft the heaven-born mind enflave. 
And make an honefl man a knave.' 

' Wealth cures my wants !" the mifer cries j 
Be not deceiv'd — the mifer lies ; 
One vvant he has, with all his Itore, 
That worll of wants — the want of more."* 
" Take Pleafure, Wealth, and Pomp away, 

' And whei-e is Happinefs ?" you fay. 

* 'Tis here — and may be yours — for, know^ 
I'm all that's llappineis below. 

* To Vice I leave tumultuous joysj 
Mine is the ftill and fofter voice! 

That whifpers peace when ftorms invade. 
And mufic through the midnight fliade. 

* Come, then, be mine in ev'ry part, 
Nor give me lefs than all your heart; 
When troubles difcompole your brealt, 
I'll enter there a cheerful gueft: 

My converfe fliall your cares beguile. 
The iitrle world within fliall fmile. 
And then it fcarce imports a jot. 
Whether the great world frowns or not., 
' And when the clofing fccnes prevail, 
When wealth, Itate, pleaiui-e, all fhall fail; 
All that a foolilh world admires, 
Or Paihon craves, or Pride infpiresi 
At that important hour of need, 
Virtue fnall prove a friend indeed ! 
My hands ihail fmooth thy dying bed. 
My arms fuftain thy drooping head : 
And when the painful ftruggle's o^er. 
And that vain thing, the world, no more ; 
I'll bear my fav'rite fon away 
To rapture and eternal day.' 



§ 116. fi/ionVl. Fnendjbip 
Friendship! thou foft propitious povv'r. ! 
Sweet regent of the focial hour ! 
Sublime thy joys, nor underftood 
But by the virtuous and the goodl 
Cabal and Riot take thy name. 
But 'tis a falfe aftefted claim.; 
In heaven if Love and Friendfliip dwell 
Can they afTociate e'er with hell ? 

Thou art the lame thro' change of times. 
Thro"* frozen zones and burning climes ; 
From the equator to the pole. 
The fame }cind angel through the whole : 

A- 



r- 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book 1- 



And, fince thy choice is ahva^'s free, 
J blel's thee for tby fmiles on me. 

When forrows fwell the tempeft- high; 
Thou, a kind port, art always nigh; 
For aching hearts a fov'reign cure. 
Not foft nepenthe * h:\lf fo fure ! 
And, when returning comforts rife, 
Thou the bright fun that gilds our ikies. 

While tliefe iu'eas warrn'd my brcaft, 
Vv'y weary eyelids Hole to reft; 
When fancy re-almm'd the theme. 
And furniih'd this inftruftive dream : 

I laird upon a ftormy fea 
(Thoufunds embark'd alike with me) ; 
My flciff was irnall, and weak befide, 
Not built, methought, to fcem the tide. 
The winds along the furges Iweep, 
The wrecks lie fcatter'd through the deep; 
Aloud the foaming billows roar; 
Unfriendly rocks forbid the fliore. 

While all our various courfe purfue, 
A fpacious ide falules our view : 
Two queens with tempers diff'ring wide. 
This new-difcover'd world divide: 
A river parts their proper claim. 
And Truth its celebrated name- 
One fide a beauteous tra6t of ground 
Piefents, with living verdure crown'd : 
The fealbns tem.pVate, foft, and mild. 
And a kind fun that always frnilM ; 
Few ftcmis moleft the natives here : 
Cold is the only ill they fear. 
Thishanpy clime and grateful foil. 
With plenty crowns the labourer's toil. 

Here Friend (liip's happy kingdom grew: 
Her realms were fmall, her fubje6cs few : 
A thoufand charms the palace grace; 
A rock of adamant its bafe. 
Tho' thunders roll, and lightnings fly. 
This ftrufture braves th' inclement iky: 
E'en time which other piles devours. 
And mocks the pride of human powVs, 
Partial to Friendfhip's pile alone, 
Cements the joints, and binds the flone: 
Ripens the beauties of the place, 
And calls to life each latent grace. 

Around the throne in order itand. 
Four Amazons, a trufty band ! 
Friends ever faithful to advife, 
Or to defend when dangers rife. 
Here Fortitude, in coat of mail t 
There Juftice lifts her golden fcale : 
Two hardy chiefs, who perfevere. 
With form ere6f, and brow fevere: 
Who fmile at perils, pains, and death. 
And triumph v^ith their latelt breath, 
^Temp'rance, that comely matron's near, 
<)uardian of all the virtue's here: 
Adorn'd vnth ev'ry blooming grace- 
Without one wriHkle in her face. 

• Nepenthe is an herb v/hich, being infiifed in wine, difpels grief. It is unkiiown to the modemj; 
bnt fome beheve it a kind of opium, and others take it fur a fpecies of bnglofs. P!in. xvi. 21. f. & x.\v. a. 

f The humble plant bends down before the touch, as the fenfiti'-e plant Huinks from the touch"; 
?.r.d is faid by feme to be the fiev/ poifonof the Indians. 



But Prudence moft attra6ls the fight, 
And {hines pre-eminently bright. 
To view her various thoughts that rift". 
She holds a mirror to her eyes; 
The mirror, faithful to its charge^ 
Reflects the virgin's foul in large. 

A Virtue with a fofter air , 
Was handmaid to the regal fair. 
This n3^mph, indulgent,^ conftant, kind. 
Derives from Heaven her fpotlefs rnind; 
When aifions wear a dubious face. 
Puts the beft meaning on the cafe ; 
She fpreads her arms, and bares her breall. 
Takes in the naked and dillrei's'd; 
Prefers the hungry orphan's cries, • 
And from her queen obtains fupplies. 
The maid, who afts this lovely part, 
Grafp'd in her hand a bleeding heait. 
Fair Charity, be thou my gr.eif. 
And be thy conftant couch m.y breaft! 

Eut virtues of inferior name 
Crowd round the throne with equal claim; 
In Loyalty by none furpafs'd, 
They hold allegiance to the lafl. 
Not ancient records e'er can fliow 
That one deierted to the foe, 

The river's other fide difplay'd 
Alternate plots of flow'rs and fliade. 
Where poppies Ihone with various hue, 
Where yielding willows plenteous grew ; 
And humble plants f , by trav'iiers thought 
With flow but certain poifbn fraught. 
Beyond thefe fcenes the eye deicried 
A pow'rful realm extended wide; 
Whofe bound'ries from north-ealt begun. 
And Itretch'd to meet the fouth-weit fun. 
Here Flatt'ry boafts defpotic fwa;/. 
And balk^s in all the warmth of day- 

Long praftis'd in Deception's ichool. 
The tyrant knew the arts to rule; 
Elated with th' imperial robe. 
She plans the conqueft of the globe; 
And, aided by hei- fervlle trains, 
Leads kings, and fons of kings, in chains. 
Her darling miniller is Pride 
(Who ne'er was knov/n to change his fide), 
A friend to all her int'reils juft. 
And a6live to difcharge his truftj 
Carefs'd alike by high and low. 
The idol of the belle and beau 5 
In ev'ry Ihape he fhews his Ikill, 
And forms her fubjefts to his will; 
Enters their houfes and their hearts. 
And gains his point before he parts. 
Sure never miniftcr was known 
So zealous for his fov'reign's throne \ 

Three fillers, limilar in mien. 
Were maids of honour to the queen; 
Who farther flavours Ihar'd befide. 
As, daughters of her ftatefman, Pride. 



B«OK I. 



SACRED AND MORAL 



94 



The firft, Conceit, with towVing creft, 
Who look'd with fcorn upon the reltj 
Fond of herlelf, nor lefs, I deem, 
Than diichel-? in her own efteem. 

Next Affe6tdtion, fair and young. 
With half-form'd accents on her tongue j 
Whofe antic Ihapes, and various face, 
DiUorted ev'ry native grace. 

Then Vanity, a wanton maid, 
Flaurring in brailel* and brocade; 
FantaHic, frolicfome, and wild, 
With all the trinicets of a child. 

The T^eople, loyal to the queen, 
Wore their attachment in their mien; 
With cheerful heart they homage paid, 
And happielt he who moft obeyM; 
While they who fought their own applaufe, 
Promoted moft their ibv'reign's caufe. 
The minds of all were fraught with guile j 
Their manners diflblute and vile; 
And ev'ry tribe, like Pagans, run 
To kneel before the rifing iun. 

But now fon:ie claraZrous Ibunds arife. 
And all the pleafmg vifion flies. 

Once more I cios'd my eyes to deep. 
And gain'd th' imaginary deep; 
Fancy prefidedat tht helm. 
And lleerVi me back to Fnendfhip's realm. 
But, oh \ with horror I relate 
The revolutions of her f^ate ; 
The Trojan chief could hardly more 
His Afiatic tow'rs deplore. 

For Flatt'ry view'd thofe fairer plains 
With longing eyes, where Friendihip reigns: 
With envy heard her neighbour's fame, 
And often figh'd to gain the fame, 
At length, by pride and int'reil fir'd, 
To Friendlhip's kingdom Ihe afpirM. 

And, now conmiencing open fee. 
She plans in thought fome mighty blow ; 
Draws out her forces on the green, 
And marches to invade the queen. 

The river Truth the hofts withltood. 
And roird her formidable flood : 
Her current Itrong, and deep, and clear; 
No fords were found, no ferries near, 
But as th« troops approach'd the waves, 
Their fears fuggefc a thoufand graves; 
They all retired with haile extreme, 
And fhudder'd at the dangerous itream. 

Hypocrify the gulph explores ; 
She forms a bridge, and joins the (hores. 
Thus often art or fraud prevails. 
When military prowei's fails: 
The troops aa eafy pallage find, 
And vift'ry follows dole behind. 

Frienddiip with ardour charg'd her foes, 
And now the fight promilcuous grows ; 
But Flatt'ry threw a poifon\i dart, 
And pierc'd the emprefs to the heart. 
The Virtues all around were feen 
To fiill in heaps about the queen* 

* At Porto Bello. f Died 



J Acainft the combined ifl«^s of France and Spaia 



The tyrant ftripp'd the mahgled fair; 

She wore her fpoils, allum'd her air; 

And, mounting next the fufterer's throne, 

Claimed the queen's titles as her own. 
* Ah, injur'd maid!' aloud I cried; 

' Ah, injur'd maidT the rocks replied. 

But judge ray griefs, and (hare them too. 

For the lad tale pertains to you : 

Judge, reader, how fevere the wound. 

When Friendfiiip's foes were mine, I found; 

When the fad fcene of pride and guile 

Was Britain's poor degen'rate iflel 
The Amazons, who propp'd the Itate, 

Haply furvey'd the gen'ral fate. 

Juiiice to Powis Houfe is fled, 

And Yorke fuftains her radiant head. 

The virtue. Fortitude, appears 

In open day at Ligonier's; 

Illultrious heroine of the iky, 

XVho leads to vanquilh or to die ! 

'Twas file our veterans breafts infplr'd, 

When Belgla's faithiefs fons retir'di 

For Tournay's treach'rous tow'rs can tell 

Britannia's children greatly fell. 
No partial Virtue of the plain 1 

She rous'd the lions of the main : 
j Hence Vernon's little fleet fucceeds *, 

And hence the gen'rous Cornwall bleeds -t- , 

Hence Grenville glorious 4.! — for flie fmira 
On the young hero from a child. 

Tho' in high life fuch virtues dwell, 
The '11 fuit plebeian breaits as well. 
Say, that the mighty and the great 
Blaze, like meridian funs of ilate; 

Etinlgent excellence difplay, 
Like Hallifax, in floods of day ; 
OurlefTer orbs may pour their light, 
Like the muld crefcent of the night. 
Tho' pale our beams, and fmall our fpherj. 
Still we may fiiine ferene and clear. 

Give to the judge the fcarlet gown; 
To ma?tial fouls the civic crown : 
^Vhat then? Is merit their's alone? 
Have we no worth to call our own ? 
Shall we not vindicate our part 
In the firm breaft and upright heart? 
Reader, thefe virtues may be thine, 
Tho' in fuperiorlife they fliine. 
I can't difcharge great Hardwicke's trull; 

True but my foul may ftill be juft; 

And tho' I can't the ftate defend, ^ 

I '11 dravv the fword to ferve my friend. 

Two golden virtues are behind, 

Of equal import to the mind; 

Prudence, to point out V/ifdom's way. 

Or to reclaim us vAien we ftray; 

Temp' ranee, to guard the youthful heart. 

When Vice and Foliy throw the dart: > 

Each virtue, let the v.'orld agree. 

Daily refides with you and me. 

And when our fouls iu friend fliip join, 

V/e '11 -deemihe focial bond divine; 

n a late cngagemeuc with the French fleet. 



Thro' 



## 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Booh t. 



ThiY>' et 'ry fcencnmiiTtam ottr truft. 
Nor e'er be timi<i or unjult 
That brealt, where Honour btrilds his throne, 
Thatbrealt, which Virtue chDs her own, 
Nor Int'rell warps, nor Fear appals, 
When Danger frowns, or Lucre calls. 
No! the true friend collefied ftands, 
Fearlefa his heart, and pure his hands : 
Let Int'reit: plead, let ftoi'ms arire, 
lie dares he honeft, tho' he dies ! 



§ 117. yi/ioft VII. Marriage. Infcribed to 

Mifs **. 

Fairest, this Vifiotr is thy due; 
1 fomi'd th' inftrU'iStive plan for you. 
Slight not the rules of thoughful agej 
Your welfare a6liiates ever}'^ page; 
But ponder well my facred theme, 
And tremble while you read my dream. 

Thefe awful word's, ' till death do part,* 
May A^-eli alarm the youthful heart : 
No after-thought when once a wife. 
The die is cail, and cafe for life'; 
Yet thoufands venture evVy day. 
As fome bafe pafilon leads the w::y. 
Pert Sylvia talks cf wedlock fcenes, 
Tiio' hardly ente-'d on her teens; 
Smiles on her whi-.-iin^ fpark, sad hears 
The fugar'd fpeech with rantur'd ears; 
Impatient of a parent's rule. 
She leaves her fire, and weds a fool. 
Want enters at the guardlefs door. 
And Love is fied, to come no more. 

Some few they are of fordid mould, 
Who barter youth and bloom for gold, 
Carelefs with what or whom they mate j 
Their ruling palTion 's all for ft ate, 
But Hymen, gen'rous, juft, and kind, 
Abhors the mercenary mind ; 
SucU rebels groan beneath his rod; 
For Hymen 's a vindiftive god : 

* Be joylefs ev'r}' night,' he faid; 

* And barren be their nuptial bed !' 

Attend, my fair, to wifdom's voice; 
A better fate fhali crown thy choice. 
A married life, to fpeak the befl, 
I'- all a lottery confeft: 
Yet, if my fair one will be wife, 
I win infure my girl a prize. 
Tho' not a prize ^o match thy worth: 
Perhaps thy equal ""s not on earth! 

'Tis an important point, to know 
There 's no perfection here below. 
Man 's an odd compound, after all j 
yVnd ever has been lince the fall. 
Say, that he loves you from his foul, 
Still man is proud, nor brooks controul; 
And t'no' a Have in love's foft fchool, 
In wedlock claims his right to rule. 
The heft, u fliort has fitults about him ; . 
If few thole faults, you muft not flout him. 
With fome, indeed, you can't difpenfe, 
A • want of tf-mper and of ieni't-.- 



For when the furl d'eferts the fkies. 
And the dull winter evenings rife. 
Then for a hufband's focial pow'r 
To form the calm, converfive hour; 
The treafures cf tby breaft explore. 
From that rich mine to draw the ore: 
Fondly each genVows thought rerme^ 
And give thy native gold to fhine ; 
Shew thee, cw really thou ajt, 
Tho' fair, yet fairer ftill at heart. 

Say, when life's purple bloiroms fade. 
As foon they mufl, thou chg.rming maid ! 
When in thy cheek the '-ofcs di'j. 
And ficknei's ciouds tnat brilliant eye; 
Say, when- or age or pains invade, 
And thofe dea limbs fhall call for aid; 
If tho'i art fetter'd to a FodI, 
Shall not his tranfient ori'/ioii cool? 
And, when thy health and beauty end. 
Shall thy weak mate Derhft a friend? 
Eut to a m; n of lenle, my dear. 
E'en then tliou lovely ih alt appear; 
He '11 Ihare the griefs that wound thy hearf. 
And, v.-eeping, claim the larger pait j 
Tho' age impairs that beauteous free. 
He '11 prize the pearl beyond its caie. 
In wedlocli when the fexes meet, 
jFriendn^ip is only then complete. 
' Blefs'd itate ! where fouls each other draw 5 
' Where love is liberty and law!' 
The choiceit blefiing found below. 
That man can wilh, or Heaven beftow ! 
Truft me, thefe raptures are divine. 
For lovely Chloe once was mine! 
Nor fear the v^rn\?a of my ftyle; 
Tho' poet, I'm eftrang'd to guile. 
Ah rae ! my faithful lips impart 
The genuine language of ray heart ! 

When bards extol their patrons high. 
Perhaps 'tis gold extorts the lie ; 
Perhaps the poor reward of bread — 
But who burns incenfe to the dead ? 
He, whom a fond affecfion draws, 
Carelefs of cenfure or applaufe; 
Whofe foul is upright and iincere. 
With nought to wifli and nought to feso*. 

Now to my villonary icheme 
Attend, and profit by my dream. 

Amidft the llumbers of the night, 
A ftately temple rofe to fight; 
And ancient as the human race, 
1 If Nature's purpofes you trace: 
[This fane, by all the wife rever'd, 
I T6 wedlock's pow'rful god was reared. 
' Hard by I faw a graceful fage. 
His locks were frofted o'er by age; 
His garb was plain, his mind ferene. 
And wifdom dignified his mien. 
With curious fearch his name I fought. 
And found 'twas Hymen's fav'rite. Thought* 

Apace the giddy crowds advance. 
And a lewd (atyr led the dance. 

I griev'd to fee whole thoufands njn. 
For oh ! what thoufands were undone \ 

The 



Book 1. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



ff 



The fage, when thefe itiad troops he fpied, 

[n pity flew to join their fide: 

rhe dilconcerted pairs began 

To rail againft him to a man ; 

Vow'd they were flrangers to hi« name, 

Nor knew from whence the dotard came. 

But mark the fequel— -for this truth 
Highly concerns impetuous youth. 
Long ere the honey moon could wane, 
Perdition feiz'd on ev'ry twain j 
At ev'ry houfe, and all day long, 
Repentance plied her Icorpion thong : 
Difguft wa:s there with frowning mien, 
And ey-jy wayward child of fpleen. 

Hymen approached his awful fane. 
Attended by a num'rous train. 
Love, with each foft and namelefs grace. 
Was firft in favour and in place : 
Then came the god, v/ith folemn gait, 
VVhofe ev'ry word was big with fatej 
His hand a flaming taper bore. 
That facied fymbol, fam'd of yore, 
V'irtue, adorn'd with every charm, 
Saftain'd the god's incumbent arm; 
Beauty improv'd the giov/ing fcene 
With all the rofes of eighteen. 
Youth led the gaily fmiTing fair^ 
His purple pinions wav'd in air ; 
Wealth, a clofe hunks, walk'd hobbling nigh, 
With vulture-claw and eagle-eye. 
Who threefcore years had feen, or more 
('Tis faid his coat had feen a fcore) : 
Proud was the wretch, tho' clad in rags, 
Prefuming much upon his bags. 

A female next her arts difplay'd j 
Poets alone can paint the maid : 
Truil me, Hogarth (tho' great thy fame), 
"Twould pofe thy fkill to draw the fame j 
And yet thy mimic pow'r is more 
Than ever painter's was before. 
Now fhe was fair as cygnet's down, 
Now as Mat Prior's Emma brown ; 
And, changing as the changing flow'r, 
Her drefs flie varied ev'ry hour. 
'Twas Fancy, child — you know the fair, 
Who pins your gown,- and fets your hair. 

Lo ! the god mounts his throne of ftate. 
And fits the arbiter of fate : 
His head, with radiant glories dreft, 
Gently reclin'd on Virtue's breaft. 
Love took his ttation on the right : 
His quiver beam'd with golden light: 
Beauty ufurp'd the fecond place. 
Ambitious of diltinguifn'd grace ; 
She claim'd this ceremonial joy, 
Becaufe related to the boy 5 
Said it was hers to point his dart, ' 

And fpeed his pafTage to the heart ; 
While on die god's inferior h-.md 
Fancy and Wealth obtain'd their ftand. 

And now the hallow'd rites proceed, 
And now a thoufand heait-flrings bleed. 
I faw a blooming, trembling bride, 
A toothlefs lover join'd hir fide j 



Averfe fhe turned her weeping face, - 
And fhuddcr'd at the cold embrace. 

But various baits their force impart j 
Thus titles lie at Ceiia's heart. 
A pafTion much too foul to name. 
Colls fupercilious prudes their fame: 
Prudes wed to publicans and fmners ; 
The himgry poet weds for dinners. 

The god with frown indignant view'd 
The rabble covetous or lewd ; 
By ev'ry vice his altar ftain'd. 
By ev'ry fool his rites profan'd: 
When Love complain'd of Wealth aloud. 
Affirming Wealth debauch'd the crowd j 
Drew up in form his heavy charge, 
Defiring to be heard at large. 

The god confents, the throng divide. 
The yoi;ng efpous'd the n]air!,tiif' s fidej^ 
The old declar'd for the defendant. 
For age is money's fworn attendant. 

Love iaid, that v/ediock was deflgn'd 
By gracious Heaven to match the mindj 

I To ]>2lr the tender and the juft, 

j And his the delegated truf I : 
That Wealth had play'd a knavifli part. 
And taught the tongue tc-) v/rong the heart- 
But M'hat avails the faithlefs voice ? 
The injur'd heart difdains the choice. . 

Wealth Itraight replied, that Love was blind. 
And talk'd at random of the mind: 
That killing eyes, and bleeding hearts, 

I And all th' artillery of darts, 

j Were long ago exploded fancies, 
And laugh 'd at even in romances. 
Poets indeed ftyle love a treat. 
Perhaps for want of better meat: 
And love might be delicious fare,-. 
Could we, like poets, live on air. 
But grant that angels feafl on love 
(Thofe purer eflences above). 
Yet Albion's fons, he underflood, 
Preferr'd a more fubftantial food. 
Thus while with gibes he drefs'd his caufe^ 
His grey admirers hemm'd applaufe. 
With feeming conqueft pert and proud, 
Wealth fhook his lides, and chuckled loudj 
When Fortune, to retrain his pride. 
And fond to favour Love befide, 
Op'ning the mifer's tape -tied veffc, 
Difclos'd the cares which flung his-breafl : 
Wealth flood abafh'd at his diigrace. 
And a deep crimfon fiufli'd his face. 

Love fweetly fimper'd at the fight ; 
His gay adherents laugh'd outright. 
The god, tho' grave his temper, fmii'd; 
For Hymen dearly priz'd the child. 
But he who triumphs o'er his brother. 
In turn is laugh'd at by another. 
Such cruel fcores we often find 
Repaid the criminal in kind : 
For Poverty, that famifh'd fiend \ 
Ambitions of a wealthy friend, 
AdvancM into the mifer's place, 
And ftar'd the itripllng in. the face; 



96 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



B O K I« 



Whofe lips grew pale, and cold as clay : 
I thought the chit would fvvoon away. 
The god was Ihidious to employ 
His cares to aid the vanqui(h\l boy: 
And therefore iiVued his decree, 
That the two parties llraight agree: 
When botli obey'd the god's commands. 
And Love and Riches join'd their hands. 

What wond'rous change in each was wrought. 
Believe me, fair, furpafliss thought. 

If Lm-e had many charms before, 
Ke now had charms ten thouland more : 
If Wealth had ferpents in his breali:, 
They now were dead, or luird to reil. 

Beauty, that vain, affefted thing. 
Who join'd the hymeneal ring, 
Approach'd, with round unthinking face ; 
And thus the trifler Hates her cafe : 

She faid that Love's complaints, 'twas known, 
Exaftly tallied with her own : 
That Wealth had learn'd the felon's arts, 
And robh'd her of a thoufand hearts j 
Defiring judgment again II Wealth, 
For falfehood, perjury, and fteaith : 
All which (he could on oath depofe 5 
And hop'd the court would flit his nofe. 

But Hymen, when he heard her name, 
CaJl'd her an interloping dame ; 
Look'd through the crowd with angry ftate. 
And blam'd the porter at the gate 
Por giving entrance to the fair, 
When fhe was no cflential there. 

To fink this haughty tyrant's pride, 
He order'd Fancy to prefide. 
Hence, when debates on beauty rife. 
And each bright fair difputes the prize, 
To Fancy's caurt we ftraight apply. 
And wait the fentence of her eye; 
In beauty's realms Ihe holds the feals. 
And her awards preclude appeals. 



§ Ij8. njIonVUL Life. 
Let not the young my precepts fhun j 
Who (light good coun'els are undone. 
Your poet fung of love's delights. 
Of halcyon days and joyous nights j 
To the gay fancy lovely themes; 
And fain i 'd hope they 're more than dreams. 
JiUt, if you pleale, before we part, 
I 'd {peak a language to your heart. 
V/e '11 talk of Life, tho' much I fear 
Th' ungrateful tale will wound your car. 
You raife your fanguine thoughts too high. 
And liardly know the reafon why : 
But fay. Life's tree bears golden fruit, 
Some canker fhall corrode the root ; 
Some unexpected ftorm fhall rjie, 
Or Icorching funs, or chilling (kies } 
And (if cxperienc'd truths avail) 
All your autumnal hopes lliall fail. 

* But, poet, whence fuch wide extremes ? 
' Weil nxny you ftyle your labours dreiams. 
' A (on of (orrow thou, I ween, 
' Whofe Vifious arc tlie brats of Spleen. 



* Is blifs a vague, unme.inmg nam£ ? 
' Speak then the paiTions' u(e or aim j 
' Why rage defires without controul, 

* And roufe fuch whirlwinds in the foul ? 

* Why Hope erefts her tow'ring creft, 

* And laughs and riots in the breaft ? 

* Think not my weaker brain turns round; 

* Think not 1 tread on fairy ground ; 

* Think not your pulfe alone beats true — 

* Mine makes as healthful mulic too. 

' Our joys, when Life's foft fpring we trace^ 
' Put forth their early buds apace. 

* See the bloom loads the tender (hoot j 
' The bloom conceals ihe future fruit. 

' Yes, manhood's v/a -m meridian iun 

* Shall ripen what in ipring begun. 

* Thus infant rofes, ere they blow, 

* In germinating clutlers grow; 

* And only wait the fummer's ray, 

' To burft, and bloflbm to the day.' 
What faid the gay unthinking boy ? 

Methought Hilario talk'd of joy ! 

Tell, if thou canlt, whence joys arife, 

Or v.'hat thofe mighty joys you prize. 

You '11 find (and truif fuperior years) 

The vale of life a vale of tears. 

Could wifdom teach where joys abound^ 

Or riches purchafe thein when found. 

Would fceptred Solomon complain 

That all vras fleeting, falle, and vain? 

Yet fceptred Solomon could fiy. 

Returning clouds ohfcur'd his day. 

Tboie maxims, which the preacher drew. 

The royal fage expjrienc'd true. 

He knew the variosis ills that wait 

Our infant and meridian ftate; 

That tcys our earlieit thoughts engage, 

And difi"'rent toys maturer age; 

That grief at ev'ry ftage appears. 

But diff 'rent griefs at diff 'icnt years ; 

That vanity is {ttn^ in part, 

Infcrib'd on ev'ry human heart ; 

In the child's brealt the fpark began, 

Grows with his growth, and glares in man. 

But vvhen in life we journey late, 

If (x>llies die, do griefs abate ^ 

Ah ! what is life at fourfcore years ? [and tears 

One dark, rough road, of fighs, groans, pains. 
Perhaps you '11 think I acl the fa ne 

As a fly fharper plays his game : 

You triumph ev'ry deal that 's paft. 

He 's fure to triumph at the laft ! 

Who often wiuo fome thoufands more 

Than twice the fuins you won befo/e. 

But I 'm a lofer wi:h the reft; 

For life is all a deal at beft. 

Where not the prize of werilth or fame 

Repays the trouble of the game — 

(A. truth no winner e'er denied. 

An hour before that Vv-inuer died). 

Not that with me thcle prizes fliine; 

For neither fame nor wealth is mine. 

My cp.rds, a weak plebeian band, 

With fcarce an h;:nour in my hand ! 



Book I. 



SACRED AND M O R A^. 



97 



And, fince my trumps are very few, 

What have I more to boaft than you ? 

Nor am I gainer by your fall j 

That harlot Fortune bubbles all { 

'Tis truth (receive it ill or well), 

'Tis melancholy truth I tei!. 

Why (houKl the preacher take your pence, 

And ftnother truth to flatter fenfe ? 

I'm fure ph/ficians have no merit, 

Who kill thro' lenity of fpirit. 

That life's a game, divines confefsj 
This fays at cards, and that at chefs : 
But, if our views be centred here, 
'Tis all a lofmar game I fear. 

Sailors, you know, when wars obtam. 
And hollile vefleis crowd the main, 
If they difcover from afar 
A bark as diftant as a ftar. 
Hold the perfpeftive to their eyes, 
To learn its colours, llrength, and fize ; 
And, when this fecret once they know. 
Make ready to receive the foe. 
Let you and I from failors learn 
Important truths of like concern. 

I clos'd the day, as cuftom led. 
With reading, till the time of bed $ 
Where Fancy, at the midnight hour. 
Again difplay'd her magic pow'r — 
(For know that Fancy, like a fprite. 
Prefers the filent fcenes of night). 
She lodg'd me in a neighb'ring wood, 
No matter where the thicket ftood j 
The Genius of the place was nigh. 
And held tv/o pictures to my eye. 
The curious painter had pourtray'd 
Life in each juiland genuine fliade. 
They, who have only known its dawn. 
May think thefe lines too deeply drawn j 
But riper years, I fear, will fhew 
The wifer artifts paint too true. 

One piece prefents a rueful wild. 
Where not a fummer's fun had fmil'd : 
The road with thorns is cover'd wide, 
And Grief fits weeping by the iidej 
Her tears with conftant tenor flow. 
And form a mournful lake below j 
Whofe fiicnt waters, dark and deep. 
Thro' all the gloomy valley creep. 

Paflions that flatter, or that flay. 
Are beads that fawn, or birds that prey. 
Here Vice aff*umes the fef pent's ftiapcj 
There Folly perfonates the ape : 
Here Av'rice gripes with harpy"s claws j 
There Malice grins with tiger's jaws : 
While fons of Mifchief, Art, and Guile, 
Are alligators of the Nile. 

E'en Pleafure a6ls a treacherous part ; 
She char.ns the fenfe, but filings the heart: 
And when flie gulls us of our wealth, 
Or that fuperior peail, our health, 
Rellores us nought but pains and woe. 
And. drowns us in the lake below. 



There a commiflionM angel flands, 
With defolation in his hands ! 
He fends the all-devouring flame. 
And cities hardly boalt a name : 
Or wings the peltilential blafl:. 
And, lo ! ten thoufands breathe their lafl-; 
He fpeaks — obedient tempefts roar, 
y\nd guilty nations are no more : 
He fpeaks — the fury Difcord raves. 
And fweeps whole armies to their graves; 
Or Famine lifts her mildew'd hand, 
And Hunger howls thro' all the land. 

' Oh ! what awretch is man !' I cried j 
Expos'd to death on ev'ry fide ! 
And fure as borne to be undone 
' By evils which he cannot fliun ! 
' Befides a thoufand baits to fin, 
' A thoufand traitors lodg'd within \ 
' For foon as Vice aflliults the heart, 
* The rebels take the dsemon'a part.' , 

I hgh, my aching bofom bleeds ; 
When fl:raight the milder plan fucceeds* 
The lake of tears, the dreary (hore. 
The fame as in the piece before : 
But gleams of light are here difptay'd. 
To cheer the eye, and gild the ftiadej 
Affliftion fpeaks a fofter fi:yle. 
And Difappointment wears a fmile : 
A group of virtue's bloflbm nearj 
Their roots improve by ev'ry tear 

Here Patience, gentle maid ! is nigh. 
To calm the flrorm, and wipe the eye ; 
Hopeafts the kind phyfician's part, 
And warms the folitaiy heart: 
Religion nobler comfort brino-s, 
Difarms our'griefs, or blunts their flings ; 
Points out the balance on the whole. 
And Heaven rewards the ftruggling foul. 

But while thefe raptures I purfue. 
The Genius fuddcnly withdrew 



§ 119. Fifwn the lajl. Death. 
'Tis thought my Vifions are too grav€ *\ 
A proof I'm no defigning knave. 
Perhaps, if int'refl: held the fcales, 
I had devis'd quite dift''rent tales j 
Had join'd the laughing, low buffooa. 
And fcribbled fatire and lampoon j 
Or Itirr'd each fource of foft defire. 
And fann'dthe coals of wanton fire; 
Then had my paltry Vifions fold} 
Yes, all my dreams had turn'd to gold| 
Had prov'd the darling of the town. 
And I — a Poet of renown ! 

Let not my awful theme furprife j 
Let no unmanly fears ariie. 
I wear no melancholy hue } 
No wreaths of cyprels, or of yew. 
The ftiroud, the coflin, pall, or hearfe. 
Shall ne'er deform my fofter verfe. 
Let me confign the fun'ral plume. 
The herald's paint, the fculptur'd tomb. 



* See the Monthly Review of New Books, for February 1751. 

H 



And 



^ 



f. LEG AST EXTRACTS, 



BOQK I. 



And all {he felemn farce of graves, 
To undertakers and their Haves. 

You know that moral writc*rs fay. 
The world's a Itage, and life a play; 
That in this drama to fucceed, 
Requires much thought and toil indeed! 
There Itill remains one labour more. 
Perhaps a greater than before. 
Indulge the fearth, and you (hall find 
The harder talk is Hill behind : 
That harder tafk, to quit the ilage 
In early youth or riper age ; 
To leave the company and place 
With firmnefs, dignity, and grace. 

Come, then, the clofing fcenes furvey j 
'Tis the lafl aft which crowns the play. 
Do well this grand decifive part, 
And gain the plaudit of your heart. 
Few greatly live in Wifilom's eye— * 
But, oh ! how few who greatly die { 
Who, when their days approach an end. 
Can meet the foe as friend meets friendr 

InRructive heroes ! tell us whence 
Your nob}e fcorn of fle/h and fenfe I 
You part from all we prize fo dear, 
Nor dr6p ©ne foft, reluctant tear; 
Part from thofe terider joys of life, 
The friend,, the parent, child, and wife. 
Death's black and ftprmy gulph you brave. 
And ride exulting on the wave ; 
Deem thrones but trifles all !— -no more— 
Nor fend one wifhful look to fh-ore. 

For foreign ports, and lands unknown. 
Thus the firm failor leaves his own; 
Obedient to the rifing gale. 
Unmoors his bark, and fpreads his fail j 
Defies the ocean and the wind. 
Nor mourns the joys he left behind. 

Is Death a powerful monarch ? True ; 
Perhaps you dread the tyrant too ! 
Fear, like a fog, precludes the light. 
Or fwells the objeft to the fight. 
Attend my vifionar}' page. 
And lil difarm the tyrant's rage. 
Come, let this ghaftly form appear j 
He's not fo terrible when near. 
Diftance deludes th' imwary eye; ' 
So clouds feem monllers in the Hey: 
Hold freqirent converfevvith him now. 
He'll daily wear a milder brow, 
Why is my theme with terror fraught ? 
Eecaufe you fhun the frequent thought. 
Say, when the captive pard is nigh. 
Whence thy pale cheek and frighted eye ? 
Say, why difmay'd thy manly breaft, 
When the grim lion /hakes his creft; 
Becaufe thefe favage fights are new j 
No keeper fiiudders at the view : 
Keepers accuftom'd to th6 fcene. 
Approach the dens with look ferene ? 
Fearlefs their grifly charge explore, 
And fmile to hear the tyrants roar. 

* Ay — but to die ! to bid adieu I 
* An everlafting faiewel too I 
3 



Farewel to ev'ry joy around! 

Oh, the heart fickens at the found !' 

Stay, ftnpling — thou art poorly taught i 
Joy, didft tiiou fay ? difcard the thought. 
Joys are a rich celeftial fruit. 
And fcorn a lubluuary roct: 
What wears the face of joy below. 
Is often found but fplendid woe. 
Joys here, like unfubilantial fame, 
Are nothings but a pompous name; 
Or elfe, like comets in the fphere. 
Shine with dellruftion in their rear. 

PafTions, like clouds, obfeure the fight. 
Hence mortals feldom judge aright. 
The world's a harfh unfruitful foil, 
Yet iHll we hope, and flill we toil ; 
Deceive ourfelves with wond'rous art. 
And difappointment wrings the heartr 

Thus, when a mill collects around. 
And hovers o'er a barren ground, 
The poor deluded trav'iler fpies 
Imagin'd trees and ilruftures rife ; 
But, when the fhrouded fun is clear. 
The delert and the rocks appear. 

' Ah — but when youthful blood runs hlgh^ 
' Sure 'tis a dreadful thing to die 1 

* To die t and what exalts the gloom, - 

* I'm told that man furvives the tomb 1 

* O I can the learned prelate find 

* What future fcenes await the mind ! 

' Where wings the Ibul, difiodg'd from clay ? 
' Some courteous angel point the way ! 

* That unknown fomewhere in the ikies, 

' Say, where that unknown fomevvhere lies^- 
' And kindly prove, when life is oer, 

* That pains and forrows are no more -. 
' For doubtlefs, dying is a curfe, 

' If prefent ills be chang'd for worfe.' 

Hufli, my young friend, forego the theme.y 

And liften to your poet's dream. 
Ere while I took an ev'ning walk, 

Honorio join'd in focial talk. 

Along the lawns the zephyrs fweep j 

Each ruder wind was lulid afieep. 

The Ckj, all beauteous to behold. 

Was ftreak'd with azure, green, and gold i. 

But tho' ferenely foft and fair, 

Fever hung brooding in the air; 

Then fettled on Honorio's brealt, 

Which fi-iudder'd at the fatal gueil:. 

No drugs the kindly wifh fulfil; 

Difeafe eludes the doctor's flcill : 

The poifon, fpread thro' ail the frame, 

Ferments, and kindles into flame. 

From fide to fide Honorio turns, 

And now with thirft infatiate burns ; 

His eyes refign their wonted grace, 

Thofe friendly lamps expire apace ! 

The brain's an ufelefs organ grown ; 

And Reafon tumbled from his throne. 
But, while the purple furges glow. 

The currents thicken as they flow : 

The blood in ev'ry diftant part 

Stagnates and difappoint* tiie heart; 

Defrauded 



Book T. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



99 



Defrauded of its crimfon ftore, 
rhe vital engine plays no more. 

Honorio dead, the fun'ral l?ell 
Caird ev'ry friend to bid farewell. 
[ join'd the melancholy bier, 
A.nd dropped the unavailing tear. 

The clock ftruck. twelve— when nature fought 
Repofe from all the pangs of thought ; 
And, while my limbs were funk to reft, 
A Vifion footh'd my troubled breaft. 

I dream d the fpe6lre Death appear'd 1 
I dream'd his hollow voice I heard I 
Methought th' imnerial tyrant wore 
A ftate no prince affum'd before j 
All nature fetched a general groan, 
And lay expiring round his throne. 

1 gaz'd — when ftraight arofe to fight 
The moft detefted fiend of night. 
He fhuJfHed with unequal pace, 
And confcious fharae deform'd his face. 
With jealous leer he fquinted rouad. 
Or fix'd his eyes upon the ground. 
From hell this frightful monfter came j 
Sin was his fire, and Guilt his name. 
This fury, with officious care. 
Waited around the fov'ieign's chair j 
In robes of terror drefs'd the king. 
And arm'd him with a baneful fting j 
Gave fiercenefs to the tyrant's eye. 
And hung the fword upon his thigh. 
Difeafes next, a hideout crowd ! 
Proclaimed their mailer's empire loud^ 
And all, obedient to his will. 
Flew in commiffion'd troOps to kill. 

A rifing whirlwind fiiakes the poles, 
And lightning glares, and thunder rolls. 
The monarch and his train prepare 
To range the foul tempelluous air. 
Straight to his ihoulders he applies 
Two pinions of enormous fize ! 
Methought I faw the ghaftly form 
Stretch his black wings and mount the ftorra: 
When Fancy's airy horfe I ft rode. 
And join'd the army on the road. 
As the grim conqueror urg'd his way, 
He fcatter'd terror and difmay. 
Thoufands apenfive afpeft wore, 
Thoufands who fneer'd at death before. 
Life's records rife on ev'ry fide, 
And Confcience fpreads thofe volumes widej 
Which faithful regifters were brought 
By pale-eyed Fear and bufy Thought, 
rhole faults which artful men conceal. 
Stand here, engraved with pen of fteel, 
By Confcience, that impartial fcribe 1 
Whofe honeft palm dildains a bribe; 
Their actions all like critics view. 
And all like faitiiful critics too. 
As Guilt had ftain'd life's various ftage, 
What tears of blood bedew 'd the page ! 



All fhudder'd at the black account. 
And fcarce believ'd the vaft amount ! 
All vow'd a fudden change of heart. 
Would death relent, and Iheath his dart. 
But, when the awful foe withdrew, 
All to their follies lied anew. 

So when a wolf, who fcours at large, 
Springs on the fliepherd's fleecy charge. 
The flock in wild diforcier lly. 
And caft behind a frequent eye ; 
But, when the victim's borne away. 
They ru(h to pafture and to play. 

Indulge my dream, and let my pen. 
Paint thole unmeaning creatures, men. 

Carus, with pain and ficknefs worn, 
Chides the flow night, and fighs for morn, 
Soon as he views the eaftern ray 
He mourns the quick return of day : 
Hourly laments protracted breath. 
And courts the healing har.d of death. 

Verres, opprefs'd with guilt and ihame, 
Shipwreck'd in forrune, health, and fame: 
Pines for his dark, fepulchral bed. 
To mingle with th' unheeded dead. 

With fourfcore years grey Natho bends, 
A burden to himfelf and friends ! 
And with impatience feems to wait 
The friendly hand of Jing'rlng Fate. 
So hireling's wifh their labour done. 
And often eye the weftern fun. 

The monarch hears their various grief; 
Defcends, and brings the wifli'd relief. 
On Death v/ith wild furprize they ftar'dj 
All feem'd averfe ! all unprepar'd 1 

As torrents fweep with rapid force. 
The grave's pale chief purfued his courfe. 
No human pow'r can or withft:and, 
Or fhun, the conquefts of his hand. 
Oh ! could the prince of upright mind. 
And as a guardjan angel kind, 
With ev'ry heart-felt worth befide, 
Turn the keen Ihaft of death afide. 
When would the brave Auguftus join 
The aflies of his ficred line ! 
But Death maintains no partial war; 
He mocks. a fiiltan or a czar : 
He lays his iron hand on all — 
Yes, icings, and ions of kings, muft fallS 
A truth Britannia lately felt. 
And trembled to her centre * ! 

Could, abieft ftatefmen ward the blow, 
Would Grenville own this common foe ? 
For greater talents ne'er were know^n 
To grace the fav'rite of a throne. 

Could genius fave— wit, learning, fire— » 
Tell me would Chefterfieid expire ? 
Say, would his glorious fun decline. 
And fet like your pale liar or mine ? 

Could ev'ry virtue of the flcy — 
Would Herring f, Butler J, Seeker ||, die ? 



* Referring to the death of his late Royal Highnefs Frederic Prince of Wales. 

t ArchMfliop of Canterbury. % Late Bilhop of Durham. J] Bilhop of Oxford. 

H 2 Wb7 



too 

Wh)' this addrefs to peerage nil ? 
Untitled Allen's virtue's call ! 
If Allen's worth demands a place, 
Lords with your leave, 'tis no diigrace. 
Though high your ranks in heralds rolls, 
Know, Virnie too ennobles fouls. 
By her that private man's renown'd 
Who pours a thoufuid bleilings round. 
While Allen takes Aiiii6Hon"s part, 
And draws out all his gen'rous heart, 
Anxious to feize the fleeting day, 
Lelt unimprov'd it ileal away; 
While thus he walks with jealous ftrife, 
Through goodnefs, as he walks through llfej 
Shall not I mark his radiant path ? — 
Rife, Mufe, and fing tlie Man of Bath ! 
Publifh abroad, could goodnefs fave, 
Allen would difappoint the grave j 
Tranflated to the heavenly fliore, 
Like Enoch, when his walk was o'er. 

Nor Beauty's pow'rful pleas relirain: 
Her pleas are trifling, weak, and vain ; 
For women pierce with flirieks the air, 
Smite the bare breafts, and rend their hair ; 
All l^ave a doleful tale to tell, 
How friends, fons, daughters, hufbands fell! 

Alas ! is life our fav'rite theme — 
'Tis ail a vain or painful dream 5 
A dream which fools or cov.'ards prize, 
But flighted by the brave or wife. 
Who lives, for others ills mull groan. 
Or bleed for forrows of his ow n ; 
MuH journey on with weepi r.g eye. 
Then pant, fmk, agonize, and die. 

* And ftiall a man anaign the fkies, 

* Becaufe man lives, and mourjis, and dies ?' 

* Impatient Reptile!' Reafon cried; 

* Arraign thy paffion and thy pride: ' 

* Reti:-e, and commune with thy heart; 

« Afk whence thou cam'ft, and what thou art : 

* Explore thy body and thy mind, 

* Thy ftation too why here aflign'd. 

* The fearch fhall teach thee life to prize, 

* And make thee grateful, good, and wife. 

* Why do you roam to foreign climes, 

* To (ludy nations, modes, and times; 
' A fcience often dearly bought, 

* And often what avails you nought ? 

* Go, man, and a6t a wifer part, 

* Study the fcience of your heart : 
This home philofophy, you know, 

« Was priz'd fome thonfand years ago*. 
'Then why abroad a frequent gueft ? 

* Why fuch a ilranger to your breaft ? 

* Wliy turn i'o many volumes o'er, 

* Till Dodfley can fupply no more ? 

* Not all the volumes ou thy Ihelf 

« Are worth that (ingle volume, Self: 

* For who, this facred book declines, 

* Howe'er in other aits he fhines, 

* Tho' fmit with Pindar's noble rage, 

* Or vers'd in Tully's manly page; 



ELEGAN^X EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



Tho' deeply read in Plato's fchool, 
With all his knowledge, is a fooh 

* Proclaim the truth — Say, \\hat is man? 
His body from the duft began; 

And when a few fiiort years are o'er. 
The crumbling fabric is no more. 

* But whence the foul? — From heaven it camel 
O prize this intelle6tual flame! 

This nobler felf with rapture fcan ; 
'Tis mind alone which makes the man. 
Trull me, there's not a joy on earth, 
But from the foul derives its birth, 
Aik the young rake, (he'll anfwer right). 
Who treats by day and drinks by night, 
What makes his entertainment fhine ? 
What gives the relifii to his wine ? 
He'll tell thee (if he fcorns the beait) 
That focial pleafares form the feaft. 
The charms of beauty too Ihall cloy, 
Unlel's the foul exalts the joy. 
The mind muft animate the face. 
Or cold and taftelefs ev'ry grace. 

* What! muft the foul her powVs difpenle, 
To raife and fweli the joys of fenfe ? 
Knorv", too, the joys of lenfe controul 

And clog the motions of the foul ; 
Forbid her pinions to afpire. 
Damp and impair her native fire ; 
And fure as fenfe, that tyrant ! reigns^ 
She holds the emprefs Soul in chains: 
Inglorious bondage to the mind. 
Heaven born, fublime, and unconfin'd ! 
She's independant, fair, and great. 
And jufiiy claims a large eftate ; 
She aiks no borrow'd aids to (bine; 
She boafts ^vithin a golden mine ; 
But, likethe treafures of Peru, 
Her wealth lies deep, and far from view. 
Say, (lull the man who knows her worth, 
Debafe her dignity and birth ? 
Or e'er repine at" Heaven's decree, 
Who kindly gave her leave to be ; 
Caird her from nothing into day, 
And built her tenement c»f clay ? 
Hear and accept me for your guide 
(Reafon Ihall ne'er defert your fide) : 
Who liftt-ns to my wifer voice. 
Can't but applaud his Maker's choice ; 
Pleas'd with that firft and fov'reign caufe, 
Pleas'd with unerring Wifdom's laws: 
Secure, flnce fov'reign goodnefs reigns ; 
Secure, lince fov'reign pow'r obtains. 

* With curious eyes review thy frame j 
This fcience fhall direft thy claim. -^ 
Dolt thou indulge a double view, 

A long, long life, and happy too? 
Perhaps a farther boon you crave- 
To lie down eafy in the grave. 
Know, then, m)' di6lates mull prevail. 
Or furely each fond wifli fliall fail. 

* Come, then, is happinefs thy aim ? 
Lit mental jo) s be all thy game. 



Know rhyfelf ;' a celebrated faying of Chile, one of the Seven Wife ^len of Greece. 



Repeat 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



lOI 



* Repeat the fearch, and mend your pace, 

* The capture fiiall reward the chace. 

* Let ev'ry minute, as it /prints, 

' Convey fVe(h knowledge on its wings ; 

* Let ev'ry minute, as it flies, 

* Record thee good, as well ar, wife. 

* While fuch purfuits your thoughts engage, 

* In a few years you '11 live an age. 

* Who meafures life by rolling years ? 
' Fools raeafure by revolving fpheres. 

* Go thou, and fetch th' unerring rule 

* From Virtue's and from Wifdom's fchool. 

* Who well improves life's Ihortell day 

* Will icarce regret its fetting ray; 

* Contented with his fliare of light, 

* Nor fear nor wilh th' approach of night: 

* And when difeafe aflaults the heart, 

* When ficknefs triumphs over art, 

* Refleftion on a life well pafi: 

* Shall prove a cordial to the laft: 

* This med'cine fhall the foul fiiftain, 
' And foften or iufpend her pain ; 

« Shall break Death's fell tyrannic pow'r, 

* And calm the troubled dying hour.' 

Bleft rules of cool prudential age 1 
I liiten'd and rever'd the fage. 
When, lo! a form divinely bright 
Deltends, and burfts upon my fight j 
A I'eraph of illuftrious birth 
('Religion was her name on earth) ; 
Supremely fweet her radiant face, 
And blooming with celeftial grace! 
Three ihining cherubs form'd her trai-n, 
Wav'd their light wings, and reach'd the plain; 
Faith, with fublime and piercing eye. 
And pinions flutt'ringfor the (ky; 
Here Hope, that fmiiing angel, Itands, 
And golden anchors grace her hands ; 
There Charity in robes of white, 
Fairell and fav'rite maid of light ! 

The feraph fpake — ' 'Tis reafon's part 

* To govern and to guard the heart ; 

* To lull the wayward foul to reft, 

* When hopes and fears diftraft the breaft; 

* Reafon may claim this doubtful ft rife, 

* And fteerthy bark thro' various life. 

* But when the ftorms of Death are nigh, 

* And midnight darknefs veils the fky, 

* Shall reafon then direil thy Hul, 

* Dilperfe the clouds, or fink the gale ? 

* Stranger, this fkill alone is mine, 

* Skill that tranfcendshis fcanty line. 

* That hoary fage has counfell'd right 

* Be wife, nor fcorn his friendly light. 

* Revere thyfelf—thou 'rt near allied 

* To angels on thy better fide. 

* How various e'er their ranks or kinds, 

* Angels are but unbodied minds: 

* When the partition walls decay, 

* Men emerge angels from their clayj 

* Yes^, when the frailer body dies, 

* The foul afierts her kindred fkies: 

* But minds, tho' fprung from heavenly race, 

* 'Mull firll be tutoMfor the place; 



' (The joys above are imderftood 

* And relifti'd only by the good). 

' Who fiiall affume this guardian care ? 
' Who fliall fecure their birthright there? 
' Souls are ray charge — to me 'tis given 

* To train them for their native heaven. 

* Know, then — Who bow the early knee, 
' And give the willing heart to me ; 

' Wno wifely, when temptation waits, 
' Elude her frauds, and fpurn her baits j 
' Who dare to own my injur'd caufe^ 
' Tho' fools deride ray facredlawsj 
' Or fcorn to deviate to the wrong, 
' Tho' Perfecution lifts her thong; 
'■ Tho' all the fons of hell confpire 

* To raife the ftake, and light the fire— 

* Know, that for fuchfuperior fouls 

' There lies a blifs beyond the poles; 
' Where fpirits ihine with purer ray, 
' And brighten to meridian day; [rules, 

* Where love, where boundleis Friendlhip 

' (No friends that change, no love that cools !} 
' Where rifing fioods of knowledge roll, 
' And pour, and pour upon the foul !' 

* But where 's the pafiage to the fkies T— 
' The road thro' Death's black valley lies. 

* Nay, do not fh udder at my tale ; 

' Tho' dark the fhades, yet fafe the vale. 
' This path the beft of men have trod, 
' And who 'd decline the road to God> 
' Oh ! 'tis a glorious boon to die '. 

* This favour can't be priz'd too high.' 
While thus ihe fpake, my looks exprefs'd 

The raptures kindling in my breaft: 

My fijul a fix'd attention gave; 

When the ftern monarch of the grave 

With haughty ftrides approach'd — amaz*d 

I ftood, and trembled as I gaz'd. 

The feraph calra'd each anxious fear. 

And kindly wip'd the falling tear; 

Then haften'd with expanded wing 

To meet the pale, terrific king. 

But now what milder fcenes arife! 

The tyrant di-ops his hoftile guile: 

He feems a youth divinely fair; 

In graceful ringlets waves his hair; 

His wings their vvhit'ning plumes difplay. 

His burnifli'd plumes refie<^ the day ; 

Light flows his fliining azure veft, 

And all the angel ftands confeft. 

I view'd the change with fweet furprife. 
And, oh! I panted for the fkies; 
Thank'd Heaven that e'er I drew my breath. 
And triumph'd in the thoughts' of Death. 



FABLES by the late Mr. Gay. 

IntroduSiion to z/;'^ F a b L E s . Part the Firjl, 

§ 1 20. "the Shepherd and the Philofophtr, 

Remote from cities liv'd afwain, 
Unvex'd with all the cares of gain; 
His head was filver'd o'er with age. 
And long experience made him fage j 
H 3 



In 



In rummer's heat, and winter's cold, 
He tV.l his tlock, and penn'd the fold; 
His hours in cheerml labour iiew. 
Nor envy nor ambition knew : 
His wiiuom and his honelt tame 
Through all the country rais'd his name. 

A deep Philolbpher (whofe rules 
Of moral iite were drawn from fchools) 
The ihephe:-d"s homely cottage Ibught, 
And thus explored his reach of thought : 
Whciice is thy learning? Hath thy toil 
O'er bo;>ks conTum'd the midnight oil ? 
Hail thou old Greece and Rome furvey'd. 
And the vail fenfe of Plato weigh'd ? 
Hath Socrates thy foul refin'd ? 
And haft thou fathom'd Tully's mind ? 
Or, like the wifeUlyfles, thrown 
By various fates on realms unknown, 
H:-:Il thou through many cities Itray'd, 
Their cuiloms, laws, and manners weigh'd? 

The Shepherd mcdeftly replied: 
I ne'er the paths of learning tried: 
Nor have I roam'd in foreign parts 
To read mankind, their laws, and arts j 
For man is pra6lis'd in difguife, 
He cheats the raofl difcerning eyes : 
Who by that fearch Ihall wiler grow, 
Wlien we ourlelves can never know ? 
The little knowledge I have gain'd. 
Was all from fimple nature drain'd; 
Hence my life's maxims took their rife. 
Hence grew my fettled hate to vice. 
The daily libours of the bee 
Awake my Ibul to induftry. 
Who can obfe- ve the careful ant. 
And not t)rovide for future want? 
My dog" (the tniftielt of his kind) 
With gratitude inflames my mind: 
I mark his tiuc, his faithful way. 
And in my fervice copy Tray. 
In conllanpy and nuptial love, 
I Jearn my duty from the dove. 
The hen, who from the chilly air 
With pious wing prote6ls her care. 
And every fowl that flies at large, 
laitrufts me in a parent's charge. 

From nature too I take ray rule. 
To fliun contempt and ridicule: 
I never, with important air, 
In converfarion overbear. 
Can grave and formal pafs for wife. 
When men the folemn owl dcfpife ? 
My tongue within my lips I rein. 
For who talks much rauft:talk in vain^ 
We from the wordy torrent fly ; 
Who l-iftens to the chatt'ring pye ? 
Nor would r, with feionious'fiight. 
By fteakh invade my neighbour's right} 
K.i^Dacious animals we hate : 
Kites, hawks, and wolves, (^eferve their fate." 
Iju not we juft abhorrence find 
A<;ain the toad and ferpent kind? 
But envy, calumny, and fpite 
Jt»car ilronger venom in their bite. 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



Thus ev'ry objeft of creation 
Can furniili hints to contemplation; 
And from the moil minute and mean 
A virtuous mind can morals glean. 
Thy fame is juft, the Sage replies; 
Thy vn-tue proves thee truly wife. 
Pride often guides the author's pen; 
Bocks as atfefted are as men : 
hut he who ftudies nature's laws. 
From certain truth his maxitns draws ; 
And thofe, without our fchools, iuifice 
To make men moral, good, and wife. 



To bis Highnefs William Duke 0/ Cumberland, 

§ 121. FABLE I. 7he Lion, the Tiger, 
and the Traveller. 

Accept, young Prince, the moral lay, 
\d(\ in thefe tales mankind iurvey; 
With eaily virtues plant your breaft. 
The ipecious arts of vice deteft. 

Princes, like beauties, from their youth 
Are ftrangers to the voice of truth: 
Learn to contemn all praife betimes ; 
For riatteiy 's the nurfe of crimes. 
Fdendihip by fweet reproof is ihown. 
(A virtue never near a throne) ; 
In courts fuch freedom muft oifend. 
There none prefumes to be a friend. 
To thole of your exalted itation 
Each courtier is a dedication. 
Muft I too flatter like the reft, 
'Xnd turn my morals to a jell? 
The mufe dildains to fteal from thofe 
Who thrive in courts by fulfome proie* 
But ihall I hide your real praife, 
Or tell youw-hat a nation fays ? 
They in your infant bolom trace 
The virtues of your royal race, 
In the fair dawning of your mind 
Difcern you gen'rous, mild, and kind, - 
They fee you grieve to hear diftrefs, 
And pant already to r-edrefs. 
Go on, the height of good attain. 
Nor let a nation hope in vain: 
1 or hence we juftly may prefage 
The virtues of a riper age. 
True courage ihall your bofom fire. 
And future actions own your lire. 
Cowards are cruel, but the brave 
Love mercy, and delight to fave. 
A Tiger roaming for his prey. 
Sprung on a Trav'ller in the way ; 
The proilrate game a Lion fpies. 
And on the greedy tyrant flies : 
With mingled roarreibunds the wood. 
Their teeth, their claws, diftil witli blood; 
Till, vanquiih'd by the Lion's ilrength. 
The fpotted foe extends his length. 
The man befought the fhaggy lord. 
And on his knees for life implor'd; 
His life the gen'rous hero gave; 
Together >valldng to his cave. 



fhe 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL, 



f03 



The lion thus befpoke his gueft: 

What hardy bealt fhall dare conteft 
My matchlefs ftreiigth ? You law the fight, 
And mult atteft my pow'r and right. 
Forc'd to forego their native home. 
My ftarvi ng (laves at diltance roamj 
Within thele woods I reign alone, 
The boundlefs foreft is my own. 
Bears, wolves, and all tlie flivage brood. 
Have dyed the regal den with blood. 
Theie carcafes on either hand, 
Thofe bones that whiten all the land. 
My former deeds and triumphs tell, 
Beneath thefe jaws what numbers fell. 

True, fays the man, the ftrength I faw 
Might well the brutal nation awe : 
But fhall a monarch, brave like you, 
Place^;glory in fo falfe a view ? 
Robbers invade their neighbours' right-: 
Be lov'd i let juilice bound your might. 
Mean are ambitious heroes boalis 
Of wafted lands and flaughtered holts; 
Pirates their pow'r by murders gain ; 
Wife kings by love and mercy reign. 
To me your clemency hath fliown 
rhe virtue worthy of a throne. 
Heaven gives you pow'r above the reft. 
Like Heaven to fuccour the diftrell. 

The cafe is plain, the monarch faid j^ 
Palfe glory hath my youth milled j 
For beafts of prey, a fervile train. 
Have been the fiatt'rers of my reign. 
You reafon well. Yet tell me, friend. 
Did ever you in courts attend ? 
For all ray fawning rogues agi^e, 
That human heroes rule lile me. 



§ 122. FABLE II. 7'he Spaniel ant^the CameUon, 

A Spaniel, bred with all the care 

That waits upon a favorite heir. 

Ne'er felt corredtion's rigid hand : 

Indulged to difobey command. 

In pampered eale his hours were fpent; 

He never knew what learning meant. 

Such forw^ard airs, fo pert, fb fmart, 

"Were fure to win his lady's heart: 

Each little mi fchief gained him praife; 

How pretty were his fawning ways ! 

The wind v/as fouth, the morning fair. 
He ventures forth to take the air: 
He ranges all the meadow round, 
And rolls upon the Ibfteft ground; 
When near him a Camel eon feen 
Was fcarce diftinguifli'd from the green. 

Dear emblem of the fiatt'ring hoft, 
W'hat, live with clowns ? a genius loft I 
To cities and the court repair, 
A fortune cannot ftiil thee there; 
Prefermeiit fhall thy talents crown ; 
Believe me, friend ; I know the tovvit. 

Sir, fays the fyaophant, like you. 
Of old^ politer life J knew : 
Like you, a courtier born and bred, 
Kmgs lepiti'4 ao ear to what I laid. 



My whifper always met fuccefs ; 
The ladies prais'd me for addjefs. 
I knew to liit each courtier's paftion. 
And flatter'd ev'ry vice in fafhion. 
But Jove, who hates the liar's ways, 
At once cur fhort my profp'rous days; 
And, (entenc'd to retain my nature. 
Transformed me to this crawling creaturCo 
Doom'd to a life obfcure and mean, 
I wander in this fylvan Icene. 
For Jove the heart alone regards; 
He punifhes what man rewards. 
How different is thy cafe and mine! 
With men at leaft you fup and dine ; 
While I, condemned to thinneft fare. 
Like thofe I fiatt'cr'd, feed on air. 



§ 123. TABLE III. The Mother ^ the I^urfe^ 
and the Fairy. 

Give er^ a Son. The biefhng lent. 
Were ever parents more content? 
How partial are their doting eyes ! 
No chiJd is "half ib fair and wile. 
Wak'd to the morning's pleafmg care. 
The mother -rofe, and fought her heir. 
She faw the Nurfe, like one podelt. 
With wringing hands, and lobbing brea-ft. 

Sure fome difafter has befel: 
Speak, "Nurfe! I hope the boy is well ? 

Dear Madam, think not me to blame; 
Invifibk the Fairy came: 
Your precious babe is hence convey 'd. 
And in the place a changeling laid. 
Where are the father'5 mouth and nofe, 
'iplie mother's eyes, as black as floes ? 
See here, a ftiocking, awkwaii'd creature. 
That fpeaks a Ibol in ev'ry feature. 

The woman 's blind, the mother cries 5 
I fee wit fparkle in his eyes. 

Lord, Madam, what a fquinting leer I 
No doubt the Fairy hath been here. 

Ju'ft as {lie fpoke,a pigmy Sprite, 
Pops through the key-hole, fwift as light; 
Perch'd on the cradle's top he ftands. 
And thus her folly repriifiands: 

Whence fprung the vain conceited lie. 
That we the world with fools liipply? 
What ! give our fprightly race away, 
For the dull helplefs fons of clay 1 
Befides,by partial fondnefs ilnewn. 
Like you, we doat upon our own. 
Wheie yet was ever found a mother. 
Who 'd give her booby for anotiier ? 



And ihoald we change with 

Well might we pals tbr foois indeed. 



breed. 



4 124. PA^LE IV. "TT-i? Eagle and the 
jJJftmblj of Animals. 

AS Jupiter's ail-feeing eye 
Survey 'd the worlds bepeath the iky. 
From this fmall fpeck of earth v.'e re lent 
Murmurs and founds oF dlicoiuekt \ 
H4 . 



IO+ 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



For ev'ry thincj alive coTnplain'd 
That he the hardeft life fiiflain'd. 
Jove calls his Eagle. At the word 
Before him flandsthe royal bird. 
The bird, obedient, from heaven's height 
Downward directs his rapid flight j 
Then cited ev'ry living thing 
To hear the mandates of his king, 

Ungrateful creatures! whence arife 
Thefe murmurs which offend the Ikies ? 
Why this diforder ? lay the caufe; 
For juft are Jove's eternal laws. 
Let each his difcontent reveal; 
To yon four Dog I flrft appeal . 

Hard is my lot, the Hound replies : 
On what fleet nerves the Greyhound flies! 
While I, with weary ftep and flow, 
O'er plains, and vales, and mountains go. 
The morning fees my chace begun, 
Kor ends it till the fetting fun. 

When (fays the Greyhound) I purfue, 
My game is loft, or caught in viewj 
Beyond my fight the prey's fecure: 
The Hound is flow, but always furel 
And had J his fagacious fcent, 
Jove ne'er had heard my dilcontent. 

The Lion crav'd the Fox's art ; 
The Fox the Lion's force and heart; 
The Cock implor'd the Pigeon's flight, 
Whofe wings were rapid, ftrong, and light; 
The Pigeon ftrength of wing defpis'd. 
And the Cock's matchlefs valour priz'd ; 
The Fiflies wifli'd to graze the plain; 
The Beafts to flcim beneath the main. 
Thus, envious of another's ftate, 
Each blam'd the partial hand of Fate. 

The Bird of Heaven then cried aloud: 
Jove bids difperfe the murm'ring crowd; 
The God rejefts your idle prayers, 
Would ye, rebellious mutineers. 
Entirely change your name and nature, 
And be the very envied creature ? 
What ! filent all, and none confent ? 
Be happy then, and learn content: 
Nor imitate the reftlefs mind, 
And proud ambition fjf mankind. 



^ 125. FABLE. V. The IVildBoar and the Ram 
Against an elm a flieep was tied. 
The butcher's knife in blood was dyed; 
The patient flock, in filent fright, 
From far beheld the horrid fight: 
A favage Boar, v/ho near them flood, 
Thuc mock'd to fc&rn the fleecy brood : 

All cowards fliould be ferv'd like you ; 
See, fee, your murd'rer is in view 1 
With purple bands, and reeking knife, 
He ftrips the flcin yet warm v/ith life : 
'Your quarter'd flres, your bleeding dams. 
The dying bleat of harmlefs lambs, 
Call for revenge. O ftupid race ! 
The heart that wants revenge; is bafe. 

I grant, an ancient Earn replies. 
We bear no terror in our eyes : 



Yet think us not of foul To tame. 
Which no repeated wrongs inflame, 
Infenfible of ev'ry ill, 
Fecaufe we vv'ant thy tuflcs to kill. 
Know, thofe who violence purfue. 
Give to themfelves the vengeance due ; 
For in thefe raaflacres they find 
The two chief plagues that wafte mankind. 
Our fl^ins fupplies the wrangling bar; 
It wakes their flumb'ring fons to war; 
And well revenge may reft contented. 
Since drums and parchment were invented. 



§126. FABLE VI. The Mifer and Plutus. 
THEW'ind was high, the window fliakes; 
With fudden flart the Mifer wakes; 
Along the filent room he ftalks ; 
Looks back, and trembles as he walks ! 
Each lock and ev'ry bolt he tries, 
In ev'ry creek and corner pries; 
Then opes the cheft with treafure ftor'd, 
And flands in rapture o'er his hoard. 
But now, with fudden qualms poflTeft, 
He wrings his hands, he beats his breaft; 
By confcience ftung, he widely flares. 
And thus his guilty foul declares: 

Had the deep earth her ftores confin'd. 
This heart had known fweet peace of mind. 
But virtue's fold ! Good gods ! what price 
Can recompenfe the pangs of vice ? 
O bane of good! feducing cheat! 
Can m.an, weak man, thy pow'r defeat? 
Gold banifli'd honour from the mind. 
And only left the name behind ; 
Gold fcw'd the world v/ith ev'ry ill ; 
Gold taught the murderer's fword to kill: 
'Tvvas gold inftrufted coward hearts 
In treachery's more pernicious arts. 
Who can recount the mifchiefs o'er ? 
Virtue refides on earth no more ! 
He fpoke, and figh'd. In angiy mood, 
Plutus, his god, before him flood. 
The Mifer, trembling, lock'd his cheft; 
The vifion frown'd, and thus addrefs'd : 

Whence is this vile ungrateful rant. 
Each fordid rafcai's daily cant? 
Did I, bafe wretch, corrupt mankind ! 
The fault 's in thy rapacious mind. 
Becaufe my blelRngs are abus'd, 
Muft I be cenfur'd, curs'd, accus'd ? 
E'en virtue's fclf by knaves is made 
A cloak to carry ©n the trade ; 
And pow'r (when lodg'd in their poxTeflion)- 
Grows tyranny, and rank oppreflion, 
Thus, when the villain crams his cheft. 
Gold is the canker of the breaft ; 
'Tis av'rice, infolence, and pride; 
And ev'ry (hocking vice befide: 
But when to virtuous hands 'tis given. 
It biefles like the dews of heaven; 
Like heaven, it hears the orphan's cries. 
And wipes the tears from widows' eyes. 
Their crimen on gold fliall milers lay, 
Who pawn'd their fordid fouls for pay 



Let 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



ro^ 



Let bravoes then (when blood is fpilt) 
Upbraid the pafTive I'word with guilt. 



§ 127. 



FABLE VII. T^he Lion, the Fox, 
and the Geefe. 
A Lion, tifd with flate affairs, 
Quite fick of pomp, and worn with cares j 
Relbly'd (remote from nolfe and llrife) 
In peace to pafs his hitter life. 

It was proclaim'd: the day was fet: 
Behold the gen'ral council met. 
The Fox, was viceroy nam'd. The crowd 
To the new regent humbly bow'd. 

Wolves, bears, and mighty tigers bend, 
And flrive who moll fliall condffcend. 
He ilraight afTuraes a folemn grace, 
Coliefts his wifdom in his face. 
The crowd admire his wit, his fenfej 
Each v/ord hath weight and confeqiience. 
The flatt'rer all his art difplays, 
He who hath pow'r is fure of praife, 
A fox flepp'd forth before the reft. 
And thus the fervile throng addreis'd: 

How vaft his talents, born to rule. 
And train'd in virtue's honeft fchooi ! 
What clemency his temper fways 1 
How uncorrupt are all his ways ! 
Beneath his conduft and command 
Rapine (hall ceafe to wafte the land, 
His brain hath llratagem and art 5 
Prudence and mercy rule his heart. 
What bleihngs mufl attend the nation 
Under this good adminiilration! 

He faid. A Goofe wdio diftant flood, 
Harangu'd apart the cackling brood: 

Whene'er I hear a knave commend, 
He bids me fhun his worthy friend. 
What praife ! what mighty commendation ! 
But 'twas a Fox who fpoke th' oration. 
Foxes this government may prize. 
As gentle, plentiful, and wife 5 
If they enjoy the fweets, 'tis plain. 
We Geefe mufl feel a tyrant reign. 
What havock now fhall thin our race. 
When ev'ry petty clerk in place, 
To prove his tafle and feem polite. 
Will feed on Geefe both noon and night ! 



§128. FABLE viii. 'The Lady and the Wafp> 

What whifpers mufl the beauty bear! 

What hourly nonfenfe haunts her earl 

Where'er her eyes difpenfe their charms, 

Impertinence around her fwarms. 

Did not the tender nonfenfe flrike. 

Contempt and fcorn might foon diflike : 

Forbidding airs might thin the place j 

The flighteft flap a fly can chafe. 

But who can drive the num'rous breed ! 

Chafe one, another will fucceed, 

"Who knows a fool, mufl know his brother j 

One fop will recommend another: 

And with this plague (he 's rightly curft, 

Becaufe Ihe liften'd to the firil. 



As Doris, at her toilet's duty, 
Sat meditating on her beauty. 
She now was pen live, now was gay, 
And loird the fultry hours away. 

As thus in indolence fhe lies, 
A giddy Wafp around her flies. 
He now advances, now retires, ^ 
Now to her neck and cheek afpires. 
Her fan in vain defends her charms; 
Swift he returns, again alarms: 
For by repulfe he bolder grew, 
Ferch'd on her lip, and fipp'd the dew. 

She frowns, fhe frets. Good gods ! Hie cries, 
Proteft me from thefe teafmg flies ! 
Of all the plagues that heaven hath fent, 
A Wafp is mofl impertinent. 

The hov'ring inieft thus complain'd : 
Am I then flighted, fcorn'd, difdain'd ? 
Can fuch offence your anger wake ? 
'Twas beauty caus'd the bold millake, 
Thofe cherry lips that breathe perfume. 
That cheek fo ripe with youthful bloom. 
Made me with flrong defire purfiie 
The faireil peach that ever grew. 

Strike him not, J<;nny, Doris cries. 
Nor murder Wafps like vulgar flies : 
For though he 's free, (to do him right) 
The creature's civil and polite. 

In ecllacies away he pofls ; 
Where'er he came the favour boalls j 
Brags how her fweetefl tea he fips. 
And fhews the fugar on his lips. 

The hint alarm'd the forward crew; 
Sure of fuccefs, away they flew. 
They fliare the dainties of the day. 
Round her with airy mufic play ; 
And now they flutter, now they red. 
Now foar again, and (kirn her brealt. 
Nor were they banifli'd till flie found 
Thvit Wafps have flings, and felt the wound. 



§ 129. FABLE IX. The Bull and the Majiif*- 
Seek you to train your fav'rite Boy? 
Each caupon, ev'ry care employ : 
And ere Vou venture to conflde, 
Let his preceptor's heart be tried : 
Weigh well his manners, life, and fcopc; 
On thefe depends thy future hope. 
As on a time, in peaceful reign, 
A Bull enjoy 'd the flow'ry plain, 
A Maftiff pafs'dj inflam'd with ire. 
His eye-balls fhot indignant fire ; 
He foam'd, he rag'd with thirfl: of blood. 
Spurning the ground the monarch flood. 
And roar'd aloud — Sufpend the fight \ 
In a whole Ikin go fleep to-night : 
Or tell me, ere the battle rage. 
What wrongs provoke thee to engage ? 
Is it ambition fires thy breaft. 
Or avarice, that ne'er can reft ? 
From thefe alone unjuftly fprings 
The v/orld-deftroying wrath of kings. 

The furly Maftift' thus returns : 
Within my bolbm gloiy burns. 

Like 



io6 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book !>. 



iike heroes of eternal name, 
V/hom poets fing, I hght tor fame-. 
The butcher's fnirit-ftirring mind 
To daily war' my youth inclin'dj 
He t.-ain'd me to heroic deed; 
Taught me to conquer or to bleed. 

Cur>'d Dog\ the Bull replied; no more 
I wonder at thy thirll of gore; 
For thou (beneath a butcher train'd, 
Whofe hands with cruelty are liain'd. 
His daily murders in thy view) 
^fuft. like thy tutor, blood purfue. 
Take then thy fate. With goring wound. 
At once he lifts him from the ground: 
Aloft the fprawling hero tiies ; 
Mangled he falls, he howls, and dies. 



§ 130. Fable x. The Elephant and the Bcokfeller. 

X«ii nian who with undaunted toils 
Sails unknown feas to unknown foils, 
With various wonders featts his light: 
What ftranger wonders does he write ! 
We read, and in defcription view 
Creatures which Adam never knew : 
For, when we rifle no contradiftion, 
It prompts the tongue to deal in fidlion, 
Thofe things that ftartle me or you, 
I grant are ftrange, yet may be true. 
Who doubts that Elephants are foun4 
For fcience and for fenfe renown'd ? 
Borri records their ftrength of parts, 
Extent of thought, and ikili in arts j 
How they perform the law's decrees, 
And fave the Hate the hangman's fees: 
And how by travel underltand 
The language of another land. 
Let thofe who queftion this report. 
To Pliny's ancient page refort ; 
How learn'd was that fagacious breed ! 
Who now like them the Greek can read ! 

As one of thefe, in days of yore, 
Rummag'd a fliop of learning o'er; 
Not, like our modern dealers, minding 
Only the margin's breadth and binding j 
A book his curious eye detains. 
Where with exafteft care and pains 
Were ev'ry beaft and bird portray'd. 
That e'er the fearch of man furvey'd. 
Their natures and thtir pow'rs were Avrit 
With all the pride of human wit. 
Ilie page he with attention fpread, 
And thus remark'd on what he read: 

Man v/it}i ftrong reafon is endow'dj 
A beaft fcarce inltinft is allow'd. 
But let this author's work be tried: 
""Tis plain that neither v^as his guidp, 
Car: he difetrn the djfferejit natures. 
And weigh the pow'r of other creatures, 
Who by the partial work hath fhewn 
Jie knows fo little of his own ? 
H ;w f.iHely is the fpaniel drawn! 
Lid n::i;. f;o:ii hini firf; learn to fawft? 



A dog proficient in the trade! 
He the chief fiatt'rer nature made! 
Go, Man, the ways of courts difcern. 
You 'II find a fpaniel ftill might learn. 
How can the Fox's theft and plunder 
Provoke his cenlure or his wonder? 
From courtier tricks, and lawyers arts^ 
The fox might well improve his parts. 
The lioa, wolf, and tiger's brood. 
He curfes for their thirft of blood : 
But is not man to man a prey ? 
Beafts kill for hunger, men for pay. 

The Bookfeller, who heard him fpeak. 
And faw him turn a page of Greek, 
rhought, what a genius have I found ? 
Then thus addrefs'd with bow profound : 

Learn'd Sir, if you'd employ your pen. 
Againft the fenXelefs fons of men. 
Or write the hiftory of Siam, 
No man is better pay than I am ; 
Or, fince you 're learn'd in Greek, let's fee 
Something againft the Trinity. 

When, wrinkling with a fneer his trunk. 
Friend, quoth the Elephant, you 're drunk ^j 
E'en keep your money, and be wife j 
Leave man on man to criticife : 
For that you ne'er can want a pen 
Among the fenfelefs fons of men. 
They unprovok'd will court the fray; 
Envy 's a (harper fpur than pay. 
No author ever fpar'd a brother; 
Wits are game-cocks to one another. 



§ 131. FABLE XI. The Peacock, the Turiejn, 
and the Goofe. 
In beauty faults confpicuous growj 
The fmalieft fpeck is feen on fnow. 

As near a barn, by hunger led, 
A peacock with the poulti^ fed; 
All view'd him with an envious eye. 
And mock'd his gaudy pageantry. 
He, confcious of fuperior merit. 
Contemns their bafe reviling fpiritj 
His Itate and dignity aflumes. 
And to the fun difplays his plumes ; 
Which, like the heav'ns o'er-arching fkies. 
Are fpangled with a thoufand eyes : 
The circling rays, and varied light, 
At once confound their dazzled fight: 
On ev'ry tongue detraction burns. 
And malice prompts their fpleen by turns: 

Mark with what infolence and pride 
The creature takes his haughty ftride. 
The Turkey cries. Can fpleen contain > 
Sure never bird was half fo vainl 
But, w^re intrinfic merit feen. 
We Turkeys have the whiter fkin. 

From tongue to tongue they caught abuic } 
And next was heard the hjfling Goofe: 
What hideous legs ! what filthy ^laws ! 
I fcorn to cenfure little flaws. 
Then what a horrid Iqualiirjg throat', 
Ev'^i owls are frighted at tl^c not?. 

Tai9 



Book T, 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



107 



True— -thofc a'-e faults, the Peacock c^ies ; 
My rcreaiii, my (hanks, you m^y deipiie : 
But fuc'i blind critics rail in vain: 
What ! overlook my radiant train ! 
Know, did my legs (your Icorn and fport) 
The Turkey or- the Goofe fupoort, 
And did ye I'creara v^^irh harfher found. 
Thole faults in you had ne'er been found ! 
To jjl appirttrt beauties blind, 
Each bleniiih Itrikes an e;.vious mind. 

Thu3 in aifemblies hn e I leen 
A nymph = f brignteit cha'-m^ and mien. 
Wake envy in each v^iy face j 
And buzzmg Icandal 5Jls the place. 



§ 132 FABLE XII. Cupid y Hymen, and Plutus. 
As Cupid in Cyihera's grove 
Employ'd the ieiici- powVs of love; 
Some ihape the dov/, or tit the Itnngj 
Some give the taper (haft its wing, 
Or turn the pc.iih'd quiver's mould, 
Or head the d-.rts with tempered gold. 
Amid it their toil riA various care, 
Tha> Hymen, witn afTuming air, 
Addreis'd the god: Thou p: -blind chit. 
Of 3wkvvard and ill-judging wit. 
If matches are not better made. 
At once I muit rorivyear my trade. 
You lend me luch ill-ccupled folks, 
That ""ns a ftiame to fell them yokes j 
They fquabble Ko' a pin, a feather, 
Anc^ wondev h:^v they came together. 
The hulband"s fuUen, dogged, lliy j 
Toe wife grows iiiprant in reply j 
He .oves commanr and due reftriftion. 
And {he as well iiKes contradiftion : 
She never llaviflily iubniits ; 
She '11 have her will, or have her fits : 
He this way tugs, fhe t'other draws ; 
The man grows jealous, and with caufe : 
Nothing can fave him b-it divorce : 
Aiid here the wife complies of courfe. 

When, fays the boy, h!|j||j to do 
With either your affairs or you ? 
I never idiy fpent my aarts ; 
You trade in mercenary hearts. 
For fettlements the lawyer's feedj 
Is my hand witne.s to the deed? 
If they like cat and dog agree. 
Go rail at Plutus, not at me. 

Plutus appear'd, and faid — 'Tis true, 
In marriage^gold is all their view; 
They feek no beauty, wit, or fenfe j 
And love is feldom'the pretence. 
AH offer incenfe at my fhrine, 
And I alone the bargain lign. 
How can Belinda blame her fate? 
She only alkM a great eftate. 
Doris was rich enough, 'tis true; 
Her lord muft give her title too : 
And ev^y nian, or rich or poor, 
A fortune aiks, and alks no more. 



Av'rice, whatever (hapc It bears, 
lull ftill be coupled with its cares. 



§ 133. FABLE XIII. "Thii 'Tame Stag, 
As a young Stag the thicket pafs'd. 
The branches held his antlers faftj 
A clown, who faw the captive hung, 
-icrofs the horns his halter flung. 

Now fafely hamper'd in the cord. 
He bore the prefent to his lord. 
His lord was pleas'd ; as was the clown. 
When he was tipp'd with a half-a-crown. 
The Stag was brought before his wifej 
The tender lady begg'd his life. 
How iieek 's the ikin ! how fpeck'd like ermine ! 
Sure never creature was fo charming I 

At firll, within the yard confin'd. 
He hies, and hides from all mankind; 
Now, bolder grown, with fix'd amaz^ 
And diilant awe, prefumes to gaze: 
Munches the linen on the lines. 
And on a hood or apron dines; 
He fteals my little mafter's b»ead. 
Follows the fervants to be fed: 
Nearer and nearer now he Hands, 
To feel the praife of patting hands; 
Examines every fifl for meat. 
And, though repuls'd, difdains retreat; 
Attacks again with levell'd horns; 
And man, that was his terror, fcorns. 

Such is the countiy maiden's fright. 
When finl a red-coat is in fight ; 
Behind the door flie hides her face; 
Next time at diftance eyes the lace ; 
She now can all his terrors lland. 
Nor from his fqueeze withdraws her hand. 
She plays familiar in his arms, 
And ev'ry foldier hath his charms. 
From tent to tent (he fpreads her flame; 
For cuilora conquers fear and ihame. 



§134. FABLE XIV. The Monkeywbo bad 
feen the World, 
A M0NK.EY, to reform the times, 
Refolv'd to vifit foreign climes : 
For men in dillant regions roam 
To bring prdliter manners home. 
So forth he fares, all toil defies; 
Misfortune i'erves to make us wife. 

At length the treach'rous fnare was laid ; 
Poor Pug was caught, to town convey 'd. 
There fold. How envied was his doom. 
Made captive in a lady's, room ! 
Proud as a lover of his chains. 
He (lay by day her favour gains. 
Whene'er the duty of the day 
The toilet calls, with mimic play 
He twirls her knots, he cracks her fan. 
Like any other gentleman. 
In vifits too his parts and wit, 
When jefi:s grew dull, were lure to hit, 
Proud with applaufe, he thought his ipind 
In ev'ry courtly art r^fin'd j 

Like 



]o8 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS. 



Book L 



Like Orpheus burnt with public zeal. 
To civilize the Monkey weal : 
So watched occafion, broke his chain, 
And Ibught hi:> native vvoods arjain. 

Thfe hair)' fylvans round him prelSj 
Aftonifti'd at his llrut and drefs. 
Some praife his lleeve ; and others glote 
Upon his rich embroider'd coatj 
His dapper periwig commending, 
With the black tail behind depending: 
His powderM back, above, below. 
Like hoary frolt, or fleecy fnow j 
Bnt all with envy and delire 
His fluttering fnoulder-knot admire. 

Hear and improve, he pertly cries j 
I come to make a nation wife. 
Weigh your own worth, lupport your place, 
The next in rank to human race. 
In cities long I pafs'd my days. 
Conversed with men, and learn'd their ways. 
Their drefs, their courtly m.anners fee j 
Reform your ftate, and copy me. 
Seek ye to thrive ? in flatt'ry deal ; 
Yourfcorn, your hate, with that conceal.^ 
Seem, only to regard your friends. 
But ufe them for your private ends. 
Stint not to truth the flow of wit j 
Be prompt to lie whene'er 'tis fit. 
Bend all your force to fpatter merit j 
Scandal is converfation's fpirit. 
Boldly to evVy thing attend. 
And men your talents Ihall comm.end. 
I knew the great, Obferve rae right j 
So (hall you grow like man polite. 

He fpoke, and bowM. With mutt'ring jaws 
The wondering circle grinn'd applaufe. 
Isow, warm with malice, envy, fpite. 
Their moft obliging friends they bite j 
And, fond to copy human ways, 
Praftife new mifchiefs all their days. 

Thus the dull Lad, too tall for ichool, 
With travel finilhes the fool 5 
Studious of ev'ry coxcomb's airs. 
He drinks, games, drefTes, whores, and fwears j 
O'erlooks with fcorn all virtuous arts j 
For vice is fitted to his parts. • 



§ 135. FABLE XV. The Phtlofopber and 
the Pheafants. 
The Sage, awak'd at early day. 
Thro' the deep forefl: took his way ; 
Drawn by the mufic of the groves. 
Along the winding gloom he roves : 
From tree to tree the warbling throats 
Prolong the fweet alternate notes. 
But whjre he pafs'd he terror threw; 
The fong broke fliort, the warblers flew j 
The th ufhes chatter'd with affright, 
And n htingales abhorrM his fight j 
All anim is before him ran. 
To Ihun t e hateful fight of man. 

Whence i^^ this dread of ev'ry creature ? 
Fly they our %ure, or our naturt ? 



As thus he walkM in mufing thought. 
His Cvar imperfeft accents caught j 
With cautious fl:eps he nearer drew : 
By the thick fhade concea!'d from view. 
High on the branch a Pheafant fl:ood j 
Around her all her lifli'ning brood j 
Proud of the bleflings of her neft. 
She thus a mother's care exprefs'd : 
No dangers here Ihail circumvent j 
Within the woods enjoy content. 
Sooner the hawk or vulture truft 
Than Man, of animals the worft; 
In him ingratitude you find ; 
A vice peculiar to the kind. 
The flieep, whofe annual fleece is dyed 
To guard his health, and lerve his pride, 
Forc'd from his fold and native plain. 
Is in the cruel fliambles flain. 
The fwarms who, with induflirious flcill. 
His hives with wax and honey fill. 
In vain whole fummer days employ'd, 
Their fl:ores are fold, their race dellroy'd. 
What tribute from the goofe is paid ! 
Does not her wing all fcience aid ? 
Does it not lovers hearts explain. 
And drudge to raife the merchant's gain ? 
What now rewards this gen'ral ufe ? 
He takes the quills, and eats the goofe» 
Man then avoid, deteft his ways j 
So fafety fhall prolong your days. 
When fervices are thus acquitted. 
Be fure we Pheafants mull be fpitted. 



§ 136. FABLE XVI. The Pin and the NeedU, 

A Pin, who long had ferv'd a beauty. 
Proficient in the toilet's duty. 
Had form'd her fleeve, confin'd her hair. 
Or given her knot a fmarter air. 
Now nearefl to her heart was plac'd. 
Now in her mantua's tail difgrac'd : 
But could fhe partial fortune blame. 
Who faw her lover ferv'd the fame. 

At length, frona all her honours caft. 
Through various turns of life flie pafs'd; 
Now glitter'd on a taylor's arm ; 
Now kept a beggar's infant warm ; 
Now, rang'd vvithin a mifer's coat, 
Contributes to his yearly groat : 
Now rais'd again fromi low approach. 
She vifits in the doctor's coach ; 
Here, there, by various fortune tofl:. 
At lafl: in Grelbam-hall was lofl:. 
Charm'd with the wonders of the fliow. 
On ev'ry fide, above, below. 
She now of this or that enquires ; 
What leali: was underltood admires. 
"I is plain, each thing fo ftruck her mind. 
Her head's of virtuofo kind. 

And pray what's this, and this, dear Sir ? 
A Needle, fays the interpreter. 
She knew the name : and thus the fool 
Addrefs'd her as a taylor's tool. 

A. needle 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL; 



ic^ 



A needle with that filthy ftone, 
Quite idle, all with ruft overgrown ! 
You better might employ your parts. 
And aid the fempdrels in her arts. 
But tell me how the friendfhip grew, 
Between that paltry flint and you. 

Friend, fays the Needle, ceafe to blame i 
I follow real worth and fame. 
Know'ft thou the loadiione's pow'r and art, 
That virtue virtues can impart ? 
Of all his talents I partake ; 
How can I fuch a friend forfkkel 
'Tis I dired: the pilot's hand 
To ihun the rocks ?.)^d treaclf rous fand j 
By itie the dlftant world is known. 
And either India is our own. 
Had I with milliners been bred, 
What had I been ? the guide of thread, 
And drudg'd as vulgar needles do, 
Of no more confequence than you. 



§ 137. fab: 



,E xvir. "fhe Shepherd's Dog 
and the Wolf, 
A Wolf, with hunger fierce and bold, 
Ravag'd the plains, and thinn'd the fbldj 
Deep in the wood fecure he lay 5 
The thefts of night regal'd the day. 
In vain the fliepherd's wakeful care 
Had fpread the toils, and watch'd the fnarej 
In vain the Dog purfued his pace, 
The fleeter robber mock'd the chace. 

As Lightfoot rang'd the foreff round, 
By chance his foe's retreat he found. 

A truce, replies the Wolf. 'Tis done. 
The Dog the parley thus begun : 

How can that llrong intrepid mind 
Attack a weak defencelefs kind ? 
Tliofe jaws fliould prey on nobler food, 
And drink the boar's and lion's blood j 
Great fo\ils with gen'rous pity melt, 
Which coward tyrants never felt. 
How harmlefs is our fleecy care 1 
Be brave, and let thy mercy fpare. 

Friend, fays the Wolf, the matter weigh ; 
Nature defign'd us beafts of prey 5 
As fuch, when hunger finds a treat, 
'Tis neceifary Wolves fliould eat. 
If, mindful of the bleating weal. 
Thy bofom burn with real zeal, 
Hence, and thy tyrant lord befeechj 
To him repeat the moving fpeech : 
A Wolf eats fheep but now and then; 
Ten thoufands are devour'd by men. 
An open foe may prove a curfej 
But a pretended friend is worfe. 



§ 138. FABLE xviii. 'the Painter 'who f leafed 
nobody and e'vcry body. 

Lest men fufpe(5l: your tale untrue. 
Keep probability in view. 
The ti'av'ller leaping o'er thofe bounds, 
The credit of his book confounds. 



Who with his tongue hath armies routed. 
Makes ev'n his real courage doubted : 
But flatt'ry never feems abfurd. 
The flatter'd always take your word: 
ImpOiTibilities feem juft; 
They take the flirongell praife on truft. 
Hyperboles, tho' ne'er fo great. 
Will Itill come fliort of felf-conceit. 

So very like, a Painter drew. 
That ev'ry eye the pifture knew; 
He hit complexibn, feature, air, 
So juft, the life itfelf was there. 
No flatt'ry with his colours laid. 
To bloom relfor'd the faded maid; 
He gave each mufcle all its flrength; 
The moulh, the chin, the nofe's length. 
His honeft pencil touch'd with truth, 
And mark'd the date of age and youth. 
He loft his friends, his praftice fail'd; 
Truth fliould not always be reveal'dj 
In dufty piles his piftures lay, 
For no one fent the fecond pay. 
Two buftos, fraught with ev'ry grace, 
A Venus and Apollo's face, 
He plac'd in view; refolv'd to pleafe 
Whoever fat, he drew from thefc ; 
From thefe correfted ev'ry feature. 
And fpirited each awkward creature. 

Ail things were fet ; the hour was come. 
His pallet ready o'er his thumb. 
My Lord appear'd; and, feated right 
In proper actitude and light. 
The Painter look'd, he fketcliM the piece. 
Then dipp'd his pencil, talk'd of Greece. 
Of Titian's tints, of Gwido's air; 
Thofe eyes, my Lord, the fpirit there 
Might well a Raphael's hand require. 
To give them all the native fire; 
The features fraught with fenfe and v/it. 
You'll grant, are very hard to hit ; 
But yet with patience you fhall view 
As much as paint and art can do. 
Obferve the work. My Lord replied, 
Till now I thought my mouth was wide; 
Befides, my nofe is fomewhat long ; 
Dear Sir, for me 'tis far too young. 

Oh pardon me ! the artift cried. 
In this the painters muft decide. 
The piece even common eyes muft flrike; 
I warrant it extremely like. 

My Lord examin'd it anew; 
No looking-glafs feem'd half fo true. 

A Lridy came; with borrow'd grace. 
He from his Venus form'd her face. 
Her lover prais'd the Painter's art; 
So like the pifture in his heart ! 
To t-<i''ry age fome charm he lent; 
Ev'n beauties were almoft content. 

Thro' all the town his art they prais'd ; 
His cuftom grew, his price was rais'd. 
Had he the real likenefs fhewn^ 
V/ould any man the pi6lure own ? 
But when thus happily he wrought, 
iCach f> und the likenefs in his thought. 

§ 139- 



no 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



6 O O IT i. 



§ 139. FABLE XIX. The Lion and the Cub. 
How fond are men of rule and place, 
Who court it from the mean and bafe ! 
Thefe cannot hear an equal nigh. 
But from fuperior merit fly. 
They love the cellar's vulgar joke, 
And lofe their hours in ale and fmoke. 
There o'er fome petty club prefide \ 
So poor, fo paltry is their pride ! 
Nay, ev'n with fools whole nights will fitj 
In hopes to be fupreme in wit. 
If thefe can read, to thefe I write. 
To fet their worth in trueft light. 

A Lion-cub, of fordid mind, 
Avoided all the lion kind ; 
Fond of applaufe he fought the feafts 
Of vulgar and ignoble beafts j 
With afles all his time he fpent ; 
Their club's perpetual prefident, 
He caught their manners, looks, and airs ; 
An afs in ev'ry thing but ears ! 
If e'er his highnefs meant a joke. 
They grinn'd applaufe before he fpoke ; 
But at each word what fliouts of praife I 
Good gods 1 how natural be brays ! 

Elate with fiatt'iy and conceit, 
He feeks his royal lire's retreat ; 
Forward, and fond to fhew his parts. 
His highnefs brays; the Lion ftarts: 

Puppy ! til at curs'd vociferation 
Betrays thy life and converfation : 
Coxcombs, an ever-noify race, 
Are trumpets of their own difgrace. 

Why fo fevere? the Cub replies; 
Our fenate always held me wife. 

How weak is pride ! returns the lire ; 
All fools are vain when fools admire ! 
But know, what ftupid alfes prize, 
Lions and noble beafts defpife. 



§140. FABLE XX. The Old Hen and the Cock. 

Restrain your child; you '11 foon believe 
The text which fays, * We fprung from Eve.' 

As an old Hen led forth her train, 
And feem'd to peck to fliew the grain ; 
She rak'd the chaff, ihe fcratch'd the ground, 
And glean'd the fpaciou* yard around. 
A giddy Chick, to try her v/ings, 
On the well's narrow margin fprings. 
And prone fhe drops. The mother's bread 
All day with forrow was poffeft. 

A Cock fhe met; her fon flie knew. 
And in her heart affeftion grew. 

My fon, fays (lie, I grant your years 
Have reach'd beyond a mother's cares. 
I fee you vig'rous, ftrong, and bold j 
I hear with joy your triumphs told. 
'Tis not from Cocks thy fate I dread; 
But let thy ever-wary tread, 
Avoid yon well ; the fatal place 
Is fure perdition to our race. 
Print this my counfel on thy breaft.: 
To the juil gods I leave the refk. 



He thanked her care; yet day by day 
His bofom burn'd to difobeyj 
And ev'ry time the well he faw, 
Scorn'd iji his heart the foolifti law : 
Near and more near each day he drew. 
And long'd to try the dang'rous view* 

Why was this idle charge ? he cries j 
Let courage female fears defpife. 
Or did Ihe doubt my heart was brave^ 
And therefore this injunction gave ? 
Or does her harveft ftore the place, 
A treafure for her younger race ? 
And would (he thus my fearch prevent ? 
I (land refolv'd, and dare th' event. 

Thus faid, he mounts the margin's round. 
And pries into the depth profound. 
He ftretch'd his neck ; and from below 
With ftretching neck advanc'd a foe : 
With wrath his ruffled plumes he rears. 
The foe with ruffled plumes appears : 
Threat anfwer'd threat; his fury grew; 
Headlong to meet the war he flew ; 
But when the wat'ry death he found. 
He thus lamented as he drown'd : 

I ne'er had been in this condition, 
But for my mother's prohibition. 



§141. fable XXI. The Rat-Catcher and Cats, 
The rats by night fuch mifchief did, 
Betty was ev'ry morning chid : 
They undermin'd whole (ides of bacon ; 
Her cheefe was fapp'd, her tarts were taken ; 
Her paftie^, ienc'd with thickell pafte. 
Were all demolifh'd and laid walfe. 
She curs'd the Cat for want of duty. 
Who left her foes' a conilant booty. 
An Engineer of noted fklll 
Engag'd to Hop the growing ill. 

From room to room he nov/ furveys 
Their haunts, their works, their fecret ways>. 
Finds where they 'fcape an arabufcade, 
And whence the nightly fally's made. 

An envious Cat from place to place, 
Unfeen attends his filent pace. 
She faw that, if his trade went on. 
The purring race mufl be undone; 
So fecretly removes his baits. 
And ev'ry Itratagem defeats. 

Again he fets the poifon'd toils. 
And Pufs again |the labour foils. 

" What foe (to fruflnite my defigns) 
" My fchemes thus nightly countermines ?'* 
Incens'd, he cries : " this very hour 
" The wretch (hall bleed beneath my pow'r.'* 

So faid — a pond'rous trap he brought, 
And in the f:i6f: poor Pufs was caught. 

*' Smuggler," fays he, " thou (halt be made 
" A vi6lim to our lofs of trade." 

The captive Cat, with piteous mews. 
For pardon, life, and freedom fues. 
*• A filler of the fcience fpare ; 
^' One int'refl is our common care." 

" What infolence!" the man replied j 
*' Shall Cats with us the game divide •> 

« Were 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



Ill 



« Were all your interloping band 
" Extinguilh'd, or expeird the land, 
« We Rat-catchers might raife our fees, 
« Sole guardians of a nation's cheefel" 

A Cat, who faw the lifted knife, 
Thus fpoke, and fav'd her filter's life: 

* In ev'iy age and clime we fee, 
« Two of a trade can ne'er agree. 

* Each hates his neighbour for encroaching ; 

< 'Squire ftigmatifes 'fcjuire for poaching } 

* Beauties with beauties are in arms, 

« And fcandal pelts each other's charms j 
« Kings too their neighbour kings dethrone, 

* In hope to make the world their own. 

* But let us limit our defires ; 

< Not war like beauties, kings, andfquiresj 

< For tho' we both one prey puriue, 

< There 's game enough for us and you." 



§ 142. FABLE XXII. The Goat 'Without a Beard. 

'Tis certain that the modifti paffions 
Defcend among the crowd, like falhions. 
Excufe me, then, if pride, conceit 
(The manners of the fair and great), 
I give to monkeys, afles, hogs. 
Fleas, owls, goats, butterflies, and dogs. 
I fay that theie are proud : what then ? 
I never faid they equal men. 

A Goat (as vain as Goat can be) 
Affefted fingularity. 
Whene'er a thymy bank he fonnd. 
He roll'd upon the fragrant ground; 
And then with fond attention ftood, 
^ Fix'd o'er his image in the flood. 
Wy " I hate my frowfy beard," he cries j 
" My youth is loil in this difguife. 
** Did not the females know my vigour, 
** Well might they loath this rev'rend figure.' 

Refolv'd to fmooth his fliaggy face, 
He fovight the barber of the place. 
A flippant monkey, fpruce and finart, 
Hard by profefs'd the dapper art ; 
His pole with pewter bafons hung; 
Black rotten teeth in order flirung; 
Rang'd cups that in the v.indcw flood, 
Xin'd with red rags, to look like blood. 
Did well his threefold trade explain : 
Whofliav'd, drew teeth, and breath'd a vein, 

The Goat he welcomes with an air. 
And feats him in his wooden chair: 
Mouth, nofe, and cheek the lather hides ; 
Xight, fmooth, and iwift, the razor glides. 

* I hope yo)ir cuftom, Sir,' f'^yspngj 

* Sure never face was half fb imug.' 
The Goat, impatient for applauie, 

Swift to the neighb'ring hill withdraws; 
> The fliaggy people grinn'd and flar'd : 

* Heighday \ v/hat 's here, v/ithout a beard ? 
' Say, brother, whence the dire difgrace ? 

* What envious hand hath robb'd your face ? 
— «-When thus the fop, with fmiles of fcorn : 
" Are beards by civil nations worn ? 

Ei'tn. Mufcovites have mow'd their chins. 
Sliall we, like formal Capuchin's^' 



Stubborn in pride, retain the mode, ^ 
And bear about the hairy load ? 
Whene'er we through the village ftray, 
Are we not mock'd along the way, 
Infulted with loud ftiouts of fcorn, 
By boys our beards difgrac'd and torn ?" 

* Were you no more with Goats to dwell^ 
Brother, I grant you reafon well,' 
Replies a bearded chief. — * Beflde, 
[f boys can mortify thy pride, 
How wilt thou ftand the ridicule 
Of our whole flock ? Aftefted fool! 
Coxcombs difl:inguifli'd from the reft:. 
To all but coxcombs are a jeit.' 



5 H3- 



FABLE XXIII. The Old Woman 
and her Cats. 
Who fricndfliip with a knave hath made. 
Is judg'd a partner in the trade. 
The matron who conducts abroad 
A willing nymph, is thought a bawd j 
And if a modefl: girl is feen 
With one who cures a lover's fpleen. 
We guefs her not extremely nice, 
And only wiiTi to know her price. 
'Tis thus that on the choice of friends 
Our good or evil name depends. 

A wrinkled Ha?-, of wicked fame, 
Beflde a little Imoky flame 
"Sat hov'ring, pinch'd with ?.2,^ and froft? 
Her flirivell'd hands, with veins emboifc. 
Upon her knees her weight fuftains, . 
While palfy fliook h^r crazy brains: 
"She mumbles forth her backward pray'rs. 
An untam'd fcold of fourfcorej'ears. 
About her fwarm'd a nutm'rous brood 
Of Cats, who lank v.'ith hunger mew'd. 

Teas'd with their cries, her choler grew j 
And thus (he fputter'd : * Hence, ye crew ! 
Fool that I was, to entertain 
Such imps, fuch fiends, a belli fa train! 
Had ye been never hous'd and nurs'd, 
I for a witch had ne'er been curs'd. 
To you I owe that crowds of boys 
Worry me with eternal noife ; 
Straws laid acrofs my pace retard; 
Thehorre-fnoe'snaird (eachthrefnoid's guard). 
The fl:unted broom the wenches hide. 
For fear that I fliould up and ride ; 
They fl:ick with pins my bleeding feat, 
And bid mc fiiew my fecret teat.' 

" To hear you prate would vex a faint : 
Who hath molt reaibn of complaint ?" 
Replies a Cat. " Let 's come to proof: 
Had we ne'er fliarv'd beneath your roof. 
We had, like others of our race. 
In credit liv'd, as beaits of chace. 
'Tis infamy to ferve a hag; 
Cats are thought imps, her broom a nagj 
And boys again ft: our lives combine, 
Becaufe 'tis faid your cats have mine." 



§144. FABLE XXIV. The Buttsrjly and Sm'ih 
All upftarts infolent in place 
Remind us of their vulgar race. 

As, 



112 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Bo 



O K 



As, in the funfhine of the morn, 
A Batteriiy but newly born 
&it proudly perking on a rofe, 
W^ith pert conceit his boCom glows 5 
His wings, all glorious to behold, 
Bedropt with azure, jet, and gold, 
Wide he difphys ; the fpangled dew 
Reliefs his eyes, and various hue. 

His now-forgotten friend, a Snail, 
Beneath his houfe, with fiimy trail, 
Crawls o'er the grafs; \vhom when he fpies, 
in wrath he to the gard'ner cries : 

** What means yon peafant's daily toil, 
Trom choking weeds to rid the foil ? 
Why wake you to the morning's care ? 
Why with new arts correal the year ? 
Why glows the peach with crimfon hue ? 
And why the plum's inviting blue ? 
^^'ere they to fealt his taile defign'd, 
That vermin of voracious kind ? 
Crufli then the Row, the pilf 'ring race ; 
So purge thy garden from difgrace." 

* What aiToganceP the Snail replied j 
* How infolent is upftart pride ! 
Had thou not thus, with infult vain, 
Provok'd my patience to complain, 
I had conceal'd thy meaner birth, 
Nor trac'd thee to the fcum of earth. 
For fcarce nine funs have wak'd the hours. 
To fwell the fruit and paint the flow'rs, 
Since I thy humbler life furvey'd. 
In bafe and fordid guife array'd 5 
A hideous infeft, vile, unclean, 
You dragg'd a flow and noifome train j 
And from your fpider-bowels drew 
Foul film, and fpun the dirty clue. 
I own my humble life, good friend : 
Snail was I borw. and Snail fhall end. 
And what 's a Butterfly ? At bell 
He 's but a caterpillar drell; 
And all thy race (a num'rous feed) 
Shall prove of caterpillar breed-' 



Now reputations flew in pieces, 
Of mothers, daughters, aunts, and nieces : 
She ran the Parror's language o'er, 
Bav^d, liuify, drunkard, flattern, whore j 
On all the fex (he vents her fury ; 
Tries and condemns v^ithout a jury. 

At once the torrent of her words 
Alarm'd cat, monkey, dogs, and birds; 
All join their forces to confound^iier; 
Pufs fpits, the monkey chatters round herj 
The yelping cur her heels affaults; 
The magpye blabs out all lier faults ; 
Poll, in the uproar, from his cage, 
With this rebuke out-icrcam'd her rage: 

" A Parrot is for talking priz'd. 
But prattling v^'omen are defpis'd. 
She who attacks another's honour 
Draws ev'ry Jiving thing upon her. 
Think, Madam, when you llretch your lungs. 
That all your neighbours too have tongues. 
One flander muft ten thoufand get; 
The world with int'relt pays the debt." 



§ 145. FABLE XXV. Tbe Scold and the Parrot 

The hufband thus reprov'd his wife : 
*' Who deals in flander lives in ftrife. 
Art thou the herald of difgrace, 
Denouncing war to all thy race ? 
Can nothing quell thy thunder's rage, 
Which fpares no friend, nor fex, nor age ? 
That vixen tongue of yours, my dear. 
Alarms our neighbours far and near. 
Good gods ! 'tis like a rolling river. 
That murm'ring Hows, and flows for ever ! 
Ne'er tl r'd, perpetual difcord fowingl 
Like fame, it gathers fcrength by going." 

* Hejghday!' the flippant tongue replies, 
* How folemn is the fool, how wife ! 
Js nature's choiceft gift debarr'd ? 
Nay, frown not, for I will be heard. 
Women of late are finely ridden ; 
A parrot's privilege forbidden ' 
You praife his talk, his fqualling fong j 
liut -vvives are always in the wrong.' 



§146. FABLE XXVI. ^he Cur and the Majliff, 
A SNEAKING Cur, the mafter's fpy. 
Rewarded for his daily lie. 
With fecret jealoulies and fears 
Set all together by the ears. 
Poor Pufs to-day was in difgrace. 
Another cat fupphed her place; 
The Hound was beat, the Maftiff chidj 
The Monkey was the room forbid: 
Each to his dearefl friend grew fhy, 
And none could tell the reafon why, 

A plan to rob the houfe was Jaid : 
The thief with love feduc'd the maid ; 
Cajol'd the Cur, and itrok'd his head. 
And bought his fecrecy with bread. 
He next the Mafliff 's honour tried ; 
Whofe honelt jaws the bribe defied. 
He ilretch'd his hand to proffer ^orej 
The furly dog his fingers tore. 

Swift ran the Cur; with indignation 
The m.after took his information. 
Hang him, the villain's curft, he cries ; 
And round his neck the halter ties. 

The Dog his humble fuit preferr'd. 
And begg'd in juftice to be heard. 
The mailer fat. On either hand 
The cited Dogs confronting Hand. 
The Cur the bloody tale relates. 
And, like a lawyer, aggravates. 

Judge not unheard,"the Maftiff cried. 
But weigh the caufe of either fide. 
Think not that treach'ry can be juft j 
Take not informers' words on truil. 
They ope their hand to ev'r}'- pay, 
And -you and me by turns betray. 

He fpoke ; and all the truth appeared : 
The Cur was hang'd, the Maftiff clear'd. 



§ H7' 



FABLE ^d^cvfi. "the Sick Man and 
the Angel. 

Is there no hop?? the Sick Man faidj 
The fUent doctor fhook his head, 

And 



J^OOK I. 



S A C- R E D AND MORAL; 



1 I 



And took his leave with figns of forrow, 
Defpairing of liis fee to-morrow. 

VVliea thus the Man, wit h gafphig breath ; 
I feel the chilling woimd of death. 
Since I niuit bid the weld adien, 
Let me my lODner life review. 
I grant, my bargain? well were made, 
But all men over-rc-acn in trade; 
"^Tis felf-deience in each profeiTion: 
Sure ioJf-dei?nce is no tranfgrefllon. 
The little portion in my hands, 
By good feciirity on lands, 
Is well increased. If, unawares, 
My jultice to myfelt' and heirs 
Hath let my debtor rot in jail. 
For want of good fufficient bail; 
If I by writ, or bond or deed, 
Reduced a fimily to need. 
My will hath made the world amends j 
My hope on charity depends. 
"When I am numbered with the dead. 
And all my pious gifts are read, 
ISy heaven and earth 'twill then be known, 
My charities were amply ihewn. 

An Angel came. Ah friend! he cried, 
"No more in tiatfring hope confide. 
Can thy good deeds in former times 
Outweigh the balance of thy crimes ? 
What widow or what orphan prays 
To crown thy life with length of dvays ? 
A pious action's in thy pow'r. 
Embrace with joy the happy hour. 
Now, wdille you draw the vital air, 
Prove your intention is fmcere. 
This inftant give a hundred pound: 
Your neighbours want, and you abound. 

But why fuch haiLe ? the fick Man whines j 
Who knows as yet what Heaven defigns ? 
Perhaps I may recover Hill ; 
That I'um and more are in my will. 

Fool ;■ iays the Vifion, now 'tis plain, 
Your life, you foul, your heaven was gain. 
From ev'ry fide, with all your might, 
You fcrap'd, and fcrap'd beyond^your right j 
And after death would fain atone. 
By giving what is not your own. 
While there is life there's hope, he cried ; 
Then why fuch halle ? So groan'd and died. 



§ 148- 



FABLE XXVIII. The Perjian, the Sun 
and the Cloud. 



Is there a bard whom genius fires, 
Whole ev'ry thought the god infpires ? . 
When envy reads the nervous lines, • 
She frets, Ihe rails, Ihe raves, {\\e uiijes j 
Her hiding fnakes wirh venom fweil j 
She csfl s her venal train from hell; 
The fervile fends her nod obey. 
And all Cufl's authors are in pay* 
Fame calls up calumny and fpite ; 
Thus fhadow owes its birth to light. 

As proftrate to the God of day. 
With heart d§vcut, a Perii^n lay. 



His invocation thus begun : 

Parent of light, all -feeing San! 
Prolific be-am, v.'hofe rays difpenfe 
The various gifts of Providence ? 
Accept our praife, our daily pray'r, 
omile on our fields, and blefs the year t 

A Cloud, who mock'd his grateful ton^en 
The day with fudden darkne(s liung j 
With pride and envy fweil'da^oud, 
A voice thus thunder'd from the Cloud t 

Weak is this gaudy god of thine. 
Whom I'at will forbid to fhine. 
Shall 1 nor vows nor incenl'e know ! 
Where praife is due, the praife beftow. 

With fervent zeal the Perfian movd. 
Thus the proud calumny reprov'd: 
It was that god, who claims my prayV, 
Who gave thee birth, and rais'd thee there j 
When o'er his beams the veil is thrown. 
Thy fubftance is bat plainer fliown. 
A pafiing gale, a puff of wind, 
Difpels thy thicke'a troops combin'd. 

The gale arofe j the vapour, toft 
(The i'port of winds) in air was loll. 
The glorious orb the day refines; 
Thus envy breaks, thus merit Ihines. * 



§ 149,. FABLE XXIX. The Fox at tbe Point 
of Death. 

A Fox in life's extreme decay, 
Weak, fick, and faint, expiringTayi 
All appetite had left his maw. 
And age difarm'd his iuumbling jaw. 
His numerous race around him Itand, 
To le:^rn their dying fire's comniaud : 
He rais'd his head with whining moan. 
And thus was heard the feeble tone : 

Ah, fons 1 from evil ways depart; 
My crimes lie heavy on my heart. 
See, fee, the murderM geefe appear ! 
Why are thoih bleeding turkeys there > 
Why all around this cackling train, 
V/ho h;iunt my ears for chickens fiain ? 

The hungry Foxes round them ftar'd. 
And for the promis'd feaft prepared. 

Where, Sh*, is all this dainty cheer ? 
Nor turkey, goofe, nor hen is here; 
Thefe are the i)hantoms of your brain. 
And your ^ons lick their lips in vain. 

O gluttons ! faj's the drooping lire, 
Reftrain inordinate defire; 
Your liquorifli tafte you (hall deplore, 
Wheft peace of confcious is no more. 
Does not the hound betray our pace. 
And gins and guns deltroy our race ? 
Thieves dread the fearching eye of pow^iy. 
And never feel the quiet hour. 
Old age (which few of ns Ihall know) 
"i>Jow puts a period to my woe. 
Would you true happinefs attain. 
Let honeity your pafiions rein; 
So live in credit and elleem, 
And the good name vou loll cedeem. 

i The 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



114 

The counfers good, a Fox replies, 
Could we pertomi what you adviie. 
Thhik what our anceftors have done j 
A line of thieves irom Ion to fon : 
To us defcends the long difgrace, 
And intamy hath mark'd our race. 
Though we, like harmlefs flieep, fliould feed, 
Honeft in thought, in word, and deed. 
Whatever hen-rooft is decreased, 
We Ihall be thought to fhare the feaft. 
The change fhall never be believ'd; 
A loll good name is ne'er retrieved. 

Nay, then, replies the feeble Fox, 
(But, hark ! I hear a hen that clocks !) 
Go, but be moderate in your food j 
A chicken too might do me good. 



B^o o K I. 



;o. 



FABLE XXX. The Setting Dog and 
the Partridge. 
The raging Dog the ftubble tries. 
And fearches ev'ry breeze that flies ; 
The fcent'grows warm ; with cautious fear 
He creeps, and points the covey nearj 
The men, in filence, far behind, 
Confcious of game, the net unbind. 

A Partridge, with experience wife, 
The fraudnii preparation fpies : 
.One mocks their toils, alaims her brood ; 
The covey fprings, and leeks the wood j 
But ere her certain wing fhe tries. 
Thus to the creeping Spaniel cries: 

Thou fawning flave to man's deceit, 
Thou pimp of lux'ry, fneaking cheat, 
Of thy whole Ipecies rhou difgrace ; 
Dogs (liali difo-.vn thee of their race ! 
For, if I judge their native parts. 
They're born with open, honeft hearts; 
And ere they ferv'd man's wickM ends. 
Were gen'rous foes, or real friends, 

Wiien thus the Dog, with fcornfui fmile I 
Secure of wing, thou dar'il revile. 
Clowns are to polifh'd manners blind j 
How ign'i-ant is the mftic mind ! 
My worth fagacious courtiers fee, 
And to preferment rife, like me. 
The thriving pimp, who beauty fets. 
Hath oft ephanc'd a nation's debts: 
Friend fets his friend, without regard j 
And miniiterb his (kill neward: 
Thus train 'd by man, I learnt his ways. 
And growing favour feafts my days. 

I might have guefs'd, the Partridge faid, 
The place where you were train'd and fed j 
Servants are apt, and in a trice. 
Ape to a hair their matter's vice. 
You came from court, you fay ? adieu 1 
She faid, and to the covey flew. 



§ 1,1. 



FABLE XXXI. The Uni<verfal Ap- 
parition. 

A RAKE, by ev*ry paflion ruPd, 
With ev'ry vice his youth had cool'dj 
Difeafe his tainted blood aflidls; 
His fpirits droop, his vigour fails: 



With fecret ills at home Ke pines. 
And, like infirm old age, declines. 

As twing'd with pain he penfive fits; 
And raves, and prays, and fwears by'fits ; 
A ghaftly phantom, lean and wan. 
Before him rofe, and thus began : 

My name, perhaps, h:ith reach'd your ear 5 
Attend, and be advis'd by Care. 
Nor love, nor honour, wealth, nor pow'r^ 
Can give the heart a cheerlul hour 
When health is loft. Be timely wnfe: 
With health all tafte of pleafure flies. 

Thus faid, the phantom difappears; 
The wary counfel wak'd his fears ; 
He nov*^ from all excefs abftains; 
With phyfic purifies his veins; 
And, to procure a fober life, 
Refolves to venture on a wife. 

But now again the Sprite afcends : 
Wliere'er he walks his ear attends ; 
Infinuates that beauty's frail ; 
That perfeverance m.uft prevail; 
With jealoufies his brain inflames, 
And whifpers all her lovers' names. 
In other hours flie repreients 
His houfehold charge, his annual rents,- 
Increafing debts, perplexing duns. 
And nothing for his younger fons. 

Straight all his thought to gain he turnsy 
And Vv'ilh the thirft of lucre burns. 
But, when poflefs'd of fortune's fl:ore. 
The Speftre haunts him more and more j 
Sets want and niifery in view. 
Bold thieves, and ail the murd'ring crew j 
Alarms him with eternal friglifs, 
Infefts his dream, or wakes his nights. 
How fliall he cliaie this hideous gueft ? 
Pow'r may perhaps proteft his reft. 
To pow'r he rofe: again tiie Sprite 
Befets him morning, noon, and" night; 
Talks of Ambition's tott'ring feat, 
I^ow envy perfecutes the great; 
Of rival hate, of treach'rous friends. 
And what difgrace his fall attends. 

The court he quits, to fly from Care, 
And feeks the peace of rural air: 
His groves, his fields, amus'd his hours ; 
He prun'd his trees, he rais'd his flow'rs. 
Brit Care again his fteps purfues ; 
Warns him of blafts, of blighting dews. 
Of pkmd'ring infefts, fnails, and rains. 
And droughts that ftarv'd the labour'd plainrv 
Abroad, at home, the Speftre's there : 
In vain we feek to fly from Cars. 
At length he thns the Ghoft addrefs'd : 
Since thou muft be my conftaht gueft. 
Be kind, and follow me no more ; 
For Care by right fliould go before. 



§ 152. FABLE XXXII. The Tivt> C-^vL- and 

the Sparrok'j. 
Two form:al Owls together fat. 
Conferring thus in Ibleinn chat : 

Ho\f 



^OOK t. 



SACRED AND IvtoRAL, 



ns 



Kow is the modern tafte decayM ! 
Where's the refpeft to vvjidom paid ? 
Our worth the Grecian lages knewj 
They gave our fires the honour due j 
They weighed the dignity of fowls, 
And pried into the depth of Owls. 
Athens, the feat of learned fame, 
With gen'ral voice reverM our name j 
On merit title was conferred, 
And all ador'd th' Athenian bird. 
^ Brother, you reafon well, replies 
The (blemn mate, with half-fhut eyes : 
.Right— ^Athens was the feat of learning; 
And truly wifdoui is difcerning. 
Beiides, on Pallas' helm we fit, 
The type and ornament of wit ; 
But now, alas ! we're quite neglefled^ 
And a pert fparro\V's more reipe6\ed 1 

A fparrow. who was lodg'd befide, 
Cerhears them footh each other's pride. 
And thus he nimbly vents his heat : 

Who meets a fool mull fmd conceit; 
1 grant, you were at Athens grac'd: 
And on Minerva's helm were plac'd : 
But ev'ry bird that wings the Iky, 
fexcept an Owl, can tell you why. 
From hence they taught their fchools to know 
How falie we judge by outward fhow ; 
That we fhould never looks efteem. 
Since fools aS wife as you might feem. 
Would ye contempt and (corn avoid. 
Let your vainglory be deftroy'd : 
Humble your arrogance of thought; 
Purfue the ways by Nature taught : 
So (hall you find delicious fare, 
And grateful farmers praife your carej 
So fhall fleek mice your chace reward, 
And no keen cat find more regard. 



§ 153. FABLE XXXIII. 7'he Courtier and 
Proteus. 
Whene'er a courtier's out of place^ 
The country fhelters his difgrace; 
Where, doom'd to exercife and health, 
His hou/e and gardens Own his vi^ealth. 
He builds new (themes, in hope to gain 
The plunder of another reign ; 
Like Philip's fon, would fain be doing, 
And fighs for other realms to ruin. 
. As one of thefe (without his wand) 
Penfive, along the winding llrand 
Employ'd the folitary hour. 
In projects to regain his pow'r. 
The waves in Spreading circles ran, 
Proteus arofe, and thus began : 

Came you from court ? for in your mien 
A felf-important air is feen. 

He frankly own'd his friends had trlck'd him, 
And how he fell his party's viftim. 
, Know, fays the god, by matchlefs (kill, 
I change to ev'ry (hape at will ; 
But yet I'm told, at coUrt ypii fee 
Thole who prefume to rival me, 



Thus faid—a fnake, with hideous trail, 
Proteus extends his fcaly mail. 

Know, ('lys the man, though proud in place. 
All courtiers are of reptile i-ace. 
Like you, they take that dreadful form, 
Bific in the fun, and (iy the florm; 
With raaliceshifs, with envy glote. 
And for convenience change their coat} 
With new got luftre rear tlieir head, 
Though on a dunghill born and bred. 

Sudden the god a lion Hands; 
He (hakes his mane, he fpurns the fands j 
Now a fierce lynx, with fiery glare, 
A wolf, an afs, a fox, a bear. 

Had I n'er lived at court, hS cries. 
Such transformatiori might furpri(e; 
But there, in queft of daily game, 
Each abler courtier afts the fame. 
Wolves, lions, lynxes, while in place, 
Their friencfs and fellows are their chace. 
They play the bear's and fox's part; 
Now rob by force, now Ileal with art. 
They fometimes in the fenatebray; 
Or, chang'd again to beafts of prey, 
Down from the lion to the ape 
Praftife the frauds of ev'ry (hape. 

So faid, upon the god he flies ; 
In cords the ftruggling captive ties. 

Now, Proteus, now, (to truth compell'd) 
Speak, and confe(s thy art excell'd. 
Vk (Irength, furprife, or what you will, 
The courtier finds evalions ftill: 
Not to be bound by any ties, 
And never forc'd to leave his lies. 



§ 154. 



Fable xxxiv. 



"The Majliffs, 



Those who in quarrels interpofe, 
Mufl often wipe a bloody nofe. 

A Maftifi-; of true Engli(h blood, 
Lov'd fighting better than his food. 
When dogs were (harling for a bone. 
He long'd to make the war his own ; 
And often found (when tv/o contend) 
To interpofe obtain'd his end : 
He glory'd in his limping pace; 
The fears of honour ("eam'd his face; 
In ev'ry limb a ga(h appears, 
And frequent fights retrench'd his earso 

As on a time he heard from far 
Two Dogs engag'd innoify war, 
Away he fcours, and lays about him, 
Refolv'd no fray fliould be without himi 
Forth from his yard a tanner flies, 
And to the bold intruder cries: 

A cudgel ftiall correct your manners ; 
Whence (prung this curfed hate to tanners? 
While on. my Dog you vent your fplte. 
Sirrah I 'tis me you dare not bite. 
To fee the battle thus perplex'd, 
With equal rage a butcher vex'd, 
Hoarfe fcreaming from the circled crowd t 
To the curs'd Mafliff cries aloud ; 

I z Botlr 



ii6 



ELEGAflT EXTRACTS, 



Book !♦ 



Both Hocklej'-hole and Mary-bone 
The combats of my Dog have known. 
He ne'er, like bullies coward-hearted. 
Attacks in public, to be parted. 
Think not, rafh tool, to ihare his fame j 
Be his the honour or the Ihame. 

Thus laid, they Iwore, and ravVl like thunder 5 
Then (iragg'd their fallen'd Dogs afunderj 
While clubs and kicks from ev'ry fide 
Rebounded from the Maftitf 's hide. 

All reeking now with I'weat and blood. 
Awhile the parted warriors Itood, 
Then pour'd upon the meddling foe, 
Who, worried, howrd and fprawl'd below. 
He rofe: and limping from the fray, 
By both fides mangled, fneak'd away. 



§ 155. FABLE XXXV. The Barley Movj and 

the DiinghilL 
How many fancy airs we meet 
From Temple-bar, to Aldgate-ftreet ! 
Proud rogues, who Ihar'd the South-fea prey. 
And fpring like muihrooms in a day ! 
They think it mean to condefcend 
To know a brother or a friend ; 
They bluili to hear their mother's name. 
And by their pride expofe their flianje 

As 'crofs his yard, at early day, 
A careful farmer took his way, 
He ftopp'd, and, leaning on his fo 
ObfervM the flail's inceilant Avork. 
In thought he meafur'd all his ftoie. 
His geele, his hogs, he number'd o'e 
In fancy w^eigh'd the fleeces fhorn, 
And nuiltiplied the next year's corn. 

A Barley-mow, which flood befide, 
Thus to its muling mafter cried; 

Say, good Sir, is it or right 
To treat me with negle6): and flight ? 
Me, who contribute to your cheer, 
And raife your mirth with ale and beer, 
Why thus infulted, thus difgrac'd. 
And that vile Dunghill near me plac'd ? 
Are thofe poor fweepings of a groom, 
That filthy fight, that naufeous fume, 
Aleet objefts here? Command it hence: 
A thing lb mean mufl: give offence. 

The humble Dunghill thus replied: 
Thy mafter hears, and mocks thy pride ? 
Infult not thus the meek and lowj 
In me thy benefaclor know : 
My warm affiftance gave thee birth. 
Or thou hadlt perilh'd low in earth; 
But upftarts to fuppnrt their.flation, 
Cancel at once all obligation. 



§ 156. rABLc XXXVI. Pythagoras and the 

Countryman, 
Pythag'ras rofe at early dawn, 
By foaring meditation drawn, - 
To brea'rhe'the fragrance of the day. 
Through fiow'iy fields he took his way. 



In mufing contemplation warm. 
His fteps milled him to a farm, 
Where, on the ladder's topmoft round, 
A peafant flood : the hammer's found 
Shook the weak barn. Say, friend, what care 
Calls for thy honeft labour there ? 

The Clown, with furly voice, replies : 
Vengeance aloud for juftice cries. 
This kite, by daily rapine fed. 
My hens' annoy, my tnrkies' dread, 
At length his forfeit life hath paid; 
See on the wall his wings difplay'd; 
Here nail'd, a terror to his kind. 
My fowls fhall future fafety find ; 
My yard the thriving poultry feed, 
And my barn's refuTe fat the breed. 

Friend, fays the Sage, the doom is wifei 
For public good the murd'rer dies. 
But if thefe tyrants of the air 
Demand a fentence fo kvQ\'(i\ 
Think how the glutton man devours 5 
What bloody feafls regale his hours 1 
O, impudence of pow'r and might. 
Thus to condemn a hawk or kite. 
When thou perhaps, carniv'rous flnner, 
H^.dit pullets yelterday for dinner! 

Hold ! cried the Clown, with pafTion heated^ 
Shall kites and men alike be treated ? 
When Heaven the world with creatures flor'd, 
Man was ordain'd their fov'reign lord. 

Thus tyrants boaft, the fage replied, 
Whofe murders fpring from power and pride, 
Own then this manlike kite is flain 
Thy greater lux'ry to fudain 5 
For * " Petty rogues fubrnit to fate, 
*' That great ones may enjoy their flate." 



§157. Fable XXXVI!. The Farmer' s JVifg 
end the Ra^ven. 
Why are thofe tears ? why droops your head ^ . 
Is then your other hufoand dead ? 
Or does a worfe difgrace betide ; 
Hath no one fince his death applied ? 

Alas ! you know the caufe too well: 
The fait is fpilt, to me it fell. 
Then to contribute to my lofs, 
My knife and fork were laid acrofsj 
On Friday too ! the day I dread! 
Would I were fafe at home in bed ! 
Lalt night (I vow to heaven 'tis true) 
Bounce from the fire a coilin flew. 
Next poft fome fatal news fliall tell ; 
God fend my Cornifli friends be well ! 

Unhappy widow, ceafe thy tears. 
Nor feel affliction in thy fears : 
Let not thy ftomach be fu^ended ; 
Eat now, and weep wheil^inner's ended ! 
And when the butler clears the table, 
For thy defert I'll read my fable. 

Betvv'ixt her fwagging panniers' load 
A farmer's wife to market rode. 
And jogging on, with thoughtful care, 
Summ'd up the profits of her ware j 



* Garth's Difpenfary. 



Whea 



Boor I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



117 



When llarting from her filver dream, 
Thus far and wide was heard her fcream: 

That Raven on yon left-hand oak . 
(Curie on his ill-betiding croak !) 
BoJes me no g^ood. No more ihe fiid, 
Wiien poor blind Ball, with ftunibiing tread. 
Fell prone; o'crturn'd the panniers lay, 
And her malh'd eggs belb'ew'd the way. 

ijhe, rprawling jn'the yellow road, 
Raird, ("wore, and curs'd : Thou croaking toadj 
A rriurrain take thy whorefon throat 1 
I knew misfortune in the note. 

Dame, cuoth the Raven, fpare your oaths, 
Unclench your ftil, and wipe your clothes. 
But why on me thofe curfes thrown? 
Goody, the fault was all your own} 
For had you laid this brittle ware 
On Dun, the old fure-footed mare, 
Thongh all the Ravens of the hundred 
Wirh croaking had vour tongue out thunder'd. 
Sure-footed Dun had kept his legs, 
And you, good woman, fav'd your eggs. 



§ 158. FABLE XXXVIII. Tbe Turkey and the AnU 

I\ other men v/e faults can fpy. 

And blame the moat that dims their eye j 

Each little fpeck and hlemlm fi\\A\ 

To our own ftronger errors blind. 

A Turkey, tir'd of common food, 
Forfook the barn, and fought the woodj 
Behind her ran her infant train, 
Col!e«51ing here and there a grain. 
Draw near, my birds, the mother cries, 
This hill delicious fare (iippliesj 
Behold, the bufy Negro race; 
^ee, millions blacken all the place! 
rear not. Like me with freedom eat; 
An Ant is moft delightful meat. 
How bleCs'd, how envied were our life. 
Could we but 'fcape the poulterer's knife ! 
But man, curs'd man ! on Turkey preys. 
And Chriflmas fhortens all our days j 
Sometimes with oyP:ers we combine, 
Sometimes aiTift the fav'iy chine. 
From the low peahnt to rhe lord, " 
The Turkey fmokes on ev'ry board. 
Sure n\zr\. for gluttony are curs'd: 
Of the ieven deadly fins the wcrlt. 

An Ant, v^^ho climb'd beyond his reach, 
Tims anfwer'd from the neighb'ring beach : 
Ere you remark another's lin. 
Bid thy own confcience look withiiij 
Controul thy more voracious bill, 
Nor for a breakfaft nations kill. 



No more folicitous he grew, 
And fet their future lives in view; 
He law that all refpecft and duty 
Were paid to wealth, to pow'r, and beauty. 

Once more he cries. Accept my pray'r j 
Mike my lov'd progeny thy care. 
Let my iirfthope, my fav'rite boy. 
All fortune's richeit gifts "enjoy. 
My next with llrong ambition fire : 
May favour teach him to afpire. 
Till he the ftep of pow'r aicend, 
And courtiers to their idol bend 1 
With ev'ry grace, w-itb tw''TY charm, 
My daughters perfeft features arm. 
If heaven approve, a Father's bleft. 
Jove fmiles, and grants his full requ£fl:. 

The firft, a mifer at the heart, 
Studious of tv^ry griping art. 
Heaps hoards on hoards with anxioas pain> 
And all his life devotes to gain. 
He feels no joy, his cares increafe. 
He neither w^akes nor fleeps in peace; 
In fancied want (a wretch complete!) 
He ftarves, and yet he dares not eat. 

The next to fudden honours grew : 
The thriving art of courts he knew: 
He reach'd the height of pow'r and place. 
Then fell, the victim of difgrace. 

Beauty with early bloom lugplies 
His daughter's cheek, and points her eyes. 
The vain coquette each fuit difdains, 
And glories in her lover's pains. 
With age Ihe fades, each lover Hies, 
Contemn 'd, forlorn, (he pines and dies. 

When Jove the Father's grief lurvey'd, 
And heard him Heaven and Fate upbraid. 
Thus fpoke the god : By outward Ihow 
Men judge of happlnefs and woe; 
Shall ignorance of good and ill 
Dare to dired th' Eternal Will ? 
Seek virtue: and, of that polfefc. 
To Providence refip;n the relt. 



§ 159. FABLE XXXIX. The Father and 'J uf iter, 
TeiE !>4an to Jove his fuit preferr'd : 
He begg'd a wife 5 his pray'r was heard. 
Jove wonder'd at his bold addreiTing ; 
For how precarious is the blefiing! 

A wife he takes. And now for heirs 
Again he worries Heaven with pravers. 
Jove nods affent. Two hopefu)hoys 
And a 5ne girl reward his joys. 



§ 160. FABLE XL. 'The Tivo Mortkejs, 
The learned, full of inwaixi pride. 
The Fops of outward rtiow deride: 
The Fop, with learning at dertance, 
Scoifs at the pedant, and the fclence: 
The Don, a formal, folemn ftrutter, 
Difpifes Monfieur's airs and flutter; 
While Monfieur mocks the formal fool, 
Who looks, and fpeakSjand walks by rule, 
Britain, a medley of the twain. 
As pert as France, as grave as Spain^ 
In fancy wifer than the rell. 
Laughs at them both, of both thejeft. 
Is not the poet's chiming clofe ' - 
Cenfur'd by all the fons of profe ? 
While bards of quick imagination 
Defpife the fleep)' profe narration. 
Men laugh at apes, they men contemn ; 
For what are we but apes to them ? 

Two Monkeys went to Southwark fair. 
No critics had a fourer air: 



I 3 



Thef 



ii8 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



They forc'd their way thro' draggled folks, 
Who gap'd to catch jack-pudding's jokes j 
Then took their tickets for the Ihow, 
And got by chance the foremolt row. 
To fee their grave, oblerving face, 
Provok'd a laugh throiigh ail the place. 

Brother, lays Pug, and turn'd his head. 
The rabble 's monllroufly ill-bred ! 

Now through the booth loud hiffes ran j 
Nor ended till the fliow began. 
The tuir.bler whirls the tiip-flap round, 
With lbn\errets he ihakes the ground ; 
The cord beneath the dancer Jprings j 
Aloft in air the vaulter fwings ; 
Diilorred now, now prone depends. 
Now throngh his twilled arms a'cends : 
The crowd in wonder and delight. 
With clapping hands applaud the light. 

With liniles, quotii Pug, If pranks like thefe 
The giant apes of reaibn pleafe. 
How would they wonder at our arts ! 
They muft adore us for our parts. 
Kigh on the twig I 've feen you cling, 
Play, twift, and turn in airy ring : 
How can thofe clumly things, fike me. 
Fly with a bound from tree to tree ? 
But y€t, by this applaufe we find 
Thefe emulators of our kind 
Diicern our worth, our parts regard, 
Who-our mean mimics thus reward. 

Brother, the <Trinning m.ate replies, 
In this I grant that man is wife. 
While good example they purfue. 
We mull allow fome praiJe is due; 
But when they Itrain beyond their guide, 
I laugh to fcorn the mimic pride ; 
For how fantaific is the light, 
To meet m.en always bolt upright, 
Becaufe we fometimes walk on two ! 
I hate the imitatino- crew. 



But the more knowing feather'd race 
See wildom llam-pM upon my face. 
Whene'er to vifit light I deign, 
What Hocks of fowl com.pofemy train! 
Like Haves, they crowd my fiight behind. 
And own me of fuperior kind. 

The Farmer laugh'd, and thus replied : 
Thou dull important lump of pride, 
Dar'ft thou, with that harih grating tongue. 
Depreciate birds of warbling long ? 
Indulge thy fpleen. Know, men and fowl 
i Regard thee as thou art, an Owl. 
Eelides proud blockhead, be not "ain 
Of what thou calm thy llaves and train. 
Few follow wifdom, or her rules j 
Fools in derilion follow fools. 



§ i6i, FAELEXLi. Ths Gnfil and the farmer. 
An Owl of grave deport and mien, 
Who (like ttie Turk) was feldom feen. 
Within a barn had chofe his (lation. 
As fit for prey and contemplation. 
Upon a beam aloft he fits. 
And nods, and feems to think, by fits. 
So have I ieen a man of news 
Or Poii:-boy or Gazette perufe; 
Sn-.oke, nod, and talk with voice profound, 
And 'fix the fare of Europe round. 
Sheaves piFd on (heaves hid all the floor. 
At dawn of morn, to vieSv his itcre, 
The Farmer came. The hooting guefl 
His felf importance thus exprefs'd : 
Reafon in man is mere pretence: 
How weak, how Ihallow is his fenfe ! 
To treat with fcorn the Biid of Night, 
Declares his folly or his Ipite. 
Then too, how partial is his praife ! 
The lark's, the linnet's chirping lays, 
To his ill-judging ears are fine. 
And nightingales are all divine. 



§ 1 6a. FABLE xLii. 'the Jugglers, 
A Juggler long through all the town 
Kad raisM his fortune and renowm : 
You 'd think (fo far his art tranfcends) 
The devil at his fingers' ends. 

Vice heard liis fame, (he read his bill ; 
Convinc'd of his inferior fkill, 
She fought his booth, and from the crowd 
Defied the man of art aloud : 

Is this then he fo fam'dfor flight ? 
Can this flow bungler cheat your fight ? 
Dares he with me difpute the prize ? 
I leave it to impartial eyes. 

Provok'd, the Juggler cried* 'Tisdone; 
In fcience I fubmit to none. 

Thus laid, the cups and balls he play'd, 
By turns this here, that there, convey'dj 
The cards, obedient to his words, 
Are by a fillip turn'd to birds. 
His little boxes change the grain; 
Trick after trick deludes the train. 
He Ihakes his bag, he Ihews all fair; 
His fingers fpread, and nothing there ; 
Then bids it rain with fliowers of gold: 
And now his iv'ry egg? are toid; 
But when from thence the hen he draws, 
Amaz'd fpe6>ators hum applaufe. 

Vice now Itepp'd forth, and took the place 
With ail the forms of his grimace. 

This magic locking-glafs, flie cries, 
(There, hand it round) will charm your eyes. 
Each eager eye the fight defir'd, 
Aud ev'ry m.<n himfelf admir'd. 

Next^ to a lenator addreflmg, 
See this bank-note; obferve theblelTing, 
Breathe on the bill. Heigh, pals! 'tis gone. 
Upon his lips a padlock flioue. 
A fecond puff the magic broke ; 
The padlock vanifli'd, and he fpoke. 

Twelve bottles rang'd upon the board. 
All full, with heady liquor ftor'd. 
By clean conve}'ance difappear. 
And now, two bloody fwords.are there. 

A purfe Ihe to a thief expos'd ; 
At once his ready fin?,ers clcs'd. 
He opes his fifl:, the treafure's fled ; 
He fees a halter in its fl:ead. 

She 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



1^9 



She bids ambition hold a wandj 
He grafps a hatchet in his hand. 

A box of charity fhe fhews: 
Blow here; and a churchwaixlen blows. 
'Tis vanifli'd with conveyance neat. 
And on the table fmokes a treat. 

She fliakes the dice, the board fhe knocks. 
And from all pockets tills her box. 

She next a meagre rake addrefs'd ; 
This picture fee J hsr lliape, her breaitT 
What youth, and what inviting eyes ! 
Hold her, and have her. With furprife. 
His hand exposM a box of pills, 
And a loud laugh proclaimed his ills. 

A counter in a raifer's hand 
Grew twei.ty guineas at command. 
She bids his heir the fum retain, 
And 'tis a counter now again. 
A guinea with her touch you fee 
Take ev'ry fhape, but Charity : 
And not one thing you faw, or drew, 
But chang'd from what was firft in view. 

The Juggler now, in grief of heart, 
With this fubmifiion own'd her art: 
Can I fuch matchlefs flight withfnand ? 
How praftice hath improved your hand I 
But now and then I cheat the throng j 
You ev'ry day, and jiU day long. 



§163. FABLE XLiii. The Council of Horfcs. 
Upon a time, a neighing Steed, 
Who graz'd among a num'rous breed, 
With mutiny had tir'd the train. 
And fpread diflenfion through the plain. 
On matters that concern'd the flate 
The council met in grand debate. 
A Colt, whofe eye-bails fiam'd with ire, 
Elate with Itrength and youthful fire. 
In hade ftepp'd forth before the reft. 
And thus the lift'ning throng addrefs'd : 

Good gods ! how abjeft is our race, 
Condemn'd to flav'ry and difgrace ! 
Shall we our fervitude retain, 
Becaufe our fires have borne the chain? 
Confider, friends, yom* ilrength and might j 
'Tis conquelt to aiTert your right. 
How cumbrous is the gilded coach ! 
The pride of man is our reproach. 
Were we defigh'd for daily toil, 
To drag the plough-fhare through the foil. 
To fweat in harnefs through the road, 
To groan beneath fhe carrier's load ? 
How feeble are the two-legg'd kind ! 
What force is in our nerves combin'd ! 
Shall then our nobler jaws fubmit 
To foam and champ the galling bit ? 
Shall haughty man my h/?ick beftride ? 
Shall the fharp fpur provoke my fide? 
Forbid it, Heavens ! Reje6t the rein i 
Your fiiame, your infamy difdain. 
Let him the lion firit controul. 
And Hill the tiger's famifii'd growl. 
Let us, like them, our freedom claim. 
And make him tremble at our name. 



A gen'ral nod approved the caufe, 
And all the circle neigh'd applaufe. 

When lo I with grave and foleran pace, 
A Steed advanc'd before the race; 
With age and long experience wife. 
Around he caft his thoughtful eyes j 
And to the murmurs of the train. 
Thus fpoke the Neftorof the plain : 

When I had health and ftrength like you. 
The toils of fervitude I knew ; 
Now grateful man rewards xv.y pains. 
And gives me all thefe wide domains. 
At will I crop the year's increafe \ 
My latter life is reft and peace. 
I grant, to man we lend our pains. 
And aid him. to correft the plains: 
But doth not he divide the care, 
Through all the labours of the year? 
How many thoufand ftru6lures rife, 
To fence us from inclement Ikies 1 
For us he bears the fultry day, 
And ftores up all our winter's hay. 
He fows, he reaps the harveft's grain ; 
We fhare the toil, and fliare the gain. 
Since ev'ry creature was decreed 
To aid each other's mutual need, " 

Appeafe your difcontcnded mind, 
And a6l the part by Heaven afiign'd. 

The tumult ceas'd. The Colt fubmltted j, 
And, like Ids anceftors, was bitted. 



§ 164.. FABLE XLiv. The Hound and the 
Hunt/man. 

Impertinence at firft is borne 
"With heedlefs flight, or fmiles of fcornj 
Teas'd into wrath, what patience bears 
The noify fool who perftvers ? 

The morning wakes, the Huntfman founds. 
At once rufli forth the joyful hounds. 
They fcek the wood with- eager pace ; 
Thro' bufli, thro' brier, explore the chace. 
Now, fcatter'd wide, they try the plain. 
And fnulf the dewy turf in vain. 
What care, what induftry, what pains ! 
What univerfal filence reigns ! 

Ringwood, a dog of little fame, 
Young, peit, and ignorant of game, 
At once difplays his babl^ling throat ; 
The pack, regardlefs of the note, 
Purfue the fcentj witli louder ftrain 
He ftill perfifts to vex the train. 

The Huntfman to the clamour flies j 
The fmacking lafli he fmartly plies. 
His ribs all welk'd, with howling tone 
The Puppy thus exprefs'd his moan: 

I know the mufic of my tongue 
Long fince the pack with envy Hung, 
What will not fpite ? Thefe bitter fmarts 
I owe to my fuperior parts. 

When puppies prate, the Huntfman cried. 
They (hew both ignorance and pride : 
Fools may our fcorn, hot envy raifej 
For GTiYy is a kind of praife« 

I 4. Had' 



120 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



B «: r« 



Had not thy forward noify tongue 
Prociaim'd thee always in the wrong. 
Thou might'ii have mingled with the reft, 
And ne'er thy foolHh noile confels'd. 
But fools, to talking ever prone, 
Are fure to make their follies known. 



§ 165. FABLE XLV. 'The Poet and the Rofe. 
I HATE the man who builds his name 
On ruins of another's fame. 
Thus prudes by chara6lers overthrown 
Imagine that they raiie their own. 
Thus Icribblers, covetous of praife. 
Think ilander can tra'nfplant the bays, 
Bep.aties and bards have equal privde : 
With both aJl rivals are decried. 
Who praifes Lefbia's eyes and feature, 
IVIuil call her fifter awkward creature j 
For the kind flattery 's fare to charm. 
When we fome other nymph difarm* 

As in the cool of early day 
A Poet fought the fweets of May, 
The garden's fragrant breath afcends. 
And ev'ry ftalk with odour bends. 
A Rofe he pluck'd, he gaz'd, admir'd, 
Thus finging, as the Mufe infpir'd : 
Go, Rofe, my Chloe's bofom grace : 

How happy fnould I prove, 
Might I fupply that envied place 

With never-fading love ! 
There, Phoenix-like, beneath her eye, 
Involv'd in fragrance, burn and die ! 
Kno-^, haplefs flow'r, tliat thou flialt find 

More fragrant rofts there: 
I fee thy with'ring head reclin'd 

With envy and defpair ! 
One common fate v.e both muft prove j 
You die with envy, I v,ith love. 
Spare your comparifons, replied 
An angry Roie who grew befide. 
Of all mankind you Ihould not fioiit usj 
"What can a Poet do without us ? 
In evVy love fong rofes bloom j 
We lend you colour and perfume. 
Does it t6 Chloe"s charms conduce. 
To found her praife on our abufe ? 
Muft we, to flatter her, be made 
To wither, envy, pine, and fade? 



A village-cur, of fnappifli race. 
The perteft Puppy of the place, 
Imagin'd that his treble throat 
Was bleil with mulic's fweeteft note j 
In the mid road he bafjcing lay. 
The yelping nuifance of the way; 
For not a creature pafs'd along. 
But had a fample of his fong. 

Soon as the trotting fteed he hears. 
He Irarts, he cocks his dapper ears j 
Avi-ay he fcours, afiaults his hoof; 
Now near him fnarls, now barks aloof j 
With (hrill impertinence attends j 
Nor leaves him till the village ends. 

It chanc'd, upon his evil day, 
A Pad came pacing dov.-n the way : 
The cur, with never-ceaiing tongue. 
Upon tlie pafling trav'ller I'pnjng. 
The Korfe, from fcorn provok'd to ire. 
Flung backward : rolling in the mire 
The Puppy howPd, and bleeding lay ; 
The Pad in peace purfvied his way. 

A Shepherd's Dog, who faw the" deed, - 
Detefting the vexatious breed, 
Befpoke him thus : When coxcombs prate. 
They kindle wrath, contempt, or hate ; 
Thy teafing tongue had judgment tied, 
Thou hadit not like a Piippy died. 



§166. FABI.E XL VI. The Cur^the Horfey and 
the Shepherd'' s Dog, 

The lad of all-fafficient merit 
With modefty ne'er dam.ps his fpirit j 
Prefuming on his own deferts. 
On all alike his tongue exerts; 
His noify jokes at random throws, 
And pertly fpatters friends and foes. 
Ill wit and war the bully race 
Contribute to their own di 'grace. 
Too late the forw^j-d youth ftiail find 
That jokes are fometimes paid in kindj 
Or, if they canker in the breaft. 
He makes a foe who makes a jeil. 



§ 167. FABLE XL vn, The Court of D^utb^ 

Death, on a folemn night of ftate. 

In all his pomp of terror fate; 

Th' attendants of his p:loomy reign, 

Difeafes dire, a ghaftly train ! 

Crowd the vaft Court. With hollow tone, 

A voice thusthunder'd from the throne; 

This night cur miiiifter we name, 
Let ev'ry fervant fpeak his claim ; 
Merit fhall bear this ebon wand. — 
All, at the word, ftretch'd forth their halid. 

Fever, with burning heat poffeft, 
Advanc'd, and for the wand addrefs'd: 

I to the veekly bills appeal. 
Let thofe exprei's my fervent zeal; 
On ev'ry flight occafion near. 
With violence I perfevere. 

Next Gout appears, with limping pace. 
Pleads hew he Ihifts from place to place ; 
From head to foot how fwift he fiies, 
And ev'ry joint and fmew plies; 
Still workii.g when he feems fuppreft— • 
A moft tciiHcious ftubl-crn gueit. 

A haggard Speftre fro!r! the crew 
Crawls forth, and thus afierts his due i 
'Tis I who taint the fweeteft joy. 
And in the fi^aape of Love deftroy t 
My fnanks, funk eyef, and nole.efs face. 
Prove my pretenfjon to the plac?. 

Stone urg'd his ever-growing force; 
And next Conlumption's meagre corfe. 
With feeble voice that fcarce was heard, 
Broke with fliort coughs, his fuit prefeiT'd; 
Let none objeft my ling'ring way, 
Again, like Fabius, by delay; 

Fatigue 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MOR A L. 



U! 



Fatigue and weaken ev'ry foe 

By long attack — fecure, though flow. 

Plague reprefents his rapid pow'r, 
"Who thinnM a nation in an hour. 

All Ipoke their claim, and hop'd the wand. 
Now expt(5tationhufhM the band, 
When thus the monarch from the throne : ■ 

Merit was ever modeli known- 
What, no Phyfician fpeaks his right? 
Kone here ! bi>t fees their toils requite. 
l^st then Intemp'rance take the wand, 
Wko tills with gold their zealous hand. 
You Fever, Gout, and ail the reil. 
Whom waiy men as foes deteft, 
J'orego your claim ; no more pretend } 
Intemperance is eiteeniM a friend , 
He fliares their mirth, their focial joys, 
And as a courted gueft deif roys. 
The charge on him mull jultly fall, 
Who finds employment for you all. 



^ l68. FABLE xLviii. The Gardener ai;d th^Hc^, 

A ga.rd'ner of peculiar tafte 

On a ycung Hog his favour plar'd. 

Who fed not with the common herd j 

His tray was to the hall preferred. 

He wallovv'd underneath the board. 

Or in his mailer's chamber fnor'd; 

Who fondly fcrokM him. ev'ry day, • 

And taught him all the puppy's play. 

Where'er he went, the grunting friend 

Ne'er failed his pleafure to attend. 

As oh a time the loving pair 
Walk"d forth to tend the garden's care. 
The Mafter thus addrefs'd the Swine 5 

My houfe, my garden, all is thipe ; 
On turnips feall whene'er you pleafe, 
And riot in my beans and peafe j 
If the potatoe's tafte delights. 
Or the red can-ot's fweet invites. 
Indulge thy morn and ev'ning hours, 
But let due care regard myfiovv'rs. 
My tulips are my garden's pride, 
What valtexpence thofe beds fupplied ! 
* The Hog, by chance, one morning roam'd 
Where with new ale the .velfels foam'd : 
He munches now the itreaming grains j 
JNow with full fwili the liquor drains. 
Intoxicating fumes arife ; 
He reels, he rolls his winking eyes; 
Then, ftagg'ring, through the gai-den fcours, 
And treads down painted ranks of flow'rs. 
V/ith delving fnout he turns the foil. 
And cools his palate with the fpoil. 

The Mafter came, the ruin fpied; 
Villain, fuipend thy rage! he cried: 
Haft thou, thou moft ungrateful fot! 
My charge, my only charge forgot ? 
What, ail my flow'rs ! No more he faid, 
!^ui gaz'd, and ligh'd, and Imng his head. 

The Hog with llutt'ring fpeech returns, 
Explain, Sir, why your anger burns. 
See there, untouch'd, your tulips Itrewn, 
f Qf ^ devoui''d the roots alone. 



At this the Gard'ner's paflion grows j 
From oaths and tr.reats he fcii to oiyws. 
Theftubborn brure the biov/^ uillains, 
Alfaultshis leg and tears his veins. 

Ah, foolifh fw-ain ! too late you find. 
That ities were for inch friends dcngn'd. 

Homeward he limps with painfai pace. 
Reflecting thus o\\ pail djfgrace. 
Who cherifhes a brutal mate 
Shall mourn the folly Icon or late. 



§ 169. FABLE XLix. I^he McDi atidthc lUcu 
Whether in earth, in air, or main. 
Sure ev'ry thing alive is vain ! 

Does not the hav»k all fowls furvey 
As deftin'd only for his prey ? 
And do not tyrants, prouder things. 
Think men were born for flaves to kings ? 

When the crab viev/s the pearly flrands. 
Or Tagus, bright with golden lands j 
Or cravv'ls belide the ccral grove. 
And hears the ocean roll above ; 
Nature \s, too profufe, fays he. 
Who gave all thele to pleafure me ! 

When bord'ring pinks and rcfes bloom. 
And ev'ry garden breathes perfume; 
When peaches glow with lunny dyes. 
Like Laura's cheek when blufhes rife; 
When v/ith huge figs the branches bend. 
When clufters from the vine depend ; 
The fnail looks round on flow'rand tree. 
And cries. All thefe were made forme ! 

What dignity^s in human nature ! 
Says Man, the moll conceited creature. 
As from a ciift he cad his eye^^ 
And vievv'd the fea and arched ikies : 
The fun was funk beneath the mainj 
The moon, and all the itarry train. 
Hung the vail vault of heaven. The Man 
His coutemplation thus began : 

When I behold this glorious ihow. 
And the wide wat'ry Wvorld below, 
i lie icaly people of the main. 
The beaits that range the wood or plain. 
The wing'd inhabitants of air. 
The day, the ni^ht, the various year. 
And know all tiiefe by Heaven delign'tji 
As gifts to pleafure human-kind ; 
I cannot raiie my vvoith too high : 
Of what vail confequence am I \ 

Not of th' importance you fuppofe. 
Replies a Flea upon his nofe: 
Be humble, learn thyfelf to ican; 
•Know, pride was never made for Man. 
'Tis vanity that Iwells thy mind. 
What, heaven and earth for thee deilgn'd ! 
P'or thee made only for our need. 
That more important Fleas might feed. 



§ 170. FABLE L. The Hare and tnany FrUndsi 
Friendship, like love, is but a name, 
LTnleis to one you ftint the flame. 
The child, whom many fathers fliare, 
Hath feld.om known a father's care, 

'Tis 



122 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I, 



'Tis thus in fricndfliip ; who depend 
On many, rarely find a friend. 

A Hare, who in a civil way 
Complied withev'ry thing, tike Gay, 
Was known by all the beltial train 
Who havint the wood or graze the plain. 
Ker care «as, never to offend ; 
And ev'ry creature was her friend. 

As forth ihe went, at eany dawn, 
To tafte the dew.befpnnkled lawn, 
Behind ihe hears the hunter's cries, 
And from the deep-mouth'd thunder flies : 
She ftarts, Ihe Itops, (lie pants ior breath j 
She bears the near advance of death ; 
She doubles to mifiead the hound, 
And nieadires back her mazy round j 
Till, f.iinting in the public way, 
Half-dead with fear fhe gafping lay. 

What tranfport in her bolbra grew. 
When lirfl the Horfc appearM in view { 

Let me, fays (he, your back aicend, 
And owe n-.y fafety to a friend. 
You know my feet betiay my flight ; 
To friend(hip ev'ry burthen's light. 

The Horfe replied, Poor honelt Pufs ', 
It grieves my heart to fee thee thus : 
Be comforted, relief is nearj 
For all your friends are in the rear. 
She next the ftately Bull implor'd. 
And thus replied the mighty lord : 
Since every beafl alive can tell 
That I iincerely wlih you well, 
I may, without offence, pretend 
To take the freedom of a friend. 
Love calls rae hence ; a fsvYite cow 
Expects me near yon barie)'--mow ; 
And when a lac'-y's in the cafe. 
You know all other things give place. 
To leave you thus might feem unkind j 
But fee. the Goat is jult behind 

The Goat remarked her pnlie was high, 
Her languid head, her heavy eye ; 
My b:;.ck, fays he, may do you harm; 
The Sheep's at hand, and wool is warm. 
The Sheep was feeble, and complain'd 
His fides a load of wool fuftain'd : 
Said he was flow, confefs'd his fears ; 
For hounds eat Sheep as well a.^ Hares. 

She nov/ the trotting T^alf addrefs'n, 
To fave from death a friend diilrefs'd. 
Sliall l, fays he, of tender age, 
In this important care engage ? 
Older and abler paf^'d you by : 
How firong are thofe ! hov.' weak am I ! 
Should I prcfume to bear you hence, 
Thofe fi-iends of mine may take oifence. 
Excufe me, then. You know my heart. 
But deareil friends, alas ! muft p^^rt. 
How (hall we all lament! Adieu! 
For, fee, the hounds are jufl: in view. 



YOUNG'S NiGHT-TKOUGHTS. 

§-J7'- NIGHT I. Sleep. 
Tir'd Nature's fweet .reftorer, balmy Sleep ! 
He, like the world, his ready vifit pays 



Where Fortune fmiles ; the wretched he for- 

fakes : 
Swift on his downy pinion flies from woe. 
And lights on lids unfuUied with a tear. 

From fliort (as ufual) and difturb'd repofe 
I wake : How happy they who wake no more '. 
Yet that were vain, if dreams infefl: the grave. 
I wake, emerging from a fea of dreams 
Tumultuous ; where my wreck'd, defponding; 

thought. 
From vyave to-wave of fancy'd mifery 
At random drove, her helm of reafon lofl: 
Tho' now reitor'd, 'tis only change of pain, 
A hitter change; feverer for fevere: 
The day too (hort for my diftrefs ! and night 
Ev'n in the zenith of her dark domain. 
Is funfliine, to the colo\u- of ray fate. 



§ 172. Night. 
Night, fable goddefs ! from her ebon throne. 
In raylefs majelly, now fl:retches forth 
Her leaden fceptre o'er a flumb'ring world : 
Silence, how dead ! and darknefs,how profound! 
Nor eye nor lill'ning ear an objeft finds ; 
Creation fleeps. 'Tis as the general puife 
Of life flood ftill, and nature made a paufe j 
An awful paufe, prophetic of her end. 
And let her prophecy be foon fulfiil'd : 
Fate ! drop the curtain : I can lofe no more. 



§ 173. ht'vocation to Silence and Darknefs. 
Silence and Darknefs ! (blemn fillers ! twins 
From, ancient Night, who nurfe the tender 

thought 
To reafon, and on reafon build refolve, 
(That column of true raajefl:y in man) 
Affiit m.e : I will thank you in the grave ; 
The grave,- your kingdom: There this frame 

fliallfall " . - _ 

A vi6lim lacred to your drear)- flirine : 
But what are ye ? Thou who didft put to flight 
Primeval Silence, when the morning liars 
Exulting, fhcuted o'er the rifing ball; 

Thou ! whofe v/ord from folid darknefs ftruck 
That fpark,the fun ; flrike wifdoni from my foul. 
My foul which flies to thee,her trull, hertreafure. 
As mifers to their gold, while others rell. 

Thro' this opaque of nature, and of foul, 
This double night, tranfinit one pitying ray. 
To lighten and to cheer : O lead my mind, 
(A mind that fain would wander from its woe) 
Lead it thro' various fcenes of Life and Death, 
And from each fcene, the noblefl truths infpire: 
Nor lefs infpire my condu6l, than my long ; 
Nor let the vial of thy vengeance, pour'd 
On this devoted head, be pour'd in vain. 

§ 174. Time. 
The bell flirikes one : Wetakeno note of time. 
But from its lofs. To give it then a tongue. 
Is wife in man. As if an angel fpoke, 

1 feel the folemn (bund. If heard ari^it. 
It is the knell of my departed hours } 

Where 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



123 



Where are they? with the years beyond theFlood? 

It is the lighal that demands di '.patch; 

How much is to be done ! ray hopes and fears 

Start up alarm'd, and o'er life's narrow verge 

Look dowii — t>n what ? a faihomlels abyis ; 

A dread eternity! how fareiy mine! 

And can eternity belong to me, 

Poor penlioneron the bounties of an hour? 



§ 175. Man. 

How poor ! how rich ! how abje^l ! how 

auguft ! 
How coinplicate ! how wonderful is Man ! 
How painng wonder Hfi who made him fuch ! 
Who centred in ourmake fuch ftrange extremes ! 
Fi'om diiferent natures maryelloufly mixt, 
Connection exquiiite of diftant worlds ! 
Diltinguifh'd link in being's endiefs chain! 
Midway from nothing to the Deity 1 
A beam ethereal fulliedj and abforb'd ! 
Tho' fullied, and diflionour'd, Itill divine ! 
Dim miniature of greatnefs abfolute! 
An heir of glory! a frail child of dull ! 
Helplefs immortal! in feci infinite ! 
A worm. ! a god ! I tremble at myfelf ; 
And in myfetf am loft ! at home a ilranger, 
Thought wanders upaud down, furpris'd aghaft, 
And wcnd'nng at her own : how reafon reels ! 
O wh-.t a miracle to man is man ! 
Triumphantly diftrefs'd, what joy, what dread ! 
Alternately tranfported and alarm'd 1 
What can preferve my life, or what deftroy ? 
Ah angel's arm can't i'natch me from the grave; 
Legions of angels can't confine ine there. 



Unkindled, unconceiv'd ; and from an eye 
Of tendernefs, let heavenly pity fall 
On me, more jnftly number'dwath the dead: 
This is the delert, this the folitude: 
How populous ! how vital, is the grave ! 
This is creation's melancholy vault, 
The vale funereal, the fad cyprefs gloom; 
The land of apparitions, empty fliades; 
All, all on earth is Ihadow, all beyond 
Isliibftance; the reverfe is folly's creed; 
How foiid all, where change Ihall be no more! 



Dreaws. 

1 things rife in proof : 
limbs Sleep's foft dominion 



^ 176. 
'Tis paft conjefture; 
While o'er my 

fpread. 

What tho' ray foul phantaftic meafures trod 
O'er fairy fields; or mourn'd along the gloom 
Of pathlefs woods ; or down the craggy ileep 
Hurl'd headlong, Iwam with pain the mantled 

pool ; ♦^ 

Or fcal'd the cliff or danc'd on hollow winds. 
With antic fnapes, wild natives of the brain? 
Herceafelelsfiightjtho'deviouSjfpeaks her nature 
Of fabtler efiencc than the trodden clod ; 
Adive, aerial, tow'ring, unconfin'd, 
Unfetter'd with her gvo;s companion's fall : 
Ev'n fiicnt night proclaims my foul immortal: 
Ev'n fileni night proclaims eternal day : 
for human weal, heaven hulbands all events. 
Dull fleep inftru(5ls,nor fport vain dreams in vain. 



§ 177. Fanity of Lamentation o<ver the Dead. 

Why then their lofs deplore, that are not loft ? 
Why wanders wretched thought their tombs 

around, 
In infidel diftrefs ? are angel's there ? 
Slumbers, rak'd up in duft, ethereal fire ? 
They live ! they greatly live a life on earth 



§ 178. Lije and Eternity. 
This is the bud of bting, the dim dawn; 
Life's theatre as yet is Ihut, and deatii. 
Strong death alone can heave the m.afly bar. 
This grofs impediment of clay remove. 
And make us embryos of exiftence free. 
From real life, but little more remote 
Is he, not yet a candidate for light, 
The future embryo, {lum^be^ng in his fire. 
Embryos we muft be, till we burft the fhell. 
Yon ambient azure, fliell, and fpring to Jife, 
The life of gods — O tranfport ! and of man. 

Yet man, fool man! hereburiesall histhoughts j 
Inters ccleitial hopes without one figh : 
Prilbner of earth, and pent beneath the moon. 
Here pinions all his wiflies : wing'd by heaven 
To fly at infinite, and reach it there. 
Where feraphs gather immortality. 
On life's fidr trte. fait by the throne of God. 
What golden joys ambrofial clulL'ring glow 
In his full beam, and ripen for the Juit, 
Wh.ere momentary ages are no more ! 
Where time, and pain, and chance, and death 

expire ! 
And is it in the flight of threefcore years. 
To pufii eternity from human thought. 
And fmother ibuls immortal in the duft ! 
A foul immortal, fpending all her fires. 
Waiting herlfrength in itrenuous idlenefs. 
Thrown into tumult, raptur'd, or alarm'd. 
At a\ight this fcene can threaten or indulge, 
Refemhles ocean into terapell wrought. 
To v/afr a feather or to drown a fly, 

Where falls this cenfure? Ito'erwlielmsmyfelf, 
How was my heart encrufted by the world ! 
O how felf fetter'd was my groveling loul ! 
How, like a worm., was I wrapt round and round 
In fiiken thought, which reptile Faijcy fpun. 
Till darken'd Reafon lay quite clouded o'er 
With foil: conceit of endlels comfort here. 
Nor yet put forth her wings to reach the fKies I 
Our waking dreams are fatal : how I dreamt 
Of things impofiible ! (could fleep do more ?) 
Of joys perpetual in perpetual change! 
Of liable pleaiures on the tofllng wave ! 
Eternal funfliine in the Itorms of life 1 
How richly were my noon-tide trances hung 
With gorgeous tapellries of pidlur'd joysl 
Jcy behind joy, in endiefs perfpeftive ! 
Till at Death's toll, whole reitlefs iron tongue 
Calls daily for his millions at a meal. 
Starting, I woke, and found myfslf undone ! 

. Where 



124 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book T, 



Where now my phreniy's pornpoas furniture ! 
The C'.bvveb'd cottage with its ragged w;ill 
Of mould' ring mud, is royalty to me ! 
The Ipider's thrcid is cable to man's tie 
On earthly bUis j it breaks at every breo^e. 



In this fliape, or in that, has fate entailVl 
The motherjb throes on all of woman born, 
Not more ti{e children, than fure heirs of pain. 



§ 1 79. 'Time and Death. 

YE bleft fcenes of permanent delight ! 
Full, above meafure 1 Jailing beyond bound J 
Could you, fo rich in rapt-nre, fear an end, 
That ghaitly thought would drink up all your 

joy, 

And quite unparadife the realms of light. 
Safe are you lodg'd above thefe rolling ipheres, 
Tht' baleful iniiuence of v/hofe giddy dance 
Sheds lad viciiTitudes on all beneath. 
Here teems with revolutions every hoarj 
And. rarely for the better; or the befl. 
More mortal than the common births of fate: 
Each moment has its fickle, emulous 
Or Time's enormous fey the, whofe ample fweep 
Strikes empires from the root } each moment 

p'iis 
IJIs little weapon in t^ie narrower fph ere 
Or nveet doniefcic comfort; and cuts down 
The faiveft bloom of lublunary blifs. 

Bii:s! J'u aiuaary blifs ! proud words, and vain! 
Implicit t'"e?fon to divine deci'ee ! 
A bold invauon of the rights of heaven ! 

1 clafp'd the 'phantoms, and I found them air, 
O hrid I weigh'd it ere my fond embrace. 
What darts of agony had mifs'd my heart ! . 
Death I great Droprietor of all ! ■" Pis thine 
To tread out empire, and to quench the ftars : 
The iun himfeif by thy permiilion lliines ; 
And, one da,, thou fnalt pluck him from his 

fph ere. 
Amid fuch mighty plunder, why exhauft 
Thy partial quiver on a mark fo mean ? 
Why thy peculiar rancour wrecked on me ? 
Infatiate archer! could not one fufiice? 
Thy fliaft fiew thrice, and thrice my peace was 

ilain ; [horn. 

And thrice, ere thrice yon moon liad fill'd her 

Cynthia! why fo pale ? doli thou lament 
Thy wretched neighbour ? grieve, to fee thy 

wlieel 
Of ceafelefs change outwhirl'd in human life ? 

In evVy varied pofture, place, and hour. 
How widow'd ever}' thought of every joy ! 
Thought, hufy thought ! too bufy for my peace, 
Thro' the dark poftern of time long elaps'd 
Led foftly, by the ftillnefs of the night. 
Strays, wretched rover ! o'er the pleafmg paft, 
In queft of wretchednefs, perverfely Itrays; 
»\nd finds all deiijrt now ; and meets the ghofts 
Of my departed joys, a numerous train ! 

1 rue the riches of my former fate ; 

Sw<^et comfort's blafred cluiiers make me figh : 
1 tremble at the ble.Tmgs once fo dear : 
Ajid ev'ry pleafure pains me to the heart. 
Vfet w^hy" complain ? or why complain for one ? 
1 mourn for millions: 'Tis the common lot; 



§ 180. Opprsffioii, Want, ami Difeafe. 
War, famine, pelt, volcano, ilorm, and fire, 
Inteitine broils, oppreflion with her heart 
Wrapt up in triple brafs, befiegs mankind: 
God's image, difinherited of day, 
Here plung'd in mines, forgets a fuuAvas madej 
There beings, deathlefs as their haughty lordj^ 
Are hammer'd to the gtiliing oar for life ; 
And plough the winter's wave, and reap defpairj 
Some, for hard maimers, broken under arms. 
In battle jopt away, with half their limbs, 
Beg bicter bread thro' realms their valour fav'd. 
It fo the tyrant, or his minion doom ; 
Want and incurable Difeafe (fell pair !) 
On hopelcfs multitudes remorfelefs feize 
At once; and make a refuge of the grave : 
How groaning hofpitcds t\tti their dead ! 
What numbers groan for lad adm^ilTion there ! 
What numbers, once in Fortune's lap high-fed^ 
Solicit the cold hand of charity ! 
I To Hiock us more, folicit it in vain \ 

Not Prudence can defend, or Virtue fave j 
Difeafe invades the chailell temperance; 
And punilhmxnt the guiltlefs ; and alarm 
Thro" thickelllhades purfues the fond of peace^ 
Man's caution often into danger turns. 
And, his guard falling, crufhes him to death. 
Not Happiiiefs itfelf makes good her name j 
Our veiy wifhes gives Ui> not our wiih; 
How diltant oft the thing we dote on moil. 
From that for which vve dote, felicity \ 

The Imootheft courfe of nature has its pains. 
And truei^ friends, thro' error, woandour relt j 
Without misfortune, what calamities! 
\nd what hofrilities without a foe ! 
Nor are foes wanting to the beft on earth: 
But endlefs is the lift of human ills. 
And iighs might fooner fail, than caufe to iigh. 



§181. Refle6i'ionson 'vieujing a Map of the JVorld, 
A PART liow imallof the terraqueous globe 
Is tenanted by man! the reft a wafte, 
Rocks, deferts, frozen feas, and burning fands; 
Wild haunts of monfters, poilbns, liings, ^id 

death : 
Such is earth's melancholy map ! but, far 
More fad ; this earth is a true map of man : 
So bounded are its haughty lord's delights 
To woe's wide empire ; where deep troubles tofsj 
Loud forrows howl; envenom'd paflions bitej 
Ravenous calamities cur vitals feize. 
And threat'ning fate wide opens to devour. 



§ 182. Sympathy. 

W'hat then am I, who forrow formyfelf ? 
j In age, in infancy, from other's aid 
Is all our hope; to teach us to be kind. 
That; Nature's fii'ft, lail leffon to mankind: 



The 



Book T. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



Ui 



We peneti-ate, we prophefy in vain; 
Time is dealt out by parLicles : and each, 
Ere mingied with the ftreaming fands of life. 



Tiie felfirti heart deferves the pain it feels ; 

More generous forrow, while it links, exalts, 

And conlcious virtue mitigates the pang. 

Mor Virtue, more than Prudence, bids me give By fate'^ inviolable oath is fworn 

Swoln thought a fecond channel j who divide, Dticp filence, " VVliere eternity begins 

They weaken too, the torrent of their grief. ==: 

Take then, O world ! tiiy much indebted tear : § 1 1 
How lad a fight is human happinefs [hour ' 



Prefum^tkn of Jtf ■ending on'To-morrovj^ 
aw. 



By Nature', law, v\;iat m?-y be, may be now j 
To thofe whole thoug;.t can "pierce beyond an There 's no prerog:tivs in human hours : 
Othou! whate'er thou art, whole heart exults ! 
Wouidft thou I fhould congratulate thy fate ? 
I know thou wouldlt; thy pride demands it from 
Let thy pride pardon, what thy nature needs, [me, 



1 he falutar}'- cenfure of a friend : [blett ; 

Thou happy w-etch ! by blindnefs art thou 
By dotage dandled to perpetual fmiles : 
Know, Imiler ! at thy peril art thou pleas'd ; 
Thy oleafure is the promile of thy pain. 
Misfortune, like a creditor fevere, 
But ri.'es in demand for her delay; 
She makes a fcourge of pall proiperity, 
To fling thee more, and double thy diltrefs. 



In human hearts what b ;lder thought can rife, 
Than mjan'sprelunintion on to-morrow's dawn? 
Where is to-morrow ? In another world. 
For numbers this Is certain ; the leverie 
Is fare to none ; and yet on this perhaps. 
This oeradventurc, infamous for lies. 
As 0.1 a rock of adamant we build 
Our mountain hopes ^ fpin out eternal fchemes^ 
And, big with life's futurities, expire. 



§ li 



'J)- 



The liifiabiitty and Infi^^ciency of Human 
Joys. 

LoREN'zo ! Fortune makes her court to thee. 
Thy fond heart dances, v.-hile the fyren lings. 
I would not damp, but to fecure th)- joys : 
Think not that fear is lacred to the iiOiTn \ 
Stand on thy guard againil the iinlleG of fate. 
Is heaven tremendous in its frown ! moll fure : 
And in its favours formidable too ; 
Its favours here are trials, not rewards: 
A call to duty, not difcharge from care ; 
And Hiould alarm us, full as much as woes ; 
O'er our fcann'd conduct give a jealous eye ; 
Awe Nature's tumult, and challife her joys, 
Xell, while we clafp we kill them; nay invert, 
To worfe than f.mple mifeiy, their charms : 
Revolted joys, like foes in civil war, 
Like bofom friendlhips to refentment four'd, 
With rage envenom'd rife againft our peace. 

Beware what earth caMs happinefs ; beware 
Ail joys, but joys that itever can expire : 
Who builds on lefs than an immortal bafe, 
Fond as he feems, condemns his joys to death. 

Mine died with thee, Philander ! thy iaft figh 
Difiojv'd the charm; the difenchanted earth 
Loll all her iuftre ; where, her giitieringtowers ? 
Her golden mountains, where? ail "dr.rken'd 
To naked wafte ; a dreaiy'valecf tears ! 



§ i85. Sudd.n Death. 
^'OT ev'n Philander had befpoke his fliTOud j 
i\or had he cauie, a warning was deny'd. 
Kow many fall as fudden, not as fafe ! 
As fudden, tho' for yea-s admonilh'd home. 
Of human ills the lafl extreme beware, 
Deware, Lorenzo! a fiow-fudden death. 
How dreadful that deliberate fnrpriie ! 
I Be wile to-day, 'tis madnefs to defer j 
jNext day the latal precedent will plead \ 
Thus on, till wifdom is pufh'd out of life; 
Pro«. rani nation is the thieF of time. 
Year after year it Iteals, till all are fied. 
And to the mercies of a moment leaves 
The vail concerns of an eternal fcene ! 
If not fo frequent, would not this be ilrange ? 
That 'tis fo frequent, this is ftranger lliU, 

§ 187. Man's Fyoneiiefsiopr>fTpon0l?npri)--vemenU 
Of man's miraculous miilakes, this beirs 
The palm, '• that all men are about tolive." 
For ever on the bri/ik of being born: 
All pay themfelves the compliment to think 
Thcy,_ovie day, HAall not drivel ; and their pi-ide 
On this reverfion takes up r^dy prai.e ; 
At k:tll, their own; their future lei ves applauds j 
Kow excellent that life they ne'er will lead ! 
Time lodg'd in their own Hands is folly^s vailsj' 
That iodg'd in fate's, to wifdom they conf gn. 
All promife is poor dilatory man, [deed, 

And that thro' every frage: when voung, in- 
In full content, we fometimes nobly rell. 



[down 
The great magician's dead ! thou poor pale piece! Inianxious for ourfelves ; and only wifh 
Gf cut-cafl earth, in darknefs ! what a change j As duteous fons, our fathers were more wiie 
From yefterday ! thy darling liope ^o near, 
(Long-iabour'd prize!) death'.? fubtle feed v 
(Sly, treach'rous miner! ) working in the dark, 
Smil'd at thy well-concerted fcheme, and beck- 
The worm to riot on th.-t rofe fo red, [on'd 
Unfaded ere it fell , one moment's prey ! 



[in I At thirty man fufpe6ts himfeif a foci; 
ich- Knov/s it at forty, and reforms his plan^ 
At nfty chides his infamous delay, 
P:3flies his prudent purpofe to refolve; 
In all the magnanimity of thought 
Refolves ; and re-refolves : then dies the fame. 



_^ § 184. Man Jhort-fighted. 

The prefent moment terminates oar light; 
Clouds thick as thofe on doomfday, drow; 
tlie next j 



§ I S3. Man infenj'ible cf his oijon Mortality. 
And v.hy! becaule he thinks himfeif immortal. 
All men think all men mortal, but themfelves ; 

Themfelves^ 



125 



teL'EGANT jEXTRACTS, 



Book h 



Tliemfelves, when fome alarming fiiock of fate 
Strikes thro' their wounded hearts the fudden 

dread j 
But their hearts wounded, like the wounded air, 
Soonclolq where pafsM the Pnafr,no trace isfound: 
As, from the wing no fear the iky letains; 
The parted wave no furrow from the keel ; 
So dies in human hearts the thought of death : 
Ev'n with the tender tear which nature fheds 
O'er thofe we love, we drop it in their grave. 
Can I forget Philander ? that were ftrange ; 
O my full heart ! but Ihould I give it vent, 
The longeft night, tho' lono-er far, would fail. 
And thelark lillen to my midnight fong. 



§ i8g. NiGHT li. J'varice of 7wte recommended. 
He mourns the dead, who lives as they defire. 
Where is that thrift, that avarice of lime, 
(Bleft av'rice!) which the thought of death 

infpires. 
O time ! than gold more facred 5 more a load 
Than lead, to tools; and fools reputed wiie. 
What moment granted man without account ? 
Whatyearsarefquander'd,vt'irdom'sdebtunpaid? 
Hafte,' hafte, he lies in wait, he 's at the door, 
Infidious death, fliould his ftrong hand arreft. 
No compoiition fets the prifoner ftee. 
Eternity''s inexorable chain 
Faft binds ; and vengeance claims the full arrear. 
How late I fliudder'd on the brink ! how late 
Life caird for her laft refuge in defpair ! 
For what calls thy difeafe ? for moral aid. 
Thou think'ft it folly to be wife too foon. 
Youth is not rich in time; it may lie, poor: 
Part with it as with money, fparing ; pay 
No moment, but in purchafe of its worth : 
And wliat its worth, afk death-beds, they can 
Part v.lth it as with life, relu£lant ; big [tell. 
With holy hope of nobler time to come. 

Is this our duty, wifdom, glory, gain ? 
And fport we like the natives of the bough, 
When vernal funs infpire ? Amufenlent reigns 
Man^s great dem.and: to trifle is to live : 
And is^it then a trifle, too, to die ? — 
Who wants amufem.ent in the flame of battle ? 
Is it not treafon to the foul immortal. 
Her foes in arms, eternity the prize ? 
Will toys arnufe, when medicines cannot cure ? 
When fpirits ebb, when life's inchantingfcenes 
Their luftre lofe, and lelfen in our fight ? 
(As lands, and cities with their glitt'ring fpires 
To the poor (hatter'd bark, by fudden florm 
Thrown off to fea, and foon to perifh there) 
Will toys amufe ?— no; thrones willthen be toys, 
And earth and fliies feem duft upon the Icale. 
Redeem we time ?— its lofs we dearly buy : 
What pleads Lorenzo for his high-priz'dfports ? 
Re pleads time's numerous blanks; he loudly 

pleads 
The ftraw-like trifles on life's common fl:ream. 
From whom thofe blanks and trifles, but from 
No blank, no trifle, nature made or meant: [thee? 
Virtue, or purpos'd virtue, irill be thine: 
This cancels thy complaint at once j this leaves 



In act no trifle, and no blank in time. 
This greatens, fills, immortalizes all ! 
This, the bleft art of turning all to gold ; 
This, the good heart's prerogative to raife 
A royal tribiite, from the pooreft hours. 
Immeiife revenue ! every moment pays. 
If nothing more than purpofe in thy power. 
Thy purpofe firm, is equal to the deed: 
Who does the beft his eircumltance allows. 
Does well, afts nobly ; angels could no more. 
Our outward a61:, indeed, admits rellraint ; 
'Tis not in things o'er thought to domineer; 
Guard well thy thoughts; our thoughts are 
heard in heaven. 
On all-important time, thro' eveiy age, 
Tho' much, and warm, the wife have urg'd ; the 
Is yet unborn v^ho duly weighs an hour, [mari 
" I 've loft a day"— the prince vt>ho nobly cry'dj 
Had been an emperor without his crown ; 
He fpoke, as if deputed by mankind. 
So fliould all fpeak : fo reafon fpeaks in all : 
From the foft whilpers of that god in man. 
Why fly to folly, why to phreniy fly. 
For refcue from the blefflng we poflefs ? 
Time, the fapreme ! — Time is eternity j 
Pregnant with all eternity can give, 
Pregnant with all that makes arch-angels fmild; 
Who murders time, he crufnes in the birth 
A pow'r ethereal, only not ador'd. 



§ 190. InconjIJiency of Man, 
Ah ! how unjuft to nature, and himfelf. 
Is thoughtlels, thanklefs, inconfiftent man I 
Like children babbling nonfenfe in their fporb; 
We cenfure nature for a fpan too fliort ; 
That fpan too fliort, we tax as tedious too; 
Torture invention, all expedients tire. 
To lafli the ling'ring moments into fpeed ; 
And whirl us (happy riddance) from ourfelves. 
Art, brainlefs art ! our furious charioteer, 
Drives headlong towards the precipice of death; 
Death, moft our dread, death thus more dread- 
O what a riddle of abfurdity ! [fal made; 

Leifure is pain; take off bur chariot wheels : 
How heavily we drag the load of life 1 
Bleft leifure is our curfe ; like that of Cain 
It makes us wander; wander earth around 
To fly that tyrant, Thought. As Atlas groan'd 
The world beneath, we groan beneath an hour. 
We cry for m.ercy to the nex.t amufement : 
Yet v.'hen Deatli kindly tenders us relief. 
We call him cruel ; years to moments flirink. 
Time, in advance, behind him hides his wings. 
And feems to creep, decrepit with his age j 
Behold him, when paft by; what then is ittxi. 
But his broad pinions fwifter than the winds ? 
And all mankind, in contradi6tion ftrongj 
Rueful, aghaft ! cry out at his career. 



§ 191. Wckfle cf'T'ime. 
Leave to thy foes thefe errors, and thefe ills: 
To nature juft, their caufe and cure explore: 
No niggard, nature ; men are prodigals. 

We 



Book t. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



127 



We throw away our funs, as made for fport ; 
We walte, not ufe our time: we breathe, not livej 
And barely breathing, man, to live ordain'd. 
Wrings, and opprefles with enormous weight. 
And why? fnice time was given for ufe,notwali:e, 
iEnjoy'd to fly, with tempeft, tide, and fhrs. 
To keep his i'peed, nor ever wait for m.an: 
Time's ufe was doomM a pleafure ; waile, a pain, 
That man might I'eel his error, if unfeen ; 
And, feeling, fly to labour for his cure. [fignM ; 
Life's cares are comforts j fuch by heav'n de- 
He that has none, muft make them,or be wretch- 
Cares are employments; and without employ [ed. 
The foul is on a rack, the rack of reft , 
To fovds molt adverle^ a6lion all their joy. 

Here, then, the riddle, mark'd above, unfolds; 
Then time turns torment,when man turns aibol. 
We rave, we wTetlle with great nature's plan ; 
We thwart the Deity; and 'tis decreed, 
Who thwart his will, fliall contradi6l their own. 
Hence our unnatural quarrel with ourfelves ; 
Our thoughts at enmity; our bofom-broil. 
We pufh time from us ; and we wifh him back ; 
Life we think long, and fhort; death feek, and 
Oh the dark days of vanity ! while here, [fliun. 
Jkow taftelefs ! and how terrible, when gone ! 
Gone ? they ne'er go ; when paft, they haunt us 
The fpirit walks of ev'ry Day deceas'd, [Hill ; 
And fmiles an angel; or a fury frowns. 
Nor death nor life delights us. If time pad, 
And time pofleft,both pain us, what can pleafe? 
That which the Deity to pleafe ordain'd. 
Time us'd. The man who confecrates his hours 
By vigorous eftbrt, and an iioneft aim, 
At once he draws the fl:ing of life and death : 
He walks with nature ; and her paths are peace. 

Our error's caufe, and cure, are feen t fee next 
Time's nature, origin, importance, fpeed , 
And thy great gain from urging his career. — 
He looks on time, as nothing : Nothing elfe 
Is truly man's: what wonders can he do? 
And will: to fl;and blank neuter he difdains. 
Not on thofe terms was time (heaven's ft:ran- 
On his important embafly to man. [ger!) fent 
When the dread fire, on emanation bent 
And big with nature, arifmg in his might, 
Caird forth creation (for then time was born) 
By godhead fl:reamjng thro' a thoufand worlds: 
Not on thofe terms, from the great days of 
From old eternity's mylierious orb, [heaven. 
Was time cut off; and call: beneath the flcies ; 
The fkies, which watch him in his new abode, 
Meafuring his motions by revolving fpheres : 
Hours, days, and months, and years, his chil- 
dren, play 
Like numerous wings, around him, as he flies : 
Or rather, as_ unequal phimes, they Ihape 
His aniple pinions, fwift as darted flame. 
To gain his goal, to reach his antient reft. 
And join anew eternity his Are ; [hing'd 

When worlds, that count his circles now, un- 
(Fate the loud fignal founding) headlong rufli 



New-wing thy fliort,fliort day's too rapid flight? 
Man flies from time, and time from man:' too 
In fid divorce this double flight mufl- end; [fboa 
And then, where are we? where,Lorenzo i then^ 
Thy fports ? thy pomp ? — I grant thee, ina ftate 
Not unambitious; in the ruffled (hroud, 
Thy Parian tomb's triumphant arcli beneath. 
Has death his fopperies ? then well may lire 
Put on her plume, and in her rainbow Ihine- 



§ tgz. Falfe Delicacy. 
Ye well-arrny'd ! ye lilies 0/ 'oiu- land ! 
Ye lilies male ! who neither toil, nor fpinj- 
Ye delicate! who nothing can fupporr, 
Yourfelves moiKinlupportable ! for whom 
The winter rofe muft blow, and liiky foft 
Favonius breathe ftili fofter, or be chid ; 
And other worlds fend odours, fauce, and ibng. 
And robes, and notions, fram'd in foreign 
O ye who deem one moment unamus'd, [looms ! 
A mifery, fay, dreamers of gay dreams ! 
How wi!l yoii weather an eternal night. 
Where fuch expedients fail ? where wit 's a fool; 
Mirth mourns; dreams vanifli ; laughter flnks 
in tears. 



§ 193,. Confcience, 

O TREACHEROUS confcience ! while flie feems> 

to fleep, 
On rofe and myrtle;,^ luU'd with fyren fong ; 
While flie feems, nodding o'er her charge, to 
On headlong appetite the flacken'd rein, [dro;^ 
The fly informer minutes every fault, 
And her dread diary with horror Alls: 
Not the grofs a6l' alone employs her pen: 
She dav/-ning purpofes of heart explores, 
Unnoted, notes each moment miiapply'd; 
In leaves more durable than leaves of brais 
Writes our whole hiftory; which death fliall 
In every pale delinqiient's private ear; [read 
Andjudgmentpublifh: publifli to more worlds 
Than this: and endiefs age in groans refound. 
And think'ftthou ftill thou canlt bewife toofoon? 



M.%ri.s 



Siipinenefs. 



% 194. 
Time flies, death urges, knells call, heavea 

invites, 
Keli threatens ; all exerts ; in effort, all; 
More than creation labours ! — Labours vc^ovtt 
And is there in creation, what, amidft 
This tumult univerlal, v/ing'd diipatch, 
And ardent energy, fupinely yiwns ! — [flite^ 
Man fleeps ; and man alone; and man, whole 
Fate irreverflble,. entire, extreme, ' [gulph 

Endiefs, hair-^hung, breeze-fliaken, o'er the 
/\ moment trembles ; drops ! man, the fole caufe 
Of this furroundingftorm! and yet he fleeps, 
As the ftorm rock'd to reft. — Throw years away > 
Throw empires, and beblamelefsi moments leize. 
Heaven's on their wing;: a moment we may v.'iflt 



To timelefs night, and chaos, whence they rofe. When worlds want wealth to buy. Bid day ftand 
Why Ipur the fpeedy ? why with levities Bid him drive back his car, recall, retake [ftlil. 

Fate^s 



128 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book 1, 



Fate's hafty prey; implore him, re-import 
The period paft} re-give the given hour'. 
Lorenzo — O for yefterday to come 1 

Such is the lingua^e of the man awake j 
And is -his ardour vani ? Lorenzo ! no: 
To-day is yellerday return d ; returned 
Full power'd to cancel, expiate, raife, adorn. 
And rclnllate us on the rock of peace. 
Let it' not rtiare its predeceilbr's fatej 
Kor, like its eider fillers, die a fool. 
Shall we be poorer for the plenty pour'd ? 
More wretched for the clemencies of heaven ? 



-^ 395. The Depra^ify cf Man. 

Where fliall I rind him? angels, tell me 

where ! 
You know him 5 he is nearyou : point him out^ 
Shall I fee glories beaming from his biow ? 
Or trace his footfteps by the rifmg fiowVs ? 
Your golden wings, now hov'ring o'er him fhed 
Protection ; now, are waving in applaufe 
To that bleft fon of forefight ! lord of fate ! 
That awful independant on To-morrow ! 
Whofe work is done j who triumphs in the paft; 
Whofe^xfterdays look backwards with a fmile ; 
Nor, like the Parthian, wound him as they fly. 
If not by guilt, they wound us by their flight, 
If folly bounds our profpecl by the grave : 
All feeling of futurity benumb'd ! 
All reliih of realties expir'd : 
KenouncM all correfpondence with the ikies ; 
Embruted every faculty divine; 
Heart-burled in the rubbifli of the world : 
The world, that gulph of fouls, immortal fouls, 
Souls elevate, angelic, wing'd with fire 
To reach the dlftant ikies, and triumph there 
On thrones, which fhali not mourn their mailers 

changed, 
Tho"' we from earth ; ethereal, the)'- that fell. 
Such veneration due, O msji, to man ! 



§ i^C. Jujt ability of Life. 

Who venerate themfelves the world defpife. 
For what, gay friend 1 is this eicutcheon'd 

world, 
Which hangs out, Death is one eternal night ? 
A night that glooms us in the noontide ray. 
And wrapts our thoughts, at banquets, in the 
Life's lirtle flage is a imall eminence, [fhroud. 
Lnch high ti\e grave abov?; that home of man. 
Where dwells the multitude: we gaze around. 
We read their monuments ; we ilgh ; and while 
We ligh, we fink; and are what we deplor'd; 
Lamenting, or lamented, all our lot ! 
Is'death at diltancfe! no: he has been on thee ; 
/• nd given i'u'"e earneft of his final blow, [now ? 
Thofe iKiurs, which lately fmiTd, where are they 
pallid to thought, and ghalliy ! drown'd, all 

d'ovirn'd 
Jn that great deep, which nothingdifembogues ; 
A nd, dying, they bequeathed thee fmal! 'cnown. 
The vfritar? on the wingr how fleet their flight ! 
Already has the faul fraia took fire^ 



A moment, and the world's \Aovm up to theej 
The fun is darkneis, and the ilars are dud. 



§ 197. Vanity of Human Eitjoymcnts J taught 
by Experience. 
'Trs greatly W'ife to talk with our paft hours; 
And alk them, wliat report they bore to 
heaven ; [news. 

And how they might have borne ftiore welcome 
Their aniwers form what men experience call : 
If Wifdom's friend, her belt : if not, worft foe. 
O reconcile them ! kind Experience cries, 
"There'snothingh€re,butwhatasnothingweigh.'5; 
The more our jo}'^, the rriore we know it vain j 
And by fuccefs are tutor'd to defpair.'" 
Nor is it only thus, but muft be fo : 
Who knows not this, tho' grey, is ftill a child* 
Loofe then from earth the gralp of fond defire. 
Weigh anchor, and fome happier clime explore. 



§ 198. Death una'voidable. 
Since by life's pafllng breath, blown up from 

earth. 
Light as the fummer's duft, we take in air 
A moment's giddy flight; and fall again; 
Join the dull mafs, increafe the trodden foil. 
And fieep till earth herfelf fhall be no more j 
Since then (as emmets their fmall world o'er- 

thrown) 
We, fore amaz'd, from out earth's ruin crav/l. 
And rife to fate extreme, of foul or fair. 
As man's own choice, controuler of the Ikies! 
As man's defpotic will, this hour, decrees; 
Should not each warning give a itrong alarm ? 
Warning, far lefs than that of bofom torn 
From bofom, bleeding o'er the facred dead ? 
Should not each dial itrike us as we pals, 
Portentous, as the written wall, which Itruck, 
O'er midnight bowls, the proud Affyrian pale ? 
Like that, the dial fpeaks; and points to thee; 
•' O man, thy kingdom is departing from thee; 
And, while it lalls, is emptier than m.y ihade." 
Know, like the Median, fate is in thy walls : 
Man's make indoles the fure feeds of death ; 
Life feeds the murderer: ingrate! he thrives 
On her own meal: and then his nurfe devours. 



§ 199. Life compared to the Siin-dlai. 
That folar fliadcw, as it meafures life. 
It life refembles too : .life fpeeds away 
From point to point, tho' feeming to itand ftill ; 
The cunning fugitive is fwift by ftealth: 
Too fubtle is the movement to be feen, 
Yet foon man's hour is up, and we are gone. 
Warnings point outour danger, gnomons, time: 
As thefe are ulelefs when the fun is fet ; 
So thofe, but when more glorious reafon fliines. 
Keafon (hould judge in all; in reaibn's eye, 
That fedentary Ihadow travels hard: 
But all mankind miitake their time of day ; 
Even age itielf: freih hopes are hourly Ibwn 
In furrow'd brow-,. So gentle life's defcent, 
\Ve fliut our eyes, and think it is a phin : 

Wc 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



129 



We take fair days in winter, for the fpring : 
We turn our blelHngs into bane ; fmce oft 
Man mull compute that age he cannot feel : 
He fcarce believes he's older for his years. 
Thus, at life's latell eve, we keep in ftore 
One difappointment fure, to crown the reft; 
The difappointment of a promised hour. 



§ 200. Death cf the good Man. 
-So fung Philander, O! the cordial warmth, 
And elevating fpirit, of a friend, 
For twenty fummers ripening by my lide; 
All feculence of faifehood long thrown down j 
All fociai virtues rifmg in his foul ; 
As cryftal clear; and fmiling, as they rife ! 
On earth how loft ! Philander is no more. 
How bleffmgs brighten as they take their flight ! 
His flight Philander took; it were profane 
To quench a glory lighted at the Ikies, 
And caft in fliadows his illuftrious dole. 
Strange! the theme molt affefting, moftfublime, 
Momentous moft to man, fliould Ueep unfung : 
Man's highelUriumph ! man's profoundeft fail ! 
The death- bed of the juft ! is yet undrawn 
By mortal hand; it merits a divine: 
Angels fliould paint it, angels ever there; 
There, on a poll of honour, and of joy. 

The chamber where the good man meets his 
Is privileg'd beyond the common walk [fate 
Of virtuous life, quite in the MQvgt of heaven. 
Fly, ye profane ! or eli'e draw near with awe, 
For, here, refiftlefs demonltration dwells ; 
Here tir'd dilfimulation drops her malk, 
Here real and apparent are the fame. 
You fee the man ; you fee his hold on heaven : 
Heaven waits not the laft moment,ow ns itsfriends 
On this iide death ; and points them out to 
A le6lure, lilent, but of fovereiga pov/'r, [men ; 
To vice, confufion; and to virtue, peace! 
Whatever farce the boaftful hero plays. 
Virtue alone has majefty in death ; 
And greater ftill, the more the tyrant frowns. 
Philander! he feverely frown'd on thee, 
"No warning given ! unceremonious fate ! 
" A fudden nilli from lire's meridian joys 1 
** A reftlefs bed of pain ! a plunge opaque 
"Beyond conjefture! feeble nature's dread! 
" Strong reafon fliudders at the dark unknown ! 
"A fun extinguilhed ! a juft opening grave ! 
" And oh ! the laft, laft : what ? (can words ex- 

prefs ? [friend !" 

"Thought reach?) the laft, laft— fiience of a 

Thro' nature's wreck,thro'vanquilh'dagonies, 

Like the ftars ftruggling thro' this midnight 

gloom. [peace ! 

What gleams of joy I what more than human 
Where the frail mortal ? the poor abje6l worm ? 
No, not in death, the mortal to he found. 
His comforters he comforts; .great in ruin, 
With unreluftant grandeur, gives, not yields 
His foul fublime ; and clofes with his fate. 
How our hearts burnt within us at the fcene 1 
Wlicnce this brave bound o'ey limits fixt to man? 



His God fuftains him in his final hour ! 
His final hour brings glory to his God ! 
Man^ gloiy heaven vouchfafes to call its own. 
Amazement ftrikes ! devotion burfts to flame ! 
Chrjllians adore ! and infidels believe. 
At that black hour, which general horror (beds 
On the low level of the inglorious throng, 
Sweet peace, and heavenly hope and humble 
Divinely beam on his exalted foul ; ['oy, 

Deftru6iion gild, and crown iiim for the Ikies. 
Life, take thy chance ; but oh for fuch an end I 



§ 201. NIGHT III. Figure of NarciJ'a, Defcip-' 
tion of her Funeral^ and a Ktjieciion upon Man, 
Sweet harmonift ! and beautiful as fweet ! 
And young as beautiful ! and foft as young! 
And gay as foft ! and innocent as gay ! 
And happy (if aught happy here) as good ! 
For fortune fond had built her neft on high. 
Like birds quite exquifite of note and plume, 
Transfix'd by fate (who loves a lofty mark) 
How from the fummit of the grove Ihe fell, 
And left it unhannonious ! all its cliarras 
Extinguilh'd in the wonders of her fong ! 
Her fong ftill vibrates in my ravilli'd ear. 
Still melting there, and with voluptuous pain 
(O to forget her!) thrilling thro' my heart! 

Song, Beauty, Youth, Love, Virtue, Joy ! this 
Of bright ideas, flow'rs of paradife, [group 
As yet unforfeit ! in one bla7e we bind. 
Kneel, and prefent it to the Ikies ; as all 
We guels of heaven, and thefe were all her own: 
And ihe was mine ; and I was — was ! — moft 
Gay title of the deepeft mifery ! [blelt— 

As bodies grow more pond'i^ous robb'd of life. 
Good loft weighs more in grief than gain'd in joy. 
Like blolibra'd trees o'erturn'd by vernal ftorm. 
Lovely in death the beauteous ruin lay ; 
And if in death ftill lovely, lovelier there; 
Far lovlier ! pity fwells the tide of love. 
And will not the fevere excufe a figh ? 
Scorn the proud man that is alliam'd to weep; 
Our tears indulg'd indeed deferve our Ihame. 
Ye that e'er loft an angel ! pity me. 

Soon as the luftre langnilh'd in her eye. 
Dawning a dimmer day of human fight ; 
And on her cheek, the refidence of fpring, 
Pale omen fat, and fcatter'd fears afound 
On all that faw, (and who could ceafe to gaze 
That once had feen ?) — with halle, parental hafte, 
I flew, I fnatch'd her from the rigid north. 
Her native bed, on which black Boreas blew. 
And bore her nearer to the fun ; the fun 
(As if the fun could envy) check'd his beam. 
Denied his wonted fuccour; nor with moie 
Regret beheld her drooping, than the bells 
Of lilies; faireft lilies, not fo fair ! 

Queen lilies ! and ye painted populace 
Who dwell in fields, and lead ambrofial lives: 
In morn and ev'ning dew your beauties bathe. 
And drink the fun; which gives your cheeks to 
Andout-blufli (mine excepted) every fair [glow ; 
You gUdlier ^rew, ambitious of her hand, .. 

K Which 



130 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I, 



Which often cropped yoVir odours, incenle meet 
To thought i'o pure ! Ye lovely fugitives ! 
Coeval race with man ! for man you fmile 5 
Why notfmiJeat him too ? You ihare indeed 
His iiidden pafs, but net his conftant pain* 

So man is made, nought minifters delight j 
But what his glovv-ing paflTions can engage; 
And glowing paifions, bent on aught below, 
MuftToon or late with anguifli turn the fcale 5 
And anguifh, after rapture, how fevere ! 
Rapture ? Bold man ! who tempts the wrath di- 
By plucking fruit denied to mortal tafte, [vine 
While here prefumingon the rights of Heaven. 
For tranfport doit: thou call on ev'ry hour, 
Lorenzo ? At thy friend's expence be wife; 
Lean not on earth, 'twill pierce thee to the 
A broken reed at beft, but oft a fpear: [heart; 
On its fliarp point peace bleeds,and hope expires. 

Turn, hopelefs tho\ights ! turn from her : — 
thought repeird 
Refenting rallies, and wakes ev'ry woe. 
Snatch'd ere thy prime, and in thy bridal hour! 
And when kind fortune, v.dth thy lover, fmil'd ! 
And when high flavour'dthy frefh op'ning joys! 
And when blind man pronounc'd thy blils 

complete 1 
And on a foreign fhore, where ftrangers wept 
Strangers to thee ; and, more furpriiing Itill, 
Strangers to kindnefs wept : their eyes let fa 
Inhuman tears; ftrange tears! that trickled down 
From marble hearts ! obdurate tendernefs ! 
A tendernefs that cali'd them more fevere ; 
In fpite of nature's foft purfuafion, fleel'd ; 
While nature melted, fuperfcition rav'd; 
^bai raourn'd the dead, and this denied a grave. 

Their fighs incens'd, fighs foreign to the will ! 
Their will the tiger fuck'd, outrag'd the ilorm. 
For, oh ! the curs'd ungodlinefs of zeal ! 
While finfulflefh relented, fpiritnurs'd 
In blind infallibility's embrace, 
The fainted fpirit petrified the breaft : 
Denied the charity of dult, to fpread 
O'er duft ! a charity their dogs enjoy, [foufce ? 
What could I do? what luccour? what re« 
W'ith pious facrilege a grave I Hole, 
With impious piety that grave I wrong'd j 
Short in my duty, col^'a^d in my grief! 
More like her murderer than friend, I crept 
With foft fufpended ilep, and muffled deep 
In midnight darknefs whifper'd my laft figh. 
I whifperdwhat fliould echo thro' their realms ; 
Nor writ her name whofe tomb fliould pierce 

the fkies. 
Prefumptuous fear ! how durft I dread her foes, 
While nature's loudeft diftates I obey'd ? 
Pardon necefTity, bleft fhade ! Of grief 
And indignation rival burfts I pour'd ; 
Half execration mingled with my pray'r; 
Kindled at man, while I his God ador'd ; 
Sore grudg'd the favage land her facred dull ; 
Stamp'd the curs'd foil ; and with humanity 
(Denied Narciifa) wlfti'd them all a grave. 

Glows my refentment into guilt ? Wliat guilt 
Can equ^l violations of tlie dead ? 



The dead how facred ! Sacred Is the duft 
Of this heaven-labour'd form, ereft,- divine ; 
This heaven-affum'd majeftic robfe of'earth 
He deign'd to wear, who hung the vaft expanfe 
With azure bright, and cloth 'd the fun in gold. 
When ev'ry paffion fleeps that can otfend ; 
When llrikes us ev'ry motive that can melt; 
When man can wreak his rancour uncontroul'd. 
That ftrongeft curb on infult and ill-will ; 
Then fpleen to duft ? the duft of innocence ? 
An angei's duft ? — This Lucifer tranfcends : 
When he contended for the patriarch's bones, 
'Twas not the ftrife of malice, but of pride j 
The ftrife of pontiff pride, not pontiff gall. 
Far lefs than this is ihocking, in a race 
Moft wretched but from ttreams of mutual 
And uncreated but for love divine ; [love, 
And, but for love divine, this moment loft, 
By fate reforb'd, and funk in endlefs night. 
Man hard of heart to man ! of horrid things 
Moft horrid ! 'Mid ftupendous, highly ftrange ! 
Yet oft his courtefies are fmoother A\rongs ; 
Pride brandifhes the favours he confers, 
And contumelious his humanity : 
What then his vengeance ? hear it not, ye ftars ! 
And thou, pale moon ! turn paler at the found ! 
Man is to man the foreft, fureft ill. 
A previous blaft foretels the rifmg ftorm ; 
O'erwhelming turrets threaten ere they fall j 
Volcanos bellow ere they dlfembogue ; 
Earth trembles ere her yawning jaws devour ; 
And fmoke betrays the wide confuming fire : 
Ruin from man is moft conceal'd when near. 
And fends the dreadful tidings in the blow. 
Is this the flight of fancy ? Would it were ! 
Heaven's Sovereign faves all beings but hinu'clr 
That hideons fight, a naked human heart ! 



§ 202. niGkt IV. Death not to be dreaded. 
How deep implanted in the breaft of man 
The dread of death ! I fing its fov'reign cure. 

Why ftart at death? where is he? death arriv'd. 
Is paft : not come, or gone, he's never here. 
Ere hope, fenfation fails ; black-boding man 
Receives, notfufters, death's tremendous blow. 
The knell, the fhroud,the mattock,and thegravej 
The deep damp vault, the darknefs, and the 
Thefe are tlie bugbears of a winter's eve, [wormj 
The terrors of the living, not the dead. 
Imagination's fool-, and error's wretch, 
Man makes a death which nature never made ; 
Then on the point of his own fancy falls ; 
And feels a thoufand deaths, in fearing one. 



§203. Death dejirable to the Aged. 
But was death frightful, what has age to fear ? 
If prudent, age fhould meet the friendly foe. 
And flielter m his hofpitable gloom. 
I fcarce can meet a monument but holds 
My younger : every date cries — "Come away!" 
And what recalls me ? look the world around. 
And tell me what : the wifeft cannot tell. 
Should any born of woman give his tliought 

FulJ 



Book L 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



131 



Full range, on juft diflike's unbounded field } 
Of things, the vanity 5 of men, the flaws ; 
Flaws in the bell; the many, flaw all o'er, 
As leopards fpotted, or as ^thiops, dark j 
Vivacious ill 5 good dying immature ; 
And at its deatli bequeathing endleis pain; 
His heart tho' bold would flcken at the fight, 
And Ipend itfelf in fighs, for future fcenes. 

But grant to life fome perquifites of joy ; 
A time there is, when, like a thrice-told tale, 
Long rifled life of fweet can yield n® more, 
But from our comment on the comedy, 
Pleafmg refle6fions on parts well-fuftain'd, 
Gr purposed emendations where we fail'd, 
Or hopes of plaudits from Our candid judge, 
When, on their exit, fouls are bid unrobe. 
And drop this maik of fiefti behind the fcene. 

With me, that time is come ; my world is dead; 
A new world rifes, and new manners reign : 
What a pert race itarts up ! theltrangers gaze, 
And I at them; my neighbour is unknown. 



Grafping at air ! for v/hat has earth beflde f 
Man wants but little ; nor that little, long: 
How foon muft he reflgn his very duit. 
Which frugal nature lent him for an hour ? 
Years unexperienced rafli on numerous ills ; 
And foon as man, expert from tnne, has found 
The key of life, it opes the gates of death. 

When in this vale' of years I backward look. 
And mifs fuch numbers, niam.bers too of fuch. 
Firmer in health, and greener in their age, 
And ilrifter on their guard, a id fitter far 
To play life's fubtle game, I fcarce believe 
I Ifcill fiirvive and am I fond of life, 
Who fcarce can think it pofTible I live ? 
Alive by miracle ! if (till alive, 
Who long have bury'd whut gives life to live, 
Firmnefs of nei ve, and energy of thought. 
Life's lee is not more (hallow, than impure. 
And vapid; fenfe and reafon .liew the door. 
Call for my bier, and point me to the dull. 



§ 204. Folly of Human Purfttits. 
Blest be that hand divine, which gently laid 
My heart at reft beneath this humble flied ! 
The world's a Itately bark, on dangerous feas, 
With plealure feen, but boarded at cur peril ; 
Here, on a fingle plpjik, thrown fafe afliore, 
I hear the tumult of the ^iiftant throng. 
As that of feas remote, or dying ftorms ; 
And meditate on fcenes, more filent fi:ill ; 
Purfue my theme, and fight the fear of death. 
Here, like a fnepherd, gazing from his hut. 
Touching his reed, or leaning on his ftafF, 
Eager ambition's fieiy chace I fee ; 
I fee the circling hunt of noily men 
Burft law's enclofure, leap the mounds of right, 
Purfuing and purfued, each other's prey; 
As v/ol ves, for rapine ; as the fox for wiles ; 
Till death, that mighty hunter, earths them all. 

Why all this toll for triumphs of an hour ? 
What, tho' we wade m wealth, or foar in fame ? 
Earth's higheft; ftation ends in *' here he lies," 
, And "dult to dult" concludes her nobleit fong. 
If this fong lives, pofterity fliall know 
One, tho' in Britain born, with courtiers bred, 
Who thought even gold m.ight come a day too 

late ; 

Nor on his fubtle death-bed "plann'd his fcheme 
For future vacancies in church, or fiate ; 
Some avocation deeming it — to die ; 
Unbit by rage canine of dying rich : 
Guilt's blunder ! and the loudeft laugh of hell 



§ 2C6. Addrefs to the Dity, 

THOU ^reat arbiter of life and death ! 
Nature's nnraortal, immaterial fun ! 
Whofe all-prolific beam late call'd me forth 
From darknefs, teeming darknefs, where I lay 
The worm's inferior, and, in rank, beneath 
The duft 1 tread on, high to bear my brow. 
To drink the fpirit of the golden day, 

And triumph in exiflenee ; and could'ft know 
No motive, but my blifsj with Abraliam's joy. 
Thy call I follow to the land unknown ; 

1 truft in thee, and know in whom I truft; 
Or life or death is equal ; neither weighs. 
All weight in this — O let me live to thee ! 



§ 205. Folly of the Lo've of Life in the Aged. 
O MY coevals ! remnant of yourfelves ! 
Poor human ruins, tottYing o'er the grave ! 
Shall we, fliall aged men, like ?,ged trees. 
Strike deeper their vile root, and clofer cling, 
Still more enamour'd of this wretched foil= [out, 
Shall our pale, wither'd hands be ftill Itretch'd 
Trembling, at once with eagernefs and age ? 
With avarice, and conyullions gralping hard ? 



§ 207. Fears of Death extlnguiJI^ed by Man's 
Redernption. 
Tho' nature's terrors, thus, may be reprefl:; 
Still frowns grim death ; gilt points the tyrant's 

fpear. 
Who can appeafe its angu'fh ? 'how it burns! 
What hand the barb'd, envenom'd tiiought can 

draw ? 
What healing hand can pour the balm of peace 
And turn mv fight undaunted on the tomb ? 

With joy,— with grief, that healing hand I 
Ah ! too confpicuousi it is fix'don high ! [fee ; 
On high? — Whatmeansmyphrenzyrlbi-fpheme, 
Alas ! how low ! bow far beneath the ikies ! 
The fkies it form'd; and now it bleeds for me — 
But bleeds the balm. I want— yet itill it bleeds: 
Draw the dire fteel — ah no! — the dreadful blef- 

fing 
What heart or can fuftain ? or dares forego ? 
There hangs all human hope: that nail fupport* 
Our railing univerfe: that gone, we drop: 
Horror receives us, and the difinal wifti 
Creation had been fmother'd in her birth. 
Darknefs his curtain, and ais bed the duft, 
y/hen ftars and fun are duft beneath his ihrone ! 
In heaven itfelf can fuch indulgence dwell } 
O what a groan was there ? A groan not his, 

K 2 Hd 



^3* 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



He- feiz'd our drCvidful right, the load fufbiriM, 
And heav'd the mountain from a guilty v-orld. 
A thoufand worlds Co bought, were bought too 
Scnliitions new in angels' bofoms rife! [dear. 
Sufpend their fong j and fdence is in heaven. 

O for their long to reach my lofty theme ! 
Infpire me, Night, with all thy tuneful fnheres ! 
Much rather, Thou ! who dolt thofe fpheres 

infpij-e j 
Left I bhifpheme my fubjeft with my fong. 

Thou niOit indulge .U,molltre)nendous,power! 
Sriil more tremendovjs, for thy wond'rous love ! 
Th:ir arms, witliawe more aw ful, thy commands^ 
And foul tranfgreflion dips in fevenfold night, 
>iow our hearts tremble atthy.loveimmenfe! 
In loveimmenfcjinviolablyjuft! [ftretch'darms. 

O'er guilt, (how mountainous !) with. out- 
Stern juitice, and foft-fmiling love, embrace, 
Supporting, in full majerty, thy throne. 
When feem'd its majeHy to need fupport. 
Or that, or man inevitably loft. 
Wiiat, but the fathomdefs of thought divine 
Could labour fuch expedient from defpair, 
And refcue both? Both refcue ! both exalt ! 
O how are both exalted by the deed ! 
A wonder in omnipotence itlelf ! 
A rayftery, no lefs to gods than men ! 

Not, thus, our infidels th' Eternal draw, 
A God all o'er, conliimmate, abfijlute, 
Full orb'd, in his whole roiuidof rays complete : 
They fet at odds heaven's jarring attributes j 
And with one excellence another wound j 
Maim heaven's perfe(Slion, break its equal beams, 
Bid mercy triumph over — God himielf, 
Undeify'd by their opprobrious praile; 
A God all mercy > is a God unjuft. 

Ye brainlefs wits, ye bapriz'd infidels, 
The ranfom was paid dovvn j the fund of heaven 
Amazing, and aniaz'd, pour'd forth the price, 
All pnce beyond : tlio' curious to compute, 
Archangels faild to caft the miighty fum : 
.Its value vaft, ungrafp'd by minds create. 
For ever hides, and glows in the fupreme. 

And was the ranfom paid ? It w^as : and paid 
(What can exalt the bounty more r) for you. 
The fun beheld it — no, the fhocking fcene 
Drove back his chariot ; m.idnight veil'd his face 
>iot iuch as this 5 not fuch as nature makes j 
A midnight, nature Ihudder'd to behold j 
A midnight new ! from her Creator's frown 1 
Sun! did'it thou fly thy Maker's pain? or flart 
At that enonnous load of human guilt, [crofs 
Which bow'd hisblelTed head ; o'erwhtlm'd his 
Madegr©anthecentre;bur(tearth'smarblewomb, 
With pangs, ftrange pangs! deliver'dof herdead: 
Hell howl'd j and heav'n,that hour, let fall a tear^ 
Heav'n wept,that man might fmile! heaven bled, 
That man might never die — 

What heart of Hone but glows at thouglkts 
like thefe ? [m.ount 



Heav'n's fovere'gn bleflings cluft'ring from the 

crofs, 
Rufli on her, in a thiKjng, and clofeher round. 
The prifbner of amaze ! — In his bleil life, 
I fee the path, and, in his death, the price. 
And in his great accent the proof lupreme 
Of immortality. — And did he rile ? 
Hear, O ye nations ! hear it, O ye dead ! 
He rofe ! he ro'e ! he buril the bars of death. 
Lift up your heads, .ye everlafting gates, 
And give the king of glory to come in ! 
Who IS the king of glor}- ? he who left 
His throne of glory, for the pang of death : 
Lift up your heads ye everlalling gates, 
And give the kiiig of glory to come in ! 
Who is the king of glory ? he who flew 
The ravenous foe, that gorg'd all human race ? 
Ths king of glory, he, whofe glory fiU'd 
Heaven with amazement at his love to man; 
And with divine complacency beheld 
Powers raoit illumin'd wilder'd in the theme. 

The tfeeme,the joy,how then fhall man fuftain? 
Oh the burft gates! crufh'd fting! demoHHrd 

throne ! [heaven, 

Lift gafp ! of vanquiflrd death. Shout earth and 
This fum of good to man: whofe nature, then, 
Took wing, and mounted with him from the 
Then, then, I rofe; then firft humanity [tombl 
Tri\im.phant pafs'd the cryftal poito of light. 
And feiz'd eternal youth. Mortality 
Was then transferr'd to death; and heaven's du- 
Unalienably feal'd to this frail frame, [ration 
This child of duft. — Man, all-immortal 1 hail; 
I-Liil, heaven! all lavifh of ftrange gifts to man ! 
Thine all the glory ! man's the boundlefs biifs. 
Where am I rapt by this triumphant theme, 
On chriftian joy's exulting wing, above 
Th' Aonian mount ? — Alas fmall caufe for joy ? 
What if to pain, immortal? if extent 
Of being, to preclude a clofe of woe ? 
Where, then, my boaft of immortalit)'? 
Iboaftit ftiii, tho' cover'd o'er with guilt; 
For guilt, not innocence, his life he pour'd. 
'Tis guilt alone can juftify his death ; 
Nor that, unlefs his death can juftify 
Relenting guilt in heaven's indulgent fight. 
If lick of folly, I relent ; he writes 
My name in heaven, with that inverted fpear 
(A fpear deep dipt in blood !) which pierc'd his 
And open'd there a font for all mankind [fide, 
Who ftjive, who combat crimes, to drink, and 
This, only this, fi-ibdues the fear of death, [live; 



§ 208. Greatnefs of the Redemption. 
And what is tliis ? — Survey the wond'rous 

cui-e : 
And, at each ftep, let higher wonder rife 1 
" Pardon for infinite oftencel and pardon 
" Thro' means that fpeak its value' infinite ! 
Such contemplations mount us ; and'ftiouldj" A pardon bought with blood! with blood di- 
The mind ftill higher; nor ever glance on man,} vine ! 

Unraptur'd,uninflam'd; where roll mv thoughts!" With blood divine of him I made my foe ; 
To reft from wonders ? How my foul is caught !, " Perfifted to provoke ! rho' woo'dand aw"d, 

1" Blefs'd, and chaftis'd, a fiagrant rebel ftill ! 

*' A rebel 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



'33 



" A rebel 'raid ft the thunders of his throne I My voice (if tun'd ) ; the nerve, that writes, fuT- 



" Nor I alone ! a rebel univerft?! 

<* My fpeciesup in arms ! not one exempt! 

« Yet for the fouleft of the foul he dies." 

Bound every heart ! and every bofom burn ! 
Oh what a fcale of miracles is liere ! 
Its lovi'ell round, high-planted on the flcies; 
Its towering fummit loll beyond the thought 
Of man, or angel : Oh that I could climb 
The wonderful afcent, with equal praile ! 
Praife ardent, cordial, conftant, to high heaven 
Pvlore fragrant than Arabia ikciific'd j 
And all her fpicy mountains in aflame. 



§ 209. Praife^ heJioTJoed on Men, due to Hea'ven, 
From courts and thrones return, apoilate 

praife ! 
Thou proftitute! to thy firft love return. 

Thy firll, thy greateft, once, uiiriva 

Back to thy fountain ; to that parent power. 



tauis ; 
Wrapp'd in his being, I refound his praife : 
But tho' pail all diffused, without a fhore, 
His eilence: local is his throne (as meet). 
To gather the difperft, to fix a point, ^ 
A central point, colle6live of his ions. 
Since finite every nature but his own. 

Thenameiel's He, whofe nod is nature's birth; 
And nature's fliield,the Ihadow of his hand: 
Her diflblution, his fufpended fmiie ; 
|Th« great firil lad! pavilionM high he fits 
In darknefo, from excefhve fplendour born. 
His glory, to created gloiy, bright 
As that, to central horrors ; he looks down 
On all that foarsj and fpans immenfity. 



§ 211. Inah-liiy of fufickntly fraifmg God. 
ird theme ! ^^^^ ^ **^ ^^^ centre Ihould I fend my thought. 
Thro' beds of glittering ore, and glowing 
gems, 



Who gives the tongue to found, the thought to , . ,- , , , , \„cl^^ c^^ ^„ i^„. 

--^ ^ ' o I Then* beggar d blaze wants lultre tor my lay j 

«^, r'^'"? ^ u nr u « 4. ^.. I Goes out in darknefs : if, on tow 'ring wing. 

The loul to be. Men homage pay to men, i .. ,. , . ,, , ,, , ,', ,- 1^ Pcl ■ 

rr-i 1 .1 r 1 .1 ' r 5 a-,1 ^ ^ 'i,^„: I end It thro the boundlels vault ot liars; 
Thoughtlels beneath wnole dreadful eye they: ^u ^ • 1 v, <.^ r^-u •- i^ <.^ Vt,»« 

T ^ , r 1 c 1 * ^1^ -^ n ^ -^ : The flars.tho rich, wnatdrofs their gold to thee. 

In mutual awe profound of clay to clay, [bow, ■ ,, ' ,, ^r^ j rn .i t^- a 

r^r -i^ , -iT 3^ .1 • u 1 Zi ^^ Great ffood wife wonderful eternal King? 

Of guilt to guilt, and turn tlkeir backs on thee, ...., &> . n. ..i *k j ® 

f^^^r ,^1 '1 1 n.- 1 ^ .i'\c.>' c^\ It thofe conlcious flars thy throne around. 

Great fire ! whom thrones celefrial ceafelefs nng. „ ... . J. , .. . ,,.,- ' 

i-M .1 /• ^- c ^ 4.-^^^ „, ^ Praife ever-pourino;, and imbibmg blifs. 

Oh the prefumption, of man s awe for man ! ^ n ^^ • // ■ S ^-^ ^1 >. 

Man's author! end reftorer! law ! and judge! ^/^^ theirftram, tney wantit, more they want; 
Thine, all; day thine, and thine this giooin of Languid their energy, their ardoui- cold. 



night} 

With all her wealth, with all her radiant worlds : 
What night eternal, but a frown from thee? 
What heaven's meridian gloiy, but thy fmile ? 
And inall not praife be thine ? not human praife, 
While heaven's high hofl on Hallelujahs live ? 



§210. Magnificence and Omniprefence of the Deity. 
Oh may I breathe no longer, than I breathe 
My foul in praife to him, who gave my foul. 
And all her infinite of profpecl fair. 
Cut thro' the fliades of hell, great love ! by thee! 
Where fhall that praife begin,which ne'er fhould 

end ? 
Where'er I turn, what claim on all applaufe I 
How is night's fable mantle labour'd o'er. 



Indebted ftill, their highefl rapture burns j 
Short of its mark, defeftive, tho' divine. 

Still more — Tliis theme is man's, and man's 
alone : 
Their vail appointments reach it not; they fee 
On earth a bounty, not indulg'd on high ; 
And downward look for heaven's fuperior p^-aife. 
Firll-born of aether ! high in fields of light ! 
View man, to fee the glor}^ of your God ! 
You fung creation (for in that you fiiar'd). 
How rofe in melody, the child of love ! 
Creation's great fuperior, man ! is thine ; 
Thine is redemption} eternize the fong ! 
Redemption ! 'twas creation more fublime j 
Redemption ! 'twas the labour of the fkies ; 
Far more than labour — It was death in heaven. 

Here paufe and ponder: was there death in 
^ heaven ? [blow ? 



How richly wrought, with attributes divine ! 

What wifdom fhines ! what love ! This midnight | What then on earth ? on earth which ftruck the 
pomp, I Who flruck it ? Who ? — O how is man enlarg'd. 

This gorgeous arch, with golden worlds inlay'd. Seen thro' this medium ! How the pigmy tow'rs ! 



Built with divine ambition ! nought to thee : 
For others this profufion : thou apart. 
Above, beyond ! oh tell me, mighty mind, 
Where art thou ? fliall I dive into thedeep ? 
Call to the lim, or afk the roaring winds, 
For their Creator ? fliall I queflion loud 
The thunder, if in that th' Almighty dwells ? 
Or holds the furious florms in flreighten'd reins. 
And bids fierce whirlwinds wheel his rapid car ? 



How counterpois'd his origin from.dufl ! 
How counterpois'd, to dufl his fad return ! 
How voided his vail diftance from the fkies ! 
How near he prefles on the feraph's wing I 
How this demonltrates thro' the thickefl cloud 
Of guilt, and clay condens'd, thefon of heav'n ! 
The double fon; the made, and the re-made 1 
And fhall heaven's double property be loll ? 
Man's double madnefs only can deftroy him. 



What mean thefe quellions? — trembling T To man the bleeding crofs has promis'd ail j 



retra(5lj 

My proflrate foul adores the prefent God : 
praife I a dillant Deity ? He tunes 



I The bleeding crofs has fworn eternal grace: 
! Who gave his life, what grace fhall he deny I 
I O ye, who from this Rock of Ages leap 
j K 3 Difdainful, 



134 



ELEGANT 



Difdainful, plunging headlong in the abyfs 1 
What cordial joy, what eonfolation ftrong. 
Whatever winds arife, or billows roll, 
Our intereft in the mafter of the ftorm [fmile ; 
Cling there, and in wreck'd nature's ruins 
While vile apoltates tremble in a calm. 



§ 212. Man. 
Man! know thy felf; all wifdom centres there. 
To none man leems ignoble, but to man ; 
Angels that grandeur, men o'erlook, admire : 
How long fhail human nature be their book, 
Degenerate mortal ! and unread by thee ? 
The beam dim realbn fheds fne ws wonders tlrere j 
What high contents! illuftrious faculties! 
But the grand comment which difplays at full 
Our human height, ILarce fever'd from divine.. 
By heaven compos'd, v/as publifti'd on thecrofs I 

Wiio ioo];.s on that, and fees not in himfeif 
An awful ftranger, a terreftriai god? 
A glorious v,^,rtner with the Deity 
In that high attribute, immortal life ! 
I gaze, and as I gaze, my mounting foul 
Catches ftrange fire, eternity ! at thee. 

He, the great father ! kindled at one fia.me 
The world of rationals ; one fpirit pour'd 
From fpirit's awful fountain: pour'd himfeif 
Thro' ail their iculs; but not in equal ftream: 
Profufe, or frugal of th' infpiring G&d, 
As his wife plan demanded -. and lA'hen paft 
Their various trials in their various fpheres, 
Jf they continue rational, as made, 
Reforbs them all into himfeif again; [crown. 
His throne their centre, anci his fmile their 

Why doubt we then the glorious truth to 
Angels are men of a fuperior kind; [fnig ? 

Angels are men in lighter habit clad, 
High o'er celeftial mountains wing'd in flight : 
And men are angels, loaded for an hour, 
Who wade this miry vale, and climb with pain, 
And flippery ftep, the bottom of the fteep : 
Yet fummonM to the glorious ftandard foon, 
Which flames eternal crimfon thro' the fkies. 



EXTRACTS, Book I. 

His wrath inflam'd ? his tendernefs on fire ? 
Can prayer, can praife avert it r — Thou, my all ! 
My theme! my infpiration! and mjr crown! 
My ftrength in age ! my rife in low eftate ! 
My foul's ambition, pleafure, wealth! -myworldl 
My light in darknefs ! and my life in death! 
My boaft thro' time ! blifs thro' eternity! 
Eternity too fhort to fpeak thy praife. 
Or fathom thy profound of love to man ! 



§ 214. God's Love to Man. 
O HOW omnipotence is loft in love ! 
Father of angels ! but the friend of man I 
Thou, who did ft fave him, fnatch the fmoking 

brand 
From out the flames, and quench it in thy bloodt 
How art thou pleas'd, by bounty to diftrefs ! 
To make us groan beneath our gratitude, 
To challenge,, and to diftance, all return ! 
Of lavifh love fcupendous heights, to foar. 
And leave praife panting in the diftant vale ! 
But fmce the naked will obtains thy fmile, 
Beneath this monument of praife unpaid. 
For ever lie entomb'd my fear of death. 
And dread of ev'iy evil, but thy frown. 

Oh for an humbler heart and loftier fong ! 
Thou, my much-injur'd theme! with thatfoft eye 
Which melted o'erdoom'd Salem, deign to look 
CompalTion to the coldnefs of my breaft j 
And pardon to the winter in my ilrain. 



§ 213. Religion. 
Religion's all. Defcending from Its fire 
To wretched man, the goddefs in her left 
Holds out this world, and in her right, the next : 
Religon! the fole voucher man is man : 
Supporter fole of man above himfeif. 

Religion! providence! an after flate! 
Here is firm footing; here is folidrockj 
This can fupport us; all is fea befides ; 
Sinks under us ; beftorms, and then devours. 
His hand the good man faftens on the flcies. 
And bids earth roll, nor feels her idle whirl. 

Religion ! thou the foul of happinefs ; 
And groaning Calvary of thee ! There fliine 
The noble truths; there ftr-ongeft motives fting! 
Can love allure us ? or can terror awe? 
He weeps ! — the falling drop puts out the fun; 
He fighs ! — the figh earth's deep foundation 
If, in lus love, fo terrible, what then [ihakes. 



§ 215. Lukenxjariu Devotion, 
Oh ye cold- hearted, frozen formalifts ! 
On fuch a theme 'tis impious to be calm ; 
Shall Heaven which gave us ardour, and has 
Its own for man fo ftrongly, not difdain [fliewn 
What fmooth emollients in theology. 
Recumbent virtue's downy do6tors preach. 
That profe of piety, a lukewarm praife ? 
Rife odours fweet from incenfe uninflam'd? 
Devotion, when lukewarm, is undevout. 



§ 216. Death, ^jhereis thy Sting? 
Oh when will death (now ftinglefs), like a 

friend. 
Admit me of that choir ? Oh when will death. 
This mould'ring, old partition-wall thrown 
Give beings, one in nature,one abode ? [down. 
Oh death divine that gives us to the flcies. 
Great future ! glorious patron of the paft. 
And prefent, when ftiall I thy flirine adore ? 
From Nature's continent immenfely wide, 
Immenfely bleft, this little ifle of life 
Divides us. Happy day, that breaks our chain j 
That re- admits us, thro' the guardian hand 
Of elder brothers, to our Father's throne; 
Who hearsour Advocate,andthro' his wounds 
Beholding man, allows that tender name. 
'Tisthis makes Chriftian triumph, a command : 
Tis this makes joy a duty to the wile. 

Haft thou ne'er feen the comet'sflaming flight? 
Th' illuftrious ftranger pafilng, terror fheds 

On 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL, 



»35 



On gazing nations, from his fiery train 
Of length enormous, takes his ample round 
Thro' dephs of ether j coaftsunnumber'd worlds 
Of more than folar gloiy 5 doubles wide 
Heav'ns mighty cape, and then revifits earth, 
From the long travel of a thoufand years. 
Thus, at the deltin'd period, (hall return 
He, once on earth, who bids the comet blaze ; 
And with him all our triumph o'er the tomb. 



§ 217. Faith enforced by our Reafon. 
Nature is dumb on this important point : 
Or hope precarious in low whifper breathes: 
Faith fpeaks aloud, diftinft; even adders hear, 
But turn and dart into the dark again. 
Faith builds a bridge acrofs the bridge o^ death. 
To break the (hock blind nature cannot (hun. 
And lands thought fmoothlyon the farther fliore. 
Death's terror is the mountain Faith removes j 
That mountain barrier between man and peace : 
'Tis Faith difarms deftrudlion : and abfolves 



They draw pride's curtaino'er the nood -tide ray- 
Spike up their inch of reafon, on the point 
Of philofophic wit, call'd argument, 
And then exulting in their taper; cry, 
" Behold the (tin:" and, Indian-like, adore. 

Talk they of morals ? O thou bleeding Love! 
Thou maker of new morals to mankind"! 
The grand morality is love of thee. 
A Chriitian is the higheft ftyle of man. 
And is there, who the blelTed crofs wipes off 
As a foul blot from his diflionour'd brow? 
If angels tremble, 'tis at fuch a fight : 
The wretch theyquit,defponding of their charge. 
More ftrjck with grief or wonder, who can tell? 



From ev'ry clamorous charge the guiltlefs tomb. 

Why (houldft thou dilbelieve ? — " tis Reafon 
bids, 
" All facred Reafon."— Hold her facred ftill j 
Nor (halt thou want a rival in thy flame. 
Reafon ! my heart is thine : Deep in its folds, 
Live thou with life; live dearer of the two. 
My reafon rebaptis'd me, when adult; 
Weigh'd true and falfe in her impartial fcale ; 
And made that choice, which once was but my 

fate. 
Reafon purfu'd is faith: and unpurfu'd 
Where proof invites, 'tis reafon then no more; 
And fuch our proof, that, or our faith is right, 
Or Reafon lifes, and Heaven defign'd it wrong: 
Abfolve we this ? What then is blafphemy ? 

Fend as we are, and juftly fond of faith, 
Reafon> we grant, demands our firft regard. 
The mother honour'd, as the daughter dear: 
Reafon the root, fair Faith is but the flow'r : 
The fading flow'r (hail die ; but Reafon lives 
Immortal, as her Father* in the (kies. 
Wrong not the Chriftian, think not reafon yours: 
'Tis Reafon our great Mailer holds fodear; 
'TisRealbn's injur'd rights his wrath refents. 
Believe, and (hew the reafon of a man ; 
Believe, andtalte the pleafure of a God; 
Believe, and look with triumph on the tomb: 
Thro' Reafon's wounds alone, thy faith can die; 
Which dying, tenfold terrors gives to Death, 
And dips in venom his twice-mortal (ling. 



§ 219. l^ke tnere Man of the World, 
Ye fold to {tTi{Q.^ ye citizens of earth, 
: (For fuch alone the Chriftian banner fly) 
j Know ye how wife your choice, how great your. 
I gain ? 

{ Behold the picture of earth's happiefl man : 



§ 218. Falfe Philofophy. 
Learn hence what honours due to thofe who 

pufli 
Our antidote afide ; thofe friends to reafon, 
Whofe fatal love ftabs every joy, and leaves 
Death's terror heightened gnawing on his heart. 
Thofe pompous fons of reafon idoliz'd. 
And vilily'd at once; of reafon dead, 
Then deified, as monarchs were of old. 
While love of truth thro'all their camp refounds 



He calls his with, it comes; he fends it back. 

And fays, he call'd another ; that arrives, 
I* Meets the fame welcome; yet he fliil calls on, 
\^ Till one calls on him, who varies not his call, 
" Butholdshimfaft,inchainsofdarknefs bound, 
" Till nature dies, and judgment fets him free : 
" A fi-eedom. far lefs welcome than his chain," 

But grant man happy; grant him happy longj 
Add to life's higheft prize her lateft hour ; 
Tha; hour fo late, comes on in full career : 
How fwift the (huttlc flies, that weaves thy 

(hroud ! 
Where is the fable of thy fornier years ? [thee 
Thrown down the gulph of time; as far from 
As they had ne'er been thine ; the day in hand 
Like a bird ftruggling to get loofe, is going j 
Scarce nov/ po(felt, fo fuddenly 'tis gone ; 
And each fwift moment fled, is death advanced 
By (Irides as fwift: Eternity is all; 
And whofe eternity ? Who triumphs e ? 
Bathing for ever in the font of blifs ? 
For ever balking in the Deity ! 

Confcience reply, O give it leave to fpeak j 
For k will fpeak ere long. Oh hear it now. 
While ufeful its advice, its accents mild. 
Truth is depofited with man's laft hour j 
An honeft hour, and faithful to her truft. 
Truth, eldeft daughter of the Deity; 
Truthjof his council when he made the worlds, 
Norlefswhen he (liall judge the worlds he made, 
Tho' filent long, and (leeping ne'er fo found. 
Than from her cavern in the foul's abj^fs. 
The goddefs burfts in thunder and in flame, 
" Men may live fools, but fools they cannot die." 



§ 220. NIGHT V. Darknefs. 
Let Indians, and the gay, like Ind ans, fond 
Of feather'd fopperies, the fun adore: 
Darknefs has more divinity for me : 
It ftrikes thought inward, it drives back the fo » 
To fettle on herfcif, our point fupreme ! 
There lies our thcatie j there fits our iudae. 
K 4 bar" 



136 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



DHrknefs the curtain drops o'er life's dull fcene ; 
'Tis the kind hand of Providence llretcht out 
*T\\ixt 7u;in and vanity; 'tis Reafon's reign, 
And Virtue's too; thefe tutelary (hades 
Arc man's afylum from the tainted throng. 



§ 221. I'ke Futility of Man s Refolutlons, 
Virtue for ever frail, as fair belqvi'^, 
Her tender nature fuffers iii thecrowd, 
t^oT touches on the world, without a ilain : 
The world's infectious ; few bring back at eve 
Immaculate the manners of the morn. 
Somethiiig we thought, is blotted; we refolv'd. 
Is fliaken ; we renounc'd, returns again. 
Each falutation m^y ilide in a fm 
Unthought before, or fix a former f.aw. 
Nor is it itrange, light, motion, concourfe, r.t)ife. 
All fcatter us abroad ; thought outward bound. 
Neglectful of our home affairs, riies off 
In fume and difiipation, quits her charge, 
And leaves the breaft un2:aarded to the foe. 



§ 224. Little to he expeSledfrom Man. 
What are we ! how unequal ! now^ we ibar. 
And now we fmk : how dearly pays the foul 
For lodging ill; too dearly rents her clay ! 
Reafon. a baffled counfellor! but adds 
The blufh of weaknefs to the bane of woe. 
The nobleft Ipirit fighting her hard fate. 
In this damp,duncyregion,charg'd with ftorms. 
But feebly flutters, yet untaught to fly. 

'Tis vain to feek in men for more than man. 
Tho' proud in promife, big in previous thought. 
Experience damps our triumph. I, who late. 
Emerging from ihe ftiadows of the gi'ave. 
Threw wide the gates of everlafting day, 
And cali'd m.ankind to glory, down I rufli, 
In forrow drowned — But not, in forrow, loit. 
How wa-etched is the man, who never mourn'd ! 
I dive for precious pearls in forrows fliream : 
Not fo the thoughtlefs man that only grieves 
Takes all the torment, and rejeCls the gain, 
(Tneilimable gain !) and gives heaven leave 
To make him but more wretched, not more wife. 



§ 222. I'kePo-ivcr cf Example. 
pRRSENT example gets v^'ithin our guard, 
And acfs with double force, by few repell'd. 
Ambition fires ambition ; love of gain 
Strikes like a peicilence from breall to breafl: 5 
Riot, pride, perfidy, blue vapours breathe} 
And inhumanity is caught from man ; 
From fmiling man. A flight, a Angle glance, 
And fnot at random, often has brought home 
A Judden fever to the throbbing heart, 
Of envy, rancour, or impure deflre. 
We fee, we hear with peril; fafety dwells 
Kem.ote from m.uititudf ; the world's a fchool 
Of wiong, and what prcncients fwarm around ! 
We muft or imitate, or dilapprove; 
Mult lifl: as their accomplices, or foes ; [peace. 
1 hat ftains our innocence ; this wounds our 
From nature'sbirth, hence, wifdomhasbeenfmit 
With iweet recefs, and languifli'd for the ihade. 



§ 223. Midnight. 
This facred fliade, and folitude, what is it? 
'Tis the felt prefence of the Deity. 
Few are the faults we fatter when alone : 
Vice fmks in her allurements, is ungilt. 
And looks, like other objedts, black by night. 
2-iy night an atheifl: half believes a God. 

iNight is fair Virtue's immemorial friend ; 
The conicious moon, through every diflant age, 
Has held a lamp to Wifdora, and let fall 
On ccnremplation's eye her purging ray. 
Hail, precious moments ! lloi'nfrom the black 

waice 
Of murder'd time: aufr.."c:ous midnight hail! 
The v^'Oiid excluded, every rkflicn hufli'd, 
And open'd a calm' intercourfe with heav'n; ' 
Here the foul firs in couiicil, ponders paft, 
Predcltines future actions; fees, not feels. 
Tumultuous life; and reafons with the llorm ; 
Ailherliesanfwers,and thinks downhercharms. 



§ 225. V/ifdom. 
If Avifdom is our leflbn. (and what ^^t 
Ennobles man ? what elfe have angels leamt r 
Grief, more proficients in thy fchool are made. 
Than genius, or proud learning, ere could hoalL 
Voracious leai'ning, often over-fed, 
Digeils not into fenfe her motley meal. 
This forager on others' wifdom leaves 
Her native farm, her reafon quite untill'd : 
With mixt manure flie furfeits the rank foil, 
Dung'd, but not dreft ; and rich to beggary: 
A pomp unrameable of weed prevail? : [mourns. 
Her fervant's wealth encumber'd wifdom 

And what fays Genius? " Let the dull be wife'^ 
It pleads ezemption from the laws of fenfe j 
Confiders Reafon as a leveller. 
And fcorns to fhare a blefling with the crowd. 
That wife it could be, thinks an ample claim 
To glory, and pleafure gives the reit. 
Wiidom lefs fliudders at a fool, tl.an wit. 
But Wifdom fmiles, when humbled mortals 
weep. 
When Sorrow wounds the breafl:, as ploughs the 

glebe, 
And hearts obdurate feel her foftening fhower: 
Her feed ceiefl:ial, then glad Wildora lows. 
Her golden harvell triumphs in the foil. 
If fo, I'll gain by my calamity, 
And reap rich compenfation from, my pain. 
I'll range the plenteous intelleClual field; 
And gather every thought of fovereign power, 
To chafe the moral maladies of man ; [(kies. 
Thoughts, which may bear tranfplanting to the 
Tho' natives of this coarfe penurious foil, 
Nor wholly wither there, where feraph's fing: 
Refin'd, exalted, not annuU'd in heaven. 



§ 226. Reflections in a Church -yard. 
Say, on what themes Ihall puzzled choice 

defcend r 
" Th' impoitifice of contemplating the tomh ; 

«' Whv 



Book L 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



37 



" Why men decline it ; Suicide's foul birth ; ; Behold th' inexorable hour forgot ! 

" The virious kinds of grief'i the faults of age i ^ And to forget it, the chief aim of life ; 

" AndDeath'sdre-idcharacler- — invite niyfbng/'jTho'' well to ponder it, is life's diief end. 

And firit, th' impoftance of ourend lurvey'dJ , 

Friends counlei quick, dir-niinon of cur grief; 
Miihiken kindnejs ! our hearts hc.ii too foon. 
Are they more kindthanHE who I'cruckthe blow? 



§ 227- 



Little Attention paid to the If^arnings of 

Death. 



Who bid it do his errand \\\ our hearts, 
And banilb peace, till nobler giiefts arrive, 
And bring it back, a true, and endltfs peace ? 
Calamities are friends : as glaring day 
Of thefe unnumber'd luftres robs our \\^\\.\. j 
Profperity nuts our unnumber'd tht ug! fs 
Of import high, and light divine to mm. 

The man h-iw bleiL who. llckof ;raudy fcenes, 
(Scenes apt to thruii between us and urfel ves ! ) 
Is led by choice to take his f ivourite walk 
Beneath Death's gloomy, illent, cyprel's ihades, 
Unpietc'd by Vaniry's fantailic ray; 
To reid his mo>vainents, to weigh his dull, 
Vifit his vaults, and dwell among the tombs ! 
Loren/o, read with me Narcilla's ftone; 
Few orators fb tenderly can touch 
The feeling heart. What pathos in the date ! 
Apt words can Itrike, and yet in them we lee 
Faint imagfes of what we he-'e enjoy. 



I Is Death, that ever threat'ning, ne'er remote, 
iThat all-important, and that onl)'' fure, 
, (Come vAitxv he will) an unexpected gueft ? 
; Nay, tho' invited by the loudeft calls 
; Of blind imprudence, unexpected itill ? 
iTi.i.'' num'roiis meRengers are lent before 
: To warn his great arrival. What the cauie, 
■ The wond'rous caufe, of this myllerious ill ? 
All heaven looks down aftonilh'd at the fight. 



§ 228. Life cc7rJf,ared to a Stream. 

Ip, it, that Life has fown her joys fo thick. 
We can't thrufl in a fingle care between? 
Is it, that life has fuch a fwarm of cares, 
The thought of death can't enter for the throng? 
Is it, that time fteals on with downy feet, 
Nor wakes indulgence fi-om her golden dream ? 
j To-day is fo like yelterday, it cheats j 



___, . , , ., 1 1 - , <-!•- 1 We take the Iving fifter for the fame. 

What cauie have we to budd on length of lite ? i Lif^ ^vXt^ a,,.' Lorenzo, like a brook ; 
Temptations feize when fear is laid aileep ; j p^, ^^^r changing, unperceiv'd the change. 

And lb-foreboded is our flron-dl guard. | j^, ^he fame brook none ever bath'd him twice ; 

See rrom her tomo, Truth lallies on my foul, | Tq the fame life none ever twice awoke. 



And puts Dsiufion's dufky train to flight j 
Diipels the mills our fultry patfions raiie, 
And Ihews the real eftimate of things, 
Which no man, unaffiicted, ever faw; 
Pulls oft the veil from Virtue's riling charms; 
Detrits Temptation in a thouiand lies. 
Truth bids me look on men, as autumn's leaves,. 
And all they bleed for, as the fummer's dull:, 
X)i-iven by the whirlwind -. lighted b)' her beams, 
I widen my horizon, gain new powers. 
See things invihble, feel things remote, 
Am preient with futurities ; think nought 
To man fo foreign, as the joyg polfefl:, 
Nought fo much his as thofe beyo-od the grave. 

No folly keeps its colour in her fight: 
Pale worldly wifdcm lofes all her charms. 
How differ woi Idly wifdcm, and divine ? 
Jull as the waning and the waxing moon. 
More empty worldly wildom every day ; 
And every day more fair her rival ihines. 
But foon our term for v. ifdom is expir'd, 
And everlafting fool is writ in fire, 
Or real wifdom wafts us the fkies. 

What grave prefcribes the belt ? — a friend's ; 
and yet 
From a friend's grave how foon we difengage, 
Even to the deareli:, as his marble, cold ! 
Why are friends ravifh'd from us ! 'tis to bind, 
By loft Affection's ties, on human hearts, 
The thought of death, which Reafon, too fupine, 
Or mifemploy'd, fo rarely fallens there. 
Nor Reafon, nor Affe6tion, no, nor both 
Co mbin'd, can break the witchcrafts of the world. 
Behold th' inexorable hour at hand 1 



We call the brook the lame ; the fam.e we think 
Our life, though Irill more rapid in its flow j 
Nor mark the much irrevocably laps'd, 
And mingled with the fea. Or fliall we fay 
i (Retaining Hill the brook to bear us on) 
j That life is like a vefTel on the itream ? 
i In life embark'd, we fraoothly down the tide 
I Of time defcend, but not on time intent ; 
■ Amus'd, unconfcious of the gliding wave ; 
Till on a fudden we perceive a ihock ; 
We ftait, awake, look out ; our bark is burft. 

Is thir the caufe death flies ail human thought ! 
j Or is it judgment by the will ftruck blind, 
{That domineering miitrefs of the foul 1 
] Or is it fear turris ftartled reafon back. 
From looking down a precipice fo fteep ? 
' ris dreadful ; and th^: dread is wifely plac'd. 
By nature confcious of the malce of man. 
A dreadful friend it is, a terror kind, 
A flaming fword to guard the tree of life. 
By that unavv'd, man on each pique of pride. 
Or gloom of humour, would give rage the rein. 
Bound o'er the banier, rufli into the dark, 
And mar the fcliemes of Providence below. 



§ 229. Suicide* 
What groan was that ? There took his gloomy 

. flight, 
On wing impetuous, a black fullen foul, 
Blafted from hell, with horrid lufl of death. 
Thy friend, the brave, the gallant Altamont, 
Socall'd, fo thought — and then he fled the field. 
Leis bafe the fear of death, than fear of life. 

O Britain ! 



138 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



O Britain ! infamous for fuicide j 
An iiland in thy manners ! far disjoin'd 
From the whole world of rationals befide, 
In ambient waves plunge thy polluted head, 
Waih the dire llain, nor fiiock the continent. 

But thou be fliock'd, while I detedV the caufe 
Of felf-aifault, expofe the raonfter's birth. 
And bid abhorrence hifs it round the world. 
Blame not thy clime, nor chide the diftant fun ; 
Immoral climes kind nature never made. 
The caufe I fmg in Eden might prevail, 
And proves it is thy folly, not thy fate. 

The foul of man (let man in homage bow 
Who names his foul) a native of the ikies ! 
High-born, and free,herfreedomfliould maintain, 
Unfold, unmortgaged for earth's little bribes. 
Th' illuftrious Itranger, in this foreign land 
Like ilrangers, jealous of her dignity. 
Studious of home, and ardent to return, 
Of earth fufpicious, earth's enchanted cup 
"With cool referve ligh t- touching, fhould indulge 
On immortality her godlike taile j 
There take large draughts 5 make her chief ban- 
quet there. 

But lome rejeft this fuftenance diyine j 
To beggarly vile appetites defcend 5 
Afkalms of earth for gifts that came from heaven ; 
Sink into flaves 5 and ieil, for prefent hire. 
Their rich reverfion, and (whatftiares its fate) 
Their native freedom, to the prince who fways 
This netherworld. And when his payments fail, 
When his full bafket gorges them no more j 
Or their pall'd palates loath the bafket full, 
Are, inftantly, with wild demoniac rage. 
For breaking all the chains of Providence, 
And burfting their confinement; tho' faftbarr'd 
By laws divine and human ; guarded ftrong 
With horrors doubled to defend the pafs, 
The blackell nature, or dire guilt can raife ; 
And moated round with fathomlefs deilru6lion. 
Sure to receive, and whelm them in their fall. 

Such, Britons 1 is the caufe, to you unknown, 
Or worfe, o'erlook'd j o'erlook'd by magiitrates. 
Thus, criminals themfelves, I grant the deed 
Is madnefs; but the madnefs of the heart. 
And v/hat is that ? our utmoft bound of guilt. 
A fenfual, unreflefting life is big 
With monftrous births,and fuicide, to crown 
The black infernal brood. The bold to break 
Heaven's law fupreme, and defperately rufh 
Thro' facred natui'e's murder, on their own, 
Becaufe they never think of death, they die. 
When by the bed of languKhment we fit. 
Or, o'er our dying friends, in anguifh hang. 
Wipe the cold dew, or Hay the finking head, 
Number their moments, and in ev'ry clock. 
Start at the voice of an eternity ; 
See the dim lamp of life juft feebly lift 
An agonizing beam, at us to gaze. 
Then fink again, and quiver into death. 
(That moft pathetic herald of our own;) 
How read we fuch fad fcenes ? as fent to man 
In perfeft vengeance? no j in pity fent, 
Tg melt him down, like wax, and then imprefs 



Indelible, death's image on his heart j 

Bleeding for others, trembling for himfelf. 

We bleed, we tremble ; we forget, we fmile : 

The mind turns fool, before the cheek is dry: 

Our quick returning folly cancels all: 

As the tide rufliing rafes what is writ 

In yielding fands, and fmooths the letter'd fhore. 



§ 230. ^fars, 
Lorenzo ! haft thou ever welgh'd a figh .f* 
Or ftudied the philofophy of tears ? 
Haft thou defceuded deep into the breaft. 
And ftien their fource ? If not, defcend with me. 
And trace thefe briny riv'lets to their fprings. 
Our funeral tears from different caufes rile : 
Of various kinds they flow. From tender hearts. 
By foft contagion call'd, forae burft at once, 
And ftream obfequious to the leading eye. 
Some alk more time, by curious art diftill'd. 
Some hearts, in fecret hard, unapt to melt. 
Struck by the public eye, gufh out amain. 
Some weep to Ihare the fame of the deceased. 
So high in merit, and to them fo dear : [fhare. 
They dwell on praifes, which they think they 
Some mourn in proof that fomething they could 

love. 
They weep not to relieve their grief, but fhow. 
Some w^eep in perfeft juftice to the dead. 
As confcious all their love is in arrear. 
Some mifchievoufly weep, not unappriz'd. 
Tears, fometim.es, aid the conqueft of an eye. 
As feen through cryftal, how their rofes glow. 
While liquid pearl runs trickling down their 

cheek. 
By kind conftruftion fome are deem'd to weep, 
Becaufe a decent veil conceals their joy. 

Some weep in earneft ; and yet weep in vain j 
As deep in indifcrerion, as in woe. 
Paffion, blind paffion 1 impotently pours 
TearSjthatdelerve more tears ; while reafon ileeps, 
Or gazes, like an idiot, unconcern'd ; 
Nor comprehends the meaning of the ftorni. 
They weep impetuous, as the fummer ftorm, 
And full as fhort ! the cruel grief foon tam'd. 
They make a paftime of the ftinglefs tale 1 
Far as the deep-re founding knell, they fpread 
The dreadful news, and hardly feel it more. 
No grain of wifdom pays them for their woe. 
When the fick foul, her wonted ftay withdrawn. 
Reclines on earth, and forrows in the duft j 
Inftead of learning there her time fupport, 
She crawls to the next fiirub, or bramble vile. 
The ftranger weds, and bloffoms as before. 
In all the fruitlefs fopperies of life. 



§ 23 1 . Inattention to the Foice of Death. 
What thus infatuates? what enchantment 

plants 
The phantom of an age, 'twixt us and death. 
Already at the door ? He knocks, we hear him. 
And yet we will not hear. What mail defends 
Our untouch'd hearts r what miracle turns oft' 

The 



BookI. sacred 

The pointed thought, which from a thoufand 
Is daily darted, and is daily Ihunn'd ? [quivers 
We ftand as in a battle, throngs on throngs 
Around us falling j wounded oft ourfelves ; 
Tho' bleeding with our wounds, immortal ItiLl ! 
We fee time's furrows on another's brow, 
And death entrench'd, preparing his affault ; 
How few themfelves, in that juft mirror, fee ! 
Abfurd Longevity ! More, more, it cries : 
More life, more wealth, more trafh of every kind ! 
And wherefore mad for more, when relifh fails ? 
Shall folly labour hard to mend the bow. 
While nature is relaxing ev'iy firing ? 
Afk thought for joy, grow rich and.hoard within. 
Think, you the foul, when this life's rattles ceafe, 
Has nothing of more manly to fucceed ? 
Contract the tafte immortal 5 learn even now 
To relilli what alorxe fubllils hereafter: 
Pivine or none, henceforth your joys for ever. 
Of age, the glory is to wifli to die. 
That wifh is praife and promife ; it applauds 
Paft life, and proraifes our future blifs. 
What weaknefs fee not children in their fires ? 
Grand-clima6lerical abfurdities 1 
Grey-hair'd authority to faults of youth, 
How fnocking ! it makes folly thrice a fool ; 
And our fir A childhood might our laft defpife. 

What folly can be ranker ? like our Ihadows, 
Our wiflies lengthen, as our fun declines. 
No wifh fhould loiter, then, this fide the grave. 
Our hearts fhould leave the world, before the 
Calls for our carcafes to mend the foil. [knell 
Enough to live in tempeftj die in port. 
Age ^ould fly concourfe, cover in retreat 
Defe6ts of judgment, and the will fubdue; 
Walk thoughtful on the filent, folemn fhore 
Of that vait ocean it muft fail fo foon ; 
And put good works on board ; and wait the wind 
That fliortly blows us into worlds unknown 5 
If unconfider'd, too, a dreadful fcene ! 



AND MORAL 
§ 233. The 



§ 232. Little Learning reqtiired, to be Good, 
But you are learn'd} in volumes deep you fitj 
Inwifdom fhallow: pompous ignorance ! 
Learn well to know how much need notbeknown; 
And what that knowledge, which impairs your 

fenfe. 
Our needful knowledge, like our needful food, 
Unhedg'd, lies open in life's common field j 
And bids all welcome to the vital feaft. 
You fcorn what lies before you in the page 
Of nature and experience, moral truth ; 
And dive in fcience for diftinguifh'd names. 
Sinking in virtue, as you rife in fame. 
Your learning, like the lunar beam, affords 
Light, but not heat; it leaves you undevout. 
If you would learn death's charader, attend. 
All calls of conduit, all degrees of health. 
All dies of fortune, and all dates of age, 
Together fhook in his impartial urn. 
Come forth at random. Or if choice is made, 
The choice is quite farcalfic, and infults 
Ail bold conje(ftui-e, and fond hopes of man. 



139 

Caprice and univerfal Ponver 
of Death. 
Like other tyrants, Death delights to fmlte. 
What fmitten molt proclaims the pride of power. 
And arbitrary nod. His joy.iiipreme, 
To bid the wretch furvive the fortunate; 
The feeble wrap th' athletic in his fhroud ; 
And weeping fathers b uild their children's tomb; 
Me thine, Narciffa ! — what tho' fliort thy date ? 
Virtue, not rolUng funs, the mind matures. 
That life is long, ivhich anfwers life's great end. 
The time that bears no fruit, deferves no name : 
The man of wifdom is the man of years. 
In hoary youth Metliufalems may die, 
O how mifdated on their flattering tombs t 
All more than common menaces an end: 
A blaze betokens brevity of life. 
To plant the foul on her eternal guard. 
In awful expe6lation of our end, [but fo 

Thus runs Death's dread coramiffion; " Strike, 
" As mofl alarms the living by the dead.'' 
Hence Itratagem delights him, and furprife, 
And cruel Iport with man's fecurities. 
Not nmple conquefl:, triumph is his aim, [molt. 
And where leaftfear'u, there conqueit triumplis 

What are his arts to lay our fears alleep i 
Tiberian arts his purpofes wrap up 
In deep difTimulation's darkelt night. 
Like princes unconfeft in foreign courts. 
Who ti-avel under cover. Death alfumes 
The name and look of life, and dwells among us. 
Behind the roiy bloom he loves to lurk. 
Or ambufh in a fmile ; or wanton dive 
In dimples deep ; love's eddies, which dtaw in 
Unwary hearts, and fink them in defpair. 

Moit happy they whom lealt his aits deceive. 
One eye on Death, and one full fix'd on heaven. 
Becomes a mortal, and immortal man. 

Where is not Death ? fure as nigh t follows day. 
Death treads in Pleafiire's footileps round the 
world, [fliuns. 

When Pleafure treads the paths which Reafbn 
When, againll reafbn riot fhuts the door. 
And gaiety fupplies the place of fenfe. 
Then foremolt at the banquet and the ball, 
Death leads the dance, or flamps the deadly die; 
Nor ever fails the midnight bowl to crown. 
Gaily caroufing to his gay compeers. 
Inly he laughs, to fee them laugh at him, 
As abfent far : and when the revel burns, 
When fear is banifh'd, and triumphant thought 
Calling for all the joys beneath the moon, 
Againit him turns the key : and bids him fup 
With their progenitors — He drops his mafk. 
Frowns out at full ; ther flart, defpair, expire! 
Scarce with more fudden terror and furprife. 
From his black maflc of nitre, touch'd by fire 
He burfls, expands, roars, blazes, and devours* 
And is not this triumphant treachery, 
And more than fimple conquefl in the fiend ? 

And now, gay trifier, doft thou wrap thy foul 
In foft fecurity, becauie unknown 
V/hich m^oment is commiilion'd to deflroy ? 
In death's uncertainty thy danger lies. 

Is 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



140 

Is death uncertain ? therefore thou be fix'd j 
Fix'd as a fentinel, all eye, all ear, 
All expeftation ot the coming foe. 
Roufe, ftand in arms, nor lean againft thy fpear. 
Left fl umber fteal one moment o'er thy foul, 
And fate furpril'e thee nodding. Watch,be Itrong: 
Thus give each day the merit, and renown. 
Of dying well ; tho' doora'd but once to die j 
Nor let life's period hidden (as from moft), 
Hide too from thee, the precious ufe of life. 
Does wealth with youth and gaiety confpire 
To weave a triple wreath of happinefs ? 
That 0)ining mark invites the tyrant's fpear. 
As if to damp our elevated aims, 
And ftrongl}'^ preach humility to man, 
O how portentous is profperityl 
How, comet-like, it threatens while it fhines ! 
Few years but yield us proof of Death's ambition 
To cull his victims from the falreft fold. 
And fheath his fliafts in all the pride of life. 
When flooded with abundance, purpled o'er 
With recent honours^ bloom'd with ev'ry blifs ; 
Set up in oilentation, made the gaze, 
The gaudy centre of the public eye ; 
When fortune, thus, has tofs'd her child in air, 
Snatch 'd from the covert of an humble flate, 
How often have I feen him dropp'd at once, 
Our morning's envy, and our ev'ning's figh ! 
As if her bounties were the fignal giv'n. 
The flow'ry wreath, to mark the facrince, 
And call Death's ari-ows on the deftin'd piey. 



Book 1. 



§ 254. NIGHT VI. The Death of Nardja. 
She (for 1 know not yet her name in heaven) 
Not early, like Narcilfa, left the iccne j 
Nor fudden, like Philander. What avail ? 
This feeming mitigation but inflames 5 
This fancy'd medicine heightens the difeafe. 
The longer known, the clofer itill ihe grew ; 
And gradual parting is a gradual death. 

O the long dark approach thro' years of pain, 
Death's gallery with fable terror hung ; 
Sick hope's pale lamp its only glimmering ray ! 
There fate my melancholy walk ordain'd. 
How oft I gaz'd, prophetically fad ! 
How oft I law her dead while yet in fmiles ! 
In fmiles Ihe i'unk her grief to leflen mine : 
She fpoke me comfort, and increas'd my pain. 
Like powerful armies trenching at a town, 
By flow and filent, but refiftleis fap, 
In his pale progrefs gently gaining ground. 
Death urg'd his deadly fiege: in fpite of art, 
Of all the balmy bleflin^s nature lends 
To fuccour frail humanity. Ye liars ! 
And thou, O moon ! bear witnefs ; many a night 
He tore the pillow from beneath my head, 
Tied down my lore attention to the Ihock, 
By ceafelefs depredations on a life, 
Dearer than that he left me. Dreadful poft 
^Of obfervation ! darker every hour ! 
'Lefs diead the day that drove me to the brink, 
And pointed at eternity below. 
When my foul fhudder'd at futurity, 



When, on a moment's point, th' important die 
Of life and death, fpun doubtful, ere it fell, 
And turn'd up life ; my title to more woe. 

But why more woe ? more comfort let it be. 
Nothing is dead, but that which wifli'd to diej 
iNothing is dead, but wretchednefs and pain : 
Nothing is dead, but what encumber'd, gall'd, 
Block'd up the pafs, and barr'd from real life. 
Where dwells that wifh moft ardent of the wife ? 
Too dark the fun to fee it ; higlieft flxirs 
Too low to reach it; death,, great death alone, 
O'er ftars and fun triumphant, lands us there. 

Nor dreadful our tranfition ; tho' the mind. 
An artiftat creating felf-alarms. 
Rich in expedients for inquietude, 
Is prone to paint it dreadful. Who can take- 
Death's portrait true ? the tyrant never fat. 
Our flcetch, all random ftrokes, conjefture all ; 
Clofe fhuts the grave, nor tells one fmgle tale. 
Death, and his image rifing in the brain. 
Bear faint refemblancej never are alike ; 
Fear fhakes the pencil. Fancy loves excefs. 
Dark Ignorance is lavifh of her fhades j 
And thefe the formidable pi6lure draw. 

But grant the worft ; 'tis paft ; new profpefts 
And drop a veil eternal o'er her tomb. [rife j 
Far other views our contemplation claim. 
Views that overpay the rigours of our life j 
Views that fufpend our agonies in death. 
Wrapt in the thought of immortality. 
Long life might lapfe, age unperceiv'd com.e onj 
And find the foul uafated with her theme. 
Its nature, proof, importance, fire my fong. 



§ 235. EefleBions on Man and Immortality, 

Thy nature, immortality, who knov/s ? 
And yet who knows it not ? It is but life 
In ftronger thread of brighter colour fpun, 
And fpun for ever j black and brittle here \ 
How Ihort our correfpondence with the fiin ! 
And while it lafts, inglorious ! our belt deeds, 
How wanting in their weight ! our higheft joys. 
Small cordials to fupport us in our pain, 
A.nd give us ftrength to fufler. But how great 
To mingle interells, converfe, amities, 
With all the fons of Reafon, fcatter'd wide 
Through habitable fpace, wherever born, 
Howe'er endow'd ! to live free citizens 
Of univerfal Nature ! to lay hold 
By more than feeble faith on the Supreme \ 
To call heaven's rich unfathomable mines 
Our own ! to rife in fcience as in blifs, 
Initiate in the feci-ets of the flcies ! 
To read creation; read its mighty plan 
In the bare bofom of the Deity ! 
The plan and execution to collate! 
To fee, before each glance of piercing thought. 
All cloud, all fhadow blown remote; and leave 
No myft-ery — but that of love divine. 
Which lifts us on the feraph's flaming wing. 
From earth's Aceldama, this field of blood,. 
Of inward anguilh, and of outward ill. 
From darknefs, and from duft, to fuch a fcene t 

Love '4 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



[41 



Love's element ! true joy's illuftrlous home ! _ 
From earth fadcontraft (now deplor'd)more fair. 

Thefe are the thoughts that aggrandlfe the 
great. 
How great (while yet we tread the kindred clod, 
And every moment fear to fmk beneath 
The clod we treadj foon trodden by our fons) — 
How great, in the wild whirl of time's purfuits, 
To Hop, and paufe, involv'd in high pre/age : 
Through the long vifto of a thoufand years, 
To Hand contemplating our diftant lelves. 
As in a magnifying mirror {eeuy 
Enlarg'd, ennobled, elevate, divine! 
To prophefy our own futurities ! 
Togaze in thoughton whatallthoughttranfcends! 
To talk, with fellow-candidates, of joys 
As far beyond conception, as defert, 
Ourfelves th' aitonifh'd talkers and the tale ! 
When mount we ? when thefe ihackles caft r 

when quit 
This cell of the creation ? this fmall neft, 
Stuck in a corner of the univerfe, 
Wrapt up in fleecy cloud, and fine-fpun-air ? 
Fine-fpun to fenfe, but grofs and feculent 
To fouls celeftial j fouls ordain'd to breathe 
Ambrofial gales ; and drink a purer fky j 
Greatly triumphant on time's farther ihore. 

In an eternity wliat fcenes fnall ftrike ! 
What webs of wonder Ihall unravel there ! 
What dull day pour on all the paths of heaven. 
And light th' Almighty's footlleps in the deep! 
How fhall the bleifed day of our diicharge 
Unwind, at once, the labyrinth's of fate, 
And ftraiten its inextricable maze ! 

If inextinguifliable thirlt in man 
To know j how rich, how full our banquet here ! 
Here, not the moral world alone unfolds ; 
The world material lately feen in fhades, 
And in thofe ftiades, by fragments only feen, 
And feen thofe fragments by the labouring eye. 
Unbroken, now, illuftrious, and entire, 
Its ample fphere, its univerfal frame. 
In full dimenfions, fwells to the fui"vey; 
And enters, at one glance, the ravifh'd fight. 
How fhall the ftranger man's iliumin'd eye. 
In the vaft ocean of unbounded fpace, 
Behold an infinite of floating worlds 
Divide the cryftal waves of ether pure, 
In endlefs voyage, without port ! the leafl: 
Of thefe diflemmated orbs how great ! 
Yet what are thefe to the ftupendous whole ? 
As particles, as atoms ill-perceiv'd. 

If admiration is a fource of joy, [heaven. 
What tranfport hence ! Yet this the leaft in 
What this to that illuftrious robe He wears. 
Who tofs'd this mafs of wonders from his hand, 
A fpecimen, an earneft of his power! 
'Tis, to that glory, whence all gloiy flows, 
As the meads's meanelt flow'ret to the fun. 
Which gave it birth. But what, this Sun of 

heaven ! 
This blifs fupreme of the fupremely bleft ! 
Death, only death, the quefliion can refolve 
By death cheap-bought th* ideas of our joy. 



The bare ideas 1 folld happlnefs 

So diftant from its fliadow chas'd below ! 

And chafe we ftill the phantom thro' the fire. 
O'er bog, and brake, and precipice, 'till death ? 
And toil we ftill for fublunary pay ? 
Defy the dangers of the field, and flood. 
Or, fpider-like, fpin out our precious all. 
Our more than vitals fpin in curious webs 
Of fiibtle thought, and exquilite defign ^ 
(Fine net- work of the brain!) to catch a fly? 
The momentary buz of vain renown ! 
A name, a mortal immortality. 



§ 236. Genius conned edn^iith I^nomny. 
Genius and art, ambition's boafted wings, 
Our boaft but ill deferve. A feeble aid ! 
Heart-merit wanting, mount we ne'er (o high. 
Our height is but the gibbet of our name- 
When I behold a genius bright and bafe. 
Of towering talents, and terreltrial aims ;; 
Methinks, I fee, as thrown from her high fphere. 
The glorious fragments of a foul immortal, 
With rubbifli mixt, and glittering in the duft. 

Hearts are proprietors of all applaufe. 
Right ends, and means, makewiidom : wordly- 
Is but half-witted, at its higheft: praife. [wife 



§ 237. Exalted Station, 

What is ftation high ? 

'Tis a proud mendicant ; it boafts, and begs; 
It begs an alms of homage from the throngs 
And oft the throng denies its charity. 
Monarchs, and minifters, are awful names;. 
Whoever wear them, challenge our devoir*. 
Religion, public order, both exa£t 
External homage, and a lupple knee. 
To beings pompoufly fet up, to ferve 
The meaneft'flavej all more is merit's dite; 
Her facred and inviolable right. 
Nor ever paid the monarch, but the man. 
Our hearts ne'er bow but to fuperior worth j 
Nor ever fail of their allegiance there. 
Fools indeed drop the man in their account. 
And vote the mantle into majeft)^ 
Let the fraall favage boaft his filver fur 5 
His royal robe unborrow'd, and unbought. 
His own, defcending fairly from his fires. 
Shall man be proud to wear his livery, 
And fouls in ermine fcorn a foul without ? 
Can place or leflTen us, or aggrandize ? 
Pigmies are pigmies ftill, tiio' percht on alps. 
And pyramids are pyramids in vales. 
Each man makes his own ftature, builds himfelf : 
Virtue alone out-builds the pyramids; 
Her monuments fliall laft, when Egypt's fall. 
Of thefe fure truths doft thou demand the caufe? 
The caufe is lodg'd in immortality. 
Hear, and alTent. Thy bofom burns for pow'r \ 
'Tis thine. And art thou greater than before ? 
Then thou before was fomething lefs than man. 
Has thy new })oft betray'd thee into pride ? 
That pride defames humanity, and calls [raife. 
The being mean, which Itaifs or ftrings can 

\ 238. 



14^ 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book 1 



§ 238. ^rue Greatnefs. 
That prince, and that alone, is truly great, 
Who diT.ws the fword reluftant, gladly 

flier.ths ; 
On empire builds what empire far outweighs, 
And ni.ikes his throne a TcafFold to the fkies. 

Why this fo rare ? becaufe forgot of all 
The day of death ; that venerable day, [nounce 
Which lits as judge: that day which fhall pro- 
On all our days, abfolve them, or condemn. 
Lorenzo 1 never Ihut thy thought againft itj 
Be levees ne'er fo full, afford it room, 
And give it audience in the cabinet. 
That friend confulted, flatteries apart, 
Will tell thee fair, if thou art great, or mean. 

To doat on aught may leave us, or be left. 
Is that ambition? then let flames defcend. 
Point to the centre their inverted fpires : 
When blind ambition quite miftakes her road. 
And downward pores, for that which fhines 
Subftantial happinefs, and true renown ; [above, 
Then, like an idiot gazing on the brook, 
We leap at flars, and fallen in the mud j 
At glory grafp, and fink in infamy. 



§ 239. *The Torment of Ambition. 
Ambition ! powerful fource of good and ill ! 
Thy ftrength in man, like length of wing in 

birds, 
When difengag'd from earth, with greater eafe 
And fwifter flight, tranfports us to the fkies. 
By toys entangled, or in guilt benair'd. 
It turns a curfe ; it is our chain, and fcourge, 
In this dark dungeon, where confin'd we lie, 
Clofe -grated by the fordid bars of fenfej 
All profpecl of eternity fnut out ; 
And but for execution ne'er fet free. 



§ 240. True Riches. 
With error in ambition, juftly charg'd, 
Find we Lorenzo wifer in bis wealth ? 
Where thy true treafure j Gold fays, " not in 

me," 
And, "notinme," the diamond. Gold is poor; 
India's infoivent: feek it in thyfelf 5 
Seek in thy naked felf, and find it there: 
In being fo defcended, forni'd, endow'd ; 
Sky-born, fky-guided, fky-returning race ! 
Ereft, inimortai, rational, divine ! 
In fenfes, which inherit earth and heavens ; 
l^njoy tlie various riches nature yields: 
Far nobler! give the riches they enjoy; 
Give tpfte to fruits ; and harmony to groves ; 
Their radiant beams to gold, and gold's bright 
Take in at once the landfcape of the world, [fire 
At a finali inlet, which a grain might clofe. 
And half create the wond'rous world they fee. 
Our fenfes, as our reafon, are divine. 
But for the magic organ's powerful charm, 
Earth were a rude, nncolour'd chaos ilill. 
Ours is the cloth, the pencil, and the paint, 
W^.ich beautifies creation's ample dome. 
Sav then, fhali man, his thugohts all feiit abroad 
9 



Superior wonders in himfelf forgot, 
His admiration wafte on objects round, 
When heaven makes him the foul of all he fees ? 
Abfurd ! not rare ! fo great, fo mean, is man. 

What wealth in fenfes fuch as thefe ! what 
In fancy, fir'd to form a fairer fcenc [wealth 
Than fenfe furveys ! in memory's firm record. 
Which, ihould it perifh, could this world recall> 
From the dark fhadows of o'erwhelming years I 
In colours frefli, originally bright 
Preferve its portrait, aad report its fate ! 
What wealth in intelleft, that fovereig-n power ! 
Which fenfe, and fancy, fummons to the bar •, 
Interrogates, approves, or reprehends : 
And from the mafs thofe underlings import, 
From their materials fifted. and refin'd, 
Forms art, and fcience, governm.ent, and law. 

What wealth in fouls'that foar, dive, range 
around. 
Difdaining limit, or from place, or time. 
And hear at once, in t'nought extenfive, hear 
Th' almighty fiat, and the trumpet's found I 
Bold, on creation's outfide walk, and view 
What was, and is, and more tlian e'er fhall be % 
Commanding, with omnipotence of thought. 
Creations nev/, in fancy's field to rife ! 
Souls,that can grafp whate'er th' Almighty made, 
And wander wild through things impoiiible; 
What wealth, in faculties of endlefs growth. 
In liberty to choofe, in power to reach. 
And in duration (how thy riches rife !) 
Duration to perpetuate — houndlefs blifs ! 



§ 241. The Fanity of JFealth. 
High-built abundance, heap on heap! for 

what ? 
To breed new wants, and beggar us the morej 
Then make a richer fcramble for the throng : 
Soon as this feeble pulfe, which leaps fo long, 
Almoft by miracles is tir'd with phy. 
Like rubbifli, from difploding engines thrown. 
Our magazines of hoarded trifles fly j 
Fly diverfe; fly to foreigners, to foes ; 
New mafters court, and call the former fool, 
(How juilly ?) for dependance on their ftay. 
Wide featter firlt, our play-things, then our duft, 

Much learning fhews how little mortals know : 
Much wealth, how little worldlings can enjoy : 
At belt it babies us v.dth endlefs toys ; 
And keeps us children till we drop to duft. 
As monkies at a mirror fliand amaz'd. 
They fail to fend what they fo plainly fee ; 
Thus men in fliining riches fee the face 
Of happinefs, nor know it is a fliade ; 
But gaze, and touch, and peep, and peep again. 
And wifh, and wonder it is aiafent ftill. 

How few can refcue opulence from want I 
Who lives to nature, rarely can be poorj 
Who lives to fancy, never can be rich. 
Poor is the man in debt; the man of gold. 
In debt to fortune, trembles at her pow'r. 
The man of reafon fmiles at her, and death. 
O what a patrimony, this ! a being 



Of fuch inherent flrength and majeftj^, 



Not 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



143 



Not worlds poffeft can ralfe it; worlds deftroy'd 
Can't injure; which hold on its glorious courfe, 
When thine, O nature, ends; toobleft to mourn 
Creation's obfequies. What trealure, thisl 
The monarch is a beggar to the man. 



^ 242. Immortality. 

Immortal ! ages paft, yet nothing gone ! 

Morn without eve i a race without a goal ! 

Unfliorten'd by progrellion infinite 1 

Futurity for ever future ! life 

Beginning ftill, where compulation ends ! 

'Tis the defcription of a Deity ! 

'Tis the defcription of the meaneft flave. 
Immortal ! what can ftrike the fenfe fo ftrong, 

As this the foul? it thunders to the thought; 

Reafon amazes; gratitude o'erwhelms ; 

No more we llumber on the brink of fate ; 

RousM at the found, th' exulting foul afcends. 
And breathes her native air; an air that feeds 

Ambition high, and fans ethereal nres; 

Quick-kindles all that is divine witliin us; 
Nor leaves one loitering thought beneath the 
Immortal i was but one immortal, how[ftars. 
Would others envy ! how would thrones adore! 
Becau^s 'tis common, is the bleffing loft? 
How this ties up the bo unteous hand of Heaven ! 
O vain, vain, vain ! all elfe : eternity ! 
A glorious, and a needful refuge that. 
From vile imprilonment in abjeft views. 
*Tis immortality, 'tis that alone, 
Amidft life's pains, abafements, emptinefs. 
The foul can comfort, elevate, and fill. 
Eternity depending covers all ; 
Sets earth at diftance, cafts her into (hades ; 
Blends her diftinftions ; abrogates her pow'rs ; 
The low, the lofty, joyons, and fevere, 
Fortune's dread frowns, and fafcinating fmiles. 
Make one promifcuous, and negle6led heap, 
The man beneath ; if I may call him man, 
Whom immortality's full force infpires. 
Nothing terreftrial touches his high thought; 
Suns fliine unfeen, and thunders roil imheard, 
By minds quite confcious of their high defcent. 
Their prefent province, and their future prize ; 
Divinely darting upward eveiy wifli, 
Warm on the wing, in glorious abfence loft. 
Doubt you this truth > why labours your be- 
lief? 
If earth's whole orb by fome due diftanc'd eye 
Was feen at once, her tow' ring alps would fink, 
And level'd Atlas leave an even fphere. 
Thus earth, and all that earthly minds admire, 
Is fwallow'd in eternity's vaft round. 
To that ftupendous view when fouls awake. 
So large of late, fo mountainous to man, 
Time's toys fubfide ; and equal all below. 



Till ftumbling at a ftraw, in their career. 
Headlong they plunge, where end both dance 

and long ? 
Are there on earth (let me not call them men) 
Who lodge a foul immortal in their breafts ; 
Un<onfcious as the mountain of its ore, 
Or rock, of its ineftimable gem ? ^ [thefe 
When rocks ihall melt, and mountains vanifh. 
Shall know their treafure; treafure, then, no 

more. 



§ 244. Dtjbeliefofa Future State. 
Are there (ftill more amazing ! ) who refift 
The rifing thought? who fmotlier in its 

birth 
The glorious truth ? who ftruggle to be brutes ? 
Who thro' this bofom-barrier burft their way. 
And, with rever'd ambition, ftrive to fink? 
Whol abour down ward sthro'th'oppofingpow'rs. 
Of inftinft, reafon, and the world againft them. 
To difmal hopes, and fiielter in the fhock 
Of endlefs night ? night darker than the grave's? 
Who fight the proofs of im.mortality ? 

To contradift them fee all nature rife ! 
What objeft, what event, the moon beneath. 
But argues, or endears, an after- fcene ? 
To reafon proves, or weds it to delire ? 
All things proclaim it needful ; fome advance 
One precious ftep beyond, and prove it fare. 
A thoufand arguments fwarm round my pen, 
From heaven, and earth, and man. Indulge a- 
By nature, as her common habit worn, [few. 

Thou ! whofe all-providential eye furveys, 
Whofehand dire61:s, vv^hoie Spirit fills, and warms 
Creation, and holds empire far beyond ! 
Eternity's inhabitant auguft ! 
Of two eternities amazing Lord ! 
One paft, ere man's, or angel's, had begun ; 
Aid, while I refcue from the foe's affault 
Thy glorious immortality in man. 



§ 243. Man Ignorant of his real Greatnefs» 
In fpite of all the truths the mufe has fung. 
Are there who wrap the world fo clofe about 

them, 
They fee no farther than the clouds j and dance 
On hcedlefs vanity's fantaftic toe, 



§ 245. Man'' s Immortality pro'ved by Nature. 
Nature, thy daughter, ever- changing birth 
Of thee tlie great Immutable, to man 
Speaks wifdom; is his oracle fupreme; 
And he who moft confults her, is moft wife. 
Look nature through, 'tis revolution all. [night 
All change, no death. Day follows night; and 
The dying day; ftars rife, and fet, and rife; 
Earth takes th' example. See the fummergay. 
With her green chaplet, and ambrofial fiow'rs. 
Droops into pallid autumn ; winter grey. 
Horrid with froft, and turbulent with ftorm. 
Blows autumn, and his golden fruits away, 
Then melts into the fpring ; foft fpring, with 

breath 
Favonian, from warm chambers of the fouth. 
Recalls the firft. All, to re-fiourifh, fades : 
As in a wheel, all finks, to re-afcend : 
Emblems of man, who pafles, not expires. 

With this minute diftinftion, emblems juft. 
Nature revolves, but man advances j both 
Eternal, that a circle, this fjine. 

That 



M4 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



That gravitates, this foars. Th' afpiring foul 
Ardent, and tremulous, like flame afcends ; 
Zeal, and huniiiity/ner wings Lo heaven. 
The world of matter, with its various forms, 
All dies into new life. Life born from death 
Rolls the v:tft mafs, and fliail for ever roll. 
No lingle ;ttom, once in being, loft. 
With change of counfel charges the Moft High. 

Matter, immortal ? and (liall fpirit die? 
Above the nobler, fnall lefs nobie rife ? 
Shall man alone, for whom all eife revives, 
No refarrediou know ? fhc?ll man alone, 
Imperial mnn ! be fown in barren ground, 
Lefs privileged than grain, on which he feeds? 
Is man, in whom alone is power to prize 
The blifs of being, or with previous pain 
Deplore its period, by the fpleen of fate 
Severely doom/d death's fingie unredeemed? 



§ 246. NIGHT VII. Difcontent. 
Why difcontent for everharbonr'd there ? 
Incurable confumption of or.r peace! 
Refolve me, wh)', the cottager, and king. 
He whom fea-fever'd realms obey, and he 
Who fteals his whole dominion from the wafte. 
Repelling winter's blaft, with mud and Itraw, 
Difquieted alike, draw figh for figh. 
In fate fo diftant, in complaint fb near. 

Is it, that things terreftriai can't content? 
Deep in rich paftiire, will thy flocks complain? 
Not fo j but to their mafter is deny"d 
To fhare their fweet ferene. Man, ill at eafe. 
In this, not his owm place, this foreign field. 
Where nature fodders him with other food 
Than was ordain'd his cravings to fuflice, 
Poor in abundance, familh'd at a feaft, 
Sig^hs on for fomething more, when moft enjov'd. 



No fiult, but in defeat: bleft Heav'n ! avert 

A bounded ardour for unbounded blifs ! 

O for a blifs unbounded! far beneath 

A foul immortal, is a mortal joy. 

Nor are our powers to periih immature 5 

But, after feeble eifort here beneath, 

A brighter fun, and in a nobler foil, 

Tranlpkmted from this fublunary bed, 

Shall flourifli fair, and put forth all tbcir bloom. 



§ 248. Hu^uaji Hope. 

His immortality alone can folve 
Is heaven then kinder to thy flocks, than thee ? I That darkeft of asnigmas, human hope j 
Not fo; thy paftu re richer, but remote 5 



§ 247. Reafoti nndlnjiin^. 

Reason progrefllve, infcinft is complete; 
Swift inftinft leaps j flow reaion feebly 

climbs. 
Brutes foon their zenith reach; their little all 
Fiovv's in at once; in ages they no more 
Couid know, or do, or covet, or enjoy. 
Was man to live coeval with the lun, 
The patriarch-pupil wpuld be learning fl:ill j 
Yet, dying, leave his leflbn half unlearnt. 
Men perifli in advance, as if the fun 
Should fet ere noon, in eaftern oceans drown'd. 
To man, why, flepdam.e nature, {o fevere ? 
Why thrownande thy maflei'-piece half- wrought. 
While meaner efforts thy laft hand enjoy? 
Or, if abortively poor man mull die, [dread ? 
Nor reach, what reach he might, why die iu 
Why cu?-fl: with forefght? wile to mifery? 
Why of his proud prerogative the prey *. 
Why lefs pre-eminent in rank than pain ?— , 
His immortality alone can tell, 
Full ample fund to balance all amifs. 
And turn the fcale in favour of the jufi:. 



In part, remote; for that remoter part 
Man bleats from infliincf ,tho',perhaps,debauch 'd 
By fenfe, his reafon fleeps, nor dreams the caufe. 
The caufe how obvious, when his reafon wakes ! 
His grief is but his grandeur in difguife; 
And difcontent is immortality. 

Shall fons of asther, fliall the blood of heav'n, 
Set up tiieir hopes on earth, and ftable here. 
With brutal acquiefcence in the mire? 
No, no. my friend : they fliall be nobly paia'd ; 
The glorious foreigners diftreft, fliall figh 
On thrones ; and thou congratulate the figh: 
Man's mifery declares him born for blifs; 
His anxious heart alierts the truth I fing. 
Our heads, our hearts, our pafllons, and our 
pow'rs. 

Speak the fame language; call us to the flcies. 

Unripen'd thefe in this inclement clime. 

Scarce rife above conje6fure, and miftake; 

And for this land of trifles, thofe too ftrong. 

Tumultuous rife, and tempeft: human life; 

What prize on earth can pay us for the ftonn? 

Meet obje<51:s for our pafllons Heav'n ordain'd. 



Of all the darkeft: if at death v.e die. 

Hope, eager hope, th' ailaifm of our joy, 

All preient blefllngs treading under foot, 

Is fcarce a milder tyrant than defpair. 

With no pafl: toils content, Hill planning new, 

Hope turns us o'er to death alone for eal'e. 

Poffefiion, why more tailelefs than purfuit ? 

Why is a wi fn far dearer than a crown ? 

That wifn accompiifli'd, why the grave of blifs ? 

Becaufe in the great future bury'd deep, 
Beyond our plans of empire, and renown, 
Lies all that man with ardour Ihould purfue; 
And he who made him, bent him to the right. 
Man's heart th' Almighty to the future fets 
By fecret and inviolable fprings ; 
And makes his hope his fublunar)- joy. 
Man's heart eats all things, and is hungry ftill ; 
" More, more, the glutton cries :" for fomething 
So rages appetite, if man can't mount, [new 
He will defcend. He ftarves on the pofleft. 
Hence the world's mafter, from ambition's fpire, 
In Caprea plung'd ; and div'd beneath the brute. 
In that rank fty why wallow'd empire's fon 
Supreme? Becaufe he could no higher fly; 



Objects that challenge all their fire, and leave His riot wasambitioA in defpai 



Se^ 



Book I. 



'SACRED AND MORAL. 



US 



See rcftlefs hope, for ever on the wing ! 
High perchM o'er evVy thought that falcon fits, 
To fly at all th.it rifes in her fight ; 
And never ftooping, but to mount again ! 
Next moment, rtie betrays her aim's miftake, 
And owns her quarry lodg'd beyond the grave. 

There fliould it fail us Cit muft fail us there. 
If being fails) more mournful riddles rife, 
And virtue vies with hope in myilery. 
Why virtue? Where its praife, its being, fled ? 
Virtue is true felf-interefl: purfu'd ; 
What, true felf-int're/l of quite mortal man ? 
To clofe with all that makes him happy here, 
If vice (as fometimes) is our friend on earth, 
Then vice is virtue, 'tis our fov'reign good. 

The rigid guardian of a blamelefs heart, 
So long rever'd, fo long reputed wife, 
Is weak} with rank knight-errantries o"'errun. 
Why beats thy bofom with illufl:rious dreams 
Of gallant enterprize, and glorious death ? 
Die for thy country ? — thou romantic fool ! 
Seize, feize the plank thyfelf 5 and let her fink! 
Thy countr)^ 1 what to thee ? (I fpeak with awe) 
The godhead, what? tho' he fliould bid thee 
If, with thy blood, thy final hope is fplit,[bleed? 
Nor can Omnipotence reward the blow, 
lie deaf; preferve thy being; difobey. 



§,249. 'the Madnefs of Infidelity. 
Since virtue's recompenfe is doubtful, here. 
If man dies wholly, well may we demand. 
Why is man fuiter'd to be good in vaii3 ? 
Why to be good in vain, is man enjoin'd ? 
Why to be good in vain, is man betray'd ? 
Betray'd by traitors lodg'd in his own breafl:, 
By fweet complacencies from virtue felt ? 
Why whifpers nature lies on virtue's part? 
Or if blind inftinct Cwhich aflumes the name 
Offacred confcience) plays the fool in man, 
Why reafon made accomplice ni the cheat? 
Why are the wifeft, loudelt in her praife ? 
Can man by^i^afpn's beam be led ailray ? 
Or, at his peril, ipaitate his God ? 
Since virtue lometimes ruinb us on earth, 
Or, both are true, or man furvivesthe grave, 

Or man furvives t^e grave, or own, Lorenzo, 
Thy boaft fupreme, a wUd abfurdity. 
Dauntlefs thy fpirit; cowards are thy fcorn. 
Gr?nt man immortal, and thy {corn is juil. 
The man immortal, rationally brave, 
Dares nifli on death, — becaufe he cannot die. 
But if man lofes all, when life is loll. 
He lives a coward, or a fool expires. 
A daring infidel (and fuch there are, 
From pride, example, lucre, rage, revenge. 
Or pure heroical defeft of thought), 
Of all earth's madmen, moft: deferves a chain. 

When, to the grave, we follow the renown'd 
For valour, virtue, fcience, all we love, [beam 
And all we praife ; for worth, whole noontide 
Mends our ideas of ethereal pow'rs; 
Dream we, that luftre of the moral world 
Goes out in ftench, and rottennefs the clofe? 
Why was he wife to know, and warm to praife, 



And fl:renuous to tranfcribe, in human life, 
The mind almighty ? could it be, that fate, 
Jult when the lineaments began to fliine,[ever? 
Should fnatch the draught, and blot it out for 
Shall w^e, this moment, gaze on God in man? 
The next, lofe man for ever in the dull ? 
From duft v/e difengage, or man miflakes ; 
And there, where leail his judgment fears a flaw, 
Wifdom, and worth, how boldly he commends! 
Wifdom and worth are facred names; rever'd j 
Where not embrac'd ; applauded ! deify'd ! 
Why not compafiion'd too ? If fpirits die, 
Both are calamities, inflifted both, 
To make us but more wretched ; wifdom's eye 
Acute, for what ? To fpy more miferies ; 
And worth, fo recompens'd, new points their 

flings : 
Or man the grave furmounts, or gain is lofs. 
And worth exalted humbles us the more. 
Were then capacities divine conferr'd. 
As a mock-diadem, in falvage-fport. 
Rank infult of our pompous poverty, [fair ? 
Which reaps but pain, from feeming claims fa 
In future age lies no redrefs ? and fliuts 
Eternity the door on our complaint ? 
If fo, for what (Imnge ends were mortals made ? 
The worft to wallow, aud the belt to weep. 
Can we conceive a difregard in heaven. 
What the worfl: perpetrate, or bell endure ? 

This cannot be. To love, and know, in man 
Is boundlef? appetite, and boundlefs powV ; 
And thefe demonflrate boundlefs obje6ls too. 
Obje6ls, pow'rs, appetites, heav'n fuits in allj 
Nor, nature thro', e'er violates this fweet. 
Eternal concord, on her tuneful firing. 
Is man the fole exception from her laws ? 
Eternity llruck off from human hope, 
Man is a monfter, the reproach of heaven, 
A ftain, a dark impenetrable cloud 
On nature's beauteous afjjccl; and deforms, 
(Amazing blot!) deforms her with her i(^« 

Or own the foul immortal, or invert 
All order. Go, mock-majelly ! go, man. 
And bow to thy fuperiors of the Hall j 
Thro' ev'ry fceneof fenfe fuperiorfar: [fl:ream 
They graze the turfuntill'd; they drink the 
Unbrew'd, and ever full, and unimbitter'd 
With doubts, fears, fruitlefs hopes, regrets, de- 

f pairs. 
Mankind's peculiar! reafon's precious dow'r! 
No foreign clime they ranfack for their robes. 
Nor brothers cite to the litigious bar : 
Their good is good entire, unmixt, unmarr'd ; 
They find a paradife in ev'ry field, 
On boughs forbidden, where no curfes hang; 
Their ill no more than flirikes the fenfe, un- 

fliretcht 
By previous dread or murmur in the rear ; 
When the woril comes, it comes unfear'd ; one 

fl:roke 
Begins and ends their woe : they die but once ; 
Bled, incorhmuni cable privilege ! [lla'-s. 

For which who rules the globe, and reads the 
Philofopher, or here, fighs in vain. 

-L Account 



146 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book L 



Account for this prerogative in brutes : 
No day, no glirapfe of day to folve the knot, 
But what beams on it from eternity. 
O fole and fweet folution ! that unites 
The difficult, and foftens the feverej 
The cloud on nature's beauteous face difpels; 
Rellores bright order; cafts the brute beneath 
And re-inthrones us in fupremacy 
Of joy, ev'n here, admit immortal life. 
And virtue is knight-errantry no more: 
Each virtne brings in hand a golden dowVj 
Far richer in reverfion ; hope exults ; 
And, tho' much bitter in our cup is thrown, 
Predominates, and gives the tafte of heav'n. 
O wherefore is the Deity fo kind ? 
Heav'n our reward — for heav'n enjoy ""d below. 
Still unfubda'd thy ftubborn heart ? For there 
The traitor lurks, who doubts the truth I fmg; 
Reafon is guiltlefs ; will alone rebels. 
What, in that flublDorn heart, if I fnould find 
New, unexpe6led witnefies againft thee ? 
Ambition, and the fatelefs love of gain ! [foul 
Canlt thou fufpcct that thefe, which make the 
The flave of earth, Ihould own her heir of 

heav'n? 
Canft thou fufpeft, what makes us difbelieve 
Our hnmoraiity, fhould prove it fure ? 
:..^ ' ■ " ■ 
§^ 250. Ambition and Fame, 
First, then, ambition i'ummon to the bar: 
Ambition's fhaitr% extravagance, difguft, 
And inextinguifliabie nature, fpeak: 
Each much depofes; hear them in their turn. 

Thy foul how paflionately fond of fame ! 
How anxious that fond palhon to conceal 1 
"V\''e blulli detected in dellgns on praife, 
Tho"" for beft deeds, and from the befl: of men : 
And why ? becaufe immortal. Art divine 
Has raatie the body tutor to the foul : 
Keav'n kindly gives our blood a moral flow ; 
Bids its afcend the glowing cheek, and there 
Upbraid that little heart's inglorious aim, 
Wliich Hoops to court a chara6ler from man 5 
While o'er us, in tremendous judgment, fit 
Far more than man, with endlefs praife, and 
blame. 
Ambition's boundlefs appetite out-fpeaks 
The verdi6t of its fhame. When fouls take fire 
At high prefumptions of their own defeit, 
One age is poor applaufe \ the mighty fliout, 
The thunder by the living few begun, 
Late time mull echo ! worlds unborn refound : 
We wifh our names eternally to live : [thought. 
Wild dream ! which ne'er had haunted human 
Had not our natures been eternal l<x). 
Inftincl points out an int'reft in hereafter; 
But our blind reafon fees not where it lies; 
Or, feeing, gives the fubftance for the fhade. 

Fame is the {hade of immortality, 
And in itfelf a fli.?do%v; foon as caught, 
Contemn"'d ; It fhrinks to nothing in the grafp. 
Caiifult the aiTibitious ; 'tis ambition's cure. 
" And is this all ?" cry'd Caeiar at his height, 
P-Tj^Uilcd. Thii tJiird proof ambition brings 



Of immortality. The firft in fame, 
Obferve him near, your envy will abate : 
Sham'd at the difpropcrtion vaft between 
The painon, and the purchafe, he will figh 
At fuch fucce{s,and blulh at his renown: 
And why? becaufe far richer prize invites 
His heart ; far more iliuitrious glory calls. 

And can ambition a fourth proof fupply ? 
It can, and ftronger than the former three. 
Tho' difappointraents in ambition pain. 
And tho' fuccefs difgulls, yet ftiil we ftrire 
In vain to pluck it from us : man mult foar ; 
An obftinate a^^ivity within. 
An infupprefiive fpring will tofs him up, 
In fpite of fortune's load. Not kings alone. 
Each villager has his ambition too: 
No Sultan prouder than his fetter'd flave: 
Slaves build their little Babylons of ilraw. 
Echo the proud Ai7yrian, in their hearts. 
And cry, — " Behold the wonders of my might!'* 
And why ? becaufe im.mortal as tlieir lord : 
And fouls immortal muft for ever heave 
At fomething great; the glitter, or the gold ; 
The praife of mortals, -or the pi-aife of heav'n. 



§ 251. A~cartce. 
Thus far ambition. What fays avarice ? 
This her chief maxim, which has long been 

thine, 
'< The wife and wealthy are the fame." I grant 
To ftore up treafure, with incelfant toil, [it. 
This is man's province, this bis higheft praife. 
To this great end keen inllinct ftings him on ; 
To guide that inftin^b, reafon ! is thy charge; 
'Tis thine to tell us where true treafure lies: 
But reafon failing to difcharge her truft, 
A blunder follows, and blind induftry, 
O'erloading, with the cares of diftant age. 
The jaded Ipirits of the prefent hour. 
Providing for eternity below. 

Whence inextinguilhable thirft of gain ? 
From inextinguilhable life in man : 
Man, if not meant by worth to reach the Ikies, 
Had wanted wing to fly fo far in guilt. 
Sour grapes I grant ambition, avarice ; 
Yet ftill their root is immortality. 
Thefe its wild growths religion can reclaim, 
Reline, exalt, throw down their pois'nous lec^ 
And make them Iparkle in the bowl of blifs. 



§ 252. Addref^ to Unbelie'vers. 
" Know all; know infidels, unapt to know, 
'Tis immortalit)'^ your nature iblves ;- 
'Tis immortaliry decyphers man. 
And opens all the myJi'ries of his make. 
Without it half his inllincls are a riddle : 
Without it, all his virtues arc a dream: 
His very crimes atteft his dignity j 
His fatelefs appetite of gold, and' fame. 
Declares him born for bleifings infinire. 
What, lefs thaji infinite, makes unabfurd 
Pafiions, which all on earth hut more inflame ? 
Fierce painons fo niifraeafur'd to this fcene. 

Strttch'4 



Book T. 

?.tretch'd out, like eagle? \vings,beyond our neft. 
Par, far, beyond the worth of all below. 
For earth too large, prefage a nobler liight, 
Ajid evidence our title to the ikies." 



§ 253. the Pajfions, 
k'E gentle theologues, of calmer kind ! 
W\\o{e conftitution dilates to your pen, 



SACRED AND MORAL; 147 

Confcience of guilt, is prophecy cf pain. 
And bofom-counfel to decline the blow. 
Reafon with inclination ne'er had jarr'd, 
[f nothing future paid forbearance here. 
Thus on — thefe, and a thoufand pleas uncall'd. 
All promife, fome infure, a fecond fcene-, 
Which, was it doubtful, would be dearer far 
Than all things elfe moft certain •, was it falfe. 
What truth on earth fo precious as the lie ? 



Who,coldyourleiV-es,thmkardorccmestromhell.:^^-^ ^^^^^ .^ .^^^^ \^^ ^^.,^^^ ^^.jH ^,^j-^ 

T1,;,,U .^^^ r.iirr>3Ulf»nc 1-rnTTi rnrnintinn Inruno", _. . ,,.=>. .-',,., 111 



rhink not our paflions from corruption fprun 
rho' to corruption now they lend their wings : 
rhat is their millrefs, not their mother. Ail 
[And juilly) reafon deem divine : I fee, 
t feel a grandeur in the paffions too, [end : 
^Vhjch fpeaks their high defcent, and glorious 
Which fpeaks them rays of an eternal lire, 
[n paradife itfelf they'burut as ftrong. 
Ere Adam fell ; the wifer in tlieir aim. 
What tho' our pafTions are run mad, and ftoop 
With low terreftrial appetite, to graze 
On trafli, on toys, dethroned from high defire \ 
Ytl iiili, thro' their difgrace, no feeble ray ^ 
Of greatnefs lhines,and tells us whencethey fell: 
But thefe, when reafon moderates the rein, 
5hall re-afcend, re-mount their former fohere. 
But grant their phrenzy lafts; their phrenzy 
To difappoint one providential end ; [fails 
Was reafon hient, boundlefs pailion fpeaks 
A future kent of boundlefs objefts too. 
And brings glad tidings of eternal day. 
Eternal day ! ^tis that enlightens all i 
And all by that enlighten'd, proves it fure. 
Coniider man as an immortal being, 
Intelligible, all ; and all is great : 
Confider man as m.ortal, all is dark, 
And wretched \ reafon weeps at the fur\'ey. 



This world it gives, in that high cordial, hopej 

The future of the prefent is the foul; 

How this life groans,when fever'd from the nextl 

Poor, mutilated wretch, that difcelievesi 

By dark diilruft his being cut in two. 

In both part periihes ; life void of joy, 

Sad prelude of etemfty in pain ! 



\ 254.. Proofs of hnmortalify. Man s Happinefs 

corfifis in the Hope of it. 

Much has been urg'dj and doft thou call for 

more ? 
Call j and with endlefs queftions be diftrell. 
All unr^folvable, if earth is all. 

« Why life, a moment; infinite, defire ? 
Our wifn eternity •: our home, the grave ? 
Heaven's promiie dormant lieb in human hope, 
Vv'ho withes life immortal, proves it too. 
Why happinefs purfu'd, tho' never found ? 
Brian's thirit of happinefs declare*; it is, 
(For nature never gravitates to nought;) 
That thirfl unquencht declares it is not here, 
Why cordial friendfliip ri vetted fo deep, 
As, hearts to pierce at hril, st parting, jend, 
If friend and fi-iendfnip vanif& in an hour? 
Is net this toi-ment in the maik of joy ? 



§ 255. Mifery of Unbelief 

C o u L DS T thou perliiade me, the next life 

would fail 
Our ardent wiihes ; how fhould I pour out 
My bleeding heart in anguiih, new, as deep ! 
Oh ! with wiiat thoughts, thy hope, and my de- 
Abhorr'd Annihilation biails the foul, [ipair. 
And wide extends the bounds of human woe I 
In this black channel would my ravings run : 
" Grief from the future borrow'd peace, ere 

while 
The future vanifh'd ! and the prefent pain'd ! 
Fall, how profound 1 hurl'd headlong, hurl'd at 

once 
To night ! to nothing! darker ftill than night. 
If 'twas a dream, why wake me, my woril foe ? 
O for delufion ! O for error Itill ! - [plant 
Could vengeance ftrike much ftronger than to 
A thinking being in a v/orld like this. 
Not over rich before, now beggar'd quite ; 
More curft than at the Fall ? The fun goes out! 
The thorns ihoot up ! what thorns in evYy 

thought 1 
Why fenfe of better ? it irabitters worfe : 
Why fenfe ? wliy life ? if but to ligh, then ilnk 
To what I was ? twice nothing ! and much woe! 
Wee, from heaven's bounties 1 woe^ from what 

was wont 
To flatter molt, high Intelleftual pow'rs. 

" Thought, virtue, knowledge ! blefiings, by 

thy fcheme, 
All poifon'd inio pains. FirH:. knowledge, once 
My foul's ambition, now her gi-eateft dread. 
I To knov.- myfelf, true vvifdora ? — no, to fhun 
jThat fhocking fcience, patent of defpair! 
'[Avert thy mirror; if I fee, I die. 

Know my Creator ? Climb his blejl abode 



— Why by reflection marr'd the joys of fenfe! i By painful fpeculation, pierce the ^eil. 



Why palt and future, preyisg on our hearts. 
And putting all our prefent joys to death ? 
Why abours reafon? inftincl \Tere as well;. 
In'imft far better; what can choofe, can err; 
O how infallible the tllouzhtlefs brute ! 
Renfon with inclination why at war ? 



Dive in his nature, read his attributes, 
' And gase in admiration-i-on a foe, 
j Obtruding life, withh j:.'.ing happinefs ? 
i From the full rivers that furround his throne, 
jNot letting f:tll one drop ot joy on man; 
j Man gafping for one drop, that be might ceafe 



Whyfenfe of guil$? whyconfcience up in arms P^'iTo .curfe his birth, nor envy reptiles more 

L 2 Ytf 



u« 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



Ye fable clouds ! ye darkeft fliades of night ! 
Hide him, for ever hide him, from my thought, 
Once all my comfort; fource and foul of joy! 

" Know his achievements! ftudy his renown! 
Contemplate this amazing univerfe, 
Dropt from his hand, with mir:icles replete!— 
For what ? 'Mid miracles of nobler name, 
To find one miracle of mifery ! 
To find the being, which alone can know, 
And praife his works, a blemifn on his praife ? 
Thro' nature's ample range, in thought to ftray 
And ftart at man, the fingle mourner there, 
Breathing high hope ! chain'd down to pangs, 
and death ! 
" Knowingis fuff'ring: and fh all virtue fhare 
The figh of knowledge ? virtue fhares the figh. 
By ftralning up the iteep of excellent, 
By battles fought, and from temptation won, 
What gains Ihe, but the pang of feeing worth, 
Angelic worth, foon, fhuffied in the dark 
With ev'ry vice, and fwept to brutal duft? 
" Duty; Religion ! thefe, our duty done, 
Imply reward. Religion is miltake : 
Duty ? there's none, but to repel the cheat. 
Ye cheats ! away ; ye daughters of my pride ! 
Who feign yourfelves the fav'rites of the fkies : 
Ye tow'ring hopes ! abortive energies ! 
That tofs and ftruggle in my lying brcaft, 
To fcale the ficies, and build prefumption there. 
As I were heir of eternity; 
Vain, vain ambitions 1 trouble me no more. 
As bounded as my being, be my wifii. 
All is inverted, wifdom is a fool : 
Senfe ! take the rein ; blind pafTion ! drive us on ; 
And, ignorance ! befriend us on our way; 
Yes ; give the pulfe full empire; live the brute, 
Since, as the brute, we die: the fum of man. 
Of godlike man ! to revel, and to rot. 

" But not on equal terms with other brutes : 
Their revels a more poignant relifti yield. 
And fafer too, they never poifbns choofe. [meals, 
Inflinft, than reafon, makes more wholfome 
And fends all-marring murmur far away. 
For fenfual life they beft philofophize; 
Theirs, that ferene, the fages fought in vain : 
'Tis man alone expoftulates with heav'n. 
His, all the pow'r, and all the caufe to mourn. 
Shall human eyes alone diflblve in tears ? 
And bleed, in anguifh, none but human hearts? 
The wide-llretcht realm of intelleftual woe, 
SurpafTmg fenfual far, is all our own. 
In life lo fatally diftinguilh'd, why 
Caft in one lot, confounded, lumpt, in death ? 
*' And why then have we thought?' To toi 1 ;' nd 
eat, [thought. 

Then make our bed in darknefs, needs no 
What fuperfluities are reas'ning fouls I 
Oh give eternity ! or thought deftroy. — 
But'w'ithout thought our curfe were half unfelt \ 
Its blunted edge wouldfpare the throbbingheart; 
And therefore tisbeftow\l. I thank thee, reafon. 
For aiding life's too fmall calamities, 
And giviiig being to the dread of death. 
Such are thy bounties !— Was it then too much 



For me, to trefpafs on the brutal rights ? 
Too much for heav'n to make one emmet more ? 
Too much for chaos to permit my mafs 
A longer ftay with elTences unwrought, 
Unfafliion'd, untormented into man ? 
Wretched prefei'ment to this round of pains ! 
Wretched capacity of phrenfy, thought ! 
Wretched capacity of dying, life ! 
Life,thought, worth, wifdom,all (oh foul revolt ! ) 
Once friends to peace, gone over to the foe. 

" Death then has chang'd its nature too ; O 
death, 
Come to ray bofom, thou beft gift of heav'n ! 
Belt friend of man 1 fince man is man no more. 
Why in this thorny wildernefs fo long, 
Since there's no promis'd land's ambrofialbow'r? 
But why this fumptuous infult o'er our heads ? 
Why this illuftrious canopy difplay'd ? 
Why fo magnificently lodg'd defpair? 
At Itated periods fure returning, roll, 
Thefe glorious orbs, that mortals may compute 
Their length of labours, and of pains ; nor lofe 
Theirmifery's full meafure?— fmilesw^ith flow'rs. 
And fruits promifcuous, ever-teeming earth. 
That man maylanguifti in luxurious fcenes, 
And in an Eden mourn his withering joys ? 
Claim earth and fkies man's admiration, due 
For fuch delights ! bleft animals ! too wife 
To wonder ; and too happy to complain ! 

"Our doom decreed demands amournfulfcenej 
Why not a dungeon dark for the condemn'd ? 
Why not the dragon's fubterranean den, 
For man to howl in ? why not his abode 
Of the fame difmal colour with his fate ? 
A Thebes, a Babylon, at vaft expence 
Of time, toil, treafure, art, for owls and adders. 
As conginious, as, for man, this lofty dome 
Which prompts proud thought,and kindles high 

defire. 
If from her humble chamber in Lhe duft, [flames. 
While proud thought fwells, and high defire in- 
Tiie poor worm calls us for her inmates there ; 
And round us death's inexorable hand 
Draws the dark curtain clofe ; undrawn no more. 

" Undrawn no more ? behind the cloud of 
Once I beheld a fun ; a fun which gilt [death. 
That fable cloud, and turn'd it all to gold : 
How the grave's alter'd ! fathomlefs as hell ! 
Annihilation I how it yawns before me ! 
Next moment I may drop from thought, from 
The privilege of angels, and of worms, [fenfe, 
An outcaft from exiltence' and this fpirit. 
This all-pervading, this all-confcious foul. 
This particle of energy divine, 
Which travels nature, flies from ftar to ftar, 
And vifits gods, and emulates their pow'rs. 
For ever is extinguifli'd. Horror! death I 
Death of that death I fearlefs once furvey'd. 
When horror univerfal fliall defcend. 
And heaven's dark concave urn all human race, 
On that enormous, unrefunding tomb, 
How juft this verfe ! this monumental figh ! 

Beneath the himher of demolijh^ d <voorldsy 

Gf matter, m*ver dignify" d^-wltk life. 

Here. 



fi O O K I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



H9 



Here lie proud ratloiials j the fans ofbea'-jn ! 
The lords of earth ! ire property ofiuorms ! 
Beings ofyejierday^ and not to-mo>-roixi ! 
ff'ho li-v'din terror, and in pangs expir'd.''^ 

And art thou then a ihadowPlefs than ftiadow? 
A nothing? lefs than nothing ? To have been, 
And not to be, is lower than unborn. 
Art thou ambitious? why then make the worm 
Thine equal ? runs thy tiite of pleafure high ? 
Why patronize lure death, of every joy ? 
Gharm riches ? whychoofe beggVy in the grave. 
Of ev'iy hope a bankrupt! and for ever ? 
Dar'ftthouperfilt? Audi's there nought on earth 
But a long train of tranlitoiy forms, 
Rifmg, and breaking, millions in an hour ? 
Bubbles of a fanratlic lord, blown up 
In fport, and then in cruelty deitroy'd ? 
Oh ! for what crime, unmerciful Lorenzo, 
Defcroys thy Icheme the whole of human race? 
Kind is fell Lucifer compared to thee: 
Oh 1 fpare this waile of being half divine ; 
And vindicate th' ceconomv of heav'n. 



§ 256. 'The Annihilation cf Man, incom- 
patible njuith the Goodnefs of God. 
Heav'n is all love; ail joy in giving joy; 
It never had created, but to blefs j 
And fhall it then itrike oIF the iiil of life, 
A being bieU, or worthy fo to be ? 
Heavhi ilarts at an annihilating God. 



% 257. The Guilty alone ivijh for Annikilation. 
Is that, all nature Harts at, thy defire ? 
Art fuch a clod to willi thyfelf all clay? 
What is that dreadful wifli ? — the dying groan 
Of nature murder'd by the hlackeil guilt: 
What deadly poifon has thy nature drank? 
To nature un debauched no ihock fo great j 
Nature's firft with is endlefs happiiiefs ; 
Annihilation is an after-thought, 
A monftrous wiih, unborn, till viitue dies. 
And oh ! what depth of horror lies inclos'd ! 
For non-exii^ence no man ever wifh'd, 
But firft he wifli'd the Deity deftioy'd. 



Where nought fubftantlal, but our mifery } 
A world, where dark, myllerious vanity 
Of good and ill the diftant colours blends. 
Confounds all reafon, and all hope deftroys § 
A world fo far from great (and yet how grtat 
It <hines to thee !) there's nothing real in it ; 
Being, a fhadow ! confcioulnefs, a dream I 
A dream how dreadrui 1 univerfal blank 
Before it, and behind! poor man a fpark 
From non-exiitence ibuck by wrath divine, 
Glitt'ring a moment, nor that moment fure, 
'Midft upper, nether, and iurrounding night. 
His lad, lure, fudden, and eternal tomb. 



§ 259. The World a Syjhm of 'Theology^ 
The Ikies above proclaim in mortal man, 
And man immortal ail below relounds. 
The world's a l^dem of theology. 
Read by the greateit Grangers to the fchcols, 
If honeft, leam'd ; and fages o'er a '^lough. 
What then is unbelief? 'tis an exploit: 
A ilrenuous enterprile : to gain it, man 
Mull burll thro' ev"r^' bar of common fenfe, 
Of common lliame, magnanimoufly wrong j 
And what rewards the llurdy combatant ? 
His prize, repentance; infamy, his crown. 



§ 258. No fpiritual Subfance annihilated. 
Think' ST thou omnipotence a naked root. 
Each bloffom fair of Deity d^llroy'd ? 
Nothing is dead; nay, nothing deeps; each foul 
That ever animated human clay, 
Now wakes; is on the wing: and when the call 
Of that loud tmrnp collefts us round heav'n's 
Conglob'd we balk in everlafting day. [throne. 
How bright t'nis profpeCt fhines ! how gloomy 
thine ! 
A trembling world! and^a devouring God ! 
Earth, but the fharables of omnipotence! 
Heaven's face all itain'd with caufelefsmaflacres 
Of countlefs millions, born to feel the pang 
Of being loft. Lorenzo, can it be I- 
This bids us fhudder at the thoughts of life. 
Who would be born to fuch a phantom world 



^ 260. Virtue the Fruit of Immortality, 
The virtues grow on immortality ; 
That root deitroy'd, they'withcr and expire, 
A Deity believ'd will nought avail ; 
Rewards an^ puniihments make God ador'd i 
And hopes and fears give confcience all her 
As in the dying parent dies the child, [pow'r. 
Virtue with inuuortality expires. 
Who tells me he denies his foul imrao.'tal. 
Whatever his boalt, has told me, he's a knave. 
His duty, 'tis to love himlelf alone, 
Nor care, tho' mankind perifh, if he fmiles. [are 
And are there fuch ? — Such candidates there 
For more than death ; for utter lofs of being j 
Is it in words to paint you ? O ye fall'n ! 
Fall'n from the wings of reafon, and of hope I 
£re6l in llature, prone in apretite ! 
Patrons of pleafure, porting into pain ! 
Boallers of liberty, falt-bound in chains! 
xMore fenfeiefs than th' irrationals yea fcorn '. 
Far more undone! O ye moft infamous 
Of beings, from fuperior dignity ! 
And are yon, too, convinc'd, your fouls fly off 
In exhalation fofr, and die in air, 
From the full Hood of evidence againit you ? 
In the courfe drudgeries, and links of lenfe. 
Your fouls have quite worn out the make of 

heav'n 
By vice new-cait, and creatures of your own. 



§ 261. Tree-thinking. 

This is free-thinking, unconfin'd to parts. 
To fend the foul,- on curious travel bent, 
Thro' all the provinces of human thought, 
To dart her fiJght,thro' the v/ho.e fphe "e of man; 
L 3 To 



ISO 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Boo K I. 



To look on tnitli unbroken, and entire; 
Truth in the fyllem, the full erb 5 where truths 
By truths enlightened, and fuftainM, aftbrd 
An arch-like, llrong foundation, to fupport 
Th' incumbent weight of abfolute, complete 
Conviction ; here, the more we prefs, we ftand 
More firm ; wiio moil examine, mod believe. 
Parts, like half fentences, confound; the whole 
Conveys the fenfe, and God is underftood; 
Who not in fragments writes to human race ; 
Read his whole volume, fceptic ! then, reply. 
This, this is thinking free, a thought that 

grafps 
Beyond a grain, and looks beyond an hour. 
Turnup thine ej'^es, furvey thisnndnight fcene; 
What are earth's kingdoms to yon boundlefs orbs 
Of human fouls, one day, the dcflinM range ? 
And what yon boundlefs orbs to godlike man ? 
Thofenumerousworldsthatthrongthefii-mament. 
And aflc more fpace in heaven, can roll at large 
In man's capacious thought, and ftill leave room 
For ampler orbs, for new creations, there. 
Can fuch a foul contraft itfelf, to gripe 
A point of no dimenfion, of no weight ? 
It can J it does : the world is fuch a point, 
And of that point how fmall a part enflaves. 
How fmall a part — of nothing, Ihall I fay ? 
Why not ? — friends, our chief treafiire ? hdw 

they drop ? 
How the world falls to pieces round about us. 
And leaves us in a rum of our joy ! 
What fays this tranfportation of my friends ? 
It bids me love the place where now they dwell, 
And fcorn this wretched fpot, they leave ib poor. 
Eternity's vail ocean lies before thee ; 
Give thy mind fea-room ; keep it wide of earth, 
That rock of fouls immortal ; cut thy cord ; 
Weighanchor; fpread ihy fails; call ev'ry wind; 
Eye thy great Pole-flar : make the land of life. 



And he that would be barr'd capacity 

Of pain, courts incapacity of blifs. 

Heav'n wills our happinefs, allows our doom j 

Invites us ardently; but not compels ; 

Man falls by man, if finally he falls ; 

And fall he mufl, who learns from death alone 

The dreadful fecret,— that he lives for ever. 

Why this to thee ? thee yet perhaps in doubt 
Of lecond life: but wherefore doubtful Hill? 
Eternal life is nature's ardent wifti: 
What ardently we wifh, we foon believe: 
Thy tardy faith declares that wifli dellroy'd: 
What has deilroy'd it ? — fhall I tell thee, what? 
When fear'd the future, 'tis no longer wifh'd. 
And when unwifti'd, we llrive to diibelieve. 



§262. Rational a/id Animal Life. 
Tv/o kinds of life has double-natur'd man, 
And two of death ; the lall far more fevere. 
Life animal is nurUir'd by tiie fun ; 
Thrives on its bounties, triumphs in its beams. 
Life rational fubfills on higher food, 
Triumphant in his beams who made the day. 
When we leave that fun, and are left by this, 
(The fate of all who die in ftubborn guilt) 
'Tis utter darknefs ; flriftly, double death. 
We fink by no judicial llroke of heav'n, 
But nature's courfe; as fure as plummets fall. 
If then that double -death fhould prove thy lot. 
Blame not the bowels of the Deity : 
Man fliall be bleft, as far as man permits. 
Not man alone, all rationals heav'n arms 
With an illuftrious, but tremendous, pow'r. 
To counteradl its own moft gracious ends : 
And this, of Uriel neceffity, not choice. 
That pow'r deny'd, men, angels, were no more 
But paffive engines, void of praife, or blame. 
A nature rational implies the pow'r 
Of being bleft, or v/retched, as we pbafe; 
Elfe idle reafon would have nought to do 5 



§ 263. The GcfpsL 
Instead of racking fancy, to refute, 
Reform thy manners, and the truth enjoy.— • 
From purer manners, to fublimer faith, 
Is nature's unavoidable afcent ; 
An honeil deift, where the gofpel fliines, 
Matur'd to nobler, in the Chriilian ends. 
When that bleft change arrives ; e'en caft afidff 
This fong fupertluou? ; life immortal ftrikes 
Conviflion, in a flood of light divine. 
A Chriilian dwells, like Uriel in the fun: 
Meridian evidence puts doubt to flight; 
And ardent hope anticipates the Ikies. 
Read, and revere the facred page ; a page 
Where triumphs immortality ; a page 
Which not the whole creation could produce ; 
Which not the conflagration fhall deftroy; 
In nature's ruins not one letter loH : 
'Tis printed in the minds of gods for ever. 



§ 264. The Myfiery of a future State^ no 

Argument againji it. 

Still feems it ftrange, that thou fhouldll live 

for ever ? ■ 
Is it lefs ftrange, that thou fliouldft live at all ? 
This is a miracle ; and that no more. 
Who gave beginning, can exclude an end ; 
Deny thou art, then, doubt if thou fhalt be. 
A miracle,, with miracles inclos'd, 
Is man ! and ftarts his faith at what is ftrange?- 
What lefs than wonders from the wonderful ? 
What lefs than miracles from God can flow ? 
Admit a God, — that myftery fupreme ! 
That caufe uncaus'd 1 all other wonders ceafe j 
Nothing is marvellous for him to do : 
Deny him — all is myftery befides. 
We nothing know, but what is marvellous : 
Yet what is marvellous, we can't believe. 
So weak our reafon, and fb great our God, 
What Jnoll furprifes in the lacred page. 
Or full as ftrange, or ftranger, muft be true. 
Faith is not reafon's labour, but repofe. 



§ 265. Hope. 
Hope, of all pafTions, moil befriends us here; 
Joy has her tears 5 and tranfport has her 
death i 

Hope, 



Book I. 



SACRED A X D MORAL. 



Hope, like a cordial, innocent, tho' ftrong, 
Mini's heait, at once, inlpirits and ferenes ; 
Nor makes him pay his wiidom for his joys; 
'Tis all our prefent Hate can fafely bear, 
Health to the frame ! and vigour to' the mind ! 
And to the modell eye chaftis'd delight! 
Like the fair fummer-evening.m.ild, andfvveet! 
'Tis man's full cup ; his paradiie below I 



§ z66. NIGHT viii. irorldly Purfuits. 
Os life's gay ilage, one inch above the grave, 
The proud nm up and down in quell of eyes : 
The ienfual, in purfuit of fomething worfe ; 
The grave, of gold i the politic, of pow t j 
And all, of other butterflies, as vain. 
As eddies draw things frivolous, and light, 
How is man's heart by vanity drawn in j 
On the nv'ift circle of returning toys, 
Whirl'd, itraw^-Iike, round and round, and then 

ingulph'd, 
Where gay delulion darkens to defpair! 



^ 267. Human Life compared to the Ocean. 

Ocean ! thou dreadful and tumultuous home 
Of dangers, at eternal war with man ! 
Death's capital ! where moil he domineers, 
With all his chofen terrors frowning round, 
Tho' lately feafted high at Albion's coil, 
Wide op'ning, and loud roaring Hill for more I 
Too faithful mirror ! how doil thou refiecl 
The melancholy face of human life ! 
The ftrong relemblance tempts me farther flill : 
And, haply, Britain may be deeper llruck 
By moral truth, in iuch a mirror feen, 
Which nature hoUs forever at her eye. 

Self-ilatter'd, unexperienc'd, high in hope, 
When young, with fmguine cheer and ilreamers 
We cut ou/cable, launch into the world, [gay. 
And fondly dream each wind and ft^r our friendj 
All in fome darling enterprife embark'd: 
But where is he can fathom its event? 
Amid a multitude of artlefs hands, 
Kuin's fure perquiilte 1 her law^ful prize -! 
Some freer aright; but the black blall blows hard. 
And pulfs them wide of hope : with hearts of 
proof 



They ftill are mea ; and when is man fecure ? 
As fatal time as ilorm ! tlie rufh of years 
Beats down their llrength : their numberlefs 

efcapes 
In ruin end : and nov/ their proud fiiccefs 
But plants new terrors on the viftor's brow: 
What pain to quit the world juil made their own, 
Their neft fo deeply down'd, and built fo high 1 
Too low they build, who build beneath the itars. 



§ 268. 'The Lo'-je of Difin^ion. 
Ambition ! pleafure 1 let us talkof thefe: 
Doll graip at greatnefs ? iirll know what it is : 
Think'ft thou'thy greatnefs in dillinftion lies ? 
Not in the feather, wave it e'er (o high, 
Is gloiy lodg'd : 'tis lodg'd in the reverfe ; 
In "that which joins, in that which equals all, 
The monarch, and his flave — "A death! tf* Ibul, 
Unbounded profpe6l, and immortal kin, 
A father God, and brothers in the ikies !" 

We wifely llrip the fteed we mean to buy : 
Judge we, in their caparilbns, of men ? 
It nought avails thee, where, but what thou art 5 
All the diilinftions of this little life 
Are quite cutaneous, foreign to the man: [creep, 
Whenthro'death'silreightsearth'sfubtileferpent3 
Which wriggle into wealth, or climb renown. 
They leave their party- colour'd robe behind. 
All that now glitters, while they rear aloft 
Their brazen crefts, and hifs at us below: 
How mean that fnuif of glory fortune lights, 
And death puts out ! doil thou demand a teil. 
A teil at once infallible and iliort, 
Of real greatnefs ? that man greatly lires, 
Whate'er his fate or fame, who greatly dies : 
High flufh'd w'th hope, where heroes fhall 
defpair. 



id, and tide, fome win their wayj 



Full again it win 
And when ftrong effort has deferv'd the port. 
And tugg'd it into view, tis won ! 'tis loil ! 
They itrike; and, while they triumph, they 

expire. 
In ftrefs of weather, moll : fome fink outright •, 
O'er them and o'er their names the billows clofe^ 
To-morrow knows not they were ever born ; 
Others a iliort memorial leave behind ; 
Like a flag floating, when the bark's ingulph'd, 
It floats a -moment, and is feen no more; 
One Cicfar lives, a thouiand are forgot. 
How few beneath auipicious plan t- born, 
With fwel ling Tails make good the prorais'd port, 
With all their vviihes freighted ! Yet even thefe, 
Fre ghted with all their wifhrs, foon complain: 



§ 269. Pleafure. 
Though fomewhat difconcerted, fleady flill 
To the v/orld's cauie, with half a face of joy, 
Lorenzo cries, " Be, then, ambition cail j 
Ambition's dearer far ilands unimpeach'd. 
Gay pleaiure ! proud ambition is her flave : 
Who can refill her charms ?" — Or, fhould ? 

Lorenzo ! 
What mortal fhall reflfl, where angels yield ? 
Pleafare's the miilrefs of etherial pow'rs ; 
Pleafure's the miflireis of the world below: 
How would all ilagnate, but for pleaiure's ray? 
What is the pulfe of this fo bufy world ? 
The love of pleafure: that, through ev'ry vein. 
Throws motion, w^armthj and fhuts out death 

from life. 
Tho' various are the tempers of mankind, 
Pleaiure's gay family holds all in chains. 
Some moft afl:e6l the black ; and fome the fair : 
Whate'er the motive, pleafure is the mark : 
For her the black aflaihn draws his fword ; 
Forher,dark ftatefmen trim theirmidnight-lamp, 
To which no Angle facriflce may fall ; 
The StOic proud, for pleafure, pleafure fcorn'dj 
[For her, aiilidlion's daughters grief indulge, 

L 4 And 



5* 



E L'E G ANT EXTRACTS, 



Book 1. 



And find, or hope, a luxury in tears : 
For her, guilt, fti;une, toil, d:inger, we defy, 
And, with an aim voluptuous, rufli on death : 
Thus univerfal her defpotic pow'r. 

Patron of pleafure ! I thy rival am; 
Pleafure, the puj'pofe of my gloomy fong. 
Pleafure is nought but virtue's gayer name — 
I wrong her ftill, I rate her woith too low : 
Virtue the root, and pleafure is the flow'r. 

The love of pleafure is man's eldeft-born. 
Born in his cradle, living to his tomb : 
W^'ifdom, her younger filler, tho' more grave. 
Was msant to miniiler, and not to mar 
Imperial pleafure, queen of human hearts. 



§ 270. Rife of Pleafure. 
First, pleafure's birth, riie, ftrengtb, and 

grandeur fee. 
Brought forth by wifdom, niirs'd by difcipline, 
By patience taught, by perfeverence crown'd, 
She rears her head majeftic ; round her throne, 
Erefled in the bofom of the juft. 
Each virtue, lifted, forms her n>anly guard : 
For what are virtues ? (formidable name !) 
What, but the fountain, or defence of joy ? 
Great legiftator ! fcarce fo great as kind ! 
If men are rational, and love delight. 
Thy gracious law but flatters human choice : 
In the tranfgreffion lies the penalty ; 
And they the molt indulge, who moll obey. 



A Deity adorM, is joy advanced; 

A Deity belov'd, is joy maturM. 

Each branch of piety delight infpires : 

Faith buildsabridgefrom thisworldto the next* 

O'er death's darkgulph, and all itshorror hidesj 

Praife, the fweet exhalation of our joy. 

That joy exalts, and makes it fweeter ftill j 

Pray'r ardent opens heaven, lets down a ftream 

Of glory, on the confecrated hour 

Of man, in audience with the Deity. 

Who worfnips the great God, that inftant joins 

The firll in heav'n, and fets his foot on hell. 



§ 27 1 . The End of Pleafure. 
Of pleafure, next, the final caufe explore ; 
Its mighty purpofe, its important end. 
Not to turn human brutal, but to build 
Divine on human, pleafure came from heav'n : 
In aid to reafon was the goddefs fent. 
To call up all its ftrength by fuch a charm, 
Pleafure firft fuccours virtue ; in return. 
Virtue gives pleafure an eternal reign. 
What, but the pleafure of food, friendfhip, faith, 
Supports life natural, civil, and divine ? 
It fen'es ourfelves, our fpecies, and our God ; 
Glide then for ever, pleafure's lacred ftream ! 
Through Eden as Euphrates ran, it runs. 
And fofters ev'r}^ growth of happy life j 
Makes a new Eden where it flows. 



§ 272. Virtue and Piety. 
" Is virtue, then, and piety the lame V 
No : — piety is morej 'tis virtue's fource ; 
Mother of ev'ry worth, as that of joy. 
With piety begins all good on earth ; 
Confcience, her firll law broken, woiinded lies; 
Enfeebled, iir'elefs, impotent to good, 
A feign 'd affection bounds her utmoft power. 
Some we can^tiove, but for the Almighty 'slake; 
A foe to God was ne'er true friend to man. 
On Diety, humanity is built ; 
And, on humanity much happinefs: 
And yet ftill more on piety itfelf. 
A Deity believ'd, isjoyb^gun; 



^273. Refources of a DejeBed Mind. 
APvT thou dejefted ? is thy mind o'ercaft ? 
Thy gloom to chafe^ go, fix fome weighty 

ti-uth ; [good J 

Chain down fome pafTion 5 do fome gen'rous 
Teach ignorance to fee ; or grisf to fmile j 
Correcl thy friend ; befriend thy greateft foe ; 
Or, with warm heart, and confidence divine. 
Spring up, and lay ftrong hold on him who made 

thee — ^ 

Thy gloom is fcatter'd, fprightly fpirits flow ; 
Tho' wither'dis thy vine, and harp unftrung. 
Doft call the bowl, the viol, and the dance, 
Loud mirth,mad laughter? wretched comforters, 
Phyliciansl more than half of thy difeafe. 
Laughter, tho' never cenfur'd yet as fin. 
Is half-immoral. Is it much indulg'd ? 
Ey venting fpleen, or diflipating thought, 



It fa 



fcorr.er, or it makes a fool 



And fins, as hurting others, or ourfelves. 
The houfe of laughter makes a houfe of woe : 
V/hat caufe for triumph, where Hi chills abound? 
What for dejedlion, where prefides a pow'r. 
Who call'd us into being to be blefs'd ? 
So grieve, as confcious grief may rife to joy ; . 
So joy, as confcious joy to grief may fall : 
Moft true ; a wife man never will be fad ; 
But neither will fonorous, bubbhng murth 
A lliallow llream of happinefs betray ; 
Too happy to be fportive, he's ferene. 

lletire, and read thy bible, to be gay. 
There truths abound of Ibv'reign aid to peace : 
Ah ! do not prize them lefs, becaufe infpir'd j 
If not infpir'd, that pregnant p::ge had Itood, 
Time's treafure ! and the wonder of the wile ! 

But thefe, thou think'ft are gloomy paths to 

True joy in funlhine ne'er was found at firft : 
They,firft,themlelves oft'end,who greatly pleafe, 
And travel only gives us found repofe. 
Heaven fells all plealure ; effort is the price ; 
The joys of conqueft are the joys of man j 
And glory the viftorious laurels fpreads 
O'er pleafure's pure, perpetual, placid ftream. 



^274. A Man of Pleafure is a Man of Pains, 
There is a time, when toil muft be preferr'd. 
Or joy, by miftim'd fondnefs is imdone. 
A man of pleafure is a man of pains. 
Thou wilt not take the trouble to be blefs'd. 

Falfe 



Bor>K L 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



53 



Falfe joys,lndeed,are bom from want of thought j 
From thoughts full bent, and energy, the true j 
And that demands a mind in equal poife, 
Remote from gloomy grief, and glaring joy. 
Much joy not only fpeaks Imall happinefs, 
But happinefs that (hortly muil expire: 
Can joy, unbottom'd in reHednon, ftand? 
And in a tcmpeft can reiie61^ion live ? 
Can joy like thine fecure itfelf an hour? 
Can joy like thine meet accident unfhock'd, 
Or ope the door to honett poverty ? 
Or talk with threat'ning death, and not turn pale? 
In fuch a world, and fuch a nature, thefe 
Are needful fundamentals of delight: 
Thefe fundamentals give delight indeed j 
Delight, pure, delicate, and durable j 
Delight, unlhaken, mafculine, divine ; 
A conltant, and a found, but ferious joy. 

Is joy the daughter of fe verity ? 
It is: yet far m.v do6lnne frorri fevere: 
** Rejoice f:r ever;" it becomes a man ; 
Exalts, and fets him nearer to the gods ; 
"Rejoice forever." Nature cries, " Rejoice j" 
And drinks to man, in her neftareous cup, 
Mix'd up of delicates for ev'iy fenfe ; 
To the great Founder of the bounteous feaft 
Drinks glory, gratitude, eternal praife ; 
And he that will not pledge her, is a churl. 
Ill fii-mly to fupport, good fully tafte, 
Is the whole i-.ience of felicity. 
Yet fparing pledge; her bowl is not the bell 
Mankind can boaft : A rational repaft ; 
Exertion, vigilance, a mind in arms, 
A military difcipline of thought, 
To foil temptation in the doubtful field ; 
An ever- waking ardour for the right, 
'Tis thefe firil give, then guard a cheerful heart. 
Nougjht that is ri^ht, think little; well aware, 



They ftand collefting ev'ry beam of thought. 
Till their hearts kindle with divine delight ; 
For all their thoughts, like angels feen of old 
In Ifrael's dream, come from and go to heav*n : 
Hence are they frudious of fequeiler'd fceues, 
Wliile noife and diflipation comfort thee. 



§ 276. Joy. 
Vain are all fudden iallies of delight; 
Convulfons of a weak, diltemper'd joy. 
Joy's a fx'd ftate ; a tenor, not a ftart; 
Blifs there is none, but unprecarious blifs : 
That is the gem; fell all, and purchafe that, 
Reafon perpetuates joy that reafon gives. 
And makes it as immortal as herfelf : 
To mortals, nought immortaf, but their worth. 



§ 277. Follies of Imagination. 
In this is feen imagination's guilt ; [thee. 

But who can count her follies ? She betrays 
To think in grandeur there'^is fomething great. 
For works of curious art, and ancient fame. 
Thy genius hungers, elegantly pain'd; 
And foreign climes muft cater for thy tafte. 
Hence what difafter ! — Tho' the price was paid. 
That perl'ecuting prieft, the Turk of Rome 
Detained thy dinner on the Latian ihore ; 
And poor magnificence is ftarv'd to deatli. 
Hence, juft refentment, indignation, ire! — 



Pleafure ccrfijls in Gccdnefs. , 
v<tt both agree, is man's chief 



§ 278. 
Pleasure, 

good ; 
Our onfy conteft,what deferves the name? [pafs'd 
Give pleafure's name to nought, but what has 
Th' authentic feal of reafon, which defies 
The tooth of tim.e ; when paft a pkalure ftill j 
Dearer on trial, lovelier for its age 



What realbn bids, God bids : by his command. And doubly to be priz'd, as it promotes 
How aggrandiz'd the fmalleft thing wo do! j Our future, while it forms our preient joy. 
Thus nothing is infipid to the wife ; | Some jovs the future overcaft ; and fome 

To thee infipid all, but what is mad ; Throw all their beams that way, and gild the 

Joys feafon'd high, and tafting ftrong of guilt, j Some joys endear eternity : fcm.e give [tomb: 
== i Abhorr'd annihilation dreadful charms. 

Are rival joys contending for thy choice ? 



§ 275.- Earth iy Happinefs. 
Consistent wifdom ever wills the fame; 
Thy fickle wifh is ever on the wnng. 
Sick of herfeif is folly's chara6ler; 
As wifdcm's is a modeft felf applaufe. 
A change of evils is thy good iupreme; 
Nor, but in motion, can ft thou find thy reft. 
Man's greateft ftrengthis ftiewn in ftanding ftill: 
The firft iure iymptom of a mind in health. 
Is reft of heart, and pleafure felt at home. 
Falfe pleafure from abroad her joys imports ; 
Rich from within, and felf-fuftain'd, the true ; 
The true is fix'd, and folid, as a rock; 
SlippVy the falie, and tofnng, as the wave ; 
'Tis love o'erflowing makes an angel here j 
Such angels all, entitled to repofe 
On him who governs fate. Tho' tempeft frowns, 
Tho' nature Ihakes, how foft to lean on heav'n I 
To lean on Him on whom archangel's lean ! 
With inward tyQ^^ and filent as the grave, 



Confult thy whole exiftence, and be iafe ; 

That oracle will put all doubt to flight : 

Be good,^>— and let heav'n anfwer for the reft. 

Yet, with a figh o'er all mankind, I grant. 
In this our day of proof, our land of hope, 
The good man has his clouds that intervene ; 
Clouds that cbfcure his fublunary day, 
But never conquer. Fv'n the beftmuft own, 
Patience, and refignation, are the pillars 
Of human peace on earth : remote from thee; 
Till this heroic leflbn thou haft learn'd ; 
To frown at pleaiiire, and to fmile in pain, 
Fir'd at the profptft of unclouded h'.iis. 
Heav'n in reverficn, like the fun as } et 
Beneath the th' horizon, cheers ks in this world; 
It Iheds, on fouls fufceptible of light. 
The glorious dawn of our eternal day. 

Now fee the man immortal; him, I meun, 
Who lives as. fuch j whofe he^rt, full bsnt on 
heav'n, Leans 



M4 



I.eruis :;1] tlirit way hii; biv^s to the ftars. 
The worlil's dark Ihades, in cojitraft fet, 

raiib 
His InitiT more; tho' bright, without a foil. 
<')bl'erve his awful portrait, and admire: 
Nor ftop at wonder; imitate and live. 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, BookT. 

§ 280. ^be Fall of the Good Man. 



iliall 



§ 279. Pi£iure of a Good Man, 

With afpe6l mild, and elevated eye, 
Eehold him feated on a mount ferene, 
Above the fogs of fenfe, and paflion's ftorm ; 
All the black cares and tumults of this life. 
Like harinlefs thunders, breaking at his feet; 
Earth's genuine ions, the fceptred and the {lave, 
A mingled mob ! a wandering herd! he fees 
J^ewilder'd in the vale; in all unlike ! 
His full reverfe in all; what higher praife ? 
What ftronger demonftration of the right ? 

The prefent all their care; the future, his: 
When public welfare calls, or private want. 
They give to f:ime ; his bounty he conceals : 
Their virtues varnilh nature ; his exalt: 
Theirs, the wild chace of falfe felicities ; 
His, the composM poflefTion of the true : 
Alike throughout is his confdtent peace, 
All of one colour, and an even thread; 
^While party-colour'd fhreds of happinefs, 
With hideous gaps between, patch up for them 
A madman's robe; each puff" of fortune blows 
The tatters by, and (hews their nakednefs. 

He fees Vv'ith other eyes than theirs; where they 
Behold a fun, he fpies a Deity; 
What makes them only fmile, makes him adore ; 
Where they fee mountains, he but atoms fees; 
An empire, in his balance, weighs a grain: 
They things terreftrial vvorlhip, as divine; 
His hopes immortal blow them by, as dull, 
Th?.t dims his fight, and fhortens his furvey. 
Which longs, in infinite, to lofe all bound : 
Titles and honours (if the}'- prove his fate) 
He lays alide, to find his dignity : 
They triumph in externals (which conceal 
Man's real glory) proud of an eclipfe; 
He nothing thinks fo great in man, as man; 
Too dear he holds his intereft, to negleft ; 
Another's welfare, or his right invade ; 
Their int'reft, like a lion's, lives on prey: 
They kindle at the fhadow of a wrong; 
Wrong he fuilains with teraper,looks on heav'n, 
Nor Hoops to think his injurer his foe ; 
Nought, but what wounds his virtue, wounds his 

peace ; 
A cover'd heart their chara61:er defends ; 
A cover'd heart denies him half his praife ; 
With nakednefs his innocence agrees; 
V/hile their broad foliage teltifies their fall ; 
Their no joys end, where his full feaft begins ; 
F? is joys create, theirs murder, future blifs : 
To triumph in exiitence, his alone; 
An({ his alone, triumphantly to think 
Kis true exiilence is not yet begun : 
H's glorious courfe was, yelterday, complete ; 
Death, then, was welcome, yet life itill is I'weet. 



But nothing charms, Lorenzo, like the firm. 
Undaunted breaft : — And whofe is that high 

praife? 
They yield to pleafure, tho' they danger brave, 
And fhew no fortitude, but in the field; 
If there they fiiew it, 'tis for g\oTy Ihown: 
Nor v/ill that cordial always man their hearts : 
A cordial his fuftains, that cannot fail : 
By pleafure unfubdu'd, unbroke by pain, 
He ihares in that omn.ipotence he truils : 
All-bearing, all-attempting, till he falls. 
And, when he fells, writes ^/C/ on his fhieldj 
From magnanimity, all fear above : 
From nobler recompenfe, above applaufe. 



§ 281. Wit and Wifdcm. 

Wit, how delicious to man's dainty tafte!— - 
'Tis precious, as the vehicle of fenfe; 
But, as its fubititute, a dire difeafe : 
Pernicious talent! fiatter'd by mankind, 
Yet hated too ; they think the talent rare. 
Wifdorn is rare, Lorenzo! wit abounds; 
PafTion can give it ; foraetimes wine infpires 
The lucky flalli; and madnefs rarely fails. 
Whatever caufe the fpirit ftrongly itirs, 
Confers the bays, and rivals thy renown ; 
Chance often hits it ; and, to pique thee more. 
See duilnefs blund'ring on vivacities. 
But wifdom. awful wiidom 1 vvhich infpefts, 
Difcerns, compares, weighs, feparates, infers. 
Seizes the right, and holds it to the laft; 
How rare ! In fenates, fynods, fought in vain ; 
Or, if there found, 'tis facred to the few. 
While a loud prollitute to multitudes. 
Frequent as fatal, wit. In civil life, 
Wit makes an enterprifer; fenfe, a man : 
Senfe is our helmet, wit is but the plume; 
The plume expol'es, 'tis our helmet faves: 
Senfe is the diamond, weighty, folid, found 5 
When cut by wit, it cafts a brighter beam ; 
Yet, wit apart, it is a diamond ftill : 
Wit, widow'd of good fenfe, is worfe than 
It hoifts more fail to run againft a rock, [nought ; 

How iniinous the rock I warn thee fhun. 
Where fyrens fit, to fing thee to thy fi-ite 1 
Let not the cooings of the world allure thee ; 
Which of her lovers ever found her true ? 
Happy ! of this bad world who little know ; 
She gives but little ; nor that little, long. 
There is, I grant, a triumph of the pulfe j 
A dance of fpirits, a mere froth of joy. 
That mantles high, that fparkles and expires. 
Leaving the foul more vapid than befere ; 
An animal ovation! fuch as holds 
No commerce with our reafon, but fubfiils 
On juices thro'thewell-ton'dtubes,wel}-ilrain'd; 
A nice machine ! fcarce ever tun'd aright j 
But when it jars, tlie fyrens fing no more. 
The demi-god is thrown bsneath the manj 
In coward gloom immers'd, or fell defpair. 

^ 282. 



^ookI. SACPvED 

§ ^8a. Falfe Gaiety ends in Defpair. 
They grin; but wherefore? and how long 

they laugh ? 
Half ignorancertheir mirth; and half, a lie : 
To cheat the world, and cheat themfelves, they 

fmile. 
Hard either taflc ! The moft abandoned own, 
That others, if abandon'd, are undone: 
Then, for themfelves, the moment reafon wakes, 
O how laborious is their gaiety! 
They fcarce can mufter patience for the farce; 
And pump fad laughter, till the curtain falls : 
Scarce, did I fay ? Some cannot fit it out ; 
Oft their own daring hands the curtain draw, 
And fliew us what their joy, by their defpair. 

The clotted hair! gor'd breaftl blafpheming 
Its impious fury ftill alive in death! [eye! 

Shut,{liuttlie{liockingfcene. — But heav'n denies 
A cover to fuch guilt; and fo fliould man. 
Look round, Lorenzo ! fee the reeking blade; 
Th' envenom'd phial, and the fatal ball ; 
The ftrangling cord, and fuffocating ftream ; 
The loathfome rottennefs and foul decays 
From raging riot (flower fuicides !), 
And pride in thefe, more execrable ftill ! — 
How horrid all to thought! — But horrors, thefe, 
That vouch the truth, and aid my feeble fong. 



AND MORAL; 



>5$ 



§ 283. NIGHT IX. Reflexions on Death. 
Where the prime adlors of the laft year's 
fcene; [plume? 

Their port fo proud, their buflcin, and their 
How many fleep^ who kept the world awake 
With luftre,and with noife?HasDeathproclaimM 
A truce, and hung his fated lance on high ? 
'Tis brandifhM ftill; nor fhall the prefent year 
Be more tenacious of her human leaf, 
Or fpread of feeble life a thinner fall. 

But needlefs monuments to wake the thought; 
Life's gayeft fcenes fpeak man's mortality, 
Tho' in a ftyle more florid, full as plain, 
As maufolcums, pyramids, and tombs. 
What are our nobleft ornaments, but deaths 
Turn'd flatterers of life, in paint, or marble, 
The weli-llain'd canvas, or the featur'd Itone? 
Our fathers grace, or rather haunt, the fcene ; 
Joy peoples her pavilion from the dead. • 

" Profeft diverfions ! cannot thefe eicape ?" 
Far from it; thefe prefent us with a fhroud, 
And talk of death, like garlands o'er the grave. 
As fome bold plunderers, for buried wealth. 
We ranlack tombs for paftime ; from the duft 
Call up the fleeping hero; bid him tread 
The fcene for our amufement: how like gods 
We fit; and, wrapt in immortality, 
Shed gen -rous tears on wretches born to die; 
Their fate deploring, to forget our own I 



And is the ceiling of her fle«ping fons t 
O'er devaftation we blind revels keep; 
Whole buried towns fupportthe dancer's heeU 
The moift of human frame the fun exhales ; 
Winds fcatter, thro' the mighty void, the drj^; 
Earth re-pofleifes part of what flie gave. 
And the freed fpirit mounts on wings of fire; 
Each element partakes our fcatter'd ipoils ; 
As nature wide, our ruins fpread : man's deatln 
Inhabits all things, but the thought of man. 



§285. The Triumphs of Death. 
Nor man alone; his breathing buft expires; 
His tomb is mortal; empires die; Where now 
TheRoman? Greek? Theyfl:alk,an empty name! 
Yet few regard them in this ufeful light ; 
Tho' half our learning is their epitaph. [thought. 
When down thy vale, unlock'd by midnight 
That loves to wander in thy funlefs realms, 

Death ! I fliretch my view; what vifions rife! 
What triumphs ! toils imperial ! arts divine 1 
In wither'd laurels, glide before my fight ! 
What lengths of for-fam'd ages, billow'd high 
With human agitation, roll along 

In unfubftantial images of air ! 

The melancholy gholls of dead renown, 

Whifp'ring faint echoes of the world's applaufe. 

With penitential afpeft, as they pafs. 

All point at earth, and hifs at human pride. 

§ 286. Deluge and Conflagration. 
But, O Lorenzo ! far the rell above. 
Of ghaftly nature, and enormous lize, 
One form aflaults ray iight, and chills my blood. 
And fliakes my frame : of one departed world 

1 fee the mighty fliadov^ ; oozy wreath 

And dii'mal fea-weed crown her^ o'er her urn 
Reclin'.d, flie weeps her delblated realms, 
And bloated fons; and, weeping, prophefies 
Another's diflolution, foon, in flames. 

Deluge and Conflagration, dreadful pow'rsi 
Prime rainilters of vengeance ! chain'd in caves 
Diftinft, apart the giant-furies roar; 
Apart; or, fiich their horrid rage for ruin, 
In mutual confli6l would they rife, and wage 
Eternal war, till one was quite devoured: 
But not for this ordain'd their boundlefs rage; 
When heaven's inferior inftruments of wrath, 
War, famine, peftilence, are found too weak 
To fcourge a world for her enormous crimes ; 
Thefe are let loofe, alternate : down they rufli. 
Swift and tempeftuous, from th' eternal throne. 
With irreflftible commiiuon arm'd. 
The world, in vain corredled, to defl:roy. 
And eafe creation of the fliocking fcene. 



§ 184. The World a Gra-ve. 
What is the world itfelf? thy world ?-r^a 

grave ? 
Where is the duft that has not been alive ? 
The fpade, the plough, difturb our anceftors ; 
From human mould we reap our daily bread : 
Tiieglobe around earth'5 hoUo^y furface Ihakes^ j See;, all the formidable fons of fire, 



§ 287. The Lafl Day. 
See ST thou, Lorenzo ! what depends on man \ 
The fate of nature ; as, for man, her birth : 
Earth's aftors change earth's tranfitory fcenes. 
And make creation groan with human gnih : 
How muft it groan, in a new deluge whelm'd ; 
But not of waters ? at the deftin'd hour, 
By the loud trumpet fummon'd to the charge. 



Irruptions, 



156 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



Enintions, earthquakes, comets,lightnings,play 
Their various engines 5 all at once dilgorge 
Their blazing magazines ; and take by Itorm 
This poor terreltrial citadel of man. 

Amazing period ; when each m.ountain-height 
Out-burns Vefuvius; rocks eternal pour 
Their melted mafs, as rivers once they pourM; 
Stars rufh ; and final Ruin fiercely di'ives 
Her ploughOiare o'er creation 1— while aloft 
More than allonifhment! if more can be I 
Far other firmament than e'er was leen, 
Than e'er was thought by man ! far other fiars ! 
Stars animate, that govern thefe of fire : 
Far other fun ! — A^lun, O how unlike 
The babe at Bethlem ! How unlike the man 
That groan'd on Calvary! — Yet, He it is; 
That man of forrows ! O hov.' changed ! What 
In grandeur terrible, all heav'ndei'cend ![pomp! 
A fwift archangel, with his golden wing. 
As blots and clouds, that darken and difgrace 
The fcene divine, fweeps ftars and funs afide: 
Andnow,all drofs remov'djheav'irsownpureday, 
Full on the confines of our ether, flames. 
While (dreadful contraftr) f.ir,hov\'- far beneath! 
Hell burlling, belches forth her blazing feas, 
And ftornis fulphureous : her voracious jaws 
Expanding wide, and roaring for herprey[peace, 

At midnight, when mankind is wrapped in 
And worldly fancy feeds on golden dreams, 
Man, ftarting from his couch, jTiail deep no more, 
Above, around, beneath, amazement all! 
Terror and glory join'd in their extremes ! 
Our God in grandeur, and our wjrld on fire ! 
All nature ftruggling in the pangs of death ! 
DoH thou nor hear her? doft thou not deplore 
Her ib'ong convulfions, and her iinal groan.? 
Where arc we now ? Ah me ! the ground is gone, 
On which we flood ! Lorenzo ! while thou niaylt, 
Provide more firm fupport, or fink for ever ! 
W^here? how? from whence? Vain hope! it is 

too late I 
Where, where, for flielter, fliall the guilty fly, 
When confiernation turns the good man pale? 

Great day! for which all other days were m.ade; 
For which earth rofe from chaos'; man from earth; 
And an Eternity, the date of Gods, 
Defcended on poor-earth created man 1 
Great day of dread, decifion, and del'pair ! 
At thought of thee, each fublunary wifli 
JLets go its eager grafp, and drops the world; 
And catches at each reed of hope in heav'n. 
Already is begun the grand afiize, 
In us, in all : deputed confcience fcales 
The dread tribunal, and foreilalis.our doom; 
Forellalls; and by foreftalling, proves it lure. 
Why on himfelf fhould man void judgment pafs? 
Is idle nature laughing at herfons? 
Who confcience ient, her fentence will fupport. 
And God above aflert that God in man. 



§ 288. TboughtlefsnefsofthelaJlDay. 
Thrice happy they, that enter now the court 
Heav'n opens in their bofoms: but, how rare ? 
Ah me ! that magnanimity, how rare ! 



What hero, like the man who ftands himfelf, 
Who cVires to meet his naked heart alone ? 
Woo hears intrepid the full charge it brings, 
RefblvM to filence future murmurs there? 
The coward flies; and, flying, is undone. 

Shall all, but man, look out with ardent eye, 
Fv)r that great day, which was ordain'd for man ? 

day of confutnmation ! mark fupreme 

(If men are wife) of human thought ! nor lead, 
O: in the (ig Wt of angeis, or their King ! 
Ange!s,wtH)fe radiant circles, height o'er height, 
As in a theatre furround this (crne. 
Intent on man and anxious i<y: his fate, 
Angels look out for thee; for thee, their Lord, 
To vindicate his glory; and for thee, 
Creation univerfa. calls aloud, 
To difinvolve the moral world, and give 
To nature's renovation brighter charms. 

Shall man alone, whole fate, whofe final fate, 
Hangs on that hour,exciudeit from his thought? 

1 think of nothing elfe; I lee! I feel it ! 

All nature, likean earthquake, trembling round! 

I fee the Judge enthron'd ! the fianung guard! 

The volume open'd ! open'd evVy heart ! 

A fun-beam pointing out each lecret thought ! 

No patron ! intercefior none ! now pyil 

The fweet, the clement, mediatorial hour! 

For guilt no plea ! to pain no paufe ! no bound ! 

Inexorable, all ! ajid all extreme ! 

Nor man alone ; the focr of God and man, 

From his dark den, blafnhemLng, drags his chain, 

And rears his brazen front, with thunder fcarr'd; 

Like meteoi-s in a icormy iky, how roil 

His baleful eyes ! he curies whom he dreads, 

And deems it the firit mom-'nt of his fall, 



§ 289 Eternity end Time. 
'Tis prefent to my thought I — And, yet, 

where is it? 
Say, Thou great clofe of human hopes and fears ! 
Great key of hearts ! great finilher of fates ! 
Great tnd. \ and great beginning! fay, where art 
Art thou in time, or in eternity ? [Thou ? 

Nor in eterni;:y, nor time, I find thee ! 
Thefe, as two monarchs, on their borders meet 
(Monarchs of all elaps'd, or un-amv'd !) 
As in debate, how bell their powVs ally'd. 
May fwe!l the grandeur, or difcharge the wrath, 
Of him, wliom both their monarchies obey. 

Timp,th;s valf fabric forhimbuilt(and doom'd 
With him to fail) now burfli^ng o'er his head; 
His lamp, the fun, extinguilh'd, calls his Ions 
From their long llumber; from earth's heaving 

womb 
To fecond birth ; upfiarting from one bed j 
He turns them o'er, eternity ! to thee: 
Then (as a king depos'd difdains to live 
He falls on his own fcythe ; nor falls alone ; 
His greatell (ot fails with him ; time, and he 
Who murder'd all time's oflspring,death,expire. 

Time was ! eternity now reigns alone ! 
Andlo! hertwice tenthoufandgatesthrown wide. 
With banners, ftreaming as the comets blaze. 
And clarions, louder than the deep in Itorms, 
Pour forth their myriads,potentate5,and pow'rs, 

Of 



Book L 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



S7 



Of light, of darknefs; in a middle field, 
Wide as creation ! there to mark th* event 
Of that great drama, whole preceding fcenes 
Detain'd them clofe ipe6tators, thro' a length 
Of ages, rip'ning to this grand relviit j 
Ages, as yet unnumbered hut by God; 
Who, now, pronouncing entencc, vindicates 
The rights of virtue, and his own renown. 

Eternity, the various fentence pail, 
Affigns the fever'd throng dillinft abodes, 
Sulphureous or ambronal: What enfues ? 
The goddefs, with determin'd alpeft, turns 
Her adamantine key\s enormous fize 
Thro' deftiny's inextricable wards, 
Deep-driving ev'ry bolt; on both their fates ; 
Then from the cryftal battlements of heav'n, 
Down,down,{lie hurls itthro' the dark profound 
Ten thoufand thoufand fathom ; there to ruit. 
And ne'er unlock her refolution raoie. 
The deep refounds,and helUthro' all her glooms, 
Returns, in groans, the melancholy roar. 



And f:ited to furvive the tranfient fun 1 
A Harry crowd thy raven-brow adorns, [loom 
An azure zone, thy vvaift; clouds, in heav'n's 
Wrought thro' varieties of fhape and fhade, 
In a;nple folds of drapery divine, [out. 

Thy flowing mantle form, and, heav'n through- 
Voiuminoufly pour thy pompous train: • 
rhy gloomy grandeurs claim a grateful verfe. 
And, like a lable curtain llarr'd with gold. 
Drawn o'ermy labours pait, fhall clofe the fcene. 



§ 290. The unreafonablenefs of Complaint. 
Wh at then ain I : — 

Amidft applauding worlds. 
And worlds celeitial, is there found on earth, 
A peevifh, diffonant, rebellious llring, 
Which jars in the grand choras,and complains? 
All, all is right, by God ordain'd, or done j 
And who, but God,refum'd the friends hegave? 
And have I been complaining, then, i'o long ? — 
Complaining of his favours j pain, and death ? 
Who without pain's advice would e'er be good ? 
Who wdthaut death, but would be good in vain? 
Pain is to fave from pain ! all punifhment, 
To make for peace! and death to fave from death! 
And fecond death to guard immortal life; 
To roufe the carelefs, the prefumptuous awe. 
And turn the tide of fouls another wayj 
By the fame tendernefs divine ordain'd, 
That planted Eden, and high- bloom'd for man, 
A fairer Eden, enctlefs in the fkies. 



§ 293. Regularity of the Heanjenly Bodies. 
Nor think thou feeft a wild difbrder here j 
Thro' this iiluitrious chaos, to the fight. 
Arrangement neat, and chafteft order, reign. 
The path prefcrib'd, inviolably kept. 
Upbraids the lawlefs faliies of mankind : 
Worlds, ever thwarting, never interfere ; 
They rove for ever, without error rove: 
Confufion unconfus'd ! nor lefs admire 
This tumult untumultuous : all on wing/ 
In motion, all ! yet what profound repole 1 
What fervid aftion, yet no noife ! as aw'd 
To fiknce by the prefence of their Lord ; 
Or hulh'd, by his command, in love to man. 
And bid let ftU foft beams on human reft, 
RelHels themlelves. On yon cerulean plain. 
In exultation to their God and thine, 
They dance, they fing eternal jubilee. 
Eternal celebration of his praile : 
But, fmce their fong arrives not at cur ear. 
Their dance perplex'd exhibits to the fight 
Fair hieroglyphic of his peerlefs power: 
Mark, how, the labyrinthian turns they take, 
The circles intricate, and myflic maze. 
Weave the grand cypher of Omnipotence; 
To Gods, how great! how leHble to man ? 



§291. Grief and Joy. 
Let impious grief be banifli'd, joy indulg'd. 
But chieiiy then, when grief puts in her claim: 
Joy from the joyous, frequently betrays, 
Oft lives in vanity, and dies in woe : 
Joy araidil ills, corroborates, exalts ; 
'Tis joy and conquell ; joy, and virtue too : 
A noble fortitude in ills, delights 
Heay"*!!, earth, ourfelves ; 'tis duty, glory, peace. 
Affliction is the good man's fliining Icene ; 
Proiperity conceals his brighteft ray : 
As night to ftars, woe luftre gives to man: 
Heroes in battle, pilots in the ftorm. 
And virtue in calamities, admire. 
The crown of manhood is a winter joy; 
An ever-green, that ftands the northern blaft. 
And blolloms in the rigour of our fate. 



§ 292. Night. 

• O Maje-Stic Night! 

Nature's great ancellor 1 day's elder-born 



§ 294. Miracles. 
And yet Lorenzo calls for miracles, 
To give his tott'ring faith a folid bafe: 
Why call for lefs than is already thine ? 
Say, which imports more plenti'tude of power. 
Or nature's laws to fix, or to repeal ? 
To make a fun, or flop his mid-career ? 
To countermand his orders, and fend back 
The flaming courier to the frighted eafl. 
Or bid the moon, gs with her "journey tir'd. 
In Ajalon's foft, flow'ry vale repofe ? 
Great things are thefe ; ftill greater, to create. 
From Adam's bow'r look down thro' the whole 
Of miracles ; — refiflrlefs is their pow'r ? [train 
They do not, cannot, more amaze the mind, 
Than this, call'd un-miraculous fiirvey. 
Say 'ft thou, " The courfe of nature governs allf" 
The courfe of nature is the art of God : 
The miracles thou call'ft for, this atteft; 
For, fay, could nature nature's courfe controul^ 



§ 295. Nature the Foe of Scepticifm. 
Open thy bofom, iet thy wiu'-.tes wide. 
And let in manhood ; et in happinefs j 
Admit the boundlefs theatre of thought 
From nothing up to God ; which makes a man: 
Take God from nature, nothi:i^- great is left • 

Man's 



Ts8 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Sock L 



Man^s mind is in a pit, and nothing fees: 
Emerge from thy profound ; ere6l thine eye ; 
Sse thy diltrefs ! how clofe art thou befieg'd ! 
Befieg'd by nature, the proud fceptic's foe 1 
InclosM by thefe innumerable worlds, 
Sparkling conviction on the darkefl mind, 
As in a golden net of providence, 
How art thou caught ! lure captive of belief! 
From this thy blelt captivity, what art, 
What blafphemy to reafon fets thee free ? 
This fcene is heaven's indulgent violence : 
Canft thou bear up againft this tide of gloiy ? 
W'"hat i^ earth bofom'd in the ambient orbs, 
But f:uth in God impos'd, and prefs'd on man? 
God is a fpirit ; fpirit cannot llrike 
Thefe grois, material, organs ; God by Jiian 
As much is xeen, as man a God can fee, 
In thefe aftoniilnng exploits of power: 
What order, beauty, motion, diftance, fize 1 
Aptmeans! great ends! confent to general good! 
Each attribute of thefe material gods, 
A fepai"ate conquell gains o'er rebel thought j 
And leads in triumph the whole mind of man. 



§ 296. Reafon s for Belief 
"What am I? and from whence r — I noticing 

know, 
But that I am 5 and, fmce I am, conclude 
Something eternal : had there e'er been nought, 
Nought Itill had been : eternal there rauft be : 
But what eternal ? — ^Why not human race ; 
And Adam's anceftors without an end ? 
That's hard to be conceiv'd; fmce every link 
Of that long-chain'd fucceflion is fo frail 5 
Can every part depend, and^not the whole ? 
Yet grant it true j new difficulties rife; [too ? 
Whence earth, and thefe bright orbs ?— eternal 
Grant matter was eternal ; (till thefe orbs 
Would want fome other father : — much defign 
Is fedn in all their motions, all their makes : 
Defign implies intelligence, and art : 
That can't be from theralelves, orman: that art 
Man fcarce can comprehend, could man bellow ? 
And nothing greater, yet allow'd, than man. — 
Who, motion, foreign to the fmallell grain. 
Shot thro' vail inalles of enormous weight ? 
Who bid brute matter's rellive lump aifume 
Such various forms, and gave it wings to fly ? 
Has matter innate motion ? Then each atom, 
Alferting its indifputable right 
To dance, w^ould form an univerfe of dull : 
Has matter none? Then whence thele glorious 

forms, [pos'd ? 

And boundiefs flights, from fliapelefs, and re- 
Has matter more than motion ? has it thought, 
Judgment, and genius ? Is it deeply iearn'd 
In mathematics ? Has it fram'd fuch laws, 
Which, but to guefs, a New ton made immortal * 
If lb, how each i't^-^e atom laughs at me, 
Who think a clod inferior to a man ! 
If art, to form; and council, to condu6l; 
And that with greater far than human (kill ; 
ilefides not inerich block, — a Godhead reigns.— 
G.aut rh-ji, inviliblC; ctern^il, mind j 



That granted, all is folv'd. — But, granting that 
Draw I not o'er me ftill a darker cloud ? 
Grant I not that which I can ne'er conceive ? 
A being without origin, or end ! 
Hail, human liberty ! There is no God. 
Yet why ? on either fcheme the knot fubliftss 
Subfill it muft, in God, or human race : 
If in the laft, how many knots befide, 
IndiflToluble all ? — why choofe it there. 
Where, chofen, ilill fubliR ten thoufand more? 
Reieft it ] where that chofen, all the reft 
Difpers'd, leave reafon's whole horizon clear? 
What vail preponderance is here I Can reafon 
With louder voice exclaim. — Believe a God ? 
Wliat things im.pofTible muft man think true. 
On any other fyftem ? and how ftr-ange 
To dilbelieve, through mere credulity !'* 



§ 297. The Ponver of God bifmte.. 
Can man conceive beyond what God can do ? 
Nothing, but quite-inipoflible, is hard; 
He fummons into being, with like eafe, 
A whole creation, and a Angle grain, [born!— 
Speaks he the word ? a thoul'and worlds are 
A thoufand worlds ? there's fpace for millions 
And in what fpace can his great fiat fail r [more; 
Still feems my thought enormous? Think, 
again;— 
Experience felf Ihall aid thy lam.e belief: 
Glafles (that revelation to the fight!) 
Have they not led us deep in the difclofe^ 
Of fine-fpun nature, exqiiifitely fmall ; 
And, tho' demonftrated, ftill iil-conceiv'd? 
If, then, on thereverfe, the mind would mount 
In magnitude, what mind can mount too far. 
To keep the balance, and creation poife ? 
Stupendous Architedl I Thou, Thou art all ! 
My foul flies up and down in thoughts of Thee, 
And finds herfelf but at the centre Itill ! . 
I Am, thy name ! exiftence all thine own ! 
Creation's nothing; flatter'd much, if llyl'd 
" The thin, ,the fleeting atmofphere of God.'* 



§ 298. Tie World fufficient for Man, Con- , 
templatmi cf the Heavens. 
Yet why drown fancy in fuch depths as thefe ? 
Return, prefumptuous rover ! and confefs 
The bounds of man; nor blame them,as toofmalU 
Enjoy we not full icope in what is feen.'' 
Full ample the dominions of the fun ! 
Full glorious to behold ! how far, how wide, 
Thematchlefs monarch from his flaming throne, 
Lavifh of luftre, throws his beam.s about him, 
Farther, and faller, than a thought can fly. 
And feeds his planets with 'eternal fires ? 
Beyond this city, why llrays human thought ? 
One wonderful, enough for man to know! 
One firniament, enough for man to read ! 
Nor is inllruftion, here, our only gain ; 
There dwells a nobler pathos in the Ikies, 
Which warms our pafl!ions, profelytes our hearts ; 
How^ eloquently (hines the glowing pole ! 
With what authority it gives its charge, 
Reinonftratin": great truths in llyle fublime, 

Tho' 



OOK 



S A C R E ri AND MORAL. 



^59 



Tho' filent, loud ! heard earth around 5 above 
The planets heard ; and not unheard in hell j 
Hell has its wonder, tho' too proud to praife. 

Divine inftrudlor ! thy firll vohime, this, 
For man's perufal ; all in capitals ! 
In moon, and ftars (heaven's golden alphabet !,) 
Emblaz'd toleize the fight j who runs, may read ; 
Who reads, can underltand : 'tis unconfin'd, 
To Chrjftian land, or Jewry; fairly writ 
in language univerfal, to mankind: 
A language, lofty to the learn'd : yet plain. 
To thofe that feed the flock, or guide the plough. 
Or from its hulk ilrike out the bounding grain ! 
A language, worthy the great mind that fpeaks ! 
Preface, and comment, to the facred page ! 
Stupendous book of wifdom, to the wile ! 
Stupendous book ! and open'd, Night ! by thee. 

By thee much open'd, I confefs, O Night ! 
Yet more I wilh ; fay, gentle Night ! wliofe beams 
Give us a new creation, and prefent 
The world's great pifture, foften'd to the fight; 
Say, thou, whole mild dominion's filver key 
Unlocks our hemifphere, and fcts to view 
Worlds beyond number; w^orlds conceal'd by day 
Behind the proud, and envious, ftar of noon! 
Canlt thou not draw a deeper fccne ? — and fliew 
The mighty potentate, to whom belong 
Thefe rich regalia, pompoully difp]ay'd.> 

for a glimple of Jiim my foul adores ! 

As the chas'd hart, amid the defert walfe, [her. 
Pants for the living Itream; for him who made 
So pants the thirlty foul, amid the blank 
Of fubl unary jo)^?: fay,goddefs! where? [throne? 
Where blazes his bright court ? where burns his 
Thou kiu)w'it ; for thou art near him 3 by thee, 
His grand pavilion, facred fame reports, [round 
The fable curtain's drawn, if not, can none 
Of thy fiiir daughter-train, fo fwift of wing, 
Who travel far, difcover where he dwells ? 
A liar his dwelling pointed out below: 
Say, ye, who guide the wilder'd in the waves, 
On which hand mult I bend my courfe to find 

him ? 
Thefe courtiers keep the fecret of their king} 

1 wake whole nights, in vain, to fteal it from 
In ardent contemplation's rapid car, [them. 

From earth, as from my barrier^ I fet out: 
How fwift I mount! diminifn'd earth recedes; 
I pafs the moon ; and, from her further fide, 
Pierceheaven'sblue curtain ; paule at every planet, 
And alk for him, who gives their orbs to roll. 
From Saturn's ring, I take my bolder flight. 
Amid thofe fovereign glories of the Ikies, 
Of independant, native luftre, proud, 
The Ibul.s of lyltem ! — What behold I now ? 
A wildernefs of wondt;rs burning round; 
Where larger funs inherit higher fpheres j 
Nor halt I here ; ray toil is but begun ; 
^Tis but the threlhold of the Deity; 
Or, far beneath it, 1 am grovehing Hill. 



Without, or ftar, or angel, for their guide. 
Who worlhip God, Ihall find him: humble loVe, 
And not proud reafon, keeps the door of heaven j 
Love finds admifiion, where proud fcience fails. 
Man's fcience is the culture of his heart; 
And not to lofe his plummet in the depths 
Of nature, or the more profound of God: _ 
To fathom nature; (ill attempted here !) 
Fall doubt, is deep philolbphy above ; 
Higher degrees in blifs archangels take. 
As deeper learn'd; the deepell, learning Hill: 
For, what a thunder of omnipotence 
Is i'een in all ! in man ! in earth! in Ikies t 
Teaching this lellbn, pride is loth to learn— 
' Not deeply to difcern, not much to know, 
■* Mankind was born to wonder and adore.'* 



§ 300. T7,'e Greatnefs cf God inexprejjihle, 
" O WHAT a root ! O what a branch is here I 
O what a father ! what a family ! 
Worlds! fyftems! and creations! — and creations. 
In one agglomerated duller, hung, 
Great Vine ! on thee : on thee the duller hangs 5 
\ht filial duller! infinitely fpread 
In glowing globes, with various being fraught; 
Qt, Ihall 1 lay (for who can fay enough ?) 
A conllellation of ten thoufand g^nis, 
Set in one fignet, flames on the nght-hand 
Of majelly divine ! the blazing leal. 
That deeply llamps, on all created mind. 
Indelible, his fovereign attributes 
Omnipotence and love: nor Hop we here, 
For want of power in God, but thought in man. 
If greater aught, that greater all is thine. 
Dread Sire! — Accept this miniature of theej 
And pardon an attempt from mortal thought, 
In whicharchangels mighthavefairdjUnblanrd." 



§ 299. Man's Science the Culture of his Heart. 
'Tis not the curious, but the pious path, 
Tliat leads me to my poij)t; Lorenzo^ know, 



§ 301. The Miferyof Sin. 
O Thou, ambitious of dilgiace alone? 
Rank coward to the falhionable world ! 
Art thou a&am'd- to bend thy knee to heaven f- 
Not all thefe luminaries, quenph'd at once. 
Were half fo fad, as one benighted mind. 
Which gropes for happinefs, and meets defpair. 
How, like a widow in her weeds, the night, 
Aiuid her glimmering tapers,. filent fits ! 
How forrowful, how defoiate, fhe weeps 
Perpetual dews, and faddens nature's fcene ! 
A fcene more fad fin makes the darken'd foul j 
All comfort kills, nor leaves one fpark alive. 



§ 302. Reafon. 
Tho' blind of heart, Hill open is thine eyej 
Why fuch magnificence in all thou feell ? 
Of matter's grandeur, know, one end is this. 
To tell the rational, who gazes on it — 
Tho' that immenlely great, Hill greater he, 
Whole breall, capacious, can embrace, and lodge, 
Unburthen'd, nature's univerfal fchenie ; - 
Can grafp creation vv'ith a fingle thought; 
Creafion gralp ; and not exclude its fire — 
To tell him farther — It behoves liim much 
To guard the important, yet-deoending, fat.e 

Of 



i6o 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



Of being-, brighter than a thouTand funs; 
One fingle ray of thought outfliines them all. 



§ 303. Man. 
O Thou moft awful being! and moll vain ! 
Thy will, how frail ! how glorious is thy power ! 
Tho' dread eternity has (own her feeds 
Of blifs, and woe, in thy defpotic breaft; 
Tho' heaven and hell depend upon thy thought, 
A butterfly comes crofs, and both are fled. 
IVIy folemn night-born adjuration hear; 
Hear, and I '11 raife thy fpirit from the dull. 



§ 304. Death. 
By filence, death's peculiar attribute ! 
By darknefs, guilt's inevitable doom : 
By darknefs, and by filence, fillers dread ! 
That draw the curtain round night's ebon throne. 
And raife ideas, folemn as the fcene : 
By night, and all of awful, night prefcnts 
To thought, or fenfe, by thefe her trembl ing fires, 
By thefe bright orators, that prove and praife. 
And prefs thee to revere, the Deity : 
Perhaps, too, aid thee, when rever'd a while. 
To reach his throne j ar> Itages of the foul. 
Thro' which, at different periods, ihe (hall pafs. 
Refining gradual, for her final height; 
And purging off fome drofs at everv fphere : 
By this dark pall thrown o'er the filent world : 
By the world's kings, and kingdoms, naofl 

renown'd, 
From lliort ambition's zenith fet for ever; 
By the long lift of fwift mortality, 
From Adam downward to this evening's knell. 
Which midnight waves in fancy's ftartled eyej 
And fhocks her with a hundred centuries 
Rounddeath's black banner throng'd, in human 

thought : 
By thoufands, now, refigning their laft breath. 
And calling thee—wert thou fo wife to hear : 
By tombs o'er tombs arifing, human earth ; 
Ejefted, to make room for — human earth ; 
By pompous obfequies, that fliun the day. 
The torch funereal, and the nodding plume, 
Boaft of our ruin ! triumph of our dull ! 
By the damp vault that weeps o'er royal bones ; 
And the pale lamp, that fliews the ghaftly dead, 
More ghaftly thro' the thick-incumbent gloom ! 
By vifits (if there are) from darker fcenes, 
The gliding fpe6lre ! and the groaning grove ! 
By groans and graves, and miferies that groan 
For the grave's fhelter: by delponding men, 
Senfelefs to pains of death, from pangs of guilt : 
By guilt's laft audit : by yon moon in blood. 
The rocking firmament, the falling ftars, 
And thunder's laft difcharge, great nature's 
By fecond chans; and eternal night — [knell ! 
Be wife— nor let Philander blame my charm j 
But own not ill-difcharg'd my double debt. 
Love to the living ; duty to the dead. 



§ 305. RefleSIions on Sleep. 
But oh 1 — my fpirits fail ! — lleep's dewy wand 
Has ftrok'd my drooping lids to foft repofe ; 

7 



Hafte,hafte,fweet ftranger! from the peafant's cot ! 
The fliip-boy's hammock, or the foldier's ftraw. 
When ceforrow never chas'd thee: with theebring 
Not hideous vifions, as of late; but draughts 
Delicious of well-tafted, cordial, reft; 
Man's rich rellorative; his balmy bath. 
That fupplies, lubricates, and keeps in play, 
The various movements of this nice machine. 
Sleep winds us up for the fucceeding dawn ; 
Frefh we fpin on, till ficknefs clogs our wheels. 
Or death quite breaks the fpring, and motion 
When will it end with me ? [ends. 

—Thou only know'ft, 
Thou, whofe broad eye the future and the paft 
Joins to the prefent; thou, and thou alone. 
All-knowing ! — all unknown I and yet well 
Thee, tlio' invifible, for ever feen ! [ known ! 
And {een in all the great, and the minute, 
Each globe above, with its gigantic race. 
Each flower, each leaf, with its fmall people 
fwarm'd, [declare 

To the firft thought, that afks, from whence ? 
Their common fource, thou fountain running 
In rivers of communicated joy I [o'er 

Whogav'ft us fpeech for far, far humblerthem.es 1 
Say, by what name ftiall I prefume to call 
Him I fee burning in thefe countlefs funs. 
As Mofes in the bufti ? illuftrious mind ! 
How fliall I name Thee ? — how my labouring foul 
Heaves underneath the thought, too big for birth! 



§ 306. Addrefs to the Trinity, 
Great fyftem of perfeftions ! mighty caafe 
Of nature, that luxuriant growth of God, 
Father of this immeafurable mafs 
Of matter multiform : mov'd, or at reft: 
Father of thefe bright millions of the night! 
Of which the leaft full Godhead had proclaim'd. 
Father of matter's temporary lords! 
Father of fpirits ! nobler offspring ! fparks p. 

Of high paternal glory; rich-endow 'd 
With various mealiires,and with various modes 
Of inftinft, reafcn, intuition; beams 
More pale, or bright from day divine, that raife 
Each over other in fuperior light. 
Till the laft ripens into luftre itrong 
Of next approach to Godhead : Father kind 
Of intellectual beings I beings bleft 
With powers to pleafe thee : not of pafiive ply 
To laws they know not; beings lodg'd in feat* 
Of well adapted joys ; in different domes 
Of this iniperial palace for thy fons. 
Or, oh! indulge, immortal King ! indulge 
A title, lefs augult indeed, but more 
Endearing; ah ! how fweet in human ears ! 
Father of immortality to man ! 
And thou the next ! yet equal ! thou, by whom 
That bleffing was convey'd ; far more ! was 

bought ; 
Inefl'able the price ! by whom all worlds 
Were made ; and one redeem'd ! illuftrious light 
From light illuftrious ! Thou, whole regal power. 
On m.ore th:n adamantine balis fix'd. 
O'er more, far more, than diadems and thrones 

Inviolably 



jSooK i. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



i6i 



inviolably reigns; beneath Avhofe foot 
And by the mantJate of vvhofe awful nod, 
All regions, revolutions, fortunes, fates. 
Of high, of low, of mind, and matter roll 
Through the Ihort rhannels of expiring time, 
Or fliorelefs ocean of eternity, 
In abfohite fubjeition !— and, O Thou 
The glorious third ! diftinit, not feparate, 
Beaming from both ! incorporate with dull! 
By condefcenlion, as thy glory, great ; 
Ii'ilhrin'd in man ! of human hearts, if pure, 
iDivine inhabitant! the tie divine 
Of heaven with dillantciirth! — mylteriouspow'r! 
Reveal'd, — yecunreveard ! darknefs in light ! 
Number in unity ! our joy! our dread 1 
Tri-une, unutterable, unconceiv'd, 
Abfconding yet demonftrabie, great God ! 
Greater than greatell ! with foft pity's eye, 
From thy bright horae,fromthat high firmament, 
Where thou, from all -eternity, halt dwelt } 
Beyond archangels unadifted ken ; 
Thro" radiant ranks of eflences unknown ; 
Thro' hierarchies from hierarchies detacird, 
Round various banners of omnipotence, 
With endlefs change of rapturous duties fir'd; 
Thro' wond'rous beings interpofing fwarmsj 
All clultring at the call, to dwell in thee ; 
Thro' this wide walle of worlds — look down — 

down — down. 
On a poor breathing particle in dull, 
Oi-, lower, an immortal in his crimes: 
His crimes forgive ! forgive his viitues too ! 
Thofe fmaller faults ; half-converts to the right. 
Nor let me clofe thefe eyes, which never more 
JVIay fee the fun (tho' night's defcending fcale 
Now weighs up morn) unpity'd and unblelt! 
in thy diipleafure dwells eternal pain j 
And. fmce all pain is terrible to man, 
Gently, ah, gently, lay m.e in my bed, 
My clay-cold bed ! by nature, now, fo near I 
And when (the fhelter of thy wing implor'd) 
My fenfes, fboth'd, flinll fink in foft repofe; 
O fink this truth ftill deeper in my foul, 
Man's fickly foul,tho' turn'd,and tofs'd for ever, 
From fide to fide, can i-eft on nought but thee,, 
Here, in full truft j hereafter, in full joy. 
Thou God and mortal! thence more God toman! 
Thou canft not 'fcapeuninjur'd from our praife, 
Uninjur'd from our praife can he efcape, 
Who, difembofom'd from tlie Father, bov/s 
The heaven of heavens, to kifs the diitant earth! 
Breathes out in agonies a finlefs foul ! 
Againll the crofs, death's iron fceptre breaks! 
Throws wide the gates celeftial to his foes ! 
^heir gratitude, for fuch a l^oundlefs debt, 
Deputes tlieir fuftering brothers to receive ! 
Injoins it as our duty, to rejoice ! 
And (to clofe all) omnipotently kind. 
Takes his delights among the fons of men. 
What words are thefe ?-^And did they come 
■ from heav'n ? 
And were theyfpoke to man ? to guilty man ? 
Vvbat are al\ myileries to love like this ? 
Rkh pr&iiijation of GonfUmmate joy 1 



§ 307. Conclujioni 
Then, farewell night? of darknefs, now no 

morb : 
Joy breaksj fhines, trluinphs ; 't^s eternal day ! 
Shall that which rifes out of nought complain. 
Of a {'t\w evils, pay'd with endlefs joys ? 
My foul ! henceforth, in fweeteft union join 
The two fupports of human happinefs. 
Which fome, erroneou?, think can never meet ; 
True talleof life,and conftant thought of death j 
Thy patron, he, whofe diadem has dropp'd 
Yon gems of heav'n ; eternity thy prize. 
Hov/ mull a fpirit, late efcap'd from earth, 
The truth of things new-blazing in it& eye, 
Look back, ailonilh'd, on the ways of men, 
Whofe life's whole drift is to forget theirgravesl 
And v/hen,our prefent privilege is pait, 
The lame alloniftiment will feize us all. 
What then mull pain us, v/ould preferveus nowl 
Seize wifdom, ere 'tis torment to be wife j 
That is, feize wifdom, ere fne feizes thee : 
For, what is hell ? full knowledge of the truth, 
When truth, refilled long, is fworn our foe; j 
And calls eternity to do her right. 

Thus, darknefs aiding intelleftual light. 
And iacred filence whifpering truths divine. 
And truths divine converting pain to peace. 
My fong the midnight raven has outwing'd. 
And fhot, ambitious of unbounded fcenes, 
Beyond the flaming limits of the world. 
Her gloo)ny fiight. But what avails the flight 
Of fancy, when our hearts remain below r 
Virtue abounds in flatterers and foes j 
Lorenzo! rife, at this aufpicious hour; 
An hour,whenheaven'smoil intimate with manj 
When, like a falling ftar, the ray divine 
Glides fwift into the bofom of the jull ; 
And jull are all, determih'd to reclaim ; 
Which lets that title high within thy reach. 
Awake, then, thy Philander calls, awake. 
Thou who Ihalt wake, when the creation ile^ps 
When, like a taper, all thefe funs expire: 
When time, like him of Gaza, in his wrath 
Plucking the pillars that fupport the world. 
In nature's ample ruins'lies entomb'd; 
And midnight, univerfal midnight ! reignSb 



§ 308. ScUtiide. Young. 
O SACRKD folitude ! divine retreat I 
Choice of the Prudent ! envy of the Great ! 
By thy pure ftreani, or in thy v/aving fhade. 
We court fair wifdom, that celeflial maid : 
The genuine offspring of her lov'd embrace 
(Strangers on earth) are innocence and peaces 
There, from the ways of m^en laid fafe afhore. 
We fmile to hear the diftant tempell roar ; 
There, bleft with health, with bus'nefs unper- 
This life we relifh, and enfure- the next, [plex'd. 
There too the Mufes fport.; thefe numbers free, 
Pierian Eaflbury ! I owe to thee. 



§ 309. 'Tke Day ofJ:uigfn?nt, YoUng. 
Lo ! the wide theatre, whofe ample fpace 
Muil entertain the whole of human race, 

M At 



t6z 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book 1. 



At Heavew's all-powerful edi6t is prepared, 
And fenced around with an immortal guard. 
Tribes, provinces, dominions, worlds, overflow 
The might plain, and deluge all below : 
And ev'ry age and nation pours along; 
Nimrod and Bourbon mingle in the throng; 
Adam lalutes his youngeft Ion ; no fign 
Of all thofe ages which their births disjoin. 

How empty learning, and how vain is art, 
But as it m.ends the lil'e, and guides the heart! 
What volumes have been fvvellM,what time been 

To fix a hero's birthday, or defcent ? [fpent,! Or we expeft, or find, a paradife : 
What joy mull it now yield, what rapture raiie, But if refentment reddens their mild beams 



r fee, on an empyreal flying throne 
Sublimely rais'd. Heaven's everlafting Son ; 
Crown'dw^ithtbatmajeflywhichformMtheworld, 
And the grand rebel fiarair.g downward hurl'd. 
Virtue, dominion, praife, omnipotence, 
Support the train of their triumphant Prince. 
A zone, beyond the thought of angels bright. 
Around him, like the zodiac, winds its light. 
Night fliades the folemn arches of his brows. 
And ir\ his cheek the purple morning glows. 
Where'er ferene he turns propitious eyes. 



To fee the glorious race of ancient days ? 
To greet thofe worthies who perhaps have flood 
Illuftrious on record before the flood ? 
Alas ! a nearer care your foul demands : 
Csefar unnoted in your prefence ftands. 

How vail the concourfe ! not in number m.ore 
The waves that break on the refounding fhore, 
The leaves that tremble in the fliady grove. 
The lamps that gild the fpangled vaults above 5 
Thofe overwhelming armies, whofe com.mand 
Said to one empire, fall ; another, ftand; 
Whofe rear lay wrapt in night, while breaking 

dawn 
Rous'd the broad front, and call'dthe battle on ; 
GreatXerxes'worldin arms,proud Cannae's field 
Where Carthagetaughtvi6toriousRometo yield 
(Another blow had broke the Fates decree. 
And earth had wanted her fourth monarchy.) 
Immortal Blcnhdm, fam'd Ramillia's hoft, 
They all are here, and here they all are loft : 
Their millions fwell to be difcern'd in vain, 
Loft as a billow in th' unbounded main. 

This echoing voice now rends the yielding ain 
*' Forjadgment,judgment,fonsofmien,prepare!," 
Earth {hakes anew ; I hear her groans profound. 
And hell thro' all her trembling realms refound. 
Whoe'erthou art, thou greateftpowV of earth. 
Bieft with moft equal planets at thy birth, 
Whofe valour drew the nioft fuccefsful fword, 
Moft realms united in one common lord ; 
Who on the day of triumph, faid'ft, Be thine 
The fkies, Jehovah, all this world is mine ; 
Dare not to lift thine eye — Alas, my mufe ! 
Howartthouloft! whatnumberscanftthouchoofe? 

A fudden blufli inflames the waving flcy, 
And now the crimfon curtains open fly ; 
Lo ! far within, and far above all height, 
Where heaven's great Sov'reign reigns in worlds 

of light. 
Whence nature He informs, and with one ray 
Shot fro.m his eye, does all her works furvey, 
Creates,fupports,confounds!wheretimeandplace. 
Matter, and form, and fortune, life, and grace, 
Wait hum.bly at the footftool of their God, 
And move obedient at his awful nod; 
Whence he beholds us vagrant emmets crawl 
At randcra on this riir-furpcDded ball 
/Speck of creation!) : if lie pour one breath, 
The bubble breaks, and 'lis eternal death. 

Thence iffuiug I behold (but mortal fight 
Sviftaias uot fuch a ruftiin^ fea of light ! 



The Eden kindles, and the world's in flames. 
On one hand, knowledge {hines in purell light j 
On one, the fword of juftice, fiercely bright. 
Now bend the knee in fport, prefent the reed ; 
Now tell the fcourg'd Impoftor he ftiall bleed ! 

Thus glorious, thro' the courts of heaven, the 
Of life and death eternal bends hiscourfe; [fourc* 
Loudthundersi*oundhimroH,andjightningsplay, 
Th' angelic hoft is rang'd in bright array; 
Some touch the ftri ng,lbme ftrike the founding 
And mingling voices in rich concertfvveli;[ihel!'j 
Voices feraphic ! bleft with fuch a ftrain, 
Could Satan hear, he were a god again.. 

Triumphant King of Glory ! Soul of blifs ! 
What a ftupendous turn of fite is this ! 

! whither art thou rais'd above the fcorn 
And indigence of him in Bethlem born ; 
A needleis, helplefs, unaccounted gueft, 
And but a fecond to the fodder'd beaft! 
Howchang'dfrom him, who meekly proftratelaid, 
Vouch faf'd to wafn the feet himfelf had made ! 
From him who was betray'd, forfook, denied, 
Weptjlanguifti'd, pray'd,bled, thirfted,groan'd, 

and died ; 
Hung, pierc'd and bare, infulted by the foe ; 
Allheavenintear.sabove,earthunconcern"dbelow! 

And was 't enough to bid the Sun retire ? 
Why did not Nature at thy groan expire ? 

1 fee, I hear, I feel, the pangs divine; 
The world is vanifli'd — I am wholly thine. 

Miftaken Caiaphas ! ah! which blalj^hem'd, 
Thou ov thypris'ner? which fhalibe condemned? 
Well might'ft thou rend thy garments, well ex- 
Deep are the horrors of eternal flame! [claim; 
But God is good ! 'tis wond'rous all ! ev'n He 
Thou gav'ft todeath,(]iame,torture,diedfor thee. 

Now the defcending triumph ftops its flight 
From earth full twice a planetaiy" height. 
There all the clouds condens'd twocolumnsralfi 
Diftin^ with orient veins awd golden blaze : 
One fix'd on earth, and one in fea ; and round- 
Its ample foot the dwelling billows found. 
Thefe m\ immeafund)le arch fupport. 
fhe grand tribunal of this :iwfui court. 
I Sheets of Ifright azure fonii the pureft Iky, 
.Stream from the ciyftal arch, and round the co- 
lumns fly. 
Death, v.-rapt in chains, low at the bafis lies, 
And on the piont of ius own arrow dies. 

Here high enthron'dth'eternal Judge is plac'd 
With all the grandeur of his Godhead grac'd ; 

Stars 



Book I. 



SACRED A K' D M R A I,, 



163 



tars on his. robes in beauteous order meet, 
Vnd the fim barns beneath his awful feet. 

Now an archangel eminently bright, 
■"rom of}: his fiiver ilaifof wond'rous height, 
Jnfurls the Chriilian il:ig, which waving flies, 
\nd fhuts and opens more dim h:dfthe ikies : 
rhe Crofs (o llrong- a red, it Iheds a ilain 
^Vhere'er it floats, on earth, and air, and main, 
^lu flies the hill, and fets on fire the wood, 
f\nd turns the deeo-dyed ocean into blood. 

Oh formidab'e Glory! dreadful bright! 
Evefulgent torture to the guilty fight ! 
Ah turn, unwary mufe, nor d u-e reveal 
iVhat horrid thoughts with the polluted dwell. 
Say not (to make "the Sun dirink in his beam) 
Dare not adirm, they wilh it all a dream ; i 

VVifn or their fouls may with their limbs decay, 
Or God be,fpyird of his eternal fway. 
But ratriier, if thou know'ft the means, unfold 
How they with tranfport might the fcene behold. 

Ah how but by Repentance — by a mind 
Quick and fevevQ its own offence to find ? 
By tears, and groans, and never-ceafnig care, 
And all the pious violence of pray'r ? 
Thus then, with fervency till now unknown, 
I caft my heart before th' eternal throne, 
In this great temple, which the fkies furround, 
For homage to its Lord anarrov/ bound : [weigh, 
*' O Thou ! whofe balance does the mountains 
Whofe will the wild tumultuous feas obey, 
Whofe breath can turn thofe wat'ry worlds to 
flarae, 



Thy pleafure points thefhaft and bends the bow, 
Tn'e cluiler blafts or bids it brightly glow : 
'Tis thou thatlead'lt our powerful armies forth, 
And giv'it great Anne thy fceptre o'erthe north. 

" Grant I may ever, at the morning ray, 
Open v\dth pray'r the confecrated day ; 
Tune thy great praife, and bid my foul arife, 
And with the mounting fun afcend the Ikies I 
As that advances, let my zeal improve, 
And glow with ardour of confummate love ) 
Nor ceafe at eve, but with the fetting fun 
My endlefs worfhip Ihall be itill begun. 

" And, oh, permit the gloom of folemn night 
To facred thought may forcibly invite. 
When this world's fliut,and awful planets rife. 
Call on our minds, and raife them to the flcies. 
Compofe our fouls with a lefs dazzling fight, 
And (hew all nature in a milder light ; 
liow ev'ryboiit'raus thought in calms fubfides; 
Flow the fmooth'dfpirit into goodnefs glides I 
O how divine, to tread the milky way 
To the bright palace of the Lord of d:iy ! 
Ilis court admire, o* for his favour fue. 
Or leagues of friendfhip with his faints renew \ 
PleasM to look down, and fee the world afleep. 
While I long vigils to its Founder keep ![troul, 
*' Canft thou not fhake the centre ? Oh con- 
Subdue by force, the rebel in- my foul ! 
Thou, who canfi: Hill the raging of the flood, 
Reflrain the various tumults of my blood j 
Teach me, with equal firmnefs, to fuftain 
Alluring pleafure, and aflaulting pain. 



That 'flame to tempeff, and that tempefl tame ; 
Earth' smeaneftfon, all trembling, proftrate falls, 
And on the bounties of thy goodnefs calls. 

" O I give the winds all paft offence to fweep. 
To fcatter wide, or bury in the deep : 
Thy pow'r, my weaknefs, may I ever fee, 
And wholly dedicate my foul to thee ! 
Reign o'er my will ; my paflions ebb ard flow 
At thy command, nor human motive know ! 
If anger boil, let anger be my praife. 
And fin the graceful indignation raife. 
My love be warm to fuccour the diftrefs'd, 
And lift the burden from the foul opprefs'd. 
O may n\y underllanding ever read 
This glorious volume, which thy wifdom made ! 
Who deck"? then)aiden Spring with flow'rypride? 
Who calls forth Summerlike a fparkling bride ? 
Who joys the mother Autumn's bed to crown ? 
And bids old Winter lay her honours down ? 
Not the great Ottoman, or greater Czar, 
Not Europe's arbitrefs of peace and war. 
May fea and land, and earth andheav'n be join'd, 
To bring th' eternal Author to my mind ! 
When oceans roar, or awful thunders roll, 
jMay thoughts of thy dread vengeance {hake 

my foul 1 
When ea th's in bloom, or planets proudly fhine, 
Adore, my heart, the Majefty divine ! 
Thro"" ev'ry fi:ene of life, or peace, or war, 
Plenty^ or w^ant, thy glory be my care ! 
Shine we in arms or fing bene;:tii our vine ? 
Thine is the vintage, and the conqueit thine : 



O may I pant for Thee in each defire, 
And with itrong faith foment the holy fire I 
Stretch out my foul in hope, and grafp the prize 
Which in Eternity's deep bofom lies ! 
At the great day of recompence behold, 
Devoid of fear, the fatal book unfold ! 
Then, wafted upwards to to the blifsful feat. 
From age to age my grateful fong repeat j 
My Light, my Life, my God, my Saviour fee. 
And rivdl angels in the praife of Thee !" 



Fables for the Female Sex. Moore. 
§ 310. FABLE I. The Eagle and the 
Ajfembly of Birds. 
To her Royal Highnefs the Princefs of Wales. 
The moral lay, to beauty due, 
I write, Fair Excellence, to you ; 
Well pleas'd to hope my vacant hours 
Have been employ'd. to fweeten yours. 
Truth under fiftion I impart, 
To weed out folly from the heart, 
And-fhew the paths that lead allray 
The wand'ring nymph from wifdom's way, 

I flatter none. The great and good 
Are by their aftions underfcoodj 
Your monument, if aftions raife. 
Shall I deface by idle praife ? 
I echo not the voice of Fame j 
That dwells delighted on your naiiie: 
Her friendly tale, however true. 
Were fiatt'ry, if I told it you* 

M X The 



1 64 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book t. 



The prou.l, the envious, and the vain, 
The jilt, the prude, demiuid my llrain j 
To tlieie, detailing praile, I write, 
And vent in charity my fpite : 
^Vith friendly hand I hold the glafs 
To all, prcinifcuoiTS, as they pals : 
Should folly there her lilcenefs view, 
T fret not that the mirror's true : 
If the fantaltic form offend, 
I made it not, but would amend. 

JVirt^ue, in cv'ry cHraeand age. 
Spurns at the folly-foothing pagej 
While fatire, that offends the ear, 
©f vice and pafrion,pleafe^her,' 

Premihng this, your anger fpare ; 
And claim the fable you who dare. 

The birds in place, by fictions prefs'd. 
To Jav^iter their pray'rs addrefsM : 
By f^ecious lyes the ftate was vex'd. 
Their counlels libellers perplexed; 
They begg'd ("to Hop leditious tongues) 
A gracious hearing of their wrongs. 
Jove grants the fuit. The Eagle fate 
Decider of the grand debate. 

The Pye, to truft and pow'r preferr'd, 
Demands permiiFion to be heard. 
Says he, prolixity of phrafe 
You know I hate. This libel Hiys, 
*• Some birds there are, who, prone to noife, 
Are hir-d to filenee wifdom's voice; 
And flcili'd, tovchatter out the hour, 
Kile by their emptinefs to pow'r." 
That this is ainfd direft at me. 
No doubt you'll readily agree j 
Yet vs"^el} this fage 'alTembly knows, 
By parts to government I role. 
My prudent counlels prop the Hate j 
Aiagpies were never known to prate. 

The Kite role up. His honeil heart 
In virtue's fufferings bore a part. 
That there were birds of prey he knew: 
So far the libeller faid true r 
*' Voracious, bold, to rapine prone. 
Who knew no int'reft but their own ; 
Who hov'ring oe'r the farmer's yard, 
Nor pigeon, chick, or duckling fpar'd." 
This might be true ; but, if applied 
To him, in troth, the Uanderer lyed. 
^ince ign'rance then might be mifled, 
^uch things, he thought, were bell unfaid. 

The Crow was vex'd. As yelter-morn 
He flew acrofs the new-fown corn, 
A fcreaming boy was fet for pay. 
He knew, to drive the crows awayj 
Scandal had found him. out in turn. 
And buzz'd abroad that crows love corn. 

The Owl arofe with folemn face. 
And thus harangued upon the cafe ; 
That magpies prate, it may be true j 
A kite nmy be voracious too ; 
Crovv?s fometimes deal in new-fown peafe ; 
He libels not, who llrikes at thele : 
The (lander's here — ** But there are birds, 
Wbofe wifdbm lies in looks not words. j 



Blund'rers, who level in the dark. 
And always Ihoot befide the mark." 
He names not me ; but thefe are hints, 
Which manifeil at whom he fquints, 
I were indeed that blund'ring fowl. 
To queftion if he meant an owl. 

Ye wietches, hence I the Eagle cries, 
'Tis confcience, confcienre that applies j 
The virtuous mind takes no alarm, 
Secur'd by innocence from harm ; 
While Guilt, and his aflbciate Fear, 
Are fcartled at the paiTmg air. " 



§311. FABLE ir. The Faniberf the Uorfi^ 
and other Beajls, 

The man who feek? to win the fair 
(So cuflom fays) mail truth forbear ; 
Mull fawn and flatter, cringe and lye. 
And raife the goddefs to the Iky. 
For truth is hateful to her ear ; 
A rudenefs which fhe cannot bear. 
A rudenefs ! Yes, I fpeak my thought? j 
For truth upbrsids hei* v/ith her faults. 

How wretched, Chloe, then am I, 
Who love you and yet cannot lye ? 
And Hill, to^make you lefs my friend, 
I llrive your errors to amend ! 
But Ihall the fenfelefs fop impart 
The fofteft palkon to your heart ; 
While he, who tells you honeil truth; 
And points to happinefs your youth, 
Deterniines, by his care, his lot. 
And lives negleded and forgot ? 

Truft me, my dear, with greater eafc. 
Your tafl:e for flatt'iy I could pleafe j 
And flmiles in each dull line. 
Like glow-v»-orms in the dark, Ihould fhint. 
What if I lay youi* lips difclofe 
The frellinels of the op'ning rofe ? 
Or that 5'our cheeks are beds of flow'rs, 
Enripen'd by refreflung Ihow'rs ? 
Yet ceitain as thele fiow'rs lliall fade. 
Time ev'ry beauty will invade. 
The Iratterlly of various hue, 
More than the llow'r refembles }'0U j 
Fair, flutt'ring, fickle, bufy thing. 
To pleafure ever on the wing, 
Gaily coquetting for an hour. 
To die, and ne'er be thought of more. 

Would you the bloom of youth Ihould laill 
'I'is virtue that mull bind it fall j 
An ealy carriage, wholly free 
From four refervcs or levity j 
Good-natur'd mirth, an open heart. 
And looks unlklH'd in any art j 
Humility enough to own 
The frailties which a friend makes known,- 
And decent pride enough ?o know 
The worth that virtue cm btftovv. 

Thefe are the charms which ne'er dcca;,-. 
Though youth and beauty fiide away j 
And time, which all things elfe remove?. 
Still heightens virtue, and improves, 

Youni 



Boox I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



I6! 



You 'Jl frown, and ail:, To what intent 
This blunt addrefs to you is lent ? 
I '11 fpare the quefrion, and confeis 
I 'd praife you, if I lov'd you lefs. 
But rail, be angry, or complain, 
I will be rude while you are vain. 

Beneath a lion's peaceful reign, 
When beafts met friendly on the plain, 
A Panther of majeilic port 
(The vainelt female of the court) 
With fpotted Ikin, and eyes of fire, 
Fili'd every bofom with delire. 
Where'er fhe mov'd, a fervile crowd 
Of fawning creatures cring'd and bow'd : 
AfTemblies ev'ry week (he held 
(Like modern belles) with coxcombs fill'd j 
Where noife, and nonfenfe, and grimace. 
And lyes, and fcandal, fiU'd the place. 

Behold the gay fantallic thing 
Encircled by the fpacious ring ! 
Low bov^'ing, with important look, 
As firft in rank, the Monkey fpoke: 

" Gad take me, madam ! but 1 fvvear, 
No angel ever look'd fo fair: 
Forgive my rudenefs, but I vow 
You were not quite divine till now; 
Thofe limbs ! that fhape ! and then thofe eyes i 

clofe them, or the gazer dies !" 
Nay, gentle pug, for goodnefs hufli, 

1 vow and fwear you make me biuflij 
I Ihall be angry at this rate ; 

'Tis fo like flatt'ry, which I hate. 

The Fox, in deeper cunning vers'd. 
The beauties of her ir.ind rehears'd. 
And talk'd of knowledge, tafte, and fenfe, 
To which the fair have vaft pretence 1 
Yet well he knew them alw^ays vain 
Of what they ftrive not to attain ; 
And play'd fo cunningly his part. 
That pug was rivall'd in his art. 

The Goat avow'd his am'rous flame. 
And burnt — for what he durll: not name; 
Yet hop'd a meeting in the wood 
Might make his meaning underftood. 
Half angry at the bold addrefs. 
She frown'd; but yet fhe mull confefs 
Such beauties might inflame his blood, 
But ilill his phraie was fomewhat rude. 

The Hog her neatnefs much admir'd j 
The formal Afs her fwiftnefs fir'd : 
While all to {eed her folly flrove. 
And by their praifes fhar'd her love. 

The Horfe, whofe gen'rous heart difdaln'd 
Applaufe by fervile flatt'ry gain'd, 
V/ith graceful couraf^e fiience broke, 
And thus with indignation broke: 

V/hen fiatt'ring monkeys fawn and prate. 
They juftly raife contempt or hate ; 
For merit 's turn'd to ridicule. 
Applauded by the grinning fool. 
The artful fox your wit commends, 
To lure you to his felfifn ends ; 
From the vile flatt'rer turn away, 
For knaves make friendfliips to betray. 



Difmifs the train of fops and fools, 
And learn to live by wiidom's rules: 
Such beauties might the lion warm. 
Did not your folly break tl>e charm ; 
For who would court th.at lovely fliape, 



To be the rival of an 



ipei 



He faid, and fnorting in difdain, 
Spurn'd at the crowd, and fought the plain, 



§ 312. FABLE III. The Nightingale and 
Glo-w-ivorm. 
The prudent nymph, whofe cheeks difclofe 
The lily and the blufhing rofe, 
From public view her charms will fcreen. 
And rarely in the crowd be ihi^n.; 
This limple truth fliall keep her wife — > 
'* The faireft fruits attraft the files." 

One night a Glow-wornij proud and vain. 
Contemplating her glitt'ring train, 
Cried, Sure there never was in nature 
So elegant, fo fine a creature. 
All other infedls that I fee. 
The frugal ant, induftrious bee. 
Or filk-worm, with contempt I view; 
With all that low, mechanic crew, 
Who fervilely their lives employ 
In bus'nefs, enemy to joy. 
Mean, vulger herd ! ye are my fcornj 
For grandeur only [ was born. 
Or fure am fprung from race divine 
And plac'd on earth to live and fhine. 
Thofe lights that fparkle fo on high. 
Are but the glow-w-orms of thefliy; 
And kings on earth their gems admire, 
Becaufe they imitate my fire. 

She fpoke. Attentive on a fpray, 
A Nightingale forbore his lay ; 
He faw the fliining morfel near. 
And flew, direfted by the glare j 
Awhile he gaz'd wicli fober look. 
And thus the trembling prey befpoke: 

Deluded fool, with pride elate ! 
Know, 'tis thy beauty brings thy fate: 
Lefs dazzling, long thou mightlc have laia 
Unheeded on the velvet plain : 
Pride, foon or late, degraded mourns. 
And beauty wrecks whom flie adorns. 



§ 313. FABLE IV. i-iymen and Death, 
Sixteen, d' ye fay ? Nay then 'tis timcj 
Another year deflroys your prime. 
But ftay— the fettlementf '• That 's made.". 
Why then '3 ray fimple girl afraid ? 
Yet hold a moment;, if you can. 
And heed fully the fable fcan. 

The fliades were fied, the morning blufh'd. 
The vs^inds were in their caverns hufn'd. 
When Hymen, penfive and fedate, 
Held o'er the fields his raufing gait. 
B>ehind him, thro' the green -wood fiiade, 
Death's meagre form the god furvey'd ; 
Who quickly, with gigantic flride, 
Outwent his pace, and join'd his lide. 

JM3 ^/^ 



1 6^ 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



The chat on vp.rious fubjefts ran. 
Till angi-y Hymen thus began : 

Relenrleis Death! whofe iron fway 
Morta s relufti^nt mull obey, 
Still of" thy pow'r fliall I complain. 
And ihy too partial hand arraign? 
When Cupid brings a pair of hearts, 
Ail ever ituck with equal darts, 
Thy cruel Ihafts ray hopes deride, 
And cur the knot thut Kymen tied. 

3- a!J not tbe bloody and the bold. 
The mifer hoarding up his gold. 
The harlot reek'ng nom the liew. 
Alone thy fell revenge purfue ? 
But mult the gqntie and the kind 
Thy fury, undntinguiili'd, find ? 

The monarch calmly tbus replied: 
Weigh well the caiife, and then decide. 
Tnat fricn.i of yours you lately nam'd, 
Cuyid nlone, is to be blam'dj 
Then let the ch i;ge be juilly laid: 
That idle boy neglects his trade. 
And hardly one in tv/enty years 
A couole to your temple bears. 
The v/retche-, whom year oince blends, 
Silenus no/;, or Pbuus fends 5 
H'^nce care, and bitternefs, and ftrife. 
Are common to the nuptial life. 

Believe -- e ! more than all mankind 
Your vot'riss my compafuon find. 
Yet cruel am I call'd, and bafe, 
Y/ho ieek the wretched to releafe ; 
The captive from his bonds to free, 
IndifU/jiible but for me. 
'Tis I entice him to the yoke; 
By m.e your crowded altars fmoke : 
For mortals holdly dare the noofe. 
Secure that Death will fet them loofe. 



^ 314. FABLE V. The Pcet and h':s Patroft, 

Why, Cailia, is your fpreading waift 

So loole, fo negligently lac'd ? 

V»^hy muft the wrapping bed-gown hide 

Your fnowy bofom's fwelling pride? 

How ill that drefs adorns yc'ur head, 

Di'bin'd and rumpled from the bed ! 

Thofe. clouds that (hade your blccming face 

A little water might diip'iace. 

As Nature tv'ry morn befcows 

The cryltal dew to cleaaie the rofe. 

Thofe tredes, as the niven black, 

That wav'd in ringlets down yonr back, 

Uiicomb'd, and irijur'd by ncgleft, 

Peftroy the f.ce which once tney decked. 

Whence this forge tfulneis of drefs ? 
Pray, Madam, are you married r — Yes. 
Nay then indeed the wonder ceales; 
No matter now how looi'e your dreis is; 
The end is won, your fcitime's niadej 
Your filler now may t^ke the trade. 

Aiys ! what pity 'tis to find 
This f-^ult in half the female kind ! 
From hf-ncc proceed averiion, (Irife, 
And aii that fours tiie wedded life. 



Beauty can only point the dart, 
'Tis neatnefs guides it to the heart ; 
Let neatnefs then and beaury ftrive 
To keen a wavering fiance alive. 

■"Tis harde: far (you Tt find.it true) 
To keep the conqueft, than fubduej 
Admit us once behind the fcreen, 
VVh.,t is there farther to be feen? 
A newer face m^ay raife the flame. 
But ev'i^y vcraan is the fame. 

Then itudy chieiiy to improve 
The charm that fix'd your hufband's love. 
Weigh w^eil his hutnour. Was it drefs 
That g .ve your beauty pow'r to blefs ? 
Purfuc it kill ; be nearer feen ; 
'Tis always frugal 10 be clean j 
So Ihail you keep alive dclire, 
And time's fwift wing fliall fan the nre. 

In garret high (as itories fay) 
A Poet fung his tuneful lay; 
So foit, fo fmooth, his verle you'd fwear 
Apollo and the ?yiufes there: 
Thro' all the town his praifes rung; 
His fonnets at the playhoufe fungj 
High waving o'er his lab'ring head. 
The goddefs Want h.-.r pinions fpread. 
And with poetic fury fir'd 
What Phcebus faintly had infpirM. 
A noble youth, of tafre and wit. 
Approved the fprightly things he writ, 
And Ibught him in his cobv/eb dome, 
Difchar-'d his rent, and brought him home. 

Behold him at the Itately board! 
Who but the Pcet and m.y Lord ! 
Each day delicicuiiy he dmes. 
And greedy quatl's the gen'rous wines; 
Hi3 fiaes were plump, his ficin was fleek. 
And plenty wanton' d on his cheek j 
Aitonifh-d at the change lb new, 
Away th' infpiring goddefs Ikw. 

Now, dropt for politics and news, 
Negiec^ted lay the drooping mufe, 
Unmindful whence liis foitune came. 
He fliiled the pcetic flame ; 
Nor*tale, nor fonnet, for my lady. 
Lampoon, nor epigram, was ready. 

With jult contempt his Patron faw 
(Refolv'd his bounty to withdraw) ; 
.And thus, with anger in his look. 
The late-repenting fool befpoke : 

Blind to tliC good that courts thee grown, 
Wl ence has the fun of favour Ihone? 
D'/iighted vvith thy tuneful art, 
Eiteem was growing in my heart; 
Biit idly thou rejeaTi the'charm 
i"h;it gave it birth, and kept it warm. 

Unthinking fools-alone defpife 
The arts that tauoht them firft to rife. 



§ 315. FAELE VI. Tit^? Wclfy the Sheep, 
and the Latnb. 
Duty demands, the parent's voice 
Should fimcrify the daughter's choice: 
In that is due obedience fnewn ; 



To choofe, belongs to her aicnf. 



May 



Koo K L 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



167 



May horror feize his midnight hour, 
Who builds upon a parent's pow'r, 
And claims, by purciiafe vile and bafe> 
The loathing maid for his embrace ; 
Hence virtue lickens; and the breaft, 
Where peace had built her downy neft, 
Becomes the troubled feat of care, 
And pines with anguiih and defpair. 

A Wolf, rapacious, rough, and bold, 
Whofe nightly plunders thinn'd the fold. 
Contemplating his iJi-fpent life, 
And cloy'd with thefts Vv^ould take a wife. 
His purpofe known, the Ihvage race 
In numerous crowds attends the place j 
For why, a mighty wolf he was. 
And held dominion in his jaws. 
Her fav'rite whelp each n^other brought. 
And humbly his alliance fought ; 
But cold by age, or el(e too nice. 
None found acceptance in his eyes. 

It happened as at early dawn. 
He folitary crofs'd the lawn, 
Stray'd from the fold, the fportlve Lamb 
SkippM wanton by her fleecy Dam ; 
When Cupid, foe to m.an and beaft, 
Difcharg'd an arrow at his breaft. 

The tim'rous breed the robber knew. 
And trembling o'er the meadow flew^ 
Their nimblelt fpeed the Wolf overtook. 
And courteous thus the Dam befpoke ; 
Stay, faireCc, and fufpend your fear, 
Truft rne, no enemy is near: 
Thefe jaws. In flaughter oft imbru'd. 
At length have known enough of blood 5 
And kinder bus'nefs brings me now, 
VanquilhM, at beauty's feet to bow. 
You have a daughter — fweet, forgive 
A Wolf's addrefs — in her I live j 
Love from her eyes like lightning came. 
And fet my marrow all on flame ; 
Let your confent confirjn my choice. 
And ratify our nuptial joys. 

Me ample wealth and pow'r attend. 
Wide o'er the plains my realms extend j 
What midnight robber dare invade 
The fold, if I the guard am made ? 
At home the fliepherd's cur may fleep, 
While I fecure his mafter's flieep. 
Difcourfe like this attention claim'd ; 
Grandeur the mother's breaft inflam'd ; 
Now fearlefs by his fide ftie walk'd. 
Of fettlements and jointures talk'd j 
Propos'd, and doubled her demands. 
Of flow'ry fields, and turnip-lands. 
The Wolf agrees. Her bofom fwells j 
To MIfs her happy fate ftie teUs i 
And, of the grand, alliance vain. 
Contemns her kindred of the plain. 

The loathing Lamb with horror hears, 
Antl wearies out her Dam with pray'rs j 
But all in vain 5 mamma beft knew 
What unexperlenc'd girls ftiould do. 
So, to the neighb'ring meadow carried, 
A formal afs the couple married. 



I Torn from the t;f rant mother's fide. 
The trembler goes, a vi6Mm-bride } 
Reluctant meets the rude embrace. 
And bleats among the howling race. 
With horror oft her eyes behold 
Her murder'd kindred of the fold } 
Each day a After lamb is ferv'd. 
And at the glutton's table carv'd ; 
The crafliing bones he grinds for food. 
And flakes his thirft with ftreaming blood. 

Love, who the cruel mind detefts. 
And lodges but In gentle brealls. 
Was now no more. Enjoyment paft. 
The favage hunger'd for the feaftj 
But (as we find, in human race, 
A malk conceals the villain's face) 
Juftice muft authorife the treat j 
Till then he long'd, but durft not eat. 

As forth he walk'd In queft of prey. 
The hunters met him on the way: 
Fear wings his flight} the marfh he fought: 
The fnuifing dogs are fet at fault. 
His ftomach baulk'd, now hunger gnaws. 
Howling he grinds his empty jaws : 
Food muft be had, and Lamb is nighj 
His maw Invokes the fraudful lie. 
Is this (diflembling rage, he cried) 
The gentle virtue of a bride ? 
That, learn'd with man's deftroying race^ 
She fets her hufband for the chace ? 
By treach'ry prompts the noify hound 
To fcent his footfteps on the ground ? 
Thou trait' refs vile! for this thy blood 
Shall glut my rage, and dye the wood I 

So faying, on the Lamb he files : 
Beneath his jaws the vl6llm dies. 



§316. FABLE VII. TheGoofeandtheS'wansi 
I HATE the face, however fair. 
That carries an aftedled air ; 
The lifping tone, the fliape eonftraln'dj 
The ftudied look, the palTion feign'd. 
Are fopperies which only tend 
To Injure what they ftrlve to mend. 

With what fuperior grace enchants 
The face, which nature's pencil paints I 
Where eyes, unexercis'd In art. 
Glow with the meaning of the heart! 
Where freedom and good -humour fit. 
And eafy gaiety and wit ! 
Though perfeft beauty be not there, 
The mafter lines, the finifli'd air, 
We catch from ev'ry look delight. 
And grow enamour'd at the light: 
For bcAuty, though we all approve, 
Excites our wonder more than lov€; 
While the agreeable ftrikes fure. 
And gives the wounds we cannot cure» 

Why then, my Amoret, this care. 
That forms you, in efte6l, lefs fair? 
If nature on your cheek beftows 
A bloom that emul ices the rcfc. 
Or from fome heavenly image drew 
A form Apeiles never knew, 

M 4 Tour 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



Your i'l]-judg''d aid will you impart. 
And ipoil by raereti-icious art ? 
Or h:id you, nature's error, come 
Abortive from the mother's womb. 
Your formir.g care (he ftill rejefts, 
Which only heightens her detcdts. 
W'.'en fuch, of glitr'ring jewels proud. 
Still prcfs the foremoft in the crowd, 
At evVy public fliow are (een, 
With look awry, and awkward mien. 
The gaudy drels attracls the eye,- 
And magnifies deformity. 

Nature may underdl) her part. 
But feldora wants the help of art ; 
Truft her, (lie is your fui-eft friend. 
Nor m.ade your form for you to mend. 

A Goafe, affefted, empty, vain, 
The fliriHeil of the cackling train. 
With proud and elevated creft, 
Pircedence claimM above the reft. 

Says ihe, I laugh at human race, 
Who fay geeie hpbble in their pace; 
Look here! — ;he fiar.d'rous lye deteft ; 
No haughty man is fo ereft . 
That peacock yonder I Lord, how vain 
The creature 's of his go ndy train! 
If boih were ilrpt, I pav»m my word 
A gcofe would be the finer bird. 
Nature, to hide her own defects, 
Her bungled woik vvith finery decks; 
V/ere geefc fet ©ff with half that Ihow, 
Would men admire the peacock ! No, 

Thus vaunting, 'crofs the mead ilie ftalks. 
The cackhng b' eed attend her walks ; 
The inn flior down his nccn-tide beams, 
The Swans were fporting in the ftreams ; 
Their fnowy plumes and ftateiy pride 
Provok'd her jpleen. Why there, Ihe cried, 
Again what ariogance vt^e fee 1 
Thcfe creatures 1 how they mnmic me ! 
Shall ev'iy fowl the water ikim, 
Becaufe we gecfg are known to fwixn! 
Humility they foon fririll learn. 
And their own emptinefs difcern. 

So faying, with extended wings, 
Lightly upon the wave fhe fprings ; 
H<^r bofom i\vells, Ihe fpreads her plumes. 
And the Iwan's ftateiy creft aifumes. 
Conremipt and miOckeiy enfued. 
And burfts of laughter faook the flood. 

A Swan, fuperior to the reft, 
Sprung forth, and thus the fool addrefs'd: 

Coriceited thing, elate with pride! 
Thy afreitation all, deride : 
Thefe airs thy awkwardnefs Impart, 
And fiiew thee plainly as thou art. 
Among thy eqmls of the fiock 
Thou hadit e cap'd the public mock; 
And, i'.s thy parts to good conduce, 
Been deem/d an honeft hobbling goofe. 

Learn hence to ftudy wifdom's rules j 
Know, fov.rery 's the pride of fools j 
And, ft.ivlng nature to ccncewil, 
Vou only lier defecls reveal. 



§317. FABLE VIII. 1'he Lawyer and J ujiice» 

Love! thou divineft good below I 
Thy pure delights few mortals know; 
Our rebel hearts thy fway dilbwn, 
While tyrant luft ufurps thy throne. 
The bounteous God of nature made 
The {exes for each other's aid ; - 
Their m.utual talents to employ. 
To ieflen ills, and heighten joy. 
To weaker woman he aflign'd 
That foft'ning gentlenefs of mind. 
That can by lympathy impart 
Its likenefs to the rougheft heart. 
Her eyes with magic pow'r endued. 
To fire the dull, and awe the rude. 
His rofy fingers on her face 
Shed lavifh ev'iy bloomy grace. 
And ftanip'd (perfection to diiplay) 
His rnildeft image on her clay. 

Man, aftive, refolute, and bold. 
He fafnion'd in a different mould, 
With ufeful arts liis mind inform'd. 
His breaft with nobler pafuons warm'd ; 
He gave him knowledge, tafte, and fenfe, 
A.nd courage for the fair's defence. 
Her frame, refiftlefs to each wrong. 
Demands proteftion from the ftrongj 
To man Hie fiies when fear alarms. 
And claims the temple of his arm.s. 

By nature's Author thus declar'd 
The wom^an's fovereign and her guard. 
Shall man by treach'rous wiles invade 
The weaknejs he was meant to aid? 
While beauty, given to infpire 
Protedling lo\'e, and foft dellre. 
Lights up a wild-fire in the heart. 
And to its own breaft points the dart. 
Becomes tlie fpoiler's bafe pretence 
To triumph over innocence. 

The wolf, thnt tears the tim'rous Iheep, 
Was never let the fold to keep ; 
Nor was the tiger, or the pard, 
Meant the benighted trav'ller's guard j 
But man, the wildeft beaft of prey. 
Wears friendihip's femblance to betray ; 
His ftrength againft the weak employs; 
And where he fnould protcft, deftroys. 

Paft twelve o'clock, the watchman cried ; 
His brief the ftudious Lawyer plied; 
The all-prevaiiing fee lay nigh. 
The earneft of to-morrow's lie. 
Sudden the furious winds arife, 
The jarring cafement fnatter'd fiies ; 
The doors admnt a hollow found, 
And rattling from their hinges bound; 
When Juftice, in a blaze of light, 
Reveal'd her radiant form to light. 

The wretch with thrilling horror (hock i 
Loofe ev'ry joint, and pale his look; 
Not having fcen her in the courts. 
Or found her mention'd in reports. 
He alk'd, with fault'ring tongue, her name,. 
Her errand there, and wdicnce fhe came ? 

Sternly 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



[69 



Sternly the wliite-rob'd Shade replied 
(A crimlbn glow her vifage dyed) 5 
Canir thou be doubtful who I am ? 
Is JulHce grown lb ftrange a name ?^ 
Were not your courts for Juilice rais'd? 
'Twas the-e, of old, my altars blazM. 
My guardian thee I did e;e6t, 
My lac'ed temple to proted, 
That thou .md ail thy venal tribe, 
Should /'purn the goddefs for the bribe. 
Aloud the ruin'd client cries, 
Jultice has neither ears nor eyes'; 
In foul alliance with the bar, 
'Gainit me the judge denounces war, 
And rarely ijlTues his decree 
But with intent to baffie me. 

She paus'd — her brealt with fuiy burn'd 5 
The trembling Lawyer thus returned : 

I own the charge is jui'dy laid, 
And weak tlf excuCe that can be made; 
Yet fearch the fpacioiis globe, and fee 
If all mankind are not like me. 

The gown-man, ikillM in Romlih lies, 
By filth's falfe glafs deludes our eye;j : 
O'er confcience rides without controul, 
And robs the man to fave his foul. 

The doftor, with important face. 
By fly defign miftakes the cafe ; 
Prefcribes, and fpins out the difeafe, 
To trick the pavient of his fees. 

The foldier, rough with many a fear, 
And red with flaughter, leads the war; 
If he a nation's truft betray, 
The foe has offered double pay. 

V/hen vice o'er all mankind prevails, 
And weighty int'reft turns the icales, 
Mail I be better than the rcfl, 
^nd harbour Juftice in my bread? 
On one fide only take the fee. 
Content with poverty ^nd thee ? 

Tlion blind to fenfe, and vile of mind, 
Th' exafperated Shade rejoin'd, 
If virtae from the world is flown. 
Will ether's faults excufe thy own ? 
For fickly Ibuls the prieft was madej 
Phyficians for the body's aid; 
The foldier guarded liberty ; 
Man, woman, and the lawyer me. 
If all are faithlefs to their trull, 
They leave not thee the lefs unjull. 
Henceforth your pleadings I difclaim. 
And bar the fan6lion of my name ; 
Within your courts it fliall be read, 
That Juftice from the lavi' is fled. 

She fpoke; and hid in Ihades her face, 
Tiii Hardwicke footh'd her into grace. 



§318. FABLE IX. The Farmer, the Spaniel, 
and the ■ Cat. 

Why knits my dear her angry brow ? 
What rude oflence alarms you now ? 
I faid that Delia's fair, 'tis true. 
But did I fay flie equall'd you ? 



Can't I another's face commend. 
Or to her virtues be a friend. 
But inftantly your forehead lours, 
As if ^ler merit leflen'd yours ? 
From female ew^jy never free. 
All mull be blind becaufe you fee. 

Survey the garden, fields, and bowers. 
The buds, the bloiibms, and theflow'rs^ 
Then tell me where the woodbhie grows 
That vies in fweebiels with the role; 
Or where the lily's inowy white, 
That throws fuch beauties on the flght? 
Yet folly is it to declare, 
That thefe are neither fweet nor fair. 
The cryftal Ihines with fainter rays 
Before the diamond's brighter blaze ; 
And fops will (ay the diamond dies 
Before the luftre of your eyes : 
But I, who deal in truth, deny 
That neither fnine when you are by. 

When zephyrs o'er the bloflbm ilray^ 
And fweets along the air convey, 
Sha'n't I the fragrant breeze inhale, 
Becaufe you breathe a fweeter gale ? 

Sweet are the flow'us that deck the field j 
Sweet is the fmell the bloflbms yield ^ 
Sv»-eet is the fummer gale that blows; 
And fweet, tho' fweeter you, the rofe. 

Shall envy then torment your breaft. 
If you are lovelier than the rell? 
For v/hile I give to each her due, 
^Y praifing them I flatter you ; 
And praifing moll, I fi::ll declare 
You fairefl:, where the rell are fairl 

As at his board a farmer fate, 
Repleniili'd by his homely treat. 
His fav'rite Spaniel near him llocd. 
And with his m.aller fliar'd the food; 
The crackling bones his jaws devour'd. 
His lapping tongue the trenchers fcour'dj 
Till, lated now, fupine he lay. 
And fnor'd the rifing fumes awa)'=. 

The hungry Cat, in turn, dreW near. 
And humbly crav'd a fervant's (hare ; 
Her miodell worth the mafter knew. 
And fliraight the fott'ning morlei threw: 
Enrag'd, the fnarling Cur awoke, 
And thus with fpit^ful envy fpoke; 

They only claim a right to eat, . 
Who earn by fervices their meat j 
Me, zeal and indufl-ry inflame 
To fcour the fields, and fpring the game 5 
Or, plunged in the wint'ry wave,* 
For man the wounded bird to fave. 
With watchful diligence I keejj 
From prowling wolves his fieecy flieep; 
'At home his midnight hours fecure. 
And drive the robber from the door: 
For this his brealr with kindnefs glows. 
For tliis his hand the food bellows ; 
And fl:iall thy indolence impart 
A warmer friendfliip to his lieart, 
That thus he robs me of my due. 
To pamper fuch vile things as you ! 

I own 



170 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book L 



I oxvn (with meeknefs Pufs replied) 
Superior merit on your fide ; 
Nor does my brer.ll with envy fwell, 
■ To find it recornpenc'd {o well ; 
Yet I, in v.-hat my nature can, 
Contribute to the g-ood of man. 
Whole ciavvs deilroy the pilf 'ring moufe? 
Who drives the vermin frojn the houfe ? 
Or, writchfal for the hb'ring fwain, 
From lurking; rats fecures tiie grain ? 
From hence, if he rewards beftow, 
Why ihould your heart with gall o'erflov/ ? 
Why pine my happinefs to fcx', 
Since there's enough for you and me ? 

Thy words are juft, the farmer cried. 
And ipurn'd the fnarler from his lide. 



§ 319. FABLE X. "Tbe Spider end the Bee. 
Tnii nymph who walks the pubiic ilreets, 
^.nd fets her cap at all flie meets, 
Iklay catch the fool who tuins to ftare ; 
But men of ienfe avoid ihe fnare. 

As on the margin of the liood, 
With r?iken line, my Lydia ftood, 
I fmird to fee the pains die took 
To caver o'er the fraudfui hook. 
Along the foreft as we flray'd. 
You faw the boy his iime-twigs fpread j 
Guefs'd you the reafon of his fear, 
iefl, heedlefs, we approach too near ? 
For as behind the bufh v.'e lay. 
The linnet tlutter'd on the fpray. 

Needs there fuch caution to delude 
Tiie fcaly fry^ and feather'd brood ? 
And think you, with inferior art. 
To captivate the human heart ? 

The maid v/ho modeftly conceals 
Her beauties, while (lie hides, reveals. 
Give but a glimpfe, and faricy draws 
V/hate'er the Grecian Venus wasv 
Fr^m Eve's nril fig-leaf to brocade. 
All drei's was meant for fancy's aid j 
Which evermore delighted dwells 
On what the baflaful nymph conceals. 

When Cclia liruts in man's attire, 
SIi£ fhews too much to raife defire j 
But, from the hoop's bewitching round, 
Ker very fhoe has pow'r to wound. 

The roving eye, the bofom bare. 
The forwardlaugh, the wanton air, ^ 
I»Iay catch the fop : for gudgeons llrike 
At'the bare hook and bait alike j 
While falmon play regardlefs by. 
Till art like nature form.s the fly. 

Beneath a peafant's homely thatch 
A Spider loiig had held her watch 5 
■ From morn to night with reltlefs care, 
Slie ipun her web, and v/ove her fnare. 
Within the limits of her reign 
Lay many a heedlefs captive flain j 
Or fintt'ring flruggled in the toils. 
To burfl: chc chains, and fiiun her wiles. 

A Jlraying Bee, that perch 'd hard by. 
Beheld her with diidainful eye, 



And thus began : Mean thing ! give o'er. 
And lay thy {lender threads no more j 
A thoughtlefs fly or two, at moft. 
Is all the ccnqueil: thou canll boaft j 
For bees of Ienfe thy arts evade, 
We fee i'o plain the nets are laid. 

The gaady tulip, that difplays 
Her fprcading foliage to gaze; 
That points her charms at alj Ihe fees,. 
And yields to ev'iy wanton breeze, 
Attrafts not mej where biulhing grows. 
Guarded with thorns, the m.odefi roie, 
Enamour'd, round and round I fly. 
Or on her fragrant boiom lie ; 
RelutSiant ihe my ardour meets, 
And ba'.hful renders up her fwcets. 

To v.'iferhe^ds atteation lend. 
And learn this lefion from a friend; 
Siie who with raod"{ty retires, 
Adds fuel to her lover's fires ; 
While fuch incautious jilts as you 
By folly your own fcbemes undo. 



§ 520. FABLE XI. The Young Lion audthe A^u 
'Tfs true, I blame your loA^er's choice. 
Though flatter'd by the public voice j 
And peevilh grow, and fick, to hear 
Kis exclamations, O how fair ! 
I liiren not to wild delights, 
And tranfports of expecSteci nights j 
What is to me your hoard of charms. 
The whitenefs of your neck and arms J 
Needs there no acquifition more 
To keep contention from the door? 
Yes i pals a fortnight, and you'll ^\\^ 
All beauty cloys, but of the mind. 

Senfe and good humour ever prove 
The fureft cords to fallen love. 
Yet, Phillis, fimplelt of your fex. 
You never think but to perplex \ 
Coquetting it with ev'ry ape 
Thatftruts abroad in human Ihape ; 
Not that the coxcomb is your tafte. 
But that it flings your lover's breaft. 
To-morrow you refign the iway, 
Prepar'd to honour and obey : 
The tyrant millrefs change for life. 
To the fubmifiTionof a wife. 

Your follies, if you can, fufpend. 
And learn inftruflion from a friend: 

Reluftant hear the firfl addrefs. 
Think often ere you anfwer Yes : 
But, orice refolv'd, throw off difguife, 
And wear your wiflies in your eyes j 
With caution ev'ry look forbear ^ 
That might create one jealous fear, 
iA lover's'" ripening hopes confound. 
Or give the gen'rous breail a wound j 
Contemn the girhfh arts to teaze, 
Nor ufe your pow'r, unlefs to pleafe j 
For fools alone with rigour fway. 
When, foon or late, they muft obey. 

The King of brutes, in life's decline, 
Refolv'd dominion to refign j 

The 



Book T. 



SACRED A 



The beails \rere fumtnon'd to appear. 
And beiid before the royal heir. 
They came j a day was fix'd ; the crowd 
Before their future monarch bow'd. 

A dapper Monkey, pert and v.iin, 
Stepp'd forth, and thus addrefs'd the train : 
Why cringe, my friends, with f.avilh awe, 
Before this pageant king of ftrav/ ? 
Snail we anticipate the hour, 
And, ere we feel it, own his povv'r ? 
The counffcis of experience prize, 
I know the maxims of the wife j 
Subjection let us call away, 
And live the inonarchs of to-day ; 
'Tis ours the vacant hand to fpurn. 
And piay the tyrant each in turn. 
So fnail lie right from w-rong diicern. 
And rnsic , from oppreiTion learn; 
At ethers woes be taught to melt, 
And loach the ills himlelf has felt. 

He fpoke — his bofonifweU'd with pride; 
The youthful Lion thus replied : 

What madnefs prompts thee to provoke 
My wrath, and dare th' impending ilroke? 
Thou wretched foci ! can wrongs impart 
Compaffion to the feeling hea"t ? 
Or teach the grateful breaft to glow, 
The hand to give, or eye to flow ? 
Learned in the prsSfice of their fchools, 
From v/omen thou haft drawn thy rules : 
To them return ; in fiich a caule, 
From only fuch expeft applaufe; 
The partial fex I don't condemn. 
For liking thofe who copy them. 

Wouldil thou the genh-ous lion bind? 
By kindnefs bribe him to be kind j 
Good offices their likenefs get, 
And payment leffens not the debt ; 
With multiplying hand he gives 
The good from others he receives j 
Or for the bad makes fair return. 
And pays with int'reit fcorn for fcorn. 



§321. FABLE XII. Tae Colt and the Farmer. 

Tell me, Corinna, if you can. 
Why {o averfe, fo coy to mian ? 
Did Nature, lavifh of her care. 
From her beft pattern form you fair. 
That you, ungrateful to lier caufe. 
Should mock her gifts, and f])urn her laws ? 
And, mifer-like, withhold that flore. 
Which, by imnartin";, biefles more ? 

Beauty's a gift by Heaven ailign'd 
The portion of the female kind ; 
For this the yielding maid demands 
Proteftion at her lover's hands ; 
And though by waiting years it fade, 
Remembrance tells him once 'twas paid. 

And will you then this wealth conceal. 
For age to ruft, or time to fteal ? 
The limimer of your youth to rove 
A ftranger to the joys of love ? 



N D MORAL. 171 

Then, when life's winter haftens on, 
And youth's fair heritage is gone, 
Dow'rlefs to court fome pealarit's arms. 
To guard your wither'd age from harms ; 
No gratitude to warm his breait, 
For^biooming beauty once polfeil ; 
How will you curie that Itubborn pride 
Which drove your bark acrofs the tide. 
And failing before folly's wind, 
Left fenleand happmels behind ! 
Corinna, left thefe n^hims prevail. 
To fuch as you I v/rite my tale. 

A Colt, for blood and mettled fpeed 
The choiceit of the running breed. ^ 
Of youthful ftrength and beauty vain, 
Retus'd fubjection to the rein. 
In vain the groom's olhcious ikill_ 
Oppos'd his^pride, and check'd his will ; 
In vain the mailer's forming care 
Reftrain'd with threats, or looth'd with pmyY; 
Of freedom proud, and Icorning man. 
Wild o'er the fpacious plains he ran. 

Where'er luxuriant nature ipread 
Her liow'ry carpet o'er the mead. 
Or bubbling ftreams foft gliding pafs. 
To cool and freihen up the g)ds, 
Difdaining bounds, he crept the blade^ 
And wanton'd in the fpoil he made. 

In plenty thus the fummer pafs'd. 
Revolving winter came at lail : 
The trees no more a fhelter yield. 
The verdure withers from the field. 
Perpetual fnows inveft the ground. 
In icy chains the ftream.s are bound, 
Cold, nipping winds, and rattling hail. 
His lank unihejter'd lides afiuil. 
As round he caft his rueful ejes, 
He faw the thatch'd-r^of cottage rife ; 
The profpecL touchd his heart with cheery 
And promis'd kind deliv'rance near. 
A ftable, erft his Icorn and hate. 
Was now become his wiHi'd retreat; 
His pafiion cool, his pride forgot, 
A Farmer's v.elcome yard he fought. 

The matter faw his woeful plight, 
His limbs that totter'd v»'ith his weight: 
And, friendly, to the ftable led, 
And faw him litter'd, drefs'd and fed. 
In flothful eafe all night he Liy, 
The fervants rofe at break of day j 
The market calls — along the road 
His back mult bear the pond'rous loadj 
In vain he ftruggles or complains, 
Inceflant blows reward his pains. 
To-morrow v:iries but his toil ; 
Chain'd to the plough, he breaks the foil j 
While fcanty meals at niglit repay 
The painful labours o* the day. 

Subdued iiy toih 'vith a-iguifh rent, 
His ielf-upbraidir.gs foimd a vent. 
Wretdh that 1 ami he ilghing laid. 
By arrog;\p.ce and folly led : 
Rrid but my reilive youth been brought 
To learn the lelfon nature taught, 

Then 



X72 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book L 



Then had I, like my fiies of yore, 
The prize from ev'ry courfer bore. 
While man beftow'd rewards and praife, 
And females crown my latter days. 
Now hiling lervitnde's my lot, 
My birth contemned, my fpeed forgot} 
Doom'dam I, for my pride, to bear 
A living death from year to year. 



^312. FABLE XIII. ^he Onjjl and the Nigbtingal 

To know ths miflrefs' humour right, 

See if her maids are clean and tight j 

If Betty w;dts without her ftays, 

She copies but her lady's ways. 

When Mifs conies in with boift'rous fliout, 

And drops no curtfey going out, 

Depend upon 't, mamma is one 

Who reads, or drinks too much alone. 
If bottled beer her thirft alTuage, 

She feels enthuiiaflic rage, 

And burns with ardour to inherit 

The gifts and workings of the fpirit. 

If learning crack her giddy brains, 

Ko remedy but death remains. 

Siyn up the various ills of life, 

And all are fweet to fuch a wife. 

At home fuperior wit flie vaunts, 

And twits her hufoand with his wants ; 

Her ragged offspring all around, 

Xike pigs, are wallowing on the ground ; 

Impatient ever oF controul, - 

bhe knows no order but of foul 5 

With books her litter'd floor is fpread, 

Of namelefs authors, never read j 

Foul linen, petticoats, and lace, 

Fill up the intermediate fpace. 

Abroad, at vifitings, her tongue 

Is never ftill, and always wrong; 

All meanings fj^e defines away. 

And ftands v/ith truth and {fnk at bay. 
If e'er fne meets a gentle heart, 

Skill'd in the houfev/ife's ufefal art, 

Who makes her fomily hej care, 

And builds contentment's temple there, 

She'ilarts at fuch mifcakes in nature, 

And cries, Lord help us I what a creature ! 

MelifTa, if the moial ftrike, 
You'll find the fable not unlike. 

An Owl, puff'd up with felf-conceit, 
Lov'd leai-ning better than his meat ; 
Old manufcripts he treafur'd up, 
And rummaged ev'ry grocer's fhop ; 
At paftry-cooks was known to ply, 
And ftrip for Icience ev^ry pye. 
For rx3odern poetry, and v/it, 
iie h.ul read all that Blackmore writ ; 
So intimate v/itb Curl was grown, 
His learned treafares were his own ; 
To all his authors had accefs, 
And fometimes would correft the p tfs. 
In logic he acquir'd fuch knowledge, 
You'd fwear him fellow of a college ; 
/'ilike to ev'ry art and fcience 
ciisdaiiiig genius bid def.ancv. 



And fwalloiv'd wifdom with that haile 
That cits do cuilards at a fealt. 

Within the (helter of a wood. 
One evening, as he mufingftood. 
Hard by, upon a leafy fpraj^, 
A Nightingale began his lay. 
Sudden he Harts, with anger Hung, 
xlnd Icreeching interrupts the fong : 

Pprt, bufy thing ! thy airs give o'er^ 
And let my contemplation foar. 
What is the mulic of thy voice. 
But jarring dilTonance and noife ? 
Be wife 5 true harmony thou'lt {md 
Not in the throat, but in the mind j. 
By empty chirping not attain'd. 
But by laborious iludy gain'd. 
Go, read the authors Pope explodes ; 
Fathom the depths of Gibber's odes j 
With modern plays improi-e thy wit; 
Pvead all the learning Keniey writ j 
And if thou needs mull ling, fmg then^^ 
And emulate the ways' of m,en ; 
So flialt thou grow, like me, refin'd. 
And bring improvement to thy kind. 

Thou wretch, the lirtle warbler cried. 
Made up of ignorance and pride ! 
Afk all the birds, and they'll declare 
A greater blockliead wings not air. 
Kead o'er thyfelf, thy talents fcan, 
Science was only meant for man. 
No fenfelefs authors me moleft, 
I mind the duties of my neft 5 
With careful wing^rote6t my youngs 
And cheer their evenings with a fong : 
Make fliort the w-eary traveller's way, 
And warble in the poet's lay. 

Thus, following nature and her laws, 
Froiu men and birds I claim applaufe j 
While nurs'd in pedantry and fioth. 
An Ov/l is fcorn'd alike by both. 



§323. FABLE XIV. Tie Sparro'vj and the Bo'vs\ 
It -was, as learn'd traditions fty. 
Upon an April's blithefome day. 
When pleafure, ever on the wing, 
Raturn'd, companion of the fpring, 
x4md cheer'dthe birds witham'rous heat^ 
Inftrufting little hearts toieat; 
A Sparrow, frolic, gay, and young. 
Of bold addrefs, and flippant tongue, 
Juft left his lady of a night. 
Like him to follow new delight. 

The youth, of many a conqueft vain, 
Fiev/ off to feek the chirping train ; 
The chirping train he quickly found, 
And with a fancy eafe bow'd round, 
P'or ev'ry Ihe his boforn burns, 
And this and that he woos by turns j 
And here a ligh,. and there a bill ; 
And here — thofe eyes, fo form'd to kill ! 
And now, with ready tongue, he ilrings 
Unmeaning, foft, relilllefs things ; 
With vows and dem-me's ikill'd ta woo. 
As other oretrv fellows do. 

Not 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL 



m 



Not that he thought this fliort efiay 
A prologue needful to his play; 
Ko, truit me, fays our learned letter, 
He knew the virtuous fex much better : 
But thefe he held as fpecious arts. 
To (lievv his own fuperior parts j 
The form of decency to Ibield, 
And give a juft pretence to yield. 

Thus finifhing his courtly play, 
He mark'd the fav'dte of a day ; 
"With carelefs impudence drew near. 
And whifperM Hebrew in her earj 
A hint, which like the mafon's fign, 
The confcious can alone divine. 

The fiutt'ring nymph, expert at feigning, 
Cried, Sir ? — pray. Sir, explain your meaning- 
Go prate to thofe that may endure ye ! — 
To me this rudenefs ! — I'll affure ye ! 
Then off ihe glided like a fvvallovr, 
As faying— you guefs where to follow. 

To fuch as know the party fet, 
'Tis needlefs to declare they met; 
The parfon's barn, as authors mention, 
ConfefsM the fair had apprehenfion. 
Her honour there /ccure from Itain, 
She held all farther trifling vain; 
No more afFe6led to be coy, 
But rufh'd, licentious, on the joy. 
Hift, love ! the male companion cried ; 
Retire awhilcj I fear we're fpied. 
Nor was the caution vain : he faw 
A Turtle ruftling in the ftraw; 
While o'er her callow breed Ihe hung, 
And fondly thus addrefs'd her young: 

Ye tender objefts of my care ! 
Pea^e, peace, ye little helplefs pair ; 
Anon he comes, your gentle fire. 
And brings you all your hearts require. 
For us, his infants, and his bride, 
For us, with only love to guide. 
Our lord afTumes an eagle's fpeed. 
And like a lion dares to bleed. 
Nor yet by wint'ry fkies con fin'd, 
He mounts upon the rudefl wind. 
From danger tears the vital fporl. 
And with affeclion fweetens toil. 
Ah ceafe, too vent'rous, ceafe to dare j 
In thine, our dearer fafety fpare ! 
From him, ye cruel falcons, llrayj 
And turn, ye fowlers, far away ! 

Should I lurviv^e to fee the day 
That tears me from myfelf away; 
That cancels all that Heaven could give, 
The life by which alone I live, 
Alas, how more than loft were I, 
Who in the thought already die. 

Ye pow'rs whom men and birds obey. 
Great rulers of yotir creatures, fay. 
Why mourning comes by blifs convey'd. 
And even the fweets of love allay 'd ? 
Where grows enjoj^-ient, tali and fair. 
Around it twines entangling care; 
While fear for what our fouls poffefs 
Faervates tv'ry pow'r to blels : 



Yet fi'iendihip forms the blifs above; 

And, life, what art thou without love! 
Our hero, who had heard apart. 

Felt fomething moving in his heart; 

But quickly, with dildain, fupprefs'd 

The virtue rifing in his brealt; 

And firft he feign'd to laugh aloud; 

And next, approaching fmil'd and bow'd; 
Madiun, you mull not thiuk me rude; 

Good manners never can intrude; 

I vow I come thro' pure good nature-— 

(Upon my foul a charming creature !) 

Are thefe the comforts of a wife ? 

This careful, cloifter'd, moping life ? 

No doubt that odious thing, call'd Duty, 

Is a fweet province for a beauty. 
[Thou pretty ignorance ! thy will 

Is mealur'd to thy want of fkill ; 

That good old-faihion'd dame, thy mother. 

Has taught thy infant years no other: 

The greateft ill in the creation 

Is fure the want of education- 
Bat think ye— tell me without feigning— 

Have all thefe charms no farther meaning ! 

Dame nature, if you don't forget her. 

Might teach your ladyfhip machbetter. 

For fhame ! rejedl: this mean employment. 

Enter the world and tafte enjoyment. 

Where time by circling bliis v/e meafurej 

Beauty was form'd alone for pleafuie: 

Come, prove the bleffing, follow me. 

Be wife, be happy, and be free. 

Kind Sir, replied our matron chafte. 

Your zeal i'eems pretty much in hafte j 

I own, the fondnefs to be blefc 

Is a deep thirft in ev'ry breaft ; 

Of blefTmgs too I have my ftore, ' 

Yet quarrel not fhould Heaven give more^ 

Then prove the change to be expedient. 

And think me, Sir, your molt obedient. 
Here turning, as to one inferior. 

Oar gallant fpoke, and fhiiPd fuperior : 

Methinks, to quit your boailed ftation 

Requires a world of hefitation ; 

Wliere brats and bonds are held a blefllng. 

The cafe, I doubt, is paft redrefTing. 

Why, child, fuppoie the joys I mention 

Were the micre fruits of my invention. 

You 'vecaufe fufficient for your carriage. 

In flying from the curfe of marriage j 

That fly decoy, witlrvaried fnares, 

That takes your wids^eons in by pairs j 

Alike to hufl^and and to wife, 

The cure of love, and bane of life j 

The only method of forecafliing, 

To make misfortune firm andlafting; 

The fin, by Heaven's peculiar fentence, 

Unpardon'd through a life's repentance. 

It is the double fnake that weds 

A common tail to different heads. 

That lead the carcafe ft'ill afl:ray. 

By dragging each a different way. 

Of all the ills that may attend me, 

From marriage, mighty gods defend me ! 

Give, 



t74 



ELEGANT E^CTRACTS, 



Book Ic 



Give me frank nature's wild demefne. 
And boundlefs trail of air lerene, 
"^'"here fancy, ever wing'd for change,' 
Delights to fport, delights to range: 
There, Liberty ! to thee is owing 
Whatever of biifs is worth bellowing; 
Delights flill varied, and divine^ 
Sweet goddefs of the hills ! are thine, 

What fay you now, you pretty pink, you? 
Have I for once fpoke realbn, think you ? 
You take me now for no romancer — 
Come, never ftudy for an anfvverl 
Away, cafl ev'ry care behind ye, 
And fly where joy alone (hall find ye. 

Soft yet, returned our female fencer j 
A queftion more, or fo — and then, Sir. 
You 've rallied me with ienfe exceeding, 
With much fine wit, and better breeding; 
But pray, Sir, hov/ do you contiive it ? 
Do thofe of your world never wive i; ? 
« No, no/' How then ? " Why, dare I tell ? 
" What does the bus'nefs full as well.'" 
Do you ne'er love ? "An hour at leafure.'* 
Have you no friendihips? " Yes, for pleafure.' 
Ko care for liule ones ? " We get 'em 5 
*'The reft the m.others mind — :md let 'em," 

Thou, wTetch, rtrjoin'd the kindling Dove, 
Quite loil to life, as loH to love ! 
Whene'er m.isfortune comes, how jull ! 
And come misfortunes furely muft. 
In the dread ieafbn of difmay, 
Jn that your hour of trial, fay, 
Who then fhall prop your finking heart? 
"Who bear affii6lion's weightier part ? 

Say, when the black-bow'd welkin bends. 
And winter's gloomy form impends, 
To mourning turns all tranfient cheer. 
And blafts the melancholy year; 
For times at no perfuafion ilay, 
Nor vice can find perpetual May ; 
Then where 's that tongue By folly fed, 
That foul of pertnefs whither fled? 
Ail fiirunk within thy lonely neft. 
Forlorn, abandon'd, and unbleft. 
No friends, by cordial bonds allied, 
Shall feek thy cold unfocial fide; 
No chirping prattlers to delight, 
Shall tu''n the long-enduiing night ; 
No bride her words of balm impart. 
And warm thee at herccnfi:ant heart. 
Freedom, reftrain'd by reafon's force, 
Is as the fun's unvai7ing courfe ; 
Benignly a<5live, fweetly bright. 
Affording warmth, affording light ; 
But. torn from virtue's facrcd rules. 
Become a comet, gaz'd by fools, 
Foreboding cares, and ftorms, and llrife. 
And frauglit with all the plagues of life. 

Thou tool ! by union ev'ry creature 
Subffcs, through univerfal nature; 

And this, to beings void of mind. 
Is wedlock of a meaner kind. 
Winle womb'd in fpace, primrsval clay 
A yet unfafhion'd embryo lay, 



The Source of endlefs good above 
Shot down his fpark of kindling love; 
Touch'd by the all enlivening flame. 
Then miOtion firfl exulting came ; 
Each atom fought its fep'rate clafs 
Through many a fair enamour'd mafs j 
Love call the central charm around. 
And v^ith eternal nuptials bound. 
Then form and order o'er the ficy 
Firil train 'd their bridal pomp on high ; 
The fun difplay'd his orb to fight. 
And burnt with hymeneal light. 

Hence nature's virgin-womb conceiv'd. 
And with the genial burden heav'd ; 
Forth came the oak, her firfl born heir, 
And fcal'd the breathing fleep of air; 
Then infant fiiems of various ufe, 
Imbib'd her foft maternal juice ; 
The flow'rs, in early bloom difclos'd, 
ifjpon her fragrant breafl repos'd ; 
Within her warm embraces grew 
A race of endlefs form and hue : 
Then pour'd her le.Ter offspring round, 
And fondly cloth'd their p;irent ground. 

Nor here alone the virtue reign'd, 
By matter's cumb'riiig form detained j 
But thence, fubliming and refin'd, 
Afpir'd, and reach'd its kindred Mind. 
Caught in the fond celeilial fire, 
The mind perceiv'd unknown defire; 
And now with kind eflufion fiow'd. 
And now with cordial ardours glow'd, 
Beheld the fympathctic fair, 
And lov'd its own refemblance there; 
On all with circling radiance flione. 
But centering fix'd on one alone ; 
There clafp'd the heaven-appointed wife, 
And doubled every joy of life. 

Here ever bleffiag, ever blefl 
Refides this beai:ty of the breafl; 
As from his palace here the god 
Still beams effulgent blifs abroad ; 
Here gems liis own eternal round, 
The ring by which the world is bound j 
Here bids his feat of empire grow. 
And builds his little heaven below. 

The bridal partners thus allied, 
And thus in fv\eet accordance tied. 
One body, heart, and fpiritlive, 
Enrich'd by ev'ry joy they give ; 
Like echo, from iier vocal hold, 
Return"d in niu fie twenty-fold. 
Their union, firm and undecay'd, , 
Nor time can fliake, nor pow'r invade; 
Hut,' as the Item and fcion lland 
Ingrafted by a fkilful hand. 
They check the tempefl's wint'ry rage. 
And bloom and flrengthen into age. 
A thoufand amities unknown, 
And pow'rs perceiv'd by love alone, 
Endearing looks and chaile defire. 
Fan and iupport the mutual fire ; 
Whofe flame, perpetual as refia'd. 
Is fed by an immortal mind. 



Nail 



SOOK I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



I7S 



Nor yet the nuptial ran£lion ends : 
Like Nile it opens, and defcends j 
Which, by app:ii-e;it windings led. 
We trace to its celeftlal head. 
The lire, fiill ipi in^^ing from above. 
Becomes the fource of life and love. 
And gives his filial heir to flow 
In fondnefs down on fons below: 
Thus, roird in one continued tide, 
To time's extremell verge they glide ; 
While kindred ftreams on either hand, 
Branch forth in bleinngs o'er the land. 

Thee, wretch 1 no lifping babe fliail name, 
No late-returning brother claim, 
No Icinfman on thy light rejoice, 
No filler greet thy entering voice j 
With partial eyes no parent fee, 
And blefs their years reilor'd in thee. 

In age rejected or declined, 
An alien even among thy kind, 
The partner of thy icornVi embrace 
Shall play the w.^nton in thy face; 
Each fpark unplume thy little pride. 
All friendlhip fly thy faithlefs fide. 
Thy name fliall like thy carcafe rot. 
In licknefs Ipurn'd, in death forgot. 

All-giving PowV! great Sowrce of life I 
Oh hear the parent, hear the wife ! 
That life thou lendelt from above. 
Though little, make it large in lovej 
p bid my feeling heart expand 
To evYy claim, on ev'ry hand ; 
To thofe from whom my days I drew. 
To thele in v.-hom thofe days renew. 
To all my kin, however wide, 
In cordial w\armth as blood allied, 
To friends with fteely fetters twin'd, 
And to the cruel, not unkind ! 

But chief the lord of my defire. 
My life, myfelf, my foul, my fire. 
Friends, children, all ihat wifh can claim, 
Challe paflion clafp, and rapture name— 
O fpare him, fpare him, gracious Pow'r ! 
O give him to my bteft hour! 
Let me my length of life employ 
To give my fole enjoyment joy. 
His love let mutual love excite. 
Turn ail my cares to his delight ; 
And ev'ry needlefs blefling fpare. 
Wherein my darling wants a Ihare. 
When he with graceful adion woos, 
A.nd fweetly bills, and fondly coos, 
Ah ! deck me, to his eyes alone. 
With charms attra6iive as his own ; 
And, in my ciicling wings carefs'd. 
Give ail the lover to my breaft. 
Then in ou'- chafte connubial bed. 
My bofom piilow'd for his head, 
His eyes with blifsful flumbers clofe, 
A.nd vvatch, with me, my lord's repofe 5 
Your peace around his temples tv/ine. 
And iovv* him with a love like mine. 

And. fior I knew his rren'rous flame, 
-ii'er my lex can claim, 



Me too to your prot^flion take. 
And I'pa^e me for my hulband's fake. 
Ltt one unruliled, calm delight 
The loving and belov'd unitej 
One pure defire our bofom.s warm. 
One v/iil direft, one v.iih inform j 
Through life, one mutual aid fuftain ; 
In death, one peaceful grave contain. 

While fwelling viith the darling theme. 
Her accents pour'd an endlefs fl:ream. 
The well-knov/n wings a found impart. 
That I'each'd her ear, and touch'd her heart; 
Quick di-opp'd the muiic of her tongue. 
And forth vvith e.dgev joy fhe fprung. 
As fwift her ent'ring confort flew. 
And plum'd, and kindled at the view; 
Their wings, their fouls, embracing meet. 
Their hearts with anfv.'eringmealure beat j 
Hulf loll in fecret fweets, and blels'd 
With raptures felt, but ne'er exprefs'd. 

Straight to her humble roof {lit led 
The partner of her fpotiefs bed ; 
Her young, a flutt'ring pair, arile. 
Their welcome fparkling in their eyesj 
Tranfported, to their fire they bound. 
And hang with fpeechlels aftion round. 
In pleafure wrapt the parents ftand, 
And fee their little wings expand j 
The lire his life-fufl:aining prize 
To each pxpe6ling bill applies. 
There fondly pours the wheaten fpoiJ, 
With tranfport giv'n, tho' won with toil; 
While ail-collefted at the fight. 
And lilent through fuprerne delight. 
The fair high heaven of blifs beguiles. 
And on her lord and infants fmiles. 

The Sparrow, whofe attention hung 
Upon the Dove's enchanting tongue. 
Of all his little flights difarm'd. 
And from himfelf by virtue charm'd. 
When now he faw what only feem'd 
A fa 61, fo late a fable deem'd. 
His foul to envy he refign'd. 
His hours of folly to the wind j 
In fecret wifli a Turtle too, 
And, fighing to him.felf, whhdrew., 



§ 324. FABLE XV. The Female Seducers, 
'Tis faid of widow, maid, and wife. 
That honour is a vv^oinan's life; 
Unhappy fex ! who only claim 
A being in the breath of fame; 
Which, tainted, not the quick'ning gales 
That fweep Sabasa's fpicy vales. 
Nor all the healing fweets refliore, 
That breathe along Arabia's Ihore. 

The traveller, if he chance to fliray. 
May turn uncenfur'd to his way; 
Polluted ftreams again are pure. 
And deepell wounds admit a cure : 
But woman no redemption knows. 
The wounds of honour never clofe. 

Tho' diftant evVy hand to guide. 
Nor Ikiird on life's tempeftuous tide^ 



If 



t?^ 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I^ 



If once bcr feeble bark recede, 

Or dev'i:it£ rVoni the courfe decreed, 

In vain fhe feeks the fViendlefs Qiore, 

Her i witter folly ilits before ! 

The circling ports againfl her ciofe. 

And fhut the wand'rer from repo'ej 

Till, by conlii^iling waves oppreisM, 

Ker found'ring- pinnace links to reil. 

Are tilere no oiferings to atone 
For bitt ;i iingie error?-— -None. 
Tho' uom;iri is avow'd, of old. 
Nay dliijgl-ter of celefcial mould. 
Her temp'ring not without allay. 
And form'd but of the finer clay, 
We challenge from the mortal dame 
The ilrengih angelic natures claim ; 
]May mere — for iacred flories tell, 
Tht!t even immortal angels fell. • 

Whatever fills the teemliicr f phere 
Of b.uraid eai'th, and ambient air> 
With varying elements endued, 
Was foiTnM to fall, and rife renew'd, 

The ftars no fix'd duration knov; ; 
Wide oce:u*5 ebb, again to flow ; 
The moon repletes her waning face, 
Ail beauteous from her late diigrace ; 
And fan?, that mourn approaching night, 
Refulgent rife r.'ith nev/-born light. 

In vain may "death and time fubdue. 
While nature mints her race anev/ j 
And holrls ibn-\e vital fioark apart, 
Xike virtue, liid in ev'ry heart. 
^ rig hence reviving warmth is ieen. 
To clothe a naked world in green* 
Ko longer barr'd by winter's cold. 
Again the gates of life unfold 5 
Again each infeir tries his wing-, 
And lifts fVefii pinions on the Ipring ; 
Again from evVy latent root 
The bladed fl^m- alid tendril dioot. 
Exhaling incenfc to the fkies, 
Again to peri Hi, and to rife. 

And muinveak woman then difown 
The change to which a world is prone? 
In one uieri'.lian brightnefs fnincy 
And ne'er like ev'ning ftins decline? 
Kefolv'd and firm alone ? Is this 
What we demand of won-Kln ? — Yes. 

i?ut in c aid the fpark of veiial fire 
In ibm.e imguardcd hour expire? 
Or fnould the nightly thief invade 
Ku^fp'Sria's chafle and facrtd fhade, 
( fall the blwoniirig fpoil poft'efs^d, 
The dragon I^onour charm'd to ref^, 
Sliall virtue's flame no niore return ? 
No more with virgin fplendour burn ?■ 
Ko more the ravag'd garden blow 
With fpring's fuccceding bloffom r— -No, 
Fity may mourn, but not rellcre j 
And woman fills — to rife no morel 

\"1'ithin this fr.blunary fphere 
A countiy lies — no matter v/hej-ej 
The clime' may readily be found 
By all who tread poetic ground j 
9 



A i^ream call'd Life, acrofs it glides, 
And equally the land divides; 
And here, of vice the province lies j 
And there fhe hills of virtue rife. 

Upon a mountain"?; airy Hand, 
Whole lummit look'd to either land. 
An ancient pair their dwelling chofe. 
As well tor profpect as repofe ; 
Fpr mutual faith they lon^ were fam^dg 
And Temp'rance and Religion nam'd* 

A num'rous progeny divine 
Confefs'd the honours of their line. 
But in a little daughter fair 
Wab' center'd m.ore than half their care; 
For Heaven to gratulate her birth. 
Gave figns of future joy to earth 5 
Whiite was the robe this infant wore. 
And Chaltity the nam^e fne bore. 

As now the maid in flature grew 
(A fiow'r juft op'ning to the view) 
Oft through her native lawns fhe flray'd, 
And Vi-reftling with the lambkins play'd ; 
Her looks diliiifive fweets bequeath'd* 
The bree!?.e grew purer as flie breath'd ; 
The m,orn her radiant blufh afium'd, 
The fpring with earlier fragrance bloom'd; 
And nature yearly took delight, 
Like her to drefs the world in whiter - 

But when her riling form was feen 
To reach the crifis of fifteen, 
Her parents up the mouiitain's head 
Y/ith anxious fiep their darling led; 
By turns they fnatcli'd her to their breafl^ 
And thus the fears of age exprefs'd: 

O joyful caufe of many a care ! 
O daughter too divindy fair ! 
Yon world, on this important day> 
Dem.ands thee to a dangVous way ; 
A painful journey all muft go, 
Whole doubted periqci none can knowj 
Whole due dircilion who can find. 
Where reafon's mute, and fcnfe is blind? 
Ah, what unequal leaders thefe. 
Thro'' f\ich a wide, perplexing m^aze ! 
Then mark the warnings of the wife. 
And learn what love and years advife. 

Far to the riglit thy profpcft bend, 
Vv''h.ere }^onder tov/'ring hills afcend ; 
Lo! there the arduous path 's in view 
Which Virtue and her fons pn.riue ; 
Wiih toil o^er lefs'ning earth they rife^ 
And gain, and gain upon the fkies. 
Narruw 's the way her children tread, 
I\-o walk for pleafure fmoothly fpread^ 
But rough, and difBcult, and fteep, 
Pafhfnl to clim.b, and hard to keep. 

Fruits immature thofe lands di-jpenfe^ 
A i'o'M indelicate to fenfe, 
Of tafte unpleafant: yet from, thofe 
Pure health, with cheerful vigour, flows; 
And ftrength; unfeeling of decay. 
Throughout the long laborious way. 

Hence, as they fcrde that heavenly road^ 
Each IJmb is iighten'd of its load j 

From 



00 K I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



^77 



From earth refining flill they go, 
And leave the mortal weight below ; 
Then fpreads the ftrait, the doubtful clears. 
And fmooth the rugged path appears j 
For cuftom turns fatigue to eafe, 
And, taught by virtue, pain can pleafe. 
At length, the toilfbme journey o'er. 
And near the bright celeflial fliore, 
A gulf, black, fearful, and profound. 
Appears, of either world the bound. 
Through dafknefs leading up to light; 
Senfe backward ihrinks, and Ihuns the fight ; 
For there the tranfitory train 
Of time, and foim, and care, and pain, 
And matter's grofs incumb'ring mafs, 
Man's late afTociates, cannot pafs ; 
But, finking, quit th' immortal charge, 
And l«ave the wond'ring foul at large j 
Lightly (he wino;s her obvious way. 
And mingles with eternal day. 

Thither, oh thither wing thy fpeed, 
Tho' pleafure charm, or pain impede; 
To fuch th"" all-bounteous Pow'r has given, 
For prefent earth, a future heaven; 
For trivial lofs, unmeaiur'd gain ; 
And endlefs blifs for tranfient pajn. 

Then fear, ah ! fear to turn thy fight 
Where yonder flowVy fields invite : 
Wide on the left the pathway bends, 
And with pernicious eafe defcends ; 
There, fweet to fenfe, aud fair to ihow, 
New-planted Edens feem to blow. 
Trees, that delicious poifon bear; 
For death is vegetable there. 

Hence is the frame of health unbrac*d. 
Each finew ilack'ning at the tafte. 
The foul to pafilon yields her throne, 
And fees with organs not her own ; 
While, like the fiumb'rer in the night, 
Pleas'd with the (liadowy dream of light. 
Before her alienated eyes 
The fcences of fairy-land arife ; 
The puppet world's amufing fliow, 
Dipp'd in the gaily-coiour'd bow, 
Sceptres and wreaths, and glitt'ring things, 
The toys of infants and of kings, 
That tempt along the baneful plain. 
The idly wife and lightly vain, 
Till, verging on the gulfy (hore. 
Sudden they fink — and rife no more. 
But lilt to what thy fates declare ; 
Tho' thou art woman, frail as fair. 
If once thy Hiding foot fhould ftray. 
Once quit yon heaven-appointed way. 
For thee, loft maid, for thee alone, 
Nor pray'rs (hall plead, nor tears atooe j 
Reproach, fcorn, infamy, and hate. 
On thy returning fteps (hall wait; 
Thy form be loath'd by ev'ry eye, 
And ev'ry foot thy prefence fly. 

Thus arm'd with words of potent found. 
Like guardian angels plac'd around, 
A charm by truth divinely caft, 
Forward our young adventurer pafs'd ; 



Forth from her facred eyelids fent. 
Like morn, fore-i%nning radiance went. 
While Honour, handmaid late afllgn'd, 
Upheld her lucid train behind, 

Awe-ftruck, the much-admiring crowd 
Before the virgin vifion bow'd ; 
Gaz'd with an ever-new delight. 
And caught fre(h virtue at the fight ; 
For not of earth's unequal frame , 
They deem the heaven-compounded Dame; 
If matter, fare the moft refin'd, 
High wrought, and temper'd into mind^ 
Some darling daughter of the day, 
i And bodied by her native ray. 

Where'er (he pafles, thoufands bend. 
And thoufands where (he moves attend 5 
Her ways obfervant eyes confefs. 
Her fteps purfuing praifes blefs j 
While to the elevated Maid 
Oblations, as to heaven, are paid. 

'Twason an ever-blithfome day. 
The jovial birth of rofy May, 
When genial warmth, no more fuppreft, 
Now melts the froft in ev'ry breaft. 
The cheek with fecret fiufhing dyes. 
And looks kind things from chafteft eyesj 
The fun with healthier vifage glows, 
Afide his clouded kerchief throws. 
And dances up th' ethereal plain. 
Where late he us'd to climb with pain. 
While nature, as from bonds fet free. 
Springs out, and gives a loofe to glee. 

And now; for momentary reft, 
The nymph her travell'd ftep reprefs'd, 
Juft turn'd to view the ftage attain'd, 
And gloried in the height (he gain'd. 
Outltretch'd before her wide furvey 
The realms of fweet perdition lay, 
And pity touch'd her foul with woe, 
To fee a world fo loft below ; 
When ftraight the breeze began to breathe 
Airs, gently wafted from beneath. 
That bore coramifTion'd witchcraft thence. 
And reach'd her fympathy of fenfe ; — • 
No founds of difcord, that difclofe 
A people funk and loft in woes. 
But as of prefent good polTeft, 
The veiy triumph of the bleft. 
The Maid in rapt attention hung,"" 
While thus approaching Sirens lung; 
Hither, faireft, hither haite, 
Brighteft beauty, come and tafte 
What the pow'rs of blifs unfold, 
Joys too mighty to be told : 
Tafte what ecftacies they give ; 
Dying raptures tafte, and live. 

In thy lap, dildaining meafure. 
Nature empties all her treafure, 
Soft defires, that fweetlv languifh t 
Fierce delights, that rife to angui(h} 
Faireft, dolt thou yet delay? 
Brighteft beauty, come away. 
Lift not, when the froward chide. 
Sons of pedantry and pride, 

N Snarl ers, 



7« 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



Snarlers, to ^vhofe feeble fenfe 
April's lunfliine is oftence j 
Age and envy will advife 
Even againll the joy they prize. 

Come, in pleaiiire's balmy bowl 
Slake the thirftings of thy foul, 
Till thy raptur'd pow'rs are feinting 
With enjoyment pall the painting j 
Faireft, doll thou yet delay 
Brighteft beautj'^, come away. 
So fuQg the Sirens, as of yore, 
Upon the falfe Aufonian fliore } 
And O ! for that preventing chain, 
That bound Ulyfles on the main, 
That fo our Fair One might withftand 
The covert ruin, now at hand. 

The fong her charm'd attention drew. 
When now the tempters flood in view j 
Curioiity, with prying eyes. 
And hands of bufy bold emprife j 
Like Hermes, i'eath^''d were her feet j 
And, like fore-nmning Fancy, fleet j 
By fearch untaught, by toil untir'd. 
To novelty flie ftill afpir'd, 
Taftelefs of every good pofieft, 
And but in expeftation blen;. 

With her, aflbciate, Pleafure came, 
Gay Pleafure, frolic-loving dame, 
Her mien all fwimming in delight. 
Her beauties half reveal'd to fight ; 
Loofe flow'd her garments from the ground, 
And caught the killing winds around. 
As erft Medufa's looks were known 
To turn beholders into ftone, 
A,dire reverfion here they felt. 
And in the eye of Pleafure melt. 
Her glance wMth fweet perfaafion charmM, 
Unnerv'd the ftrong, the fteel difarm'd j 
No fafety ev'n the flying find. 
Who, vent'rous, look but once behind. 
Thus was the much-admiring Maid, 
While diftant, more than half betray'd. 
Vi^ith fmiles, and adulation bland, 
They join'd her fide, and feiz'dher hand ; 
Their touch envenom'd fweets inftiird, 
Her frame with new pulfations thriird j 
While half confenting, half denying, 
Reluftant now, and now complying, 
Amidft a war of hopes and fears, . 
Of trembling w fhes, finiling tears, 
Stiil down and down, the winning pair 
Compeird the ftruggiing, yielding Fair. 
As when fome flately veflel, bound 
To bleft Arabia's diftant ground. 
Borne from her courfes, haply lights 
Where Barca's flow'ry clime invites, 
Concealed around whofe treach'rous land 
Lurk the dire rock and dang'rous fand j 
The pilot warns, with fail and oar 
To (hun the much-fufpe6led fhore, 
In vain ; the tide, too fubtly ftrong, 
Still bears the wreftling bark along. 
Till, found'ring, flie refigns to fate. 
And finks, o'erwhelm'd, with all her freight. 



So, baffling ev'ry bar to fin, 
And Keav'ns own pilot plac'd within, 
Along the devious, fraooth delcent, 
With pow'rs increafing as they went. 
The dames, accuftom'd to fubdue. 
As with a rapid current drew, 
And o'er the fatal bounds convey'd 
The loft, the long-reiu6lant Maid. 

Here ftop, ye fair ones, and beware, 
Nor fend your fond afFe6lions there ; 
Yet, yet your darling, now deplored. 
May tarn to you and heav'n reftor'd ; 
Till then, with weeping Honour wait. 
The fervant of her better fate ; 
With Honour, left upon the fhore. 
Her friend and handmaid now no more j 
Nor, with the guilty world, upbraid 
The fortunes of a wretch betray'd; 
But o'er her failing caft a veil, 
Rememb'ring you yourfelves are frail. 

And now from all-enquiring light, 
Faft fled the confcious fhades of night i 
The Damfel, from a fhort repofe. 
Confounded at her plight, arole. 

As when with flumb'rous weight oppreft. 
Some wealthy mifer finks to reft. 
Where felons eye the glitt'ring prey. 
And fteal his hoard of joys away ; 
He, borne where golden Indus ftreams. 
Of pearl and quarry 'd diamond dreams j 
Like Midas, turns the glebe to ore. 
And ftands all rapt amidft his ftore j 
But wakens, naked and defpoil'd, 
Of that for which his years had toil'd : 

So far'd the Nymph, her treafure flown. 
And turn'd, like Niobe, to ftone ; 
Within, without, obfcure and void. 
She felt all ravag'd, all deftroy'd. 
And, O thou curs'd, infidious coaft ! 
Are tliefe the bleftings thou canft boalt ? 
Thefe, Virtue ! thefe the joys they find. 
Who leave thy heaven-topt hills behind? 
Shade me, ye pines, ye caverns hide. 
Ye mountains, cover me, iht cried. 

Her trumpet Slander rais'd on high. 
And told the tidings to the (ky ; 
Contempt difcharg'd a living dart, 
A fide-long viper to her heart , 
Reproach breath'd poifons o'er her face. 
And foil'd aud blafled ev'ry grace ; 
Officious Shame, her handmaid nev>-, 
Still turn'd the mirror to her view, - 
While thefe in crimes the deepeft dyed 
Approach'd to whiten at her fide ; 
And ev'iy lewd infuking dame 
Upon her folly rofe co fame. 

What fliouid flie do ? Attempt once more 
To gain the late deferted fhore? 
So trafting, back the Mourner flew. 
As faft the train of fiends purfue. 

Again the farther ihore's attain'd. 
Again the land of virtue gain'd ; 
But echo gathers in the wind, 
And fliews her inftaiic foes behind. 

Araaz'd 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



U9 



AmazM with headlong fpeed fhe tends, 
Where late Ihe left an holl of friends j 
Alas ! thofe ihrinking friends decline. 
Nor longer own that form divine: 
With fear they mark the following cry. 
And frona the lonely trembler fly, 
Or backward drive her on the coaft, 
Where peace was wreck'd and honour loft. 
From earth thus hoping aid in vain, 
To Heaven not daring to complain j 
No truce by hoftile ckmour given, 
And from the face of friend(hip driven, 
The Nymph funk proftrate on the ground 
With all her v/eight of woes around. 

Enthroned within a circling fky, 
Upon a mount o'er mountains high. 
All radiant fat, as in a flirine, 
Virtue, iirft effluence divine; 
Far, far above the fcenes of woe. 
That fhut this cloud-wrapt world below 5 
Superior goddefs, effence bright. 
Beauty of uucreated li^ht, 
Whom fhould mortality furvey. 
As doom'd upon a certain day. 
The breath of frailty mull expire. 
The world dilTolve in living fire, ~^ 
The gems of heaven and folar flame. 
Be quench'd by her eternal beam. 
And nature, quickening in her eye. 
To rife a new-born phoenix die. 

Hence, unreveal'd to mortal view, 
A veil around her form Ihe threw, 
Which three fad fifters of the fhade. 
Pain, Care, and Melancholy, made. 
Thro' this her all-enquiring eye 
Attentive from her ftation high. 
Beheld, abandoned to defpair. 
The ruins of her fav'rite fair ; 
And with a voice whofe awful found 
Appall'd the guilty world around. 
Bid the tumultuous winds be Hill, 
To numbers bow'd each lift'ning hill, 
Uncurrdthe furging of the main 
And fmootli'd the thorny bed of pain ; 
The golden harp of heaven fhe ftrung. 
And thus the tuneful goddefs fung : 

Lovely Penitent arife. 
Come, and claim thy kindred ikies j 
Come, thy fifter angels fay 
Thou has wept thy ilains away. 

Let experience now decide 
'Twixt the good and evil tried j 
In the fmooth, enchanted ground. 
Say, unfold the treafures found. 

Stru(5lures, rais'd by morning dreams ; 
Sands, that trip the flitting ftreams j 
Down, that anchors on the air ; 
Clouds, that paint their changes there j 

Seas, that fmoothly dimpling lie. 
While the ftorm impends on high. 
Shewing, in an obvious ?lafs, 
Joys that in poiTefllon pafs j 



Tranfient, fickle, light, and gay, 
Flatt'ring, only to betray; 
What, alas, can life contain!^ 
Life ! like all its circles — vain. 

Will the fliork, intending reft. 
On the billow build her neft ? 
Will the bee demand his ftore 
From the bleak and bladelefs fhore ? 

Man alone, intent to ftray, 
Ever turns from wifdom's way ; 
Lays up wealth in foreign land. 
Sows the fea, and ploughs the fand. 

Soon this elemental mafs, 
Soon the incumbering world fhall pafs : 
Form be wrapt in wafting fire. 
Time be fpent, and life expire. 

Then, ye boafted works of men. 
Where is your afylum then ? 
Sons of pleafure, fons of care. 
Tell me, mortals, tell me where ? 

Gone, like traces on the deep. 
Like a fceptred grafp'd in fleep. 
Dews exhal'd from morning glades. 
Melting fnows, and gliding fhades. 

Pafs the world, and what's behind ? 
Virue's gold, by fire refin'd j 
From an univerfe deprav'd, 
From the wreck of nature fay'd. 

Like the life-fuppoiting grain. 
Fruit of patience and of pain. 
On the fwain's autumnal day. 
Winnow 'd from the chaft' away. 

Little trembler, fear no more, 
Thou haft plenteous crops in ftore. 
Seed, by genial forrows fown. 
More than all thy fcorners own. 

What tho' hoftile earth defpife. 
Heaven beholds with gentler eyes ; 
Heaven thy friendlefs fteps fhall guide. 
Cheer thy hours and guard thy fide. 

When the fatal trump fhall found. 
When th' immortals pour around. 
Heaven fhall thy return atteft, 
Hail'd by myriads of the bleft. 

Little native of the ikies. 
Lovely penitent, arife ; 
Calm thy bofom, clear thy brow. 
Virtue is thy fifter now. 

More delightful are my woes 
Than the rapture pleafure knows 5 
Richer far the weeds I bring 
Than the robes that grace a king. 

On my wars of fhorteft date, 
Crowns of endlefs triumph wait j 
On my cares a period bleft j 
On my toils eternal reft. 

Come, with Virtue at thy fide; 
Come, be ev'ry bar defied. 
Till we gain our native fhore ; 
Sifter, come, and turn no more. 

N 2 § 3»5, 



^ 



180 



ELEGANT* EXTRACTS. 



Soojt I.. 



§325. FABLE XVI. Lfnje and Vanity i 
The bre»"zy morning breath d perfume, 
The Avak'ning ilowYs unveil their bloom. 
Up with the lun, from fhort repofe, 
Oay health and lufty labour role; 
The milkmaid caroll'd at her pail, 
And (hepherds whillled o'er the dale : 
When Love, who led a rural life, 
Remote from buftle, ftate, and ft rife, 
Forth from his thatch-rooPd cottageftray^d, 
And ftroird along the dewy glade. 

A .Nymph, who lightly tripp'd it by, 
To quick attention turn'd his eye j 
He marked the gefture of the Fair, 
Her felf-fufficient gface and air, 
Her fteps that mincing, meant to pleafe, 
Her ftudied neglience and eafe ; 
And curious to enquire what meant 
Tliis thing of prettinefs and paint, 
Approaching fpoke, and bowM obfervant j 
The lady ilightlj, — ^Sir, your fervant. 

Such beauty m fo nide a place '. 
Fair one, you do the country" grace j 
At court no doubt the public care, 
But Love has fmall acquaintance there. 

Yes, Sir, replied the fiutt'ring Dame, 
This form confefies whence it came j 
But dear variety, you know, 
Can make us pride and pomp forego. 
My name is Vanity. I Iway 
The utmoft iilands of the fea ; 
Within my court all honour centres; 
I raife the meaneft foul that enters. 
Endow with latent gifts and graces, 
And model fools for pofts and places. 

As Vanit}' appoints at pleafure. 
The world receives its weight and meafure j 
Hence all the grand concerns of life, 
Joys, cares, plagues, paffions, peace, and ftrife. 

Refleft how far my pow'r prevails, 
When I ftep in where nature fails. 
And evVy breach of fenfe repairing. 
Am bounteous ftill where heaven Is fparing. 
But chief in all their arts and airs, 
Their playing, painting, pouts, and pray'rs. 
Their various habits, and complexions. 
Fits, frolics, foibles, and perfeftions. 
Their robing, curling, and adorning. 
From noon to night, from night to morning, 
From fix to nxty, fick or found, 
I rule the female world around. 
Hold tl^ere a moirient, Cupid cried. 
Nor boall dominion quite fo wide. 
Was there no province to invade. 
But that by Love and Meeknefs fway'd? 
All other empire I rclign ; 
But be the fphere of beauty mine. 

For in the downy lawn of reft. 
That opens on a woman's breaft. 
Attended by my peaceful train, 
I choofe to live, and choofe to reign. 

Far-fighted faith I bring along. 
And truth above an army ftrong 5 



And chaftity of icy mould, 
Within the burning tropics cold ; 
And lowlinefs to whofe mild brow 
The pow'r and pride of nations bowj 
And modefty,. with downcaft eye. 
That lends the inorn her virgin dye j, 
And innoefence, array'd in light ; 
And honour, as a tow'r upright; 
With fweetly winning graces more 
Than poets ever dreamt of yore, 
In unaft'e6led conduct free. 
All fmiling fifters, three times three j 
And rofy peace, the cherub bleft. 
That nightly fmgs us all to reft. 

Hence, from the bud oi nature's prime, 
From the firft ftep of infant time. 
Woman, th' world's appointed light. 
Has fkirted ev'ry ftiade with white j 
Has ftood for imitation high. 
To ev'ry heart and ev'iy eye. 
From ancient deeds of fair renown, 
Has brought her bright memorials down : 
To time affix'd perpetual youth, 
And form'd each tale of love and truth. 

Upon a new Promethean plan 
She moulds the eflence of a man, 
Tempers his mafs, his genius fires. 
And, as a better foul infpires. 

The rude flie foftens, warms the cold. 
Exalts the meek, and checks tlic bold. 
Calls floth from his fupine repofe. 
Within the coward's bofom glows. 
Of pride unplumes the lofty creft. 
Bids bafhful merit ftand confeft. 
And, like coarfe metal from the mines, 
Collects, irridiates, and refines. 
The gentle fcience fhe imparts. 
All manners fraooths, informs all hearts ; 
From her fweet inftnence are felt 
Paffions that pleaie, and thoughts that melt; 
To ftormy rage flie bfds centroul, 
And fmk's ferenely on the foul. 
Softens Deucalion's flinty race. 
And tunes the warring world to peace. 

Thus arm'd to all that's light and vain, 
And freed from thy fantaftic chain. 
She fills tlie fphere by Heaven aflign'd. 
And, rul'd by me, o'er-rules mankind. 

He fpoke. The Nymph impatient ftood. 
And, laughing, thus her fpeech rcnew'd; 

And pray. Sir, may I be (o bold 
To hope your pretty tale is told; 
And next demand without a cavii, 

What new Utopia do you travel ? • 

Upon my word thefe high-flown fancies. 
Shew depth of learning— in romances. 

Why what unfaftiion'd fluff you tell us 
Of buckram dames and tiptoe fellows ! 
Go, child ; and when your grown maturer. 
You'll fhoot yonr next opinion furer, 

O fuch a pretty knack at painting ! 
And all for foft'ning and for fainting ♦ 
Guefs now, who can, a fingle feature, 
Thro' the whole piece of female nature ; 

^ Then 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



iSi 



Then mark, my loofer hand may fit 
The lines, too coarfe for Love to hit. 

'Tis faid that woman, prone to changing, 
Thro"* all the rounds of folly ranging, 
On life's uncertain ocean riding, 
No reafon, rule, nor rudder guiding. 
Is like the comet's wand'ring light. 
Eccentric, ominous, and bright; 
Trackleis, and (hifting as the wind ; 
A fea, whofe fathom none can find; 
A moon, ftill changing and revolving; 
A riddle, paftall human folving; 
A blifs, a plague, a heaven, a hell; 
A fomething that no man can tell. 

Now learn a fecret from a friend, 
But keep your counfel, and attend. 

Tho' in their tempers thought fo diftant, 
Nor with their fex nor felves confifteuit, 
'Tis but the difference of a name, 
And ev'ry woman is the fame ; 
For as the world, however varied, 
And through unnumber'd changes carried, 
Of elemental modes and forms, 
Clouds, meteors, colours, calms and ftorms, 
Tho' in a thoufand iiiits array'd. 
Is of one fubjedl: matter made ; 
So, Sir, a woman's conftitution, 
The world's enigma, finds folution ; 
And let her form be what you will, 
I ara the fubjeft eflence ftill. 

With the firft fpark of female fenfe. 
The fpeck of being, I commence. 
Within the womb make frefh advances, 
Ahd diftate future cjualms and fanciesj 
Thence in the growing form expand. 
With childhood travel hand in hand. 
And give a tafte for all their joys 
In gewgaws, rattles, pomp, andnoife. 

And now, familiar and unaw'd, 
I fend the flutt'ring foul abroad, 
Prais'd for her fhape, her air, her mien, 
The little goddefs, and the queen. 
Takes at her infant ftirine oblation, 
And drinks fw€et draughts of adulation. 

Now blooming, tall, ereft, and fair. 
To drefs becomes her darling care ; 
The realms of beauty then I bound; 
I fwell the hoop's enchanted round. 
Shrink in the waift's defcending fize. 
Heav'd in the fnowy bofom, rife. 
High on the flowing lappet fail. 
Or, curl'd in trefles, kifs the gale. 
Then to her glafs I lead the fair. 
And ihev^ the lovely idol there; 
Where, ftruck as by divine emotion. 
She bows with moft fincere devotion. 
And, numb'ring ev'ry beauty o'er, 
In fecret bids the world adore. 

Then all for parking and parading. 
Coquetting, dancing, mafquerading: 
For balls, plays, courts, and crowds what pafllon! 
And churches, fometimes — if the fafliion; 
For woman's fenfe of right and wrong 
Is rul'd by the almighty throng; 



' Still turns to each meander tame, 
And fwims the ftraw of ev'ry ftreara. 
Her foul intrinfic worth rejeils, 
Accomplilh'd only in defeats ; 
Such excellence is her ambition. 
Folly her wifeft acquifition ; 
And even from pity and difdain 
She '11 cull fome reafon to be vain. 

Thus, Sir, from ev'ry form and feature. 
The wealth and wants of female natiire. 
And ev'n from vice, which you 'd admire, 
I gather fuel to my fire ; 
And on the very bafe of fhame 
ErefSl my moiiument of fame. 

Let me another truth attempt. 
Of which your godihip has not dreamt. 

Thofe fhining virtues, which you mufter. 
Whence think you they derive their luftre? 
From native honour and devotion ? 

yes, a mighty likely notion ! 

Truft me, from titled dames to fpinners, 
'Tis I make faints, whoe'er makes finners ; 
'Tis I inftruft them to withdraw. 
And hold prefumptuous man in awe ; 
For female worth, as I infpire. 
In juft degrees, ftill mounts the higher; 
And virtue, fo extremely nice. 
Demands long toil and mighty price. 
Like Samfon's pillars, fix'd elate, 

1 bear the fex's tott'ring ftate, 
Sap thefe, and in a moment's fpace 
Down finks the fabric to its bafe. 

Alike from titles and from toys 
I fpring, the fount of female joys; 
In ev'ry widow, wife, and mifs, 
The fole artificer of blifs ; 
For them each topic I explore, 
I cleave the fand of ev'ry fhore ; 
To them uniting Indias fail, 
Sabasa breathes her fartheft gale ; 
For them the bullion I refine. 
Dig fenfe and virtue from the mine. 
And from the bowels of invention 
Spin out the various arts you mention; 

Nor blifs alone my pow'rs beftow. 
They hold the fov'reign balm of woe» 
Beyond the ftoic's boafted art 
I footh the heavings of the heart; 
To pain give fplendor and relief. 
And gild the pallid face of grief. 

Alike the palace and tire plain 
Admit the glories of my reign ! 
Thro' ev'ry age, in ev'iy nation, 
Tafte, talents, tempers, ftate, and ftatlon, 
Whate'er a woman fays, I fay ; 
Whate'er a woman fpends, I pay ; 
Alike I fill and empty bags, 
Flutter in finery and rags. 
With light coquettes thro' folly range. 
And with the prude difdain to change. 

And now you 'd think, 'twixt you and I, 
That things were ripe for a reply — 
But foft, and while I 'am in the mood. 
Kindly permit me to conclude. 



Ns 



Theif 



iSa 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



B O K I. 



Their utmoft mazes to unmve], 

And touch the farthell ftep they travel. 

When ev'ry pleafure 's run aground. 
And folly tir'd thro"" many a round, 
The nymph, conceiving difcontent hence, 
May ripen to an hour's repentance, 
And vapours, (hed in pious moillure, 
Difmifs her to a church, or cloyller j 
Then on I lead her, with devotion 
Confpicuous in herdrefs and motion, 
Infpire the heavenly-breathing air. 
Roll up the lucid eye in prayV, 
Soften the voice, and in the face 
Look melting harmony and grace. 

Thus far extends my friendly powV, 
Nor quits her in her latell hour ;, 
The couch of decent pain I fpread. 
In form recline her languid head} 
Her thoughts I methodize in death, 
And part not with her parting breath 5 
Then do I fet, in order bright, 
A length of fun'ral pomp to fight. 
The glittering tapers and attire, 
The plumes that whiten o'dr the bier j 
And laft, prefenting to her eye 
Angelic fineries on high. 
To fcenes of painted blifs I waft her, 
And form the heaven (lie hopes hereafter. 

In truth rejoin'd love's gentle god, 
You 've gone a tedious length of road, 
And, ftrange, in all the toilfome way 
No houfe of kind refrefliment lay ; 
No nymph, whofe virtues might have tempted 
To hold her from her fex exempted. 

For one we '11 never quarrel, man j 
Take her, and keep her, if you can j 
And pleas'd I yield to your petition. 
Since ev'ry fair, by fuch permiffion. 
Will hold herfelf the one feleftedi 
And fo my fyllem (lands protefted. 

O, deaf to virtue, deaf to gloiy, 
To truths divinely vouch'd in Itory 1 
The Godhead in his zeal return'd. 
And, kindling at her malice, burn'd : 
Then fweetly rais'd his voice, and told 
Of heav'nly nymphs, rever'd of old j 
Hypfipyle, who fav'd her fire. 
And Portia's love, approv'd by firej 
Alike Penelope was quoted. 
Nor laurel'd Daphne pafs'd unnoted. 
Nor Laodamia's fatal gartc. 
Nor fam'd Lucretia, honour's martyr, 
Alcefte's voluntary Heel, 
And Catherine, fmilingon the wheel. 
But who can hope to plant conviftion 
"Where cavil grows on contradiction f 
Some (he evades or difavows. 
Demurs to all, and none allows — 
A kind of ancient thing called fables ! 
And thus the Goddefs turn'd the tables. 

I\ow both in argument grew high, 
And chole;- flafli'd from either eye; 
Nor wonder each refas'd to yield 
The conqueft of fo lair a field. 



When happily arriv'd in view 
A Goddefs whom our grand-dames knew. 
Of afpeft grave, and fober gait, 
Majellic, awful, and fedate. 
As heaven's autumnal eve ferene. 
When not a cloud o'ercafts the fcene ; 
Once Prudence call'd, a matron fam'd. 
And in old Rome Cornelia nam'd. 
Quick at a venture both agree 
To leave their ftrife to her deeree. 

And now by each the fafts were dated. 
In form and manner as related. 
The cafe was (hort. They crav'd opinion. 
Which held o'er females chief dominion : 
When thus the Goddefs, anfw'ring mild, 
Firft (hook her gracious head, and fmil'd: 

Alas, how willing to comply, 
Yet how unfit a judge am I ! 
In times of golden date, 'tis true, 
I fhar'd the fickle fex with you ; 
But from their prefence long precluded. 
Or held as one whofe form intruded. 
Full fifty annual funs can tell. 
Prudence has bid the fex farewell. 

In this dilemma what to do. 
Or who to think of, neither knewj 
For both, ftiil biafs'd in opinion. 
And arrog^HUt of fble dominion. 
Were forc'd to hold the cafe compounded. 
Or leave the quarrel where they found it. 

When in the nick, a rural fair. 
Of inexperienc'd gait and air. 
Who ne'er had crofs'd the neighboring lake. 
Nor feen the world beyond a wake. 
With cambric coif, and kerchief clean, 
Tripp'd lightly by them o'er the green. 

Now, now ! cried Love's triumphant child. 
And at approaching conqueft fmil'd. 
If Vanity will once be guided. 
Our diff'rence foon maybe decided; 
Behold yon wench, a fit occafion 
To try your force of gay perfuafion. 
Go you while I retire aloof, 
Go, put thofe boafted pow'rs to proof; 
And if your prevalence of art 
Tranfcends my yet unerring dart, 
I give the fav'rite conteft o'er, 
And ne'er will boaft my empire more. 

At once, fo faid, and fo confented; 
And well our Goddefs feem'd contented; 
Nor paufing made a moment's Itand, 
But tripp'd. and took the girl in hand. 

Meanwhile the Godhead, unalarm'd. 
As one to each occafion arm'd, 
Forth from his quiver cuU'd a dart. 
That erft had wounded many a heart; 
Then bending, drew it to the head? 
The bovvllringtwang'd, the arrow fled. 
And to her fecret foul addreft, 
Transfix'd the whitenefs of her breaft. 

But here the Dame, whole guardian care 
Had to a moment watch'd the fair. 
At once her pqcket-mirror drew, 
And held the w'onder full in view j 



As 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



183 



As quickly rang'd in order bright, 
A thoufand beauties rufti to light, 
A world of charms, till now unknown, 
A world reveal'd to her alone 5 
Enraptured ftands the love-iick maid, 
Sulpended o'er the darling fliade. 
Here only fixes to admire, 
And centres ev'ry fond defire. 



§ 316. 



'The Young Lady and Lookitig-Glafs. 
Wilkie. 



Ye deep philofophers, who can 
Explain that various creature, Man, 
Say, is there any point fo nice 
As thatof offYing an advice ? 
To bid your friend his errors mend. 
Is almoft certain to offend: 
Tho' you in fofteft terms advife, 
Confefs him good, admit him wife; 
In vain you Iweeten the difcourfe. 
He thinks you call him fool, or worfe. 
You paint his charafter, and try 
If he will own it, and apply ; 
Without a name reprove and warn ; 
Here none are hurt, and all may learn ; 
This toomuft fail; the picture fliewn. 
No man will take it for his own. 
In moral lectures treat the cafe. 
Say this is honeft, that is bafe^ 
In converfation none will bear it ; 
And for the pupil, few come near it. 
And is there then no other way 
A moral leffon to convey ? 
Muft all that {hall attempt to teach, 
Admonifh, fatirize, or preach ? 
Yes, there is one, an ancient art. 
By fages fownd to reach the heart. 
Ere fcience, with diftinftions nice. 
Had fix'd what virtue is, and vice. 
Inventing all the various names 
On which the moralift declaims : 
They would by fimple tales advife. 
Which took the hearer by furprife ; 
Alarm'd his confcience, unpreparM, 
Ere pride had put it on its guard ; 
And made him from himfelf receive 
The lelTons which they meant to give. 
That this device will oft prevail. 
And gain its end when others fail. 
If any Ihall pretend to doubt. 
The tale which follows makes it out. 
There was a little ftubborn dame. 
Whom no authority could tame 5 
Reftive, by long indulgence, grown, 
No will fhe minded but her own : 
At trifles oft fhe M fcold and fret. 
Then in a corner take a feat, 
And, fourly moping all the day, 
Difdain alike to work or play. 

Papa all fofter arts had tried. 
And fharper remedies applied} 
But both were vain ; for ev'iy courfe 
He took, Itill njade her worie and worfe. 



Tis ftrange to think how female wit 
So oft fliould make a luckly hit ; 
When man, with all his high pretence 
To deeper judgment, founder fenfe. 
Will err, and meafiires falfe purfue— 
'Tis very flrange, I own, but true.— 
Mamma obfervMthe rifmg lafs 
By ftealth retiring to the glafs. 
To praclife little airs unfeen. 
In the true genius of thirteen ; 
On this a deep defign flie laid 
To tame the humour of tlie Maid 5 
Contriving, like a prudent mother. 
To make one folly cure another. 
Upon the wall, againfl the feat 
Which JefTy us'd for her retreat. 
Whene'er by accident offended, 
A looking-glafs was flraight fufpended. 
That it might fliew her how deform'd 
She look'd, and frightful, when fheftorm'di 
And warn her, as flie priz-'d her beanty. 
To bend her humour to her duty. 
All this the lookihg-glaf s achiev'd j 
Its threats were minded and believ'd.. 

The Maid, who fpurn'd at all advice. 
Grew tame and gentle in a trice: 
So, when all other means had fail'd^ 
The filent monitor prevaii'd. 

Thus, Fable to the human kind 
Prefents an image of the mind j 
It is a mirrory where we fpy 
At large our own deformity; 
And learn of courfe thofe faults to mend. 
Which but to mention would offend. 



§ 327. The Boy andtke RainboiA}* Wilkie, 

Declare, ye fages, if ye find 
'Mongfl animals of ev'ry kind. 
Of each condition, fort, and fize. 
From whales and elephants to flies, 
A creature that miflakes his plan. 
And errs, fo conflantly as Man. 
Each kind purfues his proper good. 
And feeks for pleafure, rEft, and food. 
As nature points, and never errs 
In what it choofes and prefers; 
Man only blunders, though pofTeft 
Of talents far above the refl. 

Defcend to inftances, and try; 
An ox will fcarce attempt to fly. 
Or leave his pafture in the wood. 
With fifhes to explore the flood. 
Man only afts, of ev'ry creature. 
In oppofition to his nature. 
The happinefs of human-kind, 
Confifl:s in re6litude of mind ; 
A will fubdu'd to reafon's fway. 
And pafTions pra6iis'd to obey ; 
An open and a gen'rous heart, 
Refin'd from felfifhnefs and art ; 
Patience, which mocks at fortune's powV, 
And wifdom never fad nor four: 
In thefe confifl:s our proper blifsj 
Elfe Plato reafons much amifs : 
« N 4 But 



1S4 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



IB O O K I. 



But foolifli mortals IHII pivrfue 
Faiie bapplnefs in place of true j 
Ambition Terves us for a guide. 
Or iuil, or avarice, or pride; 
While ReaTon no alient can giun, 
And Revelation warns in vain. 
Hence through our lives, in ev'ry ftage, 
From infancy itfelf to age, 
A happinefs we toil to find. 
Which ftill avoids us like the wind; 
Ev'n when v/e think the prize onr own, 
At once 'tis vanif}f d, lolt and gone. 
You '11 afk me why I thus rehearfe 
All Epicletus in my verfe ? 
And if I fondly hope to pleafe 
With dry refiecHons, fuch as thefe. 
So trite, fo hackney'd, and fo ftale ? 
I 'il take the hint, and tell a tale. 
One evening, as a limple fwain 
His flock attended, on the plain, 
The Ihiningbowhe chanc'd to fpy. 
Which warns us when a ihow'r is nigh. 
With brighteit rays itfeem'd to glow: 
Its diftance eighty yards or fo. 
This bumpkin had, it feems, been told 
The ilory of the cup of gold. 
Which fame reports is to be found 
Juft vv'here the Rainbow meets the ground ; 
He therefore felt a fudden itch 
To i'eize the goblet, and be rich ; 
Hoping, yet hopes are oft but vain, 
No more to toil thro' wind and rain. 
But fit indulging by the fire, 
'Midil eafe and plenty, like a 'fquire. 
He m,arkM the very fpot of land 
On W'hich the Rainbow feem'd to ftand. 
And, ftepping forwards at his leifure. 
Expected to have found the treafure. 
But as he mov'd, the colour'd ray 
Still chang'd its place, :ind llipp'd away. 
As feeming his approach to fhun. 
From walking he began to run; 
But all in vain, it ftill withdrew 
As nimbly as he could purfue^ 
At laft, thro' many a bog and lake, 
Rough cn-^ggy road, and thorny brake. 
It led the eaiy fool, till night 
Approach'd, then vanilh'd in his fight, 
And left him to compute his gains. 
With nought but labour for his pains. 



§ 37.8. The Rahe and the Hermit. Wllkie. 
A YOUTH, a papil of the town, 
Philofopherand atheiii: grov.n. 
Benighted once upon the read, 
Found cut a h.errnifs lone abode. 
Wliofe hofpitality in need 
Rciiev'd the trav'ller said his fteedj 
For both fu (hciently were ti r'd. 
Well drench'd in ditches, and bemir'd. 
Hunger the firft attention claims j 
Upon the coals a rafher flames. 
Tny crulis, and liquor fomething ftale. 
Were added to make up a meal j 



At which our trav'ller, as he fat, 

By intervals began to chat. — 

'Tis odd, quoth he, to think what ftrains 

Of folly govern fome folks' brains : 

What makes you. choofe this wild abode? 

You '11 fay, 'Tis to con verfe with God. 

Alas, I fear, 'tis all a whim ; 

You never faw or fpoke with him. 

They talk of Providence's pow'r, 

And fay, it rules us ev'ry hour: 

To me all nature feems confufion. 

And fuch weak fancies mere delufion. 

Say, if it rul'd and govern'd right, 

Could there be fuch a thing as night ; 

Which, when the iun has left the ikies. 

Puts all things in a deep difguiie ? 

If then a trav'ller chance to ftray 

The leaft ftep from the public way. 

He 's foon in endiefs mazes loft, 

As I have found it to mxy coft. 

Befides, the gloom which naturs wears 

Afllfts imaginary fears. 

Of ghofts and goblins from the wa'ves 

Of fulph'rous lakes and yawning graves j 

All iprung from iuperftitious feed. 

Like other maxmis of the creed. 

For my part, I rejeft the tales 

Which faith i'uggefts when reafon fails; 

And reafon nothing underftands, 

Unvi'arranted by e} es and hands. 

Thefe fubtle eifcnces, like wind, 

Which lome have dreamt of, and call mind. 

It ne'er admits ; nor joins the lie. 

Which fays men rot, but never die. 

It holds all future things in doubt. 

And therefore wifely leaves them out : 

Suggefting what is worth our care. 

To takes things prefent as they are, 

Our wifeft courie : the reft is folly. 

The fruit of fpleen ajid melancholy. — 

Sir, quoth the Hermit, I.agree 
That Reafon ftill our guide ihould be; 
And will admit her as the teft 
Of what is true, and what is beft ; 
But Reafon fure would blulh for (hame 
At what you mention in her name; 
Her dictates are fubiime and holy; 
Impiety 's the child of Folly; 
Reafon v.iih meafur'dfteps and flow. 
To things above from tkings below 
Afcends; and guides us thro' her fphere 
With caution, vigilance, and care. 
Faith in the utmoft frontier ftands. 
And Reafon puts us in her hands; 
But not till her commifflcn giy'n 
Is found authentic, and from Heav'n. 
'Tis ftrange, tliat man, a reasoning creature. 
Should mils a God in vievving nature; 
Whofe high perfeftions are difplay'd 
In ev'ry tbinc^ his hands have made : 
Ev'n when we think their traces loft, 
When found again, we lee them raoft: 
The night itfelf, which you would blame 
As fomething wrong in nature's frame. 



Is 



Book T. 



SACRED AND MORAL, 



i^ 



Is but a curtain to inveft 

Her weary children when at reft : 

Like that which mothers draw to keep 

The light off from a child afleep. 

Beiide, tlie fears which darknefs breeds 

(At leaft augments) in vulgar heads. 

Are far from ufelefs, when the mind 

Is narrow, and to earth confin'd j 

They make the worldling think with pain 

On frauds, and oaths, and ill-got gain j 

Force from the ruffian's hand the knife 

Jull rais'd againlt his neighbour's life ; 

And in defence of virtue's caufe, 

Aflill each fanftion of the laws. 

But fouls ferene, where wifdom dwells. 

And fuperliitious dread expels, 

The fdent majelly of night 

Excites to take a nobler flight ; 

With faints and angels to explore 

The wonders of creating pow'r ; 

And lifts on contemplation's wings 

Above the fphere of mortal things. 

Walk forth, and tread thofe dewy plains 

Where night in awful filence reigns j 

The Iky's ferene, the air is ftill. 

The woods ftand liltening on each hill. 

To catch the founds that fmkand fwell. 

Wide-floating from the ev'ning bell. 

While foxes howl, and beetles hum, 

Sounds which make fdence fl:ill more dumb^ 

At>d try if folly, rafh and rude, 

Dare on the facred hour intrude. 

Then turn your eyes to heaven's broad frame. 

Attempt to quote thofe lights by name 

Which Ihine fo thick, and fpread fo far j 

Conceive a fun in ev'ry liar, 

Round which unnumber'd planets roll. 

While comets fhoot athwart the Avhole j 

From fyftem ftill to fyftem ranging. 

Their various benefits exchanging. 

And ftiaking from their flaming hair 

The things moft needed ev'ry where* — 

Explore this glorious fcene, and fay 

That night difcovers lefs than day j 

That 'tis quite ufelefs, and a fign 

That chance difpoies, notdefign: 

Whoe'er maintains it, I'll pronounce 

Him either mad, or elfe a dunce ; 

For reafon, tho' tis far from ftrong. 

Will foon fin'd out that nothing's wrong. 

From figns and evidences clear 

Of wife contrivance ev'ry where. 

Tbe Hermit ended, and the youth 
Became a conveit to the truth j 
At leaft he yielded, and confefsM 
That all was order'd for the beft. 



§ 329. The Youth and the Philofopher. 

W, Whitehead. 
A GRECIAN youth, of talents rare. 
Whom Plato's philofophic care 
Had form'd for virtue's nobler view. 
By precept and example too. 



Would often boaft his matchlefs Ikill 
To curb the fteed, and guide the wheel; 
And as he pafs'd the gazing throng 
With graceful eafe, and fmack'd the thong. 
The idiot wonder they exprefs'd 
Was praife and tranfport to his breaft. 

At length, quite vain, he needs would fhew 
His mafter what his art could do; 
And bade his flaves tile chariot lead 
To Academus' facred ihade. 
The trembling grove confefs'd its fright. 
The wood-nymphs ftarted at the fight j 
The Mufcs drop the learned lyre. 
And to their inmoft; fhades retire. 
Howe'er the youth, with forward air. 
Bows to the lage, and mounts the car; 
The lafli refounds, the couriers fpring. 
The chariot marks the rolling ring; 
And gathering crowds, with eager eyes. 
And fhouts, purfue him as he flies. 

Triumphant to the goal return'd. 
With nobler thirft his bofom burn'd; 
And now along th' indented plain 
The felf-fame t'-ack he marks again ; 
Purfues with care the nice defign. 
Nor ever deviates from the line. 

Amazement leiz'd the circling^ crowd | 
The youths with emulation glow'd; 
Ev'n beaided fages hail'd the boy. 
And all but Plato gaz'd with joy. 
For he, deep-judging fage, beheld 
With pain the triumphs of the field: 
And when the charioteer drew nigh. 
And, flufh'd with hope, had caught his eye, 
Alas ! unhappy youth, he cried, 
Expeft no praife from me (and figh'd.) 
With indignation I fu! vey 
Such ikill and judgment thrown away. 
The time profulely fquandei-'d there 
On vulgar arts, beneath thy care, 
If well employ'd, at lefs expence, 
Had taught thee honour, virtue, kn^e. 
And rais'd thee from a coachman's fate 
To govern men, and guide the itate. 



§ 330. The Bee J the Anty and the Sparro-^. 

Dr. Cotton. 
Addreflfed to Phoebe and Kitty C. at Boarding- 

School. 
My dears, 'tis faid, in days of old 
That beafts could ralk, and birds could fcold: 
But now, it feems, the human race 
Alone engrofs the fpeaker's place. 
Yet lately, if report l)€ true, 
(And much the tale relates to you) 
There met a Sparrow, Ant, and Bee, 
Which reafon'd and convers'd as we. 

Who reads my page will doubtlefs grant 
That Phe's the wile induftrious Ant ; 
And all with half an eye may iee 
That Kitty is the bu.^ Bee. 
Here then are tw* — but where's the third ? 
Go fearch the fchool, you'll find the bird. 

Your 



iS6 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



Your fchool ! T aik your pardon, Fair ; 
J'^m lure you'll find no Sparrow there. 

Now to my tale — One I'ummer's mom 
A Bee rang'd o'er the verdant lawn j 
Stodious to hulband ev'ry hour, 
And make the moil of ev'ry flow'r. 
^Jimble from ftalk to ftalk fhe flies, 
* And loads with yellow wax her thighs ; 
With which the artift builds her comb. 
And keeps all tight and warm at home : 
Or from the cowllip's golden bells 
Sucks hone^-, to enrich her cells : 
Or ev'ry tempting rofe purfues. 
Or fips the lily's fragrant dews j 
Yet never robs the fliining bloom 
Or of its beauty or perfume. 
Thus file difcharg'd in ev'ry way 
The various duties of the day. 

It chanc'd a frugal Ant was near, 
Whofe brow was wrinkled o'er by care : 
A great ceconoraift was fhe, 
Nor lefs laborious than the Bee j 
By penfive parents often taught 
"What ills arife from want of thought j 
That poverty on floth depends j 
On poverty the lofs of friends; 
Hence ev'ry day the Ant is found 
With anxious Heps to rread the ground j 
With curious fearch to trace the grain> 
And drag the heavy load with pain. 

The aftive Bee with pleafure faw 
The Ant fulfil her parent's law. 
Ah ! filler labourer, fays fhe. 
How very fortunate are we ! 
Who, taught in infancy to know 
The comforts which from labour flow. 
Are independant of the great, 
Kor know the wants of pride and ftate. * 
"Why is our food fo very fweet ? 
Becaufe we earn before we eat. 
Why are our wants fo very few ? 
Becaufe we nature's calls purfue. 
Whence our complacency of mind ? 
Becaufe we acSl our parts affign'd. 
Have we incelTant tafks to do? 
Is not all nature bufy too ? 
Poth not tht. fun, with conllant pace, 
Perfill to run his annual race ? 
Do not the ftars, which fhine fo bright, 
Kenew their courfes ev'ry night ? 
Doth not the ox obedient bow 
Krs patient neck, and draw the plough ? 
Or wlien did e'er the gen'rous fteed 
Withhold his labour or his fpeed ? 
If you all nature's fyftem fcan, 
The only idle thing is man. 

A wanton Sparrow long'd to hear 
Their fage di'.'conrfe, and flraight drew neai. 
The bird was talkative and loud. 
And very pert and very proud ; 
.As worthlei's and as vain a thing, 
Ptrhaps, as ever wore a wing. 
She found, as on a fpray fne fat, 
Tiie little friends were deep in cliat j 



That virtue was their favVite theme. 
And toil and probit)^ their fcherae : 
Such talk was hateful to her breafl: ; 
She thought them arrant prudes at befl. 

When to difplay her naughty mind. 
Hunger with cruelty combin'd. 
She view'd the Ant with favage eyes. 
And hopp'd and hopp'd to fnatch her prize. 
The Bee, who watch'd her op'ning bill. 
And guefs'd her fell defign to kill, 
Afk'd her from what her anger rofe. 
And why flie treated Ants as foes ? 

The Sparrow her reply began, 
And thus the converfation ran : 

Whenever I'm difpos'd to dine, 
I think the whole creation mine ; 
That I'm a bird of high degree. 
And ev'ry infe6l made for me. 
Hence oft I fearch the emmet-brood 
(For emmets are delicious food). 
And oft, in wantonnefs and play, 
I flay ten thoufand in a day. 
For truth it is, without difguife. 
That I love mifchief as my eyes. 

Oh ! fie ! the honefl Bee replied, 
I fear you make bafe men your guide ; 
Of ev'ry creature fure the worll, 
Though in creation's fcale the firft ! 
Ungrateful man 1 'tis llrangehe thrives. 
Who burns the Bees to rob their hives \ 
I hate his vile admin iflration, 
And fo do all the emmet nation. 
What fatal foes to birds are men. 
Quite to the Eagle from the Wren ! 

! do not men's example take. 
Who mifchief do for mifchief 's fake ; 
But fpaj-e the Ant — her worth demands 
Elleem and friendfliip at your hands. 

A mind with ev'ry virtue bieil, 
Mufl raife compaffion in your breafl. 
Virtue ! rejoin'd the fneering bird. 
Where did you learn that Gothic word ? 
Since I was hatch'd, I never heard 
That virtue was at all rever'd. 
But fay it was the ancients' claim. 
Yet moderns difavow the name ; 
Unlefs, my dear, you read romances, 

1 cannot reconcile your fancies. 
Virtue in fairy tales is {een 

To play the goddefs or the queen ; 
But what's a queen without the pow'r 
Or beauty, child, without a dow'r? 
Yet this is all that virtue brags. 
At befl 'tis only worth in rags. 
Such whims my very heart derides : 
Indeed you make me burfl my fides. 
Trufl: me, Mifs Bee — to fpeak the truth, 
I've copied men from earliefl youth; 
The fame our tafte, the fame our fchooJ, 
PafTion and appetite our rule j 
And call me bird, or call me finner, 
I'll ne'er forego my fport or dinner. 

A prowling cat the mifcreant fpies. 
And wide expands her amber eyes : 
I * Near 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



187 



Near and more near Grimalkin draws ; 
She wags her tail, protends her paws ; 
Then, fpringing on her thoughtlefs prey. 
She bore the vicious bird away. 
Thus in her cruelty and pride. 
The wicked wanton Sparrow died. 



§ 331. ^he Bears and Bees. Merrick. 
As two young Bears in wanton mood, 
Forth ilTuing from a neighb'ring wood. 
Came where th' induftrious Bees had Ilor'd 
In artful cells their lufcious hoard ; 
O'erjoyM they feiz'd with eager haile 
Luxurious on the rich repaft. 
Alarm'd at this the little crew 
About their ears vindiftive flew. 
The beafts, unable to fuftain 
Th' unequal combat, quit the plain ; 
Half blind with rage, and mad with pain. 
Their native fhelter they regain ; 
There fit, and now, difcreeier grown. 
Too late their ralhnefs they bemoan j 
And this by dear experience gain, 
That pleafure's ever bought with pain. 
So when the gilded baits of vice 
Are placM before our longing eyes. 
With greedy hafte we fnatch our fill, 
Andfwallow down the latent ill; 
But when experience opes our eyes, 
Away the fancied pleaiure flies : 
It flies, but oh 1 too late we find 
It leaves a real iting behind. 



§ 332. 'The Camelion. Merrick. 
Oft has it been my lot to mark 
A proud conceited talking fpark, 
With eyes, that hardly ferv'd at moft 
To guard their mafler 'gainft a pofr ; 
Yet round the world the blade has been, 
To fee whatever could be feen : 
Returning from his finifh'd tour. 
Grown ten times perter than before j 
Whatever word you chance to drop, 
The traveird fool your mouth will flop : 
" Sir, if my judgment you'll allow — 
** I've feen — and fure I ought to know"— 
So begs you'd pay a due fi.bmiflion, 
And acquiefce in his decifion. 

Two travellers of fuch a caft, 
As o'er Arabia's wilds they pafs'd. 
And on their way in friendly chat 
Now talk'd of this, and then of that, 
Difcours'd a while, 'mongft other matter. 
Of the Camelion's form ;\nd nature. 
*' A ftranger animal," cries one, 
" Sure never liv'd beneath the fun : 
** A lizard's body, lean and Ion'" 
" A fifh's head, a ferpent's tongue ; 
** Its foot with triple claw disjoin'd ; 
** And what a length of tail behind ! 
** How flow its pace ! and then its hue— 
" Who ever faw fo fine a blue ?" 

* Hold there,' the otlier quick replies, 
* 'Tis green,— I faw it with thefe eyes, 



' As late with open mouth it lay, 
• And warm'd it in the fannv ray ; 
' Stretch'd at its eafe the beaft I viewed, 
' And faw it eat the air for food." 

" I've feen it, Sir, as well as you, 
'* And muft again affirm it blue. 
" At leifure I the beaft furvey'd, 
" Extended in the cooling fhade." 

* 'Tis green, "'tis green, Sir, I afTure ye.'— 
" Green V cries the other in a fury — 

' Why, Sir, d'ye think I've loft my eyes ?"* 
' 'Twere no great lofs,' the friend replies, 
' For, if they always fer\^e you thus,' 
' You'll find them but of little ule.' 

So high at lail the contefl rofe. 
From words they almoft came to blows ; 
When luckily came by a thira — 
To him the quellion they referr'd ; 
And begg'd he'd tell 'em, if he knew 
Whether the thing was green or blue. 

" Sirs," cries die umpire, ''"ceafe your pother, 
" The creature 's neither one nor t'other: 
" I caught the animal laft night, 
" And view'dit o'er by candlelight: 
" I mark'd it well — 'twas black as jet — 
" You fLare — but. Sirs, I've got it yet, 
" And can produce it.''' 'Pray, Sir, do: 
' I'll lay my life, the thing is blue."* 
" And I'll be fwom that when you've feen 
" The reptile, you'll pronounce him green." 

* Well then, at once, to eafe the doubt,"" 
Replies the man, ' I'll turn him out : 

' And when before your eyes I've fet him, 
' If you don't find him black, I'll eat him.* 

He faid 5 then full before their fight 
Produc'd the beaft, and lo — 'twas white. 
Both fLar'd ; the man look'd wond'rous wife— 
" My children," the Camelion cries 
(Then firlt the creature found a tongue), 
" You all are right, and all are wrong -. 
" When next you talk of what you view, 
" Think others fee as well as you : 
' Nor wonder, if 3^0 u find that none 
* Prefers your eyefight to his own." 



§ 333. The Monkeys. A Tale, Merrick. 
Whoe'er, v^-ith curious eye, has rang'd 

Through Ovid's tales, has feen 
How Jove, incens'd, to Monkeys cl-iang"'d 

A tribe of worthlefs men. 

Repentant foon, th' offending race 

Entreat the injur'd pow'r 
To give them back the human face. 

And reafon's aid reftore. 

Jove, footh'd at length, his ear inclined,. 

And granted half their pray'r; 
But t'other half he bade the wind 

Difperfe in empty air. 

Scarce had the thund'rer giv'n the nod 

That fliook the vaulted fkies. 
With haughtier air the creatures ftrode, 

And Itrctch'd their dwindled fize. 



The 



iS8 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



The hair In curls hirxuriant now 
Around their temples ipreadj 

The tail, that whilom hung below. 
Now dangled from the head. 

The head remains unchanged within. 

Nor alter'd much the face j 
It ftill retains its native grin, 

And all its old grimace. 

Tims half transform^, and halfthe fame, 
Jove bade them take their place 

(Refioring them their ancient chiim*) 
Among the human race. 

Jklan with contempt the brute fui-vey'd, 

Nor would a nauie beltow ; 
But woman iik'd the motley breed. 

And caird the thing a beau. 



what 



§ 354. Ktjo'w Thyfelf. Arbuthnot. 
What am I? how produced? and for 

end? 
Whence drew I being ? to what period tend ? 
Am I th"" abandon'd orphan of blind chance, 
Di'oppM by wild atoms in :lilbrder''d dance ? 
Or from an endlefs chain of caufes wrought, 
And of anthinkingfubftance,born with thought? 
By motion which began without a caufe. 
Supremely wife, without defign or laws ? 
Am I but what I feem, mere fleih and blood ? 
A branching channel, with a mazy flood? 
The purple Itream that through my veflelsglides, 
Dull and unconfcious flows, like common tldesj 
The pipes throu2;hwhichthecircling juices iiray. 
Are not that thinking I, no more than they : 
This frame, compa61ed with tranfcendent (kill 
Of moving joints obedient to my wiil, 
Nurs'd from the fruitful glebe, like yonder tree, 
Waxes and waftes; I call it mine, not me. 
New matter ftill the mouldering inafs fuftains : 
The manfion chang'd, the tenant ftill remains 
And from the fleeting ftream repaired by food, 
Diitin6t, as is the fwimmer from the flood. 

What am I then? fure of a noble birth; 
By parent's right, I ow« as mother. Earth ; 
But claim fuperior lineage by my Are, 
Wh(f warm'd th" unthinkingclod with heavenly 
Kilcnce divine, with lifelefs clay allay'd, [fire j 
By double nature, double inltinft fway'd : 
With look ere6V, I dart my longing eye, 
Seem wingM to part, and gam my native Iky ; 
I ftrive to mount, out ftrive, alas ! in vain. 
Tied to this mafly globe with magic chain. 
Now with fwifr thought I range from pole to pole. 
View worlds around their flaming centres roll : 
Whatflready pow'rs their endlefs motions guide 
Through the fame tracklefs paths of boundlels 
I trace the blazing comet's fiery tail, [void ! 
Aiid weigh the whirling planets in a fcale ; 
Thefe godlike thoughts while eager I purfue. 
Some glitt'ring trifle ofter'dto my view, 
A gnat, an infeft of the meaneft kind, 
Erafe the new-born image from my mind : 
Some beaft;ly want, craving, importunate. 
Vile as the grinning maftiff at my gate. 



Calh off from heavenly truth this reasoning mc. 

And tells me I'm a brute as much as he. 

If, on fublimer wings o^ love and praife, 

My foul above the ftarry vault I raile, 

Lur'd by fome vain conceit, or fliameful luft, 

I flag, I drop, and flutter in the dult. 

The low'ring lark thus, from her lofty ftrain. 

Stoops to an emmet, or a barley grain. 

4iy adyerfe gulls of Jarring infl:incl:s toft, 

I rove to one, now to the other coaft j 

To blifs unknown my lofty foul afpires. 

My lot unequal to my vaft defires. 

As 'mongft the hinds a child of royal birth 

Finds his high pedigree by confcious worth j 

So man, amongfl his fellow brutes expos'd. 

See he's a king, but 'tis a king depos'd. 

Pity him bealts I you by no law confin'd, 

Andbarr'd from devious paths by being blind 5 

Whilft man, through op'ning views of various 

ways 
Confounded, by the aid of knowledge fl:rays; 
Too weak to choofe, yet chooflng ftill in hafte. 
One moment gives the plealure and diftafte •^ 
Bilk'd by paft minute.-, while the prelent cloy. 
The flatt'ring future ftill muft give the joy : 
Not happy, but anius'd upon the road, 
And (like you) thoughtlefs of his laft abode. 
Whether next fun his being fliall reftrain 
To endlefs nothing, happineis, or pain. 
Ai-ound me, lo ! the thinking thoughtlefs crew 
(Bewilder'd each) their dift-^'rent paths purfuej 
Of them I a(k the way ; the firfi: replies, 
Thou art a god ; and fends me to the Ikies : 
Down on the turf, the next, two two-legg'dbeaft. 
There fix thy lot, thy blifs and endlefs reft: 
Between thefe wide extremes the length is fuch, 
I find I know too little or too much. 
' Almighty Pow'r, by whole moft wife com- 

* mand, 

* Heiplefs, forlorn, uncertain heie I ftand ; 

' Take this faint glimm'ring of thyfelf away, 
' Or break into my foul with perfect day T 
This faid, expanded lay the facred text. 
The bal m, the light, the guide of fouls perplex'd . 
Thus the benighted traveller, that ftrays 
Through doubtful paths, enjoys the morning 

rays : 
The nightly mift, and thick defcending dew. 
Parting, unfold the fields and vaulted blue. 
' O Truth divine ! enlighten'd by thy ray, 

* I grope and guefs no more, but fee my way j 
' Thou clearMft the fecret of my high defcent. 

' And toldft me what thole myftic tokens meant j 

* Marksof my birth, which I had worn in vain, 
' Too hard for worldly fages to explain. 

' Zeno's were vain, vain Epicurus' fcheraes, 

* Their fyfteras fidfe, delufive were their dreams; 
' Unflcill'd my two- fold nature to divide, [pride; 
' One nursM my pleafure, and one nurs'd my 
' Thofe jarring truths which human art beguile, 
•^ Thy facred page thus bids me reconcile.' 
Off^spring of God, no lefs thy pedigree, [be, V 
What thou once wert, art now, and ftill may > 
Thy God alone can teil, alone decree 5 3 

Faultlefs 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



Fauklefs thou dropp'dft from his unerring (kill, 
With the bare pow'r to fin, iince free of will : 
Yet charge not with thy guilt his bounteous love, 
For who has pow'r to walk has pow'r to rove: 
Who ads by force impeird can nought defervcj 
And wifdom fhort of infinite may fwerve. 
Borne on thy new-impM wings, thou took'ft thy 
Left thy Creator, and the realms of light ; [flight, 
DifdainM his gentle precept to fulfil, 
And thought to grow a god by doing ill : 
Tho"" by foul guiit thy heav'nly form defaced, 
In nature chang'd, from happy manfionschas'd, 
Thou ftill retain'ft Ibme fparks of heavenly fire, 
Too faint to mount, yet reftlefs to afpire -, 
Angel enough to feek thy blifs again, 
And brute enough to make thy fearch in vain. 
The creatures now withdraw their kindly ufe 



Our narrow luxuries would foon be ftale. 
Were thefe exhaulUefs, Nature would grow fick. 
And, cloy 'd withpleafure,fqueamifhly complain 
That all was vanity, and life a dream. 
Let nature reft: be bufy for yourfelf, 
And for your friend j be bufy even in vain. 
Rather than teafe her fated appetites. 
Who never fafts, no banquet e'er enjoys ; 
Who never toils or watches, never ifleeps. 
Let nature reft: and when the tafte of joy 
Grows keen, indulge j but (hun fatiety. 

■"Tis not for mortals always to be bleft. 
But him the leaft the dull or painful hours 
Of life opprefs, whom fober Senfe condufts, 
Aud Virtue, thro' this labyrinth we tread. 
Virtue and Senfe I mean ciox to disjoin; 
I Virtue and Senfe are one ; and, truft me, he 



Some fly thee, fome torment, and fome feduce 5 1 Who has not virtue, is not truly wife. 
Repaft ill-fuited to fuch dift'^rent gueftr, i Virtue (for mere Good-nature is a fool) 

For what thy fenfe defires, thy foul diftaftes : { Is fenfe and fpirit, with humanity: 
Thy luft, thy curiofity, thy pride, j ""Tis fometimes angry, and its frown confounds; 

Curb'd or indulged, or baulk'd or gratified, '< 'Tis e'en vindiftive, but in vengeance juft. 
Rage on, and make thee equally unblefs'd [fefs'd, ' Knaves fain would laugh at it ; fome great ones 
In what thou want'll, and what thou haft pof- , But at his heart the moft undaunted fon [dare; 
In vain thou hop'ft for blifs on this poor clod j . Of fortune dreads its name and awful charms. 
Return and feek thy Father and thy God^ jTo nobleft ufes this determines wealtli ; 

Yet think not to regain thy native iky, This is the folid pomp of profperous days. 

Borne on the wings of vain philofophy ! The peace and flielter of adverfity, 

Wyfterious paflage ! hid from human eyes : And if you pant for glory, build your fame 
Soaring you '11 fink, and finking you will rife: ] On this foundation, which the fecret fhock 



Let humble thoughts thy weary footfteps guide ; 
Repair by meeknefs what you loft by pride. 



§ 335. Lejbns of JVifdom. Armftrong. 

How to live happieft ; how avoid the pains. 
The difappointments, and difgufts of thofe 
Who would in pleafure all their hours employ j 
The precepts here of a divine old man 
I could recite. Tho' old, he ftill retain'd 
His manly fenfe, and energy of mind. 
Virtuous and wufe he was, but not fevere ; 
He ftill remember'd that he once was young j 
His eafy prefence check'd no decent joy. 
Him even the difTolute admir'd, for he 
A graceful loofenefs when he pleas'd put on, 
And laughing could inftru(5l. Much had he read, 
Much more had feen ; he ftudied from the life. 
And in th' original perus'd mankind. 

Vers'd in the woes and vanities of life, 
He pitied man ; and much he pitied thofe 
Whomfalfely-fmiling fate has curs'd with means 
To diflipate their days in queft of joy. 
Our aim is happinefs: tis yours, 'tis mine, 
He faid, 'tis the purfuit of all that live j 
Yet few attain it, if 'twas e'er attain'd. 
But they the wideft wander from the mark. 
Who thro' the flowVy paths of faunt'ring Joy 
Seek this coy goddefs ; that from ftage to ftage 
Invites us ftill, but ftiifts as we purfue. 
For, not to name the nains that pleafiire brings 
T. o countei-poife itfelf, relentlefs Fate 
Forbids that we thro' gay voluptuous wilds 
Should ever roam^ and were the Fates more kind. 



Defies of Envy and ail-fapping Time. 
The gaudy glofs of Fortune only ftrikes 
The vulgar eye : the fuffrage of the wife. 
The praife that's worth ambition, is attained 
By fenfe alone and dignity of mind. 

Virtue, the ftrength and beauty of the foul. 
Is the beft gift of Heaven : a happinefs 
That even above the finiles and frowns of fate 
Exalts great Nature's favourites: a wealth 
That ne'er encumbers, nor to bafer hands 
Can be transferr'd : it is the only good 
Man juftly boafts of, or can call his own. 
Riches are oft by guilt and bafenefs earn'd; 
Or dealt by chance to fliield a lucky knave. 
Or throw a cruel funfhine on a fool. 
But for one end, one much neglefted ufe, 
i Are riches worth your care (for nature's wants- 
j Are few, and without opulence fupplied) 
(This noble end is, to produce the Soul, 
I To ftiew the virtues in their faireft light j 
To make humanity the minilter 
Of bounteous Pro^adence ; and teach the breaft 

That generous luxury the gods enjoy. 

Thus, in his graver vein, the Friendly Sage 
Sometimes declaim'd. Of right and wrong he 
Truths as refin'd as ever Athens heard; [taught 
And(ftrangetotell!)hepraftis'dwhathepreach'd. 



§ 336. ^he Pain arifingfrom 'virtuous Emotions 
attended ijsitb fUafure. Akenfide. 
•Behold the ways 



Of Heaven's eternal deftiny to man, 
For ever juft, benevolent and wife ; 



Thiit 



rgo 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



That Virtue*s awful fteps, howeVr puifued 
J8y vexing Fortune and intrulive Pain, 
Should never be divided from her chafte. 
Her fair attendant, Pleafure. Need I urge 
Thy tardythought through all the various round 
Of this exiftence, that thy foft'ning foul 
At length may learn what energy the hand 
Of virtue mingles in the bitter tici-e 
Of paiTion fwelling with diitrefs and pain. 
To mitigate the fliarp with gracious drops 
Of cordial Pleafure ? Afk the faithful youth. 
Why the coldurn of her whom long he lov'd 
So often fills his arms ; fo often draws 
His lonely footfteps, at the filent hour. 
To pay the mournful tribute of his tears ? 
O ! he will tell thee, that the wealth of worlds 
Should ne*er feduce his bofom to forego 
That facred hour, when, ftealing from the noife 
Of care and envy, fweet remembrance fooths 
With virtue's kindeft looks his aching breaft, 
And turns his tears to rapture. — Afk the crowd 
Which flies impatient from the village-walk 
To climb the neighboring cliffs, when far below 
The cruel winds have hurl'd upon the coafl 
Some haplefs bark } while facred pity melts 
The gen'ral eye, or terrors icy hand 
Smites their diftorted limbs and horrent hair j 
While every mother clofer to her breaft 
Catches her child, and, pointing where the waves 
Foam through the fhatter'd veffel, fhrieks aloud. 
As one poor wretch, that fpreads his piteous arms 
For fuccour, fwallow'd by the roaring furge, 
As now another, dafh'd againfl the rock. 
Drops lifelefs down. O deemefl thou indeed 
No kind endearment here by nature given 
To mutual terror and compaflion's tears ? 
No fweetly-melting foftnefs which attrafts, 
O'er all that edge of pain, the focial pow'rs. 
To this their proper aftion and their end ? — 
Afk thy own heart ; when at the midnight hour. 
Slow through that fludiousgloora thy paufingeye 
Led by the glimmVing taper moves around 
The facred volumes of the dead, the fongs 
Of Grecian bards, and records writ by Fame 
For Grecian heroes, where the prefent pow'r 
Of heaven and earth furveys th' immortal page, 
E'en as a father blefling, while he reads 
The praifes of his fon ; if then thy foul. 
Spurning the yoke of thefe inglorious days. 
Mix in their deeds and kindle with their flame : 
Say, when the profpeft blackens on thy viewj 
When, rooted from the bafe, heroic flates 
Mourn in the dufl and tremble at the frown 
Of curs'd Ambition ; — when the pious band 
Of youths that fought for freedom and their fires. 
Lie fide by fide in gore ; — when ruffian -pride 
Ufurps the throne of juftice, turns the pomp 
Of public pow'r, the majefiy of rule. 
The Avord, the laurel, and the purple robe, 
To flavifh empty pageants, to adorn 
A tyrant's walk, and glitter in the eyes 
Of fuchas bow the knee^ — when honour'd urns 
Of patriots and of chiefs, the awful butt 
And ftoried arch, to glut the coward ra<;e 



Of regal envy, ftrew the public way 
With hallow'd ruins! — when the mufe's haunt. 
The marble porch where wifdom, wont to talk 
With Socrates or Tully, hears no more, 
Save the hoarfe jargon of contentious monks. 
Or female fuperflition's midnight pray'r; — 
When ruthlefs rapine from the hand of Time 
Tears the deflroying fcythe, with furer blow 
To fweep the works of glory from their bafe; 
Till deiblafion o'er the grafs-grown ftreet 
Expands his raven-wings, and up the wall. 
Where fenatesoncetheprideof monarchs doom'd, 
HifTes the gliding fnake thro' hoary weeds 
Thatclafpthemould'ringcolumnj — thusdefac'd. 
Thus widely mournful when the profpeft thrills 
Thy beating bofom, when the patriot's tear 
Starts from thine eye, and thy extended arm 
In fancy hurls the thunderbolt of Jove 
To fire the impious wreath on Philip's brow. 
Or dafli Odtavius from the trophied car ; — 
Say, does thy fecret foul repine to tafte 
Thebigdiftrefs ? Orw^ouldft thou then exchange 
Thofe heart-ennobling forrows, for the lot 
Of him who fits amid the gaudy herd 
Of mute barbarians bending to his nod. 
And bears aloft his gold-invefted front. 
And fays within himfelf, " I am a king, [woe 
" And wherefore fliould the clam'rous voice of 
" Intrude upon mine ear ?" The baleful dregs 
Of thefe late ages, this inglorious draught 
Of fervitude and folly, have not yet, 
Blefs'd be th' Eternal Ruler of the world ! 
Defil'd to fuch a depth of fordid fhame 
The native honours of the human foul. 
Nor fo effac'd the image of its fire. 



§ 337. A Paraphrafe on Pfalm Ixxiv, 16, 17. 
Mifs Williams. 
<< The day is thine, the night alfo is thine ; thou haft 

" prepared the light and the fun. 
'' Thou haft fet all the borders of the earth ; thou haft 
" made fummer and winter." 

My God ! all nature owns thy fway. 
Thou giv'fl the night, and thou the dayl 
When all thy lov'd creation wakes, 
When morning, rich in hiflre, breaks. 
And bathes in dew the op'ning flower, 
To thee we owe her flagrant hour; 
And when fhe pours her choral fong, 
Her melodies to thee belong ! 
Or when, in paler tints array'd, 
The evening flowly. fpreads her fhadej 
That foothing fliade, that grateful gloom, 
Can more than day's enliv'ning bloom 
Still ev'ry fond and vain defire, 
And calmer, purer thoughts infpire; 
From eaith the penfive fpirit free. 
And lead the foften'd heait to Thee. 

In ev'ry fcene thy hands have drefs'd. 
In ev'ry form by thee impreis'd, 
Upon the mountain's awful head. 
Or where the fhelt'ring woods are fpread; 
Tn ev'ry note that fwells the gale, 
Or tuneful llre:un that cheers the vale. 

The 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL, 



191 



The cavern's depth, or echoing grove, 
A voice is heard of" praife, and love. 
As o'er thy work the leafons roll, 
And footh, with change of blifs, the foul. 
Oh never may their finiling train 
Ptifs o'er the human fcene in vain ! 
But oft, as on the charm we gaze, 
Attune the wond'ring foul to praife j 
And be the joys that moft we prize 
The joys that from thy favour rifei 



338- 



A Pixraphrafe on Ifaiah xlix. 15. 
Mifs Williams. 
<* Can a woman forget her fucking child, ilwt fhe 
" fliould not have compaflion on thefon of her womb? 
«* Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee." 
Heaven fpeaks! Oh Nature, liften and rejoice ! 
Oh fpread from pole to pole this gracious voice ! 
•* Say every breaft of human frame, that i)roves 
The boundlefs force with which a parent loves j 
Say, can a mother from her yearning heart 
Bid the foft image of her child depart ? [bear 
She! whom ftrong inftinft arms withftrength to 
All forms of ill, to (hield that deareft care j 
■She ! who with anguifh ftung, wirh madnefs wild. 
Will rufli on death to fave her threatened child \ 
All felfifli feelings banifh'd from her breaft, 
Her life one aim to make another's bleft — 
When her vex'd infant to her bofom clings, 
When round her neck his eager arms he tlings j 
Breathes to her lift^ning foul his melting figh. 
And lifts, fufFus'd with tears, his afking eye ! 
Will fhe, for all ambition can attain. 
The charms of pleafure, or the lures of gain, 
Betray ftrong Nature's feelings ? will fhe prove 
M^old to the claims of duty, and of love ? 
But fhould the mother from her j'^earning heart 
Bid the foft image of her child depart ; 
When the vex'd infant to her bofom clings. 
When round her neck his eager arms he flings ; 
Should fhe unpitying hear his melting figh. 
And view unmov'd the tear that fills his eye 5 
Should fhe, for all ambition can attain, 
The charms of pleafure, or the lures of gain, 

Betray ftrong Nature's feeling fhould fhe 

prove 
Cold to the claims of duty and of love 1 
Yet never will the God, whofe word gave birth 
To yon illumin'd orbs, and this fair earth ; 
Who thro' the boundlefs depths of tracklefs fpace 
Bade ne w- wak'd beauty fpread eachperfe<St: grace; 
Yet when he form'd the vaft ftupendous whole. 
Shed his beft bounties on the human foul ; 
Which reafon's light illumes, which friendfliip 

warms. 
Which pity foftens, and which virtue charms ; 
Which feels the pure afFeftions' gen'rous glow, 
Shares others' joy, and bleeds for others' woe — 
Oh ne'er will the genVal Father prove 
Of man forgetful, man the child of love!" 
When all thofe planets in their ample fpheres 
Have wi ngM their courfe, and roU'd their 

deft in' d years: 
When the vaft fun ftiall veil his golden light 
Deep in the gloom of everlafting night j 



When wild,deftru6f i ve flames fhall wrap thefkies^ 
When Chaos triumphs, and when Nature diesj 
Man fhall alone the wreck of worlds furvive, 
Midlt falling fpheres, immortal man fhall livel 
The voice which bade the iaft dread thunders roll. 
Shall whifper to the good, and cheer their fouL 
God fhall hirafelf his favour'd creature guide 
Where living waters pour their blifsful tide. 
Where the enlarg'd, exulting, wond'ring miiwl 
Shall fear, from weaknefs and from ^ilt refin'd i 
Where perfeft knowledge, bright with cloudlefs 
Shall gild eternity's unmeafur'd days j [rays, 
Whei^ friendfliip, unembitter'd by diftruft. 
Shall in immortal bands unite the juft ; 
Devotion, rais'd to rapture, breathe herftrali^ 
And love in his eternal triumph reign I 



§339- 



A ?araphmje on Matt, vii, 12. 

Mifs Williams. 
" Whatfoever ye wovild that men ihould do to yoot 

*' do ye even fo to them." 
Precept divine I to earth in mercy gwen; 

facred rule of a6tion, worthy heaven \ 
Whofe pitying love ordain^ the bleft command 
To bind our nature in a firmer band j 
Enforce each human fuff'rer's ftrong appeal. 
And teach the felfifh breaft what others feel; 
Wert thou the guide of life, mankind might know 
A foft exemption from the worft of woe j 

No more the powerful would the weak opprefs. 
But tyrants learn the luxury to blefs; 
No more would flavery bind a hopelefs train 
Of human viftims in her galling chain : 
Mercy the hard, the cruel heart would move 
To foften mis'ry by the deeds of love; 
And av'rice from his hoarded treafures give, , 
Unafk'd, the liberal boon, that want might live! 
The impious tongue of falfehood tlien wouldceaie 
To blaft, with dark fuggeftions, virtue's peace 5 
No more would fpleen or pafTion banifh refl. 
And plant a pang in fond afFe6lion's breaft^ 
By one harfh word, one alter'd look, deftroy 
Her peace, and wither ev'ry op'ning joy ; 
Scarce canher tongue the captious wrongexplaia. 
The flight offence which gives fo deep a pain \ 
Th' affefted eafe that flights her ftarting tear, 
Thewordswhofecoldnefskills from lips fodear; — 
The hand fhe loves, alone can point the dart, 
Whofe hiddenftingcouldwound no other heart — 
Thefe, of all pains the Iharpeft we endure. 
The breaft which now infiicfs, would fpring to 
Nomoredeferted genius then would fly [cure.— 
To breathe in folitude his hopelefs figh ; 
No more would fortune's partial fmiie debafi^ 
The fpirit, rich in intelleclual grace j [bloom^ 
Who views unmov'd from fcenes where pleafures 
The flame of genius funk in mis'ry's gloom ; 
The foul heaven form'd to foar,by want depreft. 
Nor heeds the wrongs that pierce akindred breaft. 
Thou righteous Law,whofe clearand ufeful light 
Sheds on the mind a ray divinely bright j 
Condenling in one rule whate'er the iage 
Has proudly taught, in jnar.y a labour'd page j 
Bid every heart thy haUow'd voice revere, 

1 To juftice facred, and to nature dear I 



192 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



§ 340. Refle£lio»s on a Future State, from a 

Re^ieiv of JVinter. Thomlbn. 

Tis done ! dread Winter fpreads his latell 

glooms, 
i\nd reigns tremendous o'er the conquer'd year. 
How dead the vegetable kingdom lies ! 
How dumb the tuiieful ! Horror wide extends 
His delolate domain. Behold, fond man I 
See heie thy piftur'd life : pafs fome few years, 
Thy flow'i'ing Spring, thy Summer's ardent 

ftrength, 
Thy fober Autumn fading into age, 
And pale concluding Winter comes at laft, 
And (huts the fcene. Ah ! whither now are fled 
Thofe dreams of greatnels ? thofe unfolid hopes 
Of happinefs ? thofe longings after fame? 
Thofe relllefs cares ? thofe bufy bnftling days ? 
Thofe gay-fpent, feltive nights ? thofe veering 

thoughts 
Loft between good and ill, that fhar'd thy life ? 
All now are vani(hM ! Virtue fole furvives 
Immortal never-failing friend of man. 
His guide to happinefs on high. And fee ! 
^Tis come, the glorious morn ! the fecond birth 
Of heaven and earth ! awak'ning nature hears 
The new-creating word, and ftarts to life. 
In ev'ry heightened form, from pain and death 
For ever free. The great eternal fcheme, 
Involving all, and in a perfeft whole 
Uniting as the profpe6t wider fpreads. 
To reafon's eye refin'd clears up apace. 
Ye vainly wife \ ye blind prefumptuous ! now. 
Confounded in the duft, adore that Pow'r 
And Wifdom. oft arraigned 5 lee now the caufe 
Why unafluming worth in fecret livM, 
And died negleded : why the good man's fhare 
In life was gall and bitternefs of foul : 
Why the lone widow and her orphans pin'd 
In ftarviug folitudej while luxury, 
In palaces, lay ftraining her low thought. 
To form unreal wants ; why heaven-born truth. 
And moderation fair, wore the red marks 
Of fuperftition's fcourge : why licens'd pain. 
That cruel fpoiler, that embofomM foe, 
Embitter'd all our blifs. Ye good diltrefs'd ! 
Ye noble few ! who here unbending lland 
Beneath life's preflure, yet bear up av/hile, 
And what your bounded view, which only faw 
A little part, deem'd evil, is no more ; 
The ftorms of Wintry Time will quickly pafs, 
And one unbounded Spring encircle all. 



§ 341. On Sla.'very, Mifs H. Falconar. 

To n.an fuperior reafon's light was giv''n 
Reafon, the nobleft gift of bounteous Heav'n, 
Unfailing beam, bright intelledual ray, 
Thou Heady guide through error's devious way, 
Say, wert thou firft by gracious Heav'n defign'd 
To ftamp injuftice on the human kind ? 
Forbid it truth, forbid it ev'ry breaft 
That heaves in pity for the wretch oppreft: 
Yet reafon, juftice, mercy, plead in vain j 
Still the fad vi<rtim drags his galling chain; 
5 



Still bows fubmiflive to the tyrant hand 
That toi'c the fuif 'rer from his native land j 
Yet, ere the arts of luxury began. 
They boafted liberty, the right of man ; 
Serene, they favv each peaceful morning fmile, 
Y^y led their hours, and plenty blefs'd their toil. 
Their pleading fighs, their fuppliant, moving 

pray'r-. 
Daughter of Virtue ! Royal Charlotte, hear ! 
Sovereign, yet parent of this happy ifle. 
O'er whofe gay plains fair plenty deigns to fmile. 
Where fpotlefs peace extends her azure wing j 
And liberty's enchanting blolfoms fpring; 
Thine is companion's fympathetic figh. 
The melting tear that beams in pity's eye : 
The heart like thine, that feels another's pain. 
Hears not diftrefs'd misfortune plead in vain 5 
Be 't thine to heal pale forrow's wounded breaft, 
And lull each raging palTion into reilj 
Let not the wretched flave in vain deplore 
The long-loft joys he muft behold no more ; 
Then, while Britannia hails thy facred name, 
A deed like this ftiall fwell the trump of fame ; 
Virtues like thine ftiall wake the founding lyre. 
Each bofom glow v/ith emulative fiie \ 
And fwell'd with themes like this, the poet's page 
Remain admir'd through each fucceeding age. 

When Superftition rais'd her threat'ning hand. 
And fcatter'd horror round the bleeding land. 
On fad Britannia's mvag'd plains ftie ftood, 
Drench'd in one fatal ftream of marry r'd blood \ 
O'er ev'ry fcene with fell delight ftie flew. 
And frail'd, exulting, at the dreadful view; 
Religion's facred truths, though once defign'd 
To banifh error from the darken'd mind, 
Avail'd not here ; her pure celeftial light. 
Loft in the gloom of Superftition's night. 
Drooping, beheld the fatal torrent roll 
Refiftlefs terrors o'er the doubtful foul ; 
Till br-ight Eliza came, whofe matchlefs fway, 
Call'd forth the dawn of fair Religion's day ; 
Cherifli'd the genial influence as it rofe, 
Difpell'd their errors and reliev'd their woes. 
Shall Britain, then, who boafts th' unrivall'd deed, 
Relentlefs, fee the guiltlefs viftim bleed ? 
Amid the horrors of tormenting pain 
He feeks for mercy, but he feeks in vain; 
Aff^righted Mercy quits the guilty land, 
Where grim Oppreffion waves her tyrant's hand; 
Where, to the favage herd, a harmlefs prey 
Sinks faint beneath the fervid beam of day; 
Or, haply trembling in the midnight air, 
Sunk in the deepeft gloom of low defpair; 
Or burning thirftand furious want, combin'd. 
With wild diftraftion fire his glowing mind. 
Till death reftores to him eternal reft. 
And calms the tumults of his troubled breaft. 
The BritiA-i youth, torn from his much-lov'd 
home, 
O'er foreign feas and foreign coafts t(>roara. 
Amid the fury of the piercing blaft, 
Thefweird wave circling round thefl-.iver'd maft. 
While burfting peals of thunder rend the Ikies, 
And o'er the deck the foaming billows rife, 

AwhUe 



Book I. 



SACRED kni) MORAL. 



«91 



A while in terror views the lightning glare, I Loft in the pleafing dream, awhile the foul, 
\Vithftreaminghorror,throughthemi(inJghtairj Where av'rice reign'd (ecure from all controul, 



The Itorm once paft, he gains the friendly ray 
Ofhope,toguidehimthrough thedang-'rous wayj 
Smiling, fhe bids each future profpeft rife. 
Through fancy's varied mirror, to his eyes. 
Not fo the flave; opprefsM with fecret care, 
He fmks the hapiefs victim of defpairj 
Or cloom'd to torments that might even move 
The fteely heart, and melt it into lovej 
Till, worn Vvith anguifli, withering in his bloom. 
He falls ah early tenant of the tomb ! 
Shall Britain view, unmov'd, fad Afric'sfhore 
Delug'd fo oft in ft reams of purple gore! 
Britain, where fcience, peace, and plenty, fmile, 
Virtue's bright ieatand freedom's favour'd i(le ! 
Rich are lier plains and fruitful is her clime, 
The fcourge of tyraiits, and the boaft of time j 
Of ev'ry virtue, ev'ry worth, poffeft. 
That fires the hero's or the patriot's breaft : 
There, nobly warm'd with animating fire, 
Our Shakfpeareltruckhisfoul-commanding Ij'-re; 
There fcenes of blifs immortal Milton fung, 
And notes harmonious ilfued from his tongue: 
And bards like thefe ihall boaft in ev'ry age. 
While native genius glows in Hayley's pagej 
While genius bids to our enchanted eyes, 
In Swift's own ftrains, a fecond Pope ariie. 
When truth, perplex'd in errors thorny maze, 
Threwo'erthe worldobfcur"dand darken'd rays, 
Then Newton rofe, unveil'd the beauteous maid: 
He fpoke, and nature ftood at once difoiay'd. 
Thefe were the fouls that Britain once poltefs'd, 
When genuine virtue lir'd the patriot's breaft ; 
And ftill iliaU (he proted fair freedom's caufe. 
And vindicate her violated lav/s j 
Waft peace and freedom to a wretched land, i 
And fcatter blefungs with a lib'ral hand. | 

In Britain's paradiie, by freedom made. 
The tree of commerce fpreads its ample fliade j 
tlnTpaviug plenty bends the lofty brow. 
And wealth bright glitters on eachgoldenbough' 
On fome the richelt gem.s of India fhone. 
And added luftre to the Britifti throne ; 
Stlch as in gentie radiance might outvie 
The melting luftre of the fparkling eyej 
Such as in gay variety might grace ' 
The native beauties of the lovely face: 
On fome the bud of health, in rofy bloom, 
Call'd languid ficknefs from an early tomb ; 
Or bade contented labour calmly fmile 
O'er the rich profpecl of his native foil. 
One ample branch, fuperior to the reft, 
I^ofe to the view, in fplendid radiance dreftj 
On ev'ry leaf the tempting manna hung. 
In golden dyes eachbeauteousbloflbmlprUng*, 
The flow'rs of brighteft hue opprefTion nam'd, 
Yet from the tree the rank of commence claim'd 
Led by the fair deceit, beneath its Ihade 
With eager eye the flaves of ay'rice ftray'd i 
This fatal fruit was lovelieft to. the view. 
That on the fpreading tree of commerce grew; 
They grafp'd the baneful load with fatal haSLe 
©eftrudive poifon to th'" enchanted tsite j 



Slept calm, till confcience, with unerring dart. 
Struck deep cqnvi<5lion through the guilty heart; 
And bade refle6tion wake the feeling mind, 
Tlsat turn'd to ev'ry fcene it left behind : 
There might they fee the tortur'd wretch implore 
Eternal vengeance on Britannia's ftiorej 
In filent grief, amid diftraction wild, 
The wreiched parent mourn her long-loft child: 
Thefe fcenes appear when death, in terror dreft. 
Bids ftiarp repentance wound the (huddVing 

breaft, 
Wheno'eryourheadsth'avenglngthundersroll, 
And quick deftruftion feems tofnatch the foulj 
When fall -around the dreadful lightnings fall. 
And guilt fiiall hear th' iucens'd Almighty's call; 
Then will his v/rath deftroy the life he gave, 
And jufti ce fnatch the foul that mercy cou Id not 
Britain, be thine the glorioilstafk to heal [fave. 
The bleeding wounds thy wretched fons fhall 
Extend thy ev'ry noble pow'r to faVe [feel; 
The wretch juft tott'ring o'er an early grave; 
For, noble w ere the deed that coiild impart 
Reviving vigour to the drooping heart ; 
For, then no more the 'fatal branch fliall bind. 
In golden ties, the loft- enchanted mindj 
Tear ev'iy fibre from the verdant root, 
And blaft each dangVous blollbm ere it ftioot: 
So ftiail the p.-i'Te of ranfom'd millions rife, 
In grateful incenfe, to the echoing ikies ; 
So through the world thy matchlefs fame extend, 
Andwond'rirignationshail thee mercy's friend; 
Thee, firft in ev'ry virtue, ev'ry worth, 
That gives lo glory or to genius birth ; 
Let thy avenging, thy ail-conqu'rine hand 
Give peace and freedom to an injur'd land 1 
Glory be thine ; and let pale mis'ry prove 
The joys of friendfhip and the blifs of love I 
And heav'nly liberty's celeftial ray 
Beam o'er the world one pure eternal day ! 



§ 342. A Prayer in the Profpecl of Death. Burns. 
D THOU unknown Almighty Caufe 

Of all n\y hope and fear ! 
In whofe dread Prefence, ere an houfj 

Perhaps I muft appear! 
If I have wander'd in thofe paths 

Of life I ought to ftiun^ 
As Something loudly in my brealt 

Remonftrates 1 have done ; 
Thou know'ft that Thou haft formed hie 

With paffions wild and ftrong: 
And lift'ning to their 'witching voice 

Has often led me wrong. 
Where human weaknefs has come fhort, 

Or frailty ftepp'd alide, 
Do Thou, All-Good ! for futh Thou art, 

In {hades of darknefs hide. 
Where with intention I have err'd. 

No other plea I have. 
But, Thou art good ; and goodoefs flill 

Delighteth to forgive. 



ELEGANT E5^TRACTS, 



t94 

§ 343' '^•■'^ Genealogy of Chriji, as it is repre- 
feliied on. the Eaji IVindo-xv of IVinchefler College 
Chapel IVritten at IVinton School by Dr. 
Lowtli. 
A't once to ralfe our rev'rence and delight. 
To elevate the mind, and pleafe the Tight, 
To pour in virtue at th' attentive eye, 
And wait the foul on wings of ecftacy; 
For this the painter's art with nature vies, 
And bids the vilionaiy faint arife : 
Who views the facred forms in thought afplres, 
Catches pure zeal, and, as he gazes, fires ; 
Feels the fame ardour to his bi'eaft conveyed j 
Is what he fees, and emulates the fliade. 

Thy ftrokes, great Artifl, fo fublime appear, 
They check our pleafure with an awful fear ; 
While thro' the mortal line the God you trace. 
Author himfelf and Heir of Jefle's race. 
In raptures we admire thy bold defign. 
And, as the fubjeft, own the hand divine. 
While thro' thy work the rifmg day dial Iftreara, 
So long fhall laft thine honour, praife, and name. 
And may thy labours to the Mufe impart 
Son\e emanation from her fifter art, 
To anim.ate the verfe, and bid it fiiine 
In colours eafy, bright, and ftrong as thine ! 

Supine on earth an awful figure lies, 
While foftelt {lumbers feem to feal his eyes 5 
The hoary fire Heaven's guardian care demands, 
And at his feet the watchful angel ftands. 
The form auguft and large, the mien divine, 
Betray the founder of Meifah's line*. 
Lo ! from his loins the prorais'd Item afcend. 
And high to Heaven its facred boughs extend: 
Each limb produdHve of fome hero fprings. 
And blooms luxuriant with a race of kings. 
Th' eternal phmt v/ide fpreads its arms around. 
And with the mighty branch the myftic top is 
crown'd. 
And lo! the glories of th' illuftrious line 
AttheirfiriL dawn Vv'ithripen'dfplendoursfliine, 
In David all exprefs'd ; the good, the great. 
The king, the hero, and the man complete. 
Serene he fits, and fweeps the golden lyre, 
And blends the prophet's with the poet's fire- 
See ! with what art he ftrikes the vocal firings, 
The God, his theme, infpiring what he fings ! 
Hark — or our ears delude us — from his tongue 
Sweetflov.SjOr feems to flow,fomeheavenly fong. 
Oh could thine art arreil the fleeting found. 
And paint the voice in magic numbers bound ; 
Could the warm iun,as erfl: whenMeranon piay'd, 
Wake with his rifing beam the vocal ihade ; 
Then might he draw the attentive angels down, 
Bending to hear the la)^, fo fweet, fo like their 

own. 
On either fide the monarch's offspring fiiine, 
And fome adorn, and fome difgrace their line. 
Here Anmion glories 5 proud inceiluous lord ! 
Iliis hand fullains the robe, and that the fword. 
Frowning and fierce, with haughty ftrides he 

towers, 
And on his horrid brow defiance low'rs. 



Book t. 



* JeiTe. 



There Abfidom th? ravifli'd fceptre fways, 
And his ft^olen honour all his fiiame dilplays : 
Tlve bafeufurper Youth ! who joins in one 
The rebel fubjecV and th' nngrateful fon. 

Amid the royal race, fee Nathan ftand : 
Fervent he feems to fpeak, and lift his hand; 
His looks the emotion of his foul dlfclofe, 
And eloquence from ev'ry gefliure flows. 
Such, and fo ftern he came, ordain'd to bring 
The ungrateful mandate to the guilty King : 
When, at his dreadful voice, a fudden fmart 
Shot thro' the trembhng monarch's confcious 

heart, 
From his own lips condemned; fevere decreet 
Had his God prov'd fo fi:ern a Judge as He, 
But man with frailty is allied by birth 5 
Confummate purity ne'er dwelt on earth : 
Thro' all the foul tho' virtue holds the rein. 
Beats at the heart, and fprings in ev'r}' vein. 
Yet ever from the clearefi fource have ran 
Some grofs alloy, fome tin6lure of the man. 

But who is he deep muling? in his mind. 
He f^ems to weigh in reafon's fcales mankind; 
Fix'd contemplation holds his Iteady eyes — 
I know the fage f , the wifeft of the wife. 
Bklt with all man could wifli, or prince obtain, 
Yethisgreatheartpronounc'dthofeblefiingsvain. 
And lo! bright glittering in his facred hands, 
In miniature the glorious temple ftands. 
Efi-ulgent frame ! ftupendous to behold ! 
Gold the ftrong val ves,the roof of burnifli 'd gold. 
The wand'ringarkjinthatbrightdome enfiirin'd. 
Spreads the ftrong light, eternal, unconfin'd 1 
Above th' unutterable glory plays, ^ 

Prefence divine ! and the full-ftreaming rays > 
Pour thro' reluftant clouds intolerable blaze, j 

But ftern oppreflion rends Reboara's reign ; 
See the gay prince, injurious, proud, and vain ! 
Th' imperial fceptre totters in his hand. 
And proud rebellion triumphs in the land. 
Curs'd with corruption's ever-fruitful fpring, 
A beardlefs Senate, and a haughty King. 

There Afa, good and great, the fceptre bears, 
Juftice attends his peace, fuccefs his wars: 
While virtue was his fwordandHeaven his fiiield. 
Without controul the warrior fwept the field ; 
Loaded with fpoils, triumphant he return'd. 
And half herfwarthyfons fadEthiopiamourn'd* 
But fince tliy fagging piety decay 'd. 
And bartered God's defence for human aid ; 
See their fair laurels wither on thy brow, \ 

Nor herbs nor healthful arts avail thee now, ^ 
Nor isHeav'n chang'd,apoftate prince^butthou, y 
No mean atonement does this lapfe require; 
But fee the Son, you muft forgive the Sire : 
He+, the juft prince — with ev'ry virtue bleft 
He reign'd, and goodnefs all the man pofiefs'd ; 
Around his throne fair happinefs and peace 
Sraooth'd ev'ry brow, and fmil'd in ev'ry face. 
As when along the burning wafte he fti-ay'd. 
Where no pure ftreams in bubblingmazesplay'd. 
Where drought incumbent on the thirfty ground 
Longfincehadbrcath'dherfcorchingblaftsaron n d . 

The 
f Solomon. % Jofaphat, 



So 



OK 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



'9« 



The *prophet calls, th* obedient floods repair 
To the parch'd fields, for Jofaphat was there. ^ 
The new-fpring waves, in many a gurgling vein, 
Trickle luxurious through the fucking plain j 
Frefh honours the reviving fields adorn, 
And o'er the defert plenty pours her horn. 
So, from the throne his influence he (heds, 
And bids the virtues raife their languid heads : 
Where'er he goes, attending Truth prevails, 
Oppreffion flies, and Jullice lifts her fcales. 
See, on his arm the royal eagle fland, 
Great type of conquefl and fupreme command ; 
Th' exulting bird diftinguifh'd triumph brings. 
And greets the Monarch with expanded wings. 
Fierce Moab's fons prevent th' impending blow, 
Rufh on themfelv^s, and fall without the foe. 
The pious hero vanqilifh'd Heaven by pray'r j 
His faith an army, and his vows a war. 
Thee too, Ozlas, fates indulgent blefs'd, 
And thy days flione in faireft actions dreft : 
Till that rafli hand, by fome blind phrenzy 
Unclean, the facred ofHce durft invade, [fvvay'd, 
Quick o'er thy limbs the fcurfy venom ran. 
And hoary filth befprinkled all the man. 

Tranfmiflive worth adorns the pious f Son, 
The father's virtues with the father's throne. 
Lo ! there he flands : he who the rage fubdued 
Of Ammon's fons, and drench'd his fword in 

blood. 
And dolt thou, Ahaz, Judah's fcourge, difgrace 
With thy bafe front the glories of thy race ? 
See the vile King his iron fceptre bear — 
His only praife attends the pious X Heir j 
He, in whofe foul the virtues all confpire, 
The beft good fon from the worft wicked Are. 
And lo ! in Hezekiah's golden reign, 
Long exil'd piety returns again ; 
Again in genuine purity fhe fhines, [fnrines. 
And with her prefence gilds the long-neglefted 
Jll-ftarr'd does proud AHyria's impious § Lord 
Bid Heav'ntoarrhs,and vaunt his d read fulfwordj 
His own vainthreatsth'infultingKingo'erthrow, 
But breathe new courage on the gen'rous foe. 
Th' avenging Angel, by divine command, 
The fieiy fword full-blazing in his hand. 
Leant do vvnfromheaven: amid the ftormherode,) 
March'd Pellilence before him; as he trod, > 
Pale Defolation bath'd his fteps in blood. y 
Thickwraptinnight,thro'theproudhofl:hepafs'd, 
Difpeniing death, and drove the furious blaft ; 
Nor bade Deftruftion give her revels o'er [gore. 
Till the gorg'd fword was drunk with human 
But what avails thee, pious prince, in vain 
Thy fceptre refcued, and th'AfTyrian fiain ? 
|i^ven now the foul maintains her lateft flrife. 
And death's chill grafpcongeals the fount of life: 
Yet fee, kind Heaven renews thy brittle thread. 
And rolls full fifteen fummers o'er thy beadj 
1-0 i. the receding fun repeats his way. 
And, like thy life, prolongs the falling day. 
Tbo' nature her inverted courfe forego. 
The day forget to refl, the time to flow. 



• EILIia. 



■f Jothami 



Yet fliall Jehovah's fervants ftand fecure* 
His mercy fix'd, eternal fliall endure ; 
On them her ever-healing rays fhall fhine j 
More raildand bright, and fure,0 fun! thauthlne* 
At length the long-expelled Prince behold. 
The lafl good King; in ancient days foretold. 
When Bethel's altar fpoke his future fame. 
Rent to its bafe, at good Jofiah's name. 
Bleft, happy prince 1 o'er whofe lamented urn. 
In plaintive fong, all Judah's daughters mourn j 
For whom fad Sion's fofteft forrow flows. 
And Jeremiah pours his fweet melodious woes. 

But now fallen Sion, once the fair and great. 
Sits deep in dufl:, abandon'd, defolate: 
Bleeds her fad heart, and ever fl:ream her eyes. 
And anguifli tears her with convulflve fighs. 
The mournful captive fpr^ads her hands in vain. 
Her hands, that rankle with the fervile chain j 
Till he II, great chief,in Heaven's appointed time. 
Leads back her children to their native clime. 
Fair liberty revives with all her joys. 
And bids her envied walls fecurely rife. 
And thou, great hallow'd dome, in ruin fpread. 
Again fliall lift fublime thy facred head. 
But, ah ! with weeping eyes, the ancients vie'vr 
A faint refemblance of the old in you. 
No more th' effulgent glory of thy God 
Speaks awful anfwers from the myfl:ic cloud j 
No more thine altars blaze with fire divine ; 
And Heaven has left thy folitary fhrine. 
Yet, in thy courts, hereafter flialt thou fee, 
Prefence immediate of the Deity, [Thee. 

The light himfelf re veard,theGod confefs'd in 

And now at length the fated term of years 
The "world's defire have brought, and lo ! the 

God appears. 
The heavenly Babe the Virgin Mother bears, 
And her fond looks confefs'd the parent'^s cares; 
The pleafing burden on her breaft flie lays, 
Hangs o'er his charms, and with a fmile fur- 
The infantfmiles, toiler fond bofomprefl:,[veys: 
And \vantons, fportive, on the mother's breaft* 
A radiant glory fpeaks him all Divine, 
And in the Child the beams of Godhead fhine. 

But now, alas ! far other views difclofe 
The blackeft comprehenfive fcene of woes. 
See where man's voluntary facrifice 
Bovvs his meek head, and God eternal dies? 
Fixt to the Crofs his healing arms are bound. 
While copious Mercy flreams from ev'ry wound. 
Mark the blood-drops that life exhauiling roll. 
And the iirong pang that rends the fliubborn 
As all death's tortures, with f evere defey, [feul. 
Exult and riot in the noblefl prey ! ■ 
And canft thou, ftupid man, thofe foiTows fee. 
Nor fliare the anguifh which he bears for thee ? 
Thy fin, for which his facred flefli U torn, 
Points ev^ry nail, and fiiarpens ev'ry thorn. 
Canft thou?— while nature fmarts inev'ry wound. 
And each pang cleaves the fympathetic ground ! 
Lo ! the black fun, his chariot backward drivexi. 
Blots out the day, and periflies from Heav'n 1 



I 



'Hezekiah. • J Sennacherib, 



O 2 



Zorobsbel. 



Earth, 



J9^ 



ELEGANT EXTRACT $. 



Book L 



Earth, trembling from her entrails, bears a part ; 
And the rent rock upbraids man'sllubbornneartJ 

The yawning grave reveals his gloomy reign 
And the cold clay-clad dead ftart into life again. 

And thou, O tomb, once more flialt wide dif- 
Thy fttiate jaws, and give up all thy prey, [play 
ThoUjgroaning earth,fhallheave,abforpt inflame, 
As the laft pangs convulfe thy labVingfrarae j 
When the ftmc God unfhrouded thou fhalt fee, 
Wrapt in fall blaze of pow'r and majelly, 
Ride on the clouds ; whilft, as his chariot flies, 
The bright effufion ftreams thro' all the flcies. 
Then iliali the proud diflbl ving mountains glow, 
And yielding rocks in fiery rivers flow : 
The molten deluge round the globe fliall roar. 
And ail man's arts and labour be no more. 
Then fliall the fplendours of the enlivened glafs 
Sink undifl:inguilh'd in the burning mafs. 
And oh ! till earth and Teas, and heaven decay, 
Ne'er may that f-iir creation Aide away j [fpare, 
May winds and ftorms thoCe beauteous colours 
Still may they bloom, as permanent as fair; 
All the vain rage of wafliing time repel, [well. 
And his tribunal fee, whole Crofs they paint fo 



§ ^^44. On the Death of Frederic Prince of Wales. 

Written at Paris, by David Lord Viscount 

Stormont, ofChriJi Church, Oxon» 
Little I whilom deem'd my artlefs zeal 
Should woo the Britifh Mufe in foreign land 
To ftrains of bitter argument ; and teach 
The mimic Nymph that haunts the winding 
And oozy current of Parifian Seine, [verge 
To fylhble new founds in accents ftrange. 

But fad occafion calls : who now forbears 
The lafl: kind office ? who but confecrates 
His offering at the flirine of fair Renown 
To gracious Frederic rais'd ; tho' but composed 
Of the wafl:e fiow'rets whofe neglefted hues 
Chequer the lonely hedge or mountain flope ? 

Where are thofe hopes, where fled th' illufive 
fcenes 
That forgeful fancy plannM what time the bark 
Stemm'dthefaltwavefromAlblon'schalkybourn 

Then filial Piety and parting Love [clift-s, 
Pour'dthe fondpray'r — " Farewell, ye lefs'ning 
Fairer to me than aught in fabled fong 
Or myfl:ic record told of ftiores Atlantic ! 
Favoured of Heav'n, farewel ! imperial ifle. 
Native to noblefl: wits, and bell approv'd 
In manly fcience and advent'rous deed ! 
Celeftial Freedom, by rude hand efl:rang'd 
From regions once frequented, with Thee takes 
Her ftedfafl: ftation, fall befide the throne 
Of fceptred rule, and rhere her Itate maintains 
In focial concord and harmonious love. 
Thefe bleflings ftiill be thine, nor meddling fiend 
Stir in your bufy llreets foul Faction's roar ; 
Still thrive your growing works, and gales pro- 
pitious 
Vifit your Ions who ride the wat'ry wafte ; 
And ilill be heard from forth your gladfome 
bow'rs I 

Shrill tabor pipes, and ev'ry peaceful found, j 



Nor vain the wiih, while George the golden 
fcale [fway. 

With flieady prudence holds, and temp'rate 
And when his courfe of earthly honours run, 
With lenient hand fliall Frederic footh your 
Rich in each princely quality, mature [care ; 
In years, and happiefl: in nuptial choice. 
Thence too arife new hopes ; a playful troop 
Circles his hearth, fweet pledges of that bed 
WhichFaithandJoy,andthoufandVirtuesguard. 
His be the care t' inform their du6Vile mind* 
With worthielt thoughts, and point the ways of 

honour. 
How often Ihall he hear with frefh delight 
Their enrnefl: tales, or watch their rifiuij paf- 
With timorous attention ; then fliall tell [fions 
Of juftice, fortitude, and public wealj 
And oft the while each rigid precept fmooth 
With winning tckeus of parental love !" 

Thus my o'erweening heart the fscret ft:ores 
Of Britain's hope explored, w^hiie my llrain'd 
Purfued her fading hills, till wrapt in mifl: [fight 
They gently funk beneath the fwelling tide. 
Norflepl thofe thoughts, whene'er in otherclimes 
I mark'd the cruel wafte of foul opprefiion, 
Saw noblefl: fpirits, and goodlieft faculties. 
To vafiiilage and loathfome fervice bound. 
Then confcious preference rofe ; then northward 
My eye to gratulatc my natal Ibil, [turn'd 

How have I chid, with froward eagernefs. 
Each veering blaft that from my hand withheld 
Tlie well-known charafters of fonie lov'dfriend^ 
Tho' diftant not unmindful! Still I learn'd, 
Delighted, what each patriot plan devis'd 
Of arts or glory, or diffufive commerce. 
Nor wanted its endearment ev'ry tale 
Of lighteft import. But, oh heavy change ! 
What notices come now? Diftrafted fcenes 
Of helplefs forrow, folemn fad accounts j 
How fair Auguita watch'd the weary night. 
Tending the bed of anguifh 5 how great George 
Wept with his infant progeny around ; 
How heav'd th' orphan's and the widow's flgh. 
That foUow'd Frederic to the fiient tomb ! 

For well was Fredetic lov'd, and well deferv'd. 
His voice was ever fweer, and on his fteps 
Attended ever the alluring grace 
Of gentle lowlinefs and focial zeal. 
Him fliall remember oft the labour'd hind. 
Relating to his mates each cafual a6t 
Of courteous bounty. Him th' artificer. 
Plying the varied w^oof in fullen fadnefs, 
Tho' wont to carol many a ditty fweet. 
Soon to the mariner, who many moons 
Has counted, beating ftill the foamy furge, 
And treads at lafl the wifli'd-for b£ach,ftiallftand 
Appall'dat the fad tale, and foon fhali Ileal 
Down his rough cheek th' involuntary tear. 

Be this our folace yet — all is not dead; 
The bright memorial lives n for his example 
Shall Hymen trim his torch, domeftic praife 
Be countenanc'd, and virtue fairer fliew. 
In age fucceeding, when another George, 
To ratify fonie wtighty ordinance , 

OF 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL. 



197 



of Britain's peers conven'd, fliall pafs befidc 
Thole hallowed fpires, whole gloomy vaults in- 

clofe, 
Shrouded in fleej;!, pale rows of fceptred kings, 
Oft to his ienl'e the fweet paternal voice 
And long remembered features fliall return ; 
Then fhall his generous breait be new inflam'd 
To afts of highelt worth, and higbelt fame. 

The(e plaintive flrains, fiom Albion far away, 
I lonely meditate at even tide 5 
Nor ikiWd nor lladious of the raptur'd layj 
But ftill remenb'ring oft the magic founds, 
Well-meafur'd to the chime of Dorian lute, 
Or pailVal ftop, which erft I lov'd to hear 
On His' bordered mead, where dips by fits 
7'he Hooping ofierin herhalty ftream. [fam'd 

Hail, Wolfey's fpacious Dome ! hail, ever 
For faithful nurture, tmd truth's fac-red lore, 
jMuch honoured parent! You my duteous zeal 
Accept, if haply in thy laureat wreath 
You deign to interweave this humble fong. 



§ 345. Death. Emily. 

The feftive roar of laughter, the warm glow 
Of briflc-eyed joy, and friend(hip's genial 

bowl. 
Wit's feafon'd converfe, and the liberal flow 

Of unfufpicious youth, profufe of foul. 
Delight not ever; from the boillerous fcene 

Qf riot far, and Com us' wild uproar. 
From folly's crowd, whofe vacant brow ferene 

Was never knit to wifdom's frowning lore, 
permit me, ye time-hallow'd domes, ye piles 

Of rude magnificence, your folemn reit, 
Amid your fretted vaults and length'ningaifles 

Lonely to wander; no unholy guell 
That means to break, with lacrilegious tread, 
The marble (lumbers of your monumenteddead. 
Permit me, with fad mufmgs, that infpire 

Unlabouv'd numbers apt, your fllence drear 
Elamelefs to wake, and with the Orphean lyre. 

Fitly attemper'd, footh the mercilefs ear 
Of Hades, and flisrn death, whofe iron fway 

Great nature owns th^V all her wide domain 
All that with oary fin cleave their fmooth way 

Through the green bofom of the fpawny main 
And thofe tiiat to the ftreaming aether fpread, 

in many- a wheeling glide, their featheiy fail 
And thofe that creep.and thofe thatflatelier tread, 

That roam o'er forefl, hill, or b-rowfy dale ; 
The viftims each of ruthlefsfatemufl fall; 
E'en God's own image, man, high, paramount 

of all. 
And ye, the young, the giddy, and the g^y. 

That ftartle from the fleepful lid of light 
The curtain'd reft, and with the dii^o^;lant bxay 

Of Bacchus, and loud jollity, affright 
Yon radiant goddefs, that now fhoots among 

Thefe many-wjndowi-'daifles her glimm^rifig 
beam ; 
l^now, that or ere its ftarr'd career along [team 

'i hiice. ijiall have roll'd her filver-wheeled 



Some parent breaft may heave the anfwering 
To the flow paufes of the funeral knoll ;[ligh 

E'en now black Atropos, with icowling eye. 
Roars in the laugh, and revels o'er the bowlj 

E'en now iarofy-crowned plealure's wreath 

Entwines in adder folds all-unfulpeeted Death. 

Know, on the fliealing wing of time fliail flee 

Some few, fome fhort-liv'd years, and all is 
A future bard thefe awful domes may iee,[pafl:i 

Mufe o'er the prefent age, as I the lafl:; 
Who mouldering in thegrave, yet once like you 

The various maze of life were ften. to tread, 
Each bent their own peculiar to purfue, 

As cuflom urg'd, or wilful nature led: 
Mix'd with the various crowd's inglorious clay, 

The nobler virtues undiflinguifli'd lie; 
j No more to melt with beauty's heaven- born ray, 
I No more to wet compafhon's tearful eye. 
Catch from the poet raptures not their o\yn. 
And feel the thrilling melody of iweet renown. 

Where is the mafl:er-hand, whofe femblant art 

Chifel'd the marble into life, or taught 
From the well-pencil'd portraiture to It.art 
The nerve that beat \yith foul, the brow tliat 
thought ? 
Cold are the fingers that in flone-fi^t trance 
The mute attention riveting, to the lyre 
Struck language: dimm'd the poet's quick,* 
eyed glance, 
All in wild raptures flafltiing heaven's own 
Shrunk is the finew'd energy, that ftrung [fire : 
The warrior arm. Where fleeps the patriot 
breafit 
Whilom that heavM impafTionM ? where the 
tongue 
That lanc'd its lightning on the tow'ring 
Of fceptred infolence, and overthrew [crelt 
Giant OpprefTion, leagued with ail her earth- 
born crew I 

Thefe now are paf^ ; long, long, ye fleeting years, 

Purl'ue, with glory wing'd your fated way, 
Ere from the womb of time unwelcome peers 

The dawn of that inevitable day, [friend 
When wrapt in fhrouded clay, their warmeft 

The widow'd virtues fhall again deplore, 
When o'er his urn in pious grief fhall bend 

His Britain, and bewail one patriot more; 
For foon muft thou, too foon! who fpread'4 

Thy beaming emanations unconfin'd, [abroad 
Doom'd like fome better angel fent of God 

To fcatterblefjings over human kind,. 
Thou too muft fall, O Pitt ! to fhine no more. 
And tread thefe dreadful paths a Faulkland 
trod before. 

Faft to the driving winds the marfliall'd clouds 

Sweep difcontinuous o'er th' ethereal plain ! 
Anotlier ftill upon another crowds ; 

All haftening downward to their native main^ 
Thus palles o'er, thro' varied life's career, 

Man's fleeting age ; the Seafons, as they fiy^ 
Snatch from us in their courle, year after year, 

Sor£!<^ fweet connexion, fome endear-ing tie. 
O 3, ^ Xh? 



igS 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I. 



The parent, ever-honourM; ever-dear. 

Claims from the filial breaft the pious figh; 

A brother's urn demands the kindred tear, 
And gentle forrows gulh from friendfhip's 

To-day we frolic in the roiy bloom [eye. 

Of jocund youth — the morrow knells us to the 
tomb. 

Who knows how foon in this fepulchral fpot 

Snail heaven to me the drear abode a.Tign ? 
How foon the paft irrevocable lot 

Of thefe that i-eft beneath me fhall be miner 
Haply when Zephyr to thy native bourn [wave, 

Shall waft thee o'er the ftcrm'd Hibernian 
Thy gentle breaft, my Taviftock, fhall mourn 

To find me fleeping in the fenfelefs grave. 
No more the focial leifure to divide. 

In the fweet intercourfe of foul and fou!, 
Blithe, or of graver brow : no more to chide 

The ling'ring years im.patient as they .roll. 
Till all thy cultured virtues fhall difplay, 
Fuli-blofTom'd, their bright honours to the 

gazing day. 
Ah, deareft youth ! thefe vows perhaps unheard^ From 

The rude wind fcatters o'er the billowy m.ain : 
Thefe prayers at friendfhip's holyfhrine preferred 

May rife to grafp their father's knees in vain. 
Soon, foon may nod the fad funereal plume 

With folemn horror o'er thy timelefs hearfe, 
And I furvive to grave upon thy tomb 

The mournful tribute of memorial verfe. 
That leave to heaven's decifion — be it thine, 

Higher than yet a parent's wifhes fiew. 
To foar in bright pre-em.inence, and fhine 

With felf-earn'd honours, eager to purfue 
Where glory, v/ith her clear unfullied rays,* 
The well-born fpirit lights to deeds of raightiefl 
praife. 

'Twasfhe thy godlike Ruffel's bofom fteel'd 

With confidence untam'd, in his lafl breath 
Stern-fmiling. She with calm compofure, held 

The patnot axe of Sidney, edg'd with death. 
Smit with the warmth of her impulfive flame, 

Wolfe's gallant virtue flies to worlds afar. 
Emulous to pluck frefh wreaths of well-earn'd 
fam.e [war. 

From the grim frowning brow of laurel'd 
'Twas fhe that, on the morn of direful birth, 

Bar'd thy young bofom to the fatal blow, 
"Lamented Armytage !-^the bleeding youth ! 

O bathe him in the pearly caves below. 
Ye Nereids J and ye Nymphs of Camus hoar. 
Weep— for ye oft have feen him on your 
haunted fhore. 



Better to die with glory than recline 

On the fott lap of ignominious peace. 
Than yawn out the dull droning life fupine 

In monkifh apathy and gowned eafe. 
Better employ'd m honour's bright career 

The leait divifion on the dial's round. 
Than thrice to compafs Saturn's live-long year, 

Grown old in floth;the burthen of the ground. 



Than tug with fweating toil the flavifli oar 
Of unredeem'd affliftion, and fuftain 

The fev'rous rage of fierce difeafes fore 
Unnumber'd, that in fympathetic chain 

Hang ever thro' the thick circumfluous air. 

All from the drizzly verge of yonder ftar-girt 
fphere. 

Thick in the many-beaten road of life 

A thoufand maladies are pofted round. 
With wretched man to wage eternal flrife 

Unfeen,likeambufh'dlndians,till they wound. 

There the fwoln hydrop ftands,thewat'ry rheum. 

The northern fcurv}^, blotch with lep'rous 

And moping ever in the cloifter'd gloom ffcale ; 

Of learned floth, and bookifh afthma pale: 
And the fhunn'd hag unlightly, that (ordain'd 
On Europe's fons to wreak the faithlefs fword 
Of Cortez, with the blood of millions flain'd) 
O'er dog-eyed lull the tort'ring fcourgfe 
abhorr'd 
Shakes threat'ning. fmce the while fhe wing'd 
her flight 

Amazon's broad wave, and Andes' fnow- 
clad heiffht. 



Where the wan daughter of the yellow year. 

The chatt'ring ague chill 5 the writhing floncj 
And he of ghaftly feature, on whofe ear 
Unheeded croaks the death-bird's warning 
moan, 
Marafmusj knotty gout; and the dead life 

Of nervelefs palfy ; there, on purpofe fell 
Dark brooding, whets his interdicted knife 
Grim fuicide, the damned fiend of hell. 
Tliere too is the ftunn'd apoplexy pight*, [foul ; 
The bloated child of gorg'd intemperance 
Self-wafling melancholy, black as night [howl 
Low'ring; and foaming fierce with hideous 
The dog hydrophoby ; and near allied 
Scar'd madnefs, with her moon-ftruck eyeballs 

itaring wide. 
There, Itretch'd one huge, beneath the rocky 
mine f , 
With boiling fulphurfi-aught,and fmouldering 
He, the dread delegate of wrath divine, [fires : 
Ere while that ftood o'er Taio's hundred f pires 
Vindiilive 5 thrice he wav'd th' earth-fhaking 
wand. 
Powerful as that the fon of Amram bore. 
And thrice he rais'd, and thrice he check'd his 
hand. 
He ftruck — the rocking ground, with thun- 
derous roar, 
Yawn'd ! Here from ftreet to llreet hurries, and 
there 
Now runs, now flops, then flirieks and fcours 
Staring diftraftion : many a palace fair [amain. 
With millions fmks ingulph'd, and pillar'4 
fane. 
Old ocean's fartheft waves confefs the fhock ; . 
Even Albion trembled confcious on his ftedfaft 
rock. 



Placed. 



t Alluding to the Earthquake at Lilbon, November j, J755« 



ThQ 



Book I- 



SACRED AND MORAL 



'99 



The meagre famine there, and drunk with blood 

Stern war ; and the loath'd monfter whom of 
The flimy Naiad of the Memphian flood [yore 

Engend'ringjtothebright-hair'dPhoebusbore, 
Foul pellilence thatonthevvide-ftretch'dwingii 

Of commerce fpeeds from Cairo's fwarthy bay 
His weltering flight, and thro' the fick air flings 

Spotted contagion; at his heels difniay 
And defolation urge their fire-wheerd yoke 

Terrible; as long of old, when from the height 
Of Paran came un wreath'd the mightielt, fliook 

Earth's firm-fixtbafe tott'ring jtliro' the black 
night [abroad 

Glanc'd the flalh'd lightnings : heaven's rentroof 
Thundered; anduniverfal nature felt its God. 
Who on that fcene of terror, on that hour 

Of rous'd indignation (liall withiland 
Th' Almighty, when he meditates to (how'r 

Theburlting vengeance o'er a guilty land ? 
Canftthou,fecure inreafcn'svaunted pride, [gore 

Tongue-doubty mifcreant,who but now didlt 
With more than Hebrew rage the innocent fide 

Or agonizing mercy, bleeding fore — 
Canft thou confront, with ftedfaft eye unawM, 

The fworded judgment (talking far and near ? 
Well may'ft thou tremble, when an injur'dGod 

Difclaims thee — guilt is ever quick of fear — 
Loud whirlwinds howl in zephyr's fofteft breath, 
And everyglancing meteor glaresimagin'd death. 
The good alone are fearlefs; they alone, 

Firm and collefted in their virtue, brave 
The wreck of worlds,and look unfhrinking down 

On the dread yawnings of the rav'nous grave : 
Thrice happy who, the blamelefs road along 

Of honeftpraife,hath reach'dthevale of death ! 
Around him, like rainiftrant cherubs, throng 

His better actions, to the parting breath 
Singing their beft requiems; he the while 

Gently repofing on fome friendly breafl. 
Breathes out his benifons ; then with a fmile 

Of foft complacence lays him down to relt. 
Calm as the flumb'ring inflmt : from the goal 
Free and unbounded flies the difembodied foul. 
Whether fome delegated charge below, [claim; 

Some much-lov'd friend its hovering care may 
Whether it heavenward Ibars again to know 

That long-forgotten country, whence it came; 
Conjecture ever, the misfeatur'd child 

Of letter'd arrogance, delights to run 
Thro' fpeculation's puzzling mazes wild, 

And all to end at lafl: where it begun. 
Fain would we trace with reafon's erring clue. 

The darkfome paths of delliny aright j 
Jn vain; the talk were eafier to purine 

The tracklefs wheelings of the fwal low's flight. 
From mortal kenhimfelf the Almighty flirouds, 
Pavilion'd in thick night and circumambient 
clouds. 



§346. OnthelmmortalityoftheSoul. S. Jenyns. 
Tranflated from the Latin of If. H. Browne. 

BOOK I. 

To all inferior animals 'tis given 

T' enjoy the flate allotted them by Heav'n j 



No vain refearches e'er diflurb their reft, 
No fears of dark futurity molell. 
Man, only Man, folicitous to know 
The fprings whence Nature's operations flow^ 
Plods thro' a dreary walte with toil and pain, 
And reafons, hopes and thinks.and lives in vaiijj 
For fable Death itill hov'ring o'er his head. 
Cuts Ihort his progreis with his vital thre. d. 
Wherefore, fmce Nature errs not, do we hnd '\ 
Thefe feeds of Science in the human mind, > 
If no congenial fruits are predefign'd > j 

For what avails to man this pow'r to roam 
Thro' ages palt, and ages yet to come, 
F' explore new worlds o'er all th' ethereal wayj 
Chain'd to a fpot, and living but a day ? 
Since all mult perifh in one common grave. 
Nor can thefe long. laborious fearches fave. 
Were it not wifer far, fupinely laid. 
To fport with Phillis in the noontide fliade ? 
Or at: thy jovial feftivals appear, "> 

Great Bacchus, who alone the foul can clear > 
Fromall that it has felt, and all that it can fear ?3 

Come on then, let ns feafl:; let Chloe fing 
And foft Nejera touch the trembling itring 5 
Enjoy the pi-efent hour, nor feek to know 
What good or ill to-nlorrow may bellow. 
But thefe delights foon pall upon the tafte ; 
Let's try then if m.ore ferious cannot lalt : 
Wealth let us heap on wealth, or fame purfue. 
Let power and glory be our points in view j 
In courts, in camps, in fenates let us live: 
Our levees crowded like the buzzing hive : 
Each weak attempt the fame fad leflbn brir gsl 
Alas! what vanity in human things ! 

What means then Ihall we try ? where hope to 
A friendly harbour for the refl:lefs mind ? [find 
Who itill, you fee, impatient to obtain 
Knowledge irnmenfe (fo Nature's laws ordain) 
Ev'n now, tho' fetter'd in corporeal clay. 
Climbs ftep by Itep the profpeft to fur 
And feeks, unwearied Truth's eteinal 
No fleeting joys ihe a(ks which muft depend 
On the frail fenfes, and with them mufl: endj 
But fiich as fuit her own immortal fame. 
Free from all change, eternally the fame. 
Take courage, then, thefe joys we fliall attain j 
Almighty v>^ifdom never a6ts in vain: 
Nor fhall the foul, on which it has be{!:ow'd 
Such pow'rs,e'er perifii like an earthly clod; 
Butpurg'datlengthfromfoulcorruption'sftain,^' 
Freed from her prifon, and unbound her chain, ^ 
She Ihall her native Itrength and native Ikiesi 
regain ; } 

To heav'n an old inhabitant return, 
And draw ne6tareous llreamsfrom truth's per- 
petual urn. 

Whilft life remains, (if life it can be call'd 
T' exiit in fleflily bondage thus enthrali'd), 
Tir'd witili the dull purfuit of worldly things. 
The foul fcarce wakes, or opcs her gladlbme 
Yet fhili the godlike exile in difgrace [wings. 
Retains fome marks of her celeltial race ; 
Eifc whence from mem'ry's fl:ore can ihe produce 
Such various thoug'i's,or range them fo for ufe ? 
O 4 Can 



clay, ^ 
rvey, S 
dray. )» 



ELEG4NT EXTRACTS. 



200 

Can matter thefc contain, dilpofe, apply ? "> 
Can in her cell luch mighty trealures He? ! 
Or can her nativeforce prodvicethemto the eye: } 
Whence is this pow'r,this fbundrels of all arts, 
Serving, adorning life, thro' all its parts ; 
Which names imposed, by letters markM thofe 

names, 
Adjufted properly by legal claims, 
Fi"oni woods and wilds coUe^Led rude mankind, 
And cities, laws, and governments defign'd ? 
Whatcan this be,biitforae bright rayfromheav'n, 
Some emanation frorn Omnil'cience giv'n ? 
When now the rapid ili-eam of eloquence 
Bears all before it, pafTion, reafon, fenfe, 
Can its dread thunder, or its lightning's force 
Derive their effence from a mortal fource ? 
What think you of the bard's enchanting art. 
Which, whether he attempts to warm the heart 
With fabled fccnes, or charm the ear with rhyme, 
Breathes all pathetic, lovely, andiublime ? 
Whilft thingson earth roUroand from age to age. 
The fame dull farce repeated on the ftage, 
The poet gives us a creation new, 
More pleafmg and more perfeft than the true ; 
The mind, who always to perfe6tion haftes, 
Perfeftion fuch as here llie never taftes. 
With gratitude accepts the kind deceit. 
And thence forefees a fyftem more complete. 
Of thofe what think you, who the circling race"j 
Of funs and their revolving planets trace, ^ 

Andcomets journeyingthro' unbounded fpace? Jl 
Say can you doubt,but that the all-fearchi ngfoul, 
That now can traverfe heaven from pole to pole, 
From thence defcending, vifits but this earth. 
And (hall once more regain the i-egions of her 
birth ? [known. 

Could (lie thus aft unlefs fome power un 
From matter quite diftin6t, and all her own, 
Sunported and impeird her ? She app.oves 
Seirconfcious,andconderans5(l-iehatesand loves, j 
Mourns and rejoices, hopes and is afraid, 
Without the body's unrequefted aid: 
Her own internal ftrength her reafon giiides 5 
By this (he new compares things, now divides; 
Truth's fcatter'd fragments piece by piece col- 
3Reioins, and thence her edince erefts ; [lefts, 
Piles arts on arts, effects to caufes ties. 
And rears the afpiring ftbric to the Ikies ; 
From whence, as on a diftant plain below. 



E.oOK h 



Or Britain, well-deferving equal praife, 

Parent of heroes too in better days. 

Why (hould I try her numerous ions to name. 

By verfe, law, eloquence, confign'd.to fame j 
who have forc'd fair Science into light, 
ng loll in darknefs and afraid of ii^ht? 



She fees from caufes confequences how, 
And the whole chain diilin6tly com, pi-e bends. 
Which from the AlmJghty's throne to earth de- 
And laftly, turning inwardly her eyes, [Icends r 
Perceives how all her own ideas rife: 
Contemplates what (he is, and whence (lie came, 
Andalmoftcomprehendsherownamazmgtrame. 
Can mere machines be with fuch pow'rs endu'd, 
Orconfcious of thofe pow'rs,fuppofe theycou'd ? 
For body is but a machine alone 
Mov'd by external force,andim.pulfenotitsown. 

Rate uot the extenfion of the human mind 
By the plebeian ftandard of mankind. 
But by the fis^e of thofe gigantic few 
Whom Greece and Feme Hill offer to our view, ; 



Or 

Lo 

O'er all-fuperior, like the folar ray, ^ 

Firft Bacon ufher'd in the dawning day, > 

And drove the niifts of fophiilry away ; 3 

Pervaded nature with amazing force, 

Followingexperienceflill throughout his courfe^ 

And iinilhing at le;igth his dellin'd way. 

To Newton he bequeath'd the radiant lamp of 

Illuftrious fouls ! if any tender cares [day. 
Affe6t angelic breads for Man's affairs 5 ■ " 
If in your prelent happy heav'nly ilate. 
You're not regardlefs quite of Britain's fate. 
Let this degenerate land again be bleft 
With that true vigour which (lie once poiTefs'dj 
Compel us to unfold our (lumb'ring ey^es. 
And to our ancient dignity to rife. 
Suchwond'rouspow'rs as thefemuftfurebegiv'n 
For moft important purpofes by Heav'n ; 
Who bids thefe liars as bright examples (hine, 
Beiprinkled thinly by the hand divine. 
To form to virtue each degenerate time. 
And point out to the foul its origin fublime. 
That there's a felf which after death (hall live^ 
AU are concern'd about, and all believe; 
That fomething's ours, when we fromlife depart. 
This all conceive, all feel it at the heart; 
The wife of learnM antiquity proclaim 
This truth, the public voice declares the fame; 
No land ib rude but looks beyond the tomb 
For future prcirpeCls in a world to come. 
Hence, without hopes to be in life repaid. 
We plant flow osiks pofterity to fiiade ; ' ' 
And hence vait pyramids afpiring high 
Lift their proud hsads aloft, and time defy, 
Kence is our love of fame ; a love fo ffrong. 
We think no dangers great, or' labours long, 
By which we hope our beings to extend. 
And to remoteft times in glory to d'efcend. 

For fame the wretch beneath the gaDows lies. 
Difowning ev'ry crime for which he dies;" 
Of life profufc, tenacious of a name, 
Feailefs of death, and yet afrr.id of fbame. 
Nature has wove into the human mind 
This anxious care for names we leave behind, 
T' extend our narrow views beyond the tcmb^ 
And give an earned of a life to come-: 
For if when dead we are but dull oi^ clay. 
Why think of what poiterity fnall fay? 
Her praife or cenfure cannot us concern. 
Nor ever penetrate the iilent urn. 

V/hat mean the nodding plumes, the fun'rai 
train, * ' ' 

And marble monument that fpeaks in vain, 
W^ith all thofe cares which ev'ry nation pays 
To their unfeeling dead in dift'rent ways ! 
Somein the flow'r-ftrewn grave the corpfehave 

laid. 
And annual obfequies around it paid. 
As if to pleafe the poor depr.rted Ihade ; 



} 



Others 



Book I. 



SACKED AND MORAL. 



201 



Others on blazing piles the body burn, 
And (tore their afhes in the faithful urn j 
But all in one great principle agree. 
To give a funcy'd immortality. 
Why Ihould I mention thofe, whofe oozy foil 
Is render'd fertile by the overflowing Nile ? 
Their dead they bury not, nor burn with fires, 
No graves they dig, ereft no fun'ral pires ; 
But, waOiing, firl't th' erabowerd body clean, 
Gums, fpice,and melted pitch they pour within ; 
Then with llrong fillets bind it round and round, 
To make each flaccid part compaft and found ; 
And laflly paint the varnifliM (urface o'er 
With the fame features which in life it wore : 
So fl:rong their prefage of a future ft:ate, 
And thatournoblerpartfurvivesthe body's fate. 

Nations behold, remote fromReafon's beams, 
Where Indian Ganges rolls his fandy fl:reams, 
Of life impatient rufti into the fire, 
And willing viftims to their gods expire \ 
Perfuaded the loos'd foul to regions flies, 
Bleft with eternal fpring, and cloudlefs ikies. 

Nor is lefs fam'd the oriental wife 
For lledfaft virtue, and contempt of life : 
Thefe heroines mourn not with loud female cries 
Their hufbands loft, or with overflowing eyes ; 
But, ftrange to tell I their funeral piles afcend, 
And in the fame fad flames their forrows end ; 
In hopes with them beneath the (hades to rove, 
And there renew their interrupted love. 

In climes where Boreas breathes eternal cold, 
See numerous nations, warlike, fierce, and bold, 
To battle all unanimoufly run, 
Norfire, nor fword, nor inftant death they fhun. 
Whence this difdain of life in ev'ry breaft, i 
But from a notion on their minds impreft, > 
Tiiat all who for their country die, are bleii ? j 
Add too to thefe the once-prevailing dreams 
p.f fweet Elyfian groves, and Stygian itrearas j 
All (hew wdth what confent mankind agree 
In the firm hope of Immortality. 
Grant thefe inventions of the crafty- prleft, 
Yet fuch inventions never could fublifc, 
Unlefs fom.e glimmerings of a futiu'e ftate 
Were with the mind coasval, and innate; 
For ev'ry ficiion which can long periuade. 
In truth muft have its firil foundations hid. 

Becaufe we are unable to conceive 
How unembody'd fouls can aft, and live, 
1 he vulgar give them forms, and limbs, and faces, 
And habitations in peculiar places : 
Hence reas'ners more refin'd, but not more wife. 
Struck with the glare of fuch abfurdities. 
Their whole exiitence f:ibulous fufpe6t, 
And trutli-and falfehood in a lump rejeft; 
Too indolent to learn what may be known, 
Or elfe too proud that ignorance to own. 
For hard 's the tafk the daubing to pervade 
Folly and Fraud on Truth's fair form have laid : 
Yet let that tafic be ours ; for great the prize. j "^ 
Nor let us Truth's i;ele.ftial charms defpife, >■ 
Becaufe that priefls or poets may difguife. J 

Tliatthere 'saGod,fromNatu re's voice is cleai'i 
At'.d yet \vhcit errors to this tru,th adhere ! 



How have the fears and follies ®f mankmcV ^ 
Now multiply'd their gods, and new fubjoinM > 
To each the fraiities of the human mind !• j 
Nay, fuperllition fpread at length fo wide, 
Bealtfl, bi-ds, and onions too, were deify'd. 

Th' Athenian fage, revolving in his mind 
This weaknefs, blindnefs, madnefs of mankind. 
Foretold, that in maturer days, tho' late. 
When Time Ihould ripen the decrees of Fate, 
Some God would light us, like the rifing day. 
Thro' error's maze, and chafe thefe clouds away. 
Long fince has Time fulfiU'd this great decree. 
And brought us aid from this Divinity. 

Well worth our fearch di Icoveries may be made. 
By Nature, void of this celellial aid : 
Let's try what her conjectures then can reach. 
Nor fcorn plain Reafon, when (he deigns to teach. 

That mind and body often fympathize. 
Is plain; fuch is this union Nature ties: 
But then as often too they drfagree. 
Which proves the foul's fuperior progeny. 
Sometimes the body in full ftrength we find, 
Whilft various ails debilitate the mind; 
At others, whilft the mind its force retains, 
The body finks with ficknefs and with pains: 
Now did one common fate their beings end. 
Alike they 'd ficken, and alike they 'd mend. 
But fure experience, on the fiighteft view, 
Shew^s us, that the reverfe of this is true j 
For when the body oft expiring lies. 
Its limbs quite fenlelefs, and half clos'd its eyes, 
The mind :!ew force and eloquence acquires, 
And with prophetic voice the dying lips infpires, 

Of like materials were they both compos'd, 
How comes it that the mind, when fleep has clos'd 
Each avenue of fenfe, expatiates wide. 
Her liberty reitor'd, her bonds unty'd; 
And like fome bird who from its prifon flies, 
Claps her exulting wings^and mounts the fkies? 

Grant that corporeal is the human mind, 
It mufl; have parts in mfimiujn join'd; 
And each of thefe muft will, perceive, defig:i, 
And draw confus'dly in a ditf'i'ent line; 
Which then can claim dominion o'er the reft. 
Or ftamp the ruling paifion in the breaft ? 

Perhaps the mind is formed by various arts 
Of modelling and figuring thefe parts; 
Juft as if circles wifer were than fquares : 
But furely common fenfe aloud declares 
That fite and figure are as foreign quite 
Frorji mental pow'rs, as colours black or white. 

Allow that mofion is the caufe of thought, 
Witli what ftrange pow'rs muft motion then be 

fraught ! 
Reafon, fenfe, fcience, muft derive their fource. 
From the wheel's rapid whirl, or pulley's force; 
Tops whipp'd by fchool-boys fages muft com ~\ 
mence, f 

Their hoops, like them, be cudgel'd into fenfe, ^ 
And boiling pots o'erflow with eloquence. J 
Whence can this very motion take its birth ? 
Not fure from matter, from dull clods of earth ; 
But from a living fpirit lodg'd within. 
Which governs all the bodily machine j 

Juft 



202 



ELEGANTEXTRACTS, 



Book I, 



Juft as th' Almighty Univerfal Soul 
Informs, directs, and animates the whol<?. 

Ceaie then to wonder how th"" immortal mind 
Can live, when from the body quite disjoined j 
But rather wonder, if fhe e'er could die. 
So fram'd, fo falhion'd for eternity : 
Self-mov'd, not form'd of parts together ty'd, 
Which time can dilTipate, and force divide j 
For beings of this make can never die, 
Whole powers within themfeives and their own 

elience lie. 
If to conceive how any thing can be "^ 

From fiiape extrafted and locality ^- 

Is hard; what think you of the Deity ? J 

Kis Being not the lealt relation bears. 
As far as to the human mind appears. 
To fhape of lize, fimilitude or place, 
Cloth'd in no form, and bounded by no fpace. 
Such then is God, a Spirit pure, refined 
From all material drofs ; and fuch the human 

mind. 
For in what part of eflence can we fee 
I^Iore certain marks of Immortality ? 
Ev'n from this dark confinement with delight 
She looks abroad, and prunes herfelf for flight j 
Like an unwilling inmate longs to roam 
From this dull earth, and feek her native home. 

Go then, forgetful of its toil and ftrife, 
Purfue the joys of this fallacious life; 
Like fome poor fly, who lives but for a day, ^ 
Sip the frelh dews, and in the funfliine play, > 
And into nothing then difTolve away. 3 

Are thefe our great purfuits ? Is this to live ? 
Thefe all the hopes this rauch-lov'd world can 

give ? 
How much more worthy envy is their fate, 
Who fearch for truth in a fuperior ftate! 
Net groping ftep by llep, as w^e purfue, ~i 

And follow'ingReaibn's much entangled clue, > 
But with one great and inftantaneous view, j 
But how can fenfe remain, perhaps you '11 fay, ^ 
Corporeal organs if we take away ? ( 

Since it from them proceeds, and with them( 

mull decay. J 

"W hy not r or why m.ay not the foul receive 
New organs, fince ev'n art can thefe retrieve ? 
The filver trumpet aids th' obltiaifted ear. 
And optic glafies the dim eye can clear; 
Thefe in mankind new faculties create. 
And lift him far above his native ftate. 
Call down revolving planets from the Iky, 
Earth's fecrer treafures open to his eye, 
The whole minute creation make his own, 
With all the wonders of a world unknown. 

How could the mind, did Ihe alone depend 
On i'eaiQ, the errors of thofe fenfes mend r 
Yet oft, we fee, thofe fenfes fne corrects, 
And oft their information quite i-ejeitS, 
In diltances of things, their fhapes, and lize, 
Our reafon judges better than our eyes. 
Declares net this the foul's pre-eminence 
Superior to, and quite diftinft from ienfe ? 
For fare 'tis likely, that, fmce now fo high 
Ciogg'd and untledg'd Ihe dares her wings to try, 
7 



ILoos'd and mature fhe fhall her flrength difpla/. 
And foar at length to Truth's refulgent ray. 

Liquire you how thefe pow'rs we lliall attain, 
'Tis not for us to know ; our fearch is vain : 
Can any now remember or relate 
How he exilfed in the embiyo ftate 1 
Or one from birth infeniible of day 
Conceive ideas of the folar ray ? 
That light 's deny'd to him, which others fee, 
He knows, perhaps you '11 fay, — and fo do we. 

The mind contemplative finds nothing here 
On earth that 's worthy of a wifh or fear: 
He whofe fublime purfuit is God and truth. 
Burns, like fome abfent and impatient youth. 
To join the obje6t of his v/arm defires ; 
Thence to fequefter'd fhades and ftreams retires. 
And there delights his paffion to rehearfe 
In Wifdom's facred voice, or in harmonious verfe. 

To me moft happy therefore he appears, 
Who having once, unmov'd by hopes or fears, 
Surv^ey'd this fun, earth, ocean, clouds,andflame, 
Well fatisfy'd returns from Avhence he came. 
Is life an hundred years, or e'er fo few, 
'Tis repetition all, and nothing new; 
A fair, v.'here thousands meet, but none can flay j 
An inn, where travellers bait, then poft away; 
A fea, where man pei-petuallv is toft. 
Now plung'd in bufmefs, now in trifles loft: 
Who leave it firft, the peaceful port firft gain ; 
Hold then ! nor farther launch into the main I 
Contraft your fails; life nothing can beftow 
By long continuance, but continued woe; 
The wretched privilege daily to deplore 
The fun'rals of our friends, who go before ; 
Difeafes, pains, anxieties, and cares. 
And age furrcunded with a thoufand fnares. 

But whither, hurry'd b)'^ a gen'rous Icorn 
Of this vain world, ah whither am I borne ? 
Let 's not unbid th' Almighty's ftandard quit j 
Howe'er fevere our poft, we muft fubmit. 

Could I a firm perfualion once attain. 
That after death no being would remain ; 
To thofe dark fhades I'd willingly defcend. 
Where all muft fleep, this di-ama at an end. 
Nor life accept, altho' renew'd by Fate 
Ev'n from its eailieft and its happieft ftate. 

Might I fromFortune'sbounteoushand receive 
Each boon, each bleliing in her pow'r to give. 
Genius and fcience, morals and good fenfe, 
Unenvy'd honours, wit, and eloquence; 
A nuni'rous oifspring to the world well known 
Both for paternal virtues, and their own ; 
Ev'n at this mighty price I 'd not be bound 
To tread the fame dull circle round and round ^ 
The foul requires enjoyments more fublime, 
By fpace unbounded, undeftroy'd by time. 

BOOK II. 

God tiien thro' all creation gives, we find^ 
Sufftcient marks of an indulgent mind. 
Excepting in ourfelves ; ourfelves of all 
His works tlie chief on this teneltrial ball. 
His own bright image, who alone unbleft 
Feel ills perpetual, happy all the reft. 



Book I. 



SACRED AND MORAL, 



203 



But hold, prefumptLious ! charge not Heaven's 
With fuch injuftice, fuch partiality. [decree 

Yet true it is, furvey we life around, 
Whole hofts of ills on ev'ry lide are found ; 
Who wound not here and there by chance a foe^ 
But at the fpecies meditate the blow. 
What miiiions perifti by each other's hands 
In War''s fierce rage ! or by the dread connnands 
Of tyrants languifli out their lives in chains, 
Or lofe them in variety of pairs ! 
What numbers pinchM by wantand hunger die, 
In fpite of Nature's liberality ! 
(Thofe, Hill more num'rous, I to name difdain, 
By levi^dnefs and intemperance jufiily flain) 
'What numbers guiltlefs of their own dileafe, 
Are ihatch'd by fudden death^'or waile by flow 
degrees ! 

Where then is Virtue's well-defervM reward ? 
Let 's pay to Virtue ev'ry due regard} 
That fhe enables man, let us confefs, 
To bear thofe evils which fhe can't redrefs, 
.Gives hope and confcious peace, and can aliuage 
Th' impetuous tempefts both of luft and rage j 
Yet (lie 's a guard fb fa.r from being fure, 
That oft her friends peculiar ills endure: 
Where vice prevails fevereft is their fate, 
Tyrants purfue them with a three-fold hate: 
How many flruggling in their country's caufe, 
And from their country meriting applaufe. 
Have fall'n by wretches fond to be enflav'd, 
And perifh'd by the hands themfelves had fav'd ! 

Soon as fuperior worth appears in view. 
See knaves and fools united to purine ! 
The man fb form'd they all confpire to blame. 
And envy's pois'nous tooth attacks his fame: 
Should he at length, fo truly good and great, 
Prevail, and rule with honeit viev/s the ilate, 
Then rauft he toil for an ungrateful race, 
Submit to clamour, libels, and difgrace, 
Threatened, oppos'd, defeated in his ends. 
By foes feditious, and afpiring friends. 
Hear this, and tremble ! all who would be great, 
yet know not what attends that dang'rous 
wretched ftate. 

Is private life from all thefe evils free ? 
Vice of all kinds, rage, envy, there we fee, 
jDeceit, that Friendfliip's mafk infidious wears. 
Quarrels, and feuds, andlavv's entangling fnares. 

But there are pleafures ftill in human life, 
Domeftic ?afe, a tender loving wife, [gage. 

Children whofe dawning fmiles your heart en- 
The grace and comfort of Ibft-ftealing age : 
If happinefs exifts, 'tis furely here ; 
But are thefe joys exempt from care and fear ? 
Need I the miferies of that ftate declare, 
When different pafTions diaw the wedded pair ? 
Or fay how hard thofe paflions to difcern, 
Ere the die 's caft, and 'tis too late to learn ? 
Who can infure, that what is right, and good, 
Thefe children fliall purfue ? or if they fliould, 
Death comes when leaft you fear fo black a day, 
And all your blooming hopes are fnatch'd away. 



We fay not that thefe ills from Virtue flow j 
Did her wife precepts rule the world, we kno\r 
The golden ages would again begin j 
But 'tis our lot in this to fuffer, and to fin. 

Obferving this, fome fages have decreed. 
That all things from two caufes muft proceed j 
Two principles with equal pow'r eiidu'd. 
This wholly evil, that fupreme^y good. 
From this arife the miferies we endure, 
Whillc that adminiflers a frie^liy cure; 
Hence life is chequer'd flill with blifs and woe, 
Hence t?.res withgolden crops promifcuousgrow. 
And poisV.ous Icrpents m.ake their dread repofc 
Beneath the covert of the fragrant role. 

Can fuch a fyitem fcitisfy the mind ? 
Are both thefe gods in equal pow'r conjoined. 
Or one fuperior? Equal if you fay. 
Chaos returns, fince ^leither will obey: 
Is one fuperior? good or ill rnult reign. 
Eternal joy or everlalting pain: 
Whiclie'er is conquered mu'd entirely yield. 
And the viftorious god enjoy the field : 7 

Hence with thefe fictions of the Magi's brain? 
Hence oozy Nile, with all her m.onflrous trviin ! 

Or comes the Stoic nearer to the- right ? 
He holds, that whatfoever yields delight. 
Wealth, fam.e, externals all, are ufelefs things j 
Himfelf half-ftarving happier far than kings. 
Tis line indeed to be fo wond'rous v»die! 
By the fame reafoning too he pain denies; 
Roafl him, or flay him, break him on the VvheeL 
Retraft he will not, tho' he can 't but feel: 
Pain's not an ill, he utters with a groan; 
What then? An inconvenience 'tis, he '11 own: 
What vigour, health, and beauty ? are thefe good? 
No; they may be accepted, not puriued ; 
Abfurd to fquabble taus about a name, [fame. 
Quibbling with di It 'rent words that mean the 
Stoic, were you noj: fram'd of flelh and blood. 
You might be blell without external good ; 
But know, be felf-lufacient as you can. 
You are not fpirit quite, but frail and mortal man. 

But fmce thefe fages, fo abfurdly wile. 
Vainly pretend enjoyments to delpife, 
Becaufe externals, and in Fortune's pow'r. 
Now mine, now thine, the bleffings of anhourj 
Why value, then, thatftrength of mindtheyboail^ 



As often 



-yn 



and as quickly lolt 



A head-ach hurts it, or a rainy day. 

And a flow fever wipes it quite away. [hand 

See one * whofe counciis, one f 'whofe conqu'ring 

Oncefav'd Britannia's almoil fmking land, 

Examples of the mind's extenfive pow'r; 

Examples too how quickly fades that flow'r. 

Him let me add, whom late we faw excel 

X In each politer kind of writing well ; 

Whether he ftrove our follies to expofe 

In eafy verfe, or droll and hum'rous profe ; 

Few years, alas! compel his throne to quit 

This mighty monarch o'er the realms of wit j 

See felf-furviving he 's an idiot grown ! 

A melancholy proof our parts are not cur own. 



* Lord Somers? 



•f Duke of Marlboroush, 



Dean Swift. 



Thy 



204 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



TiooK. r. 



trait bounds -j 

emeft line, f 
-eat defign. J 



Thj' tenets, Stoic, yet we may forgive, 
If in a future ftate we ceafe to live. 
For here the virtuous fufrer much, 'tis plain j 
If pain is evil, this muil God arraij-n ; 
And on this principle confefs we mull, 
Pain can no evil be, or God muft be unjuil:. 

Blind man I whofe reafon fuch ftrajt bounds 
confine^ 
That ere it touches Truth's extre 
It Itops ama7/d, and quits the great defign 
Own 5'ou not, Stoic, God is juft and true ? 
Dare to proceed 5 fecure this path purfue : 
'Twill foon conduct you far beyond the tomb, 
To future juftice, and a life to come. 
This path, you fay, is hid in endlefs night ; 
'Tis (elf-conceit alone obltructs your fight ; 
You flop ere half your deflin'd courfe is run, 
And triumph when the conqueft is not won : 
By this the Sophifts were of eld mifled 5 [bred! 
See what a monftrous race from one miftake is 

Hear then my argument: — Confefs we rnuft, 
A God there is, fupremely wife and jufl: 
Jf i'o, however things affeft our figlit, 
As nngs oiu- barci, <ivbate'Vir is, is 7-ight. 
But is it right, what here fo oft appe^.rs. 
That Vice Siould triumph, Virtue link in tears ? 
The inference then that clofes this debate. 
Is, that there muil exilt a: future ftate. 
The wife, extending their enquiries wide, 
See how both flates-are by connexion ty'd ; 
Fools view but part, and not the whole furvey. 
So crowd exiftence all into a day. 
Hence are they led to hope, but hope in vain, 
That Juflice never will refume her reign ; 



hope adulterers, thieves rely. 



On tl 

And to this altar vile afiaffins fly. 

*' But rules not God by general laws divine : 

Man's vice or virtue change not the defign :" 

What laws are thefer Inllruct us if you can: — 

There ""s one deiign'd for bnites, and one for man. 

Another guides ina6iive matter's courfe, 

Attrading, and attracted by its force : 

Hence mutual gravity fubfifls between 



Far diftant 



Is, a 



nd ties the valt machine. 



The laws of life, why need I call to mind, 
Obey'd by birds and beafts of ev'ry kind 5 
By all the fandy defert's lavage brood. 
And all the numerous offspring of the flood ? 
Of thefe, none uncontroulM and lawlefs rove. 
But to fome deftin'd end fpontaneous movej 
Led by that inftinft Heav'n itfelf infpires, 
Or fo much reafon as their ftate requires : 
S^e all with fkiil acquire their daily food, 
AU ufe thofe arms, which nature has beftow'd j 
Produce their tender progeny, and feed 
With care parental, whilft that care they need 5 
In thefe lov'd offices completely blelt, 
No hopes beyond them, nor vain fears moleft. 

Man o'er a wider field extends his views ; 
God thro' the wonders of his works purfuesj^ 
Exploring thence his attributes, and laws, ' 
Adores, lovee, imitates th' Eternal Caufej 
For fure in ncthingAve approach fb nigh 
The great cx^-mple of Divinity, ' - 



As in benevolence : the patriot's foul \ 

Knows not felf-centred for itfelf to roll ; J 
Kut warms, enlightens, animates the whole: j 
Its mighty orb embraces firft his friends, "^ 

His country next, then man 3 nor here it ends,^ 
But to the meaneft animal defcends. j 

Wife Nature has this focial law confirm'd 
By forming man fo helplefs, and unarm'd: 
His want of others' aid, and pow'r of fpeech- 
T' implore that aid, this leffon daily teach j 
Mankind with other animals compare. 
Single, how weak and impotent they are ! 
But view them in the com.piicated ftate, 
Their pow'rs how wond'rous,and their ftrength 

how gre^t, 
When fbciai virtue individuals joins, 
And in one folid mafs, like gravity, combines! 
This tlien 's the firlt great law by Nature giv'n, 
Stamp'd on our fouls, and ratify'd by Heav'n } 
All from utility this lav,r approve. 
As ev'iy pri vate blifs muft fpring from focial love. 

Why deviate then Lb many from this law ? 
See paiTions, cuftom, vice and folly draw ! 
Sni-\ey the rolling globe from Eaft to Weft, 
How few, alas 1 how very few are bleft ! 
Beneath the frozen Poles, and burning Line, 
What poverty and indolence combine 
To cloud with Error's mifts the human mind I 
No trace of man, but in the form we find. 

And are we free from error and diitrefs, [blefs ? 
Whom Heav'n with clearer light has pleas'd ta 
Whom true Religion leads r (for fhe but leads 
By foft perfuafion, not by force proceeds j) 
Behold how we avoid this radiant fun, "% 

This profrer'd guide how obftinately fhun, > 
And after Sophifcry's vain fyftems run ! X 

For thefe as for effentials we engage 
In \vars and maffacres w4th holy ragej 
Brothers by brothers' impious hands are flain^ 
Miftaken Zeal, how favage is thy reign ! 

Unpunifh'd vices here fo much abound, 
All right and wrong, all order they confound j 
Thefe are the giants who the gods defy, 
And mountains heap on mountains to the fky : 
Sees this th' Almighty Judge, or feeing fpares. 
And deems the crimes of Man beneath his cares ? 
He fees; and will at laft rewards beftow, 
And punifhments,notlefsaffur'dforbeing flow. 

Nor doubt I, tko' this ftate confus'd appears. 
That ev'n in this God fometimes interferes : 
Sometimes,left man fhould quite hispow'rdifown. 
He makes thatpow'r to trembling nationsknown: 
But rarely this; not for each vulgar end, 
As Snperftition's idle tales pretend. 
Who thinlf s all foes to God who are her own, 
Dire6ts his thunder, and ufurps his throne. 

Nor know I not how much a confcious mJnd 
Avails to punifh, or reward mankind j 
Ev'n in this life thou, impious wretch, muft feel 
The Fury's fcourges, and th' infernal wheel j 
From man's tribunal tho' thou hop'ft to run, 
Thyfelf thou canftnot, nor thy confcience fhun t 
What muft thou fufi'er when each dire uifeafe. 
The progeny of Vicq, thy fabrrc feiye ! 

(^onfurnption^ 



Book I. S A C R E D A N D M O R A L. 205 

Confumption, fever, and the racking pain I Nor fear that he who fits fo loofe to life, 

Of fpafms,and gout, and ftone, a frightful train I Should too much fhun its labours and its ftrife j 



When life new tortures can alone fupply 
Life thy fole hope thou'lt hate, yet dread to die. 
Shouldfucha wretch to numerous years arrive, 
It can be little worth his while to live : 
No honours, no regards his age attend. 
Companions fly, he ne'er could have a friend; 
His flatterers leave him, and with wild afl^right 
He looks within, and (hudders at the fight: 
When threatening Death uplifts his pointed dart, 
With what impatience he applies to art, 
Life to prolong amidll difeafe and pains ! 
Why this, if after it no fenfe remains ? 
Why fliould he choofe thefemiferies to endure, 
IF death could grant an everlafting cure ? 
*Tis plain, there's fomething whifpers in his ear, 
(Tho' fain he'd hide it) he has much to fear. 
See the reverfe : how happy thofe we find, 
Who know by merit to engage mankind I 
Prais'd by each tongue, by ev'ry heart belov'd. 
For virtues praftisM, and for arts improvM : 
Their eafy afpefts fliine with fmile ferene, 
And all is peace and happinefs within : 
Their fleep is ne'er difturb'd by fears or ftrife, 
Nor luft, nor wine, impair the fprings of life. 
Him fortune cannot fmk, nor much elate, 
Whofe views extend beyond this mortal liate. 
By age when fummon'd to refign his breath, 
Calm, aud ferene, he fees approaching death, 
As the fafe port, the peaceful filent fliore. 
Where he may reft, life's tedious voyage o'er: 
He, and he only, is of death afraid. 
Whom hisownconfcience has a coward made; 
Whilft he who Virtue's radiant courfe has run, 
Defcends like a ferenely-fetting fun, 
His thoughts triumphant Heav'n alone employs 
And hope anticipates his future joys. 

So good,fo bleft th'illuftrious * Hough we find 
Whofe image dwells with pleafure on my mind, 
The Mitre's glory. Freedom's conftant friend. 
In times which afk'd a champion to defend j 
Who after near a hundred virtuous years. 
His fenfes perfeft, free from pains and fears, 
Replete with life, wirh honours, and with age, 
Like an applauded aftor left the ftage : 
Or like fome vi6lorinth' Olympic games, 
Who, having run his courfe, the crown of glory 
claims. 
From thisjuft contraft plainly it appears. 
Ho wconfcience can infpire both hopes and fears 
But whence |>roceed thefe hopes, or whence this 

dread, 
If nothing rtill^ can affeft the dead ? 
See all things join to promife, and prefage 
The fure arrival of a future age ! 
Whate'er their lot is here the good and wife 
Nor doat on life, nor peevifhly defpife. 
An honeft man, when Fortune's ftorms begin, 
Has confolation always fure within; 
And if fhe fends a more propitious gale, 
He's pleas'd, but not forgetful it may fail. 



And fcorning wealth, contented to be mean. 
Shrink from the duties of this buftling fcene j 
Or, when his country's fafety claims his aid, 
Avoid the fight, inglorious and afraid : 
Who fcorns life moft muftfurely be moft brave, 
And he who pow'r contemns, be leaft a flave: 
Virtue will lead him to Ambition's ends, 
And prompt him to defend his country and his 

But itill his merit you cannot regard, [friends. 
Who thus purfues a pofthumous reward ; 
His foul, you cry, is uncorruptand great. 
Who quite uninfiuenc'd by a future ftate. 
Embraces Virtue from a nobler {enfe 
Of her abftra61:ed, native excellence. 
From the felf-confcious joy her eflence brings. 
The beauty, fitnefs, harmony of things. 
It may be fo : yet he deferves applaule. 
Who follows where inftruftive Nature drawsj 
Aims at rewards by her indulgence giv'n. 
And fbars triumphant on her wings to heav'n. 

Say what this venal virtuous man purfues; 
No mean rewards, no mercenary views j 
Not wealth ufurious, or a num'rous train. 
Not fame by fraud acquir'd, or title vain ! 
He follows but where Nature points the road, 
Rifingin virtue's fchool, till he afcends to God. 

But we, th' inglorious common herd of Man, 
Sail without compafs, toil without a plan; 
In Foitunes varying ftorms for ever toft. 
Shadows purfue, that in purfuit are loft ; 
Mere infants all rill life's extremeft day. 
Scrambling for toys, then toiling them away. 
Who refts of Immortality affur'd 
Is fafe, whatever ills are here endur'd : 
He hopes not vainly in a world like this. 
To meet with pure uninterrupted blifs ; 
For good and ill in this imperfe6l ftate, 
Are ever mix'd by the decrees of fate. 
With Wifdom's richeft harveft Folly grows,^ 
And baleful hemlock mingles with the rofej 
All things are blended, changeable, and vain. 
No hope, no wifti, we perfeftly obtain; 
God may perhaps (might human Reafon's line 
Pretend to fathom infinite defign) 
Have thus ordain'd things, that the reftlefs mind. 
No happinefs complete on earth may find; 
And, by this friendly chaftifement made wife. 
To heav'n her fafeft beft retreat may rife. 

Come then, fince now in fafety we have pafs'd 
Thro' Error's rocks, and fee the port at laft j 
Let us review and recoiled the whole. — 
Thus ftands my argument.-^The thinking fouL 
Cannot terrettrial or material be, 
But claims by Nature Immortality ; 
God, who created it can make it end, 
We queftion not, but cannot apprehend 
He will J becaufe it is by him endued 
With ftrong ideas of all perfeft Good ; 
With wond'rous pow'rs to know and calculate 
Things too remote from this our earthly ftate ; 



* ;^ifl;op of Woreefter. 



With 



2o5 



K L i^ G A N T EXTRACTS. 



Book I. 



With fare prefages of a life tp come ; 
All folfe and ufelefs, if beyond the tomb 
Our beings ceafe : we therefore can't believe 
God either acts in vain or can deceive. 

If ev''ry rule of equity demands. 
That Vice and Virtuefrom the Almighty's hands 
Should due rewards and puniflmients receive. 
And this by no means happens whilft we live : 
It follows, that a time mult furely come. 
When each ihall meettheir well-adjuiLed doom: 
Then (liall this fcene which now to human hgnt 
Seenis fo unwortliy Wifdoiii infinite. 



A fyftem of confummate fKill appear, 
Andev'ry cloud difpers'd, be beautiful and clear. 
Doubt we of this ? Whatfolid proof remains, 
That o'er the world a wife Difpofer reigns ? 
Whilft rJl creation fpeaks a pow'r divine. 
Is it deficient in the main defign ? 
Not fo : the day fnall come, (pretend not now 
Prefumptiious to enquire or when, or how. 
But) after death fliall come th' important day. 
When God to all his juftice (hall difplay j 
Each a6lion with impartial eyes regard. 
And in' a juft proportion punifli and reward. 



END OF THE FIRST BOOiL. 



i^ 




ELEGANT EXTRACTS. 

POETICAL. 

BOOK THE SECOND. 

DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, NARRATIVE, 
AND PATHETIC. 



§ I. The Tra'velUr -J or, a ProffeS of Society. 
Infcribed to the Ke<v. Mr. H. Goldfmith. 

By Dr. Goldfmith. 

•p EMOTE J unfriended, melancholy, flow, 
•*^ Or by the lazy Scheld, or wand'ring Po j 
Or onward, where the rude Carinthian boor 
Againll the houfelefs ilranger ihuts the door: 
Or where Campania's plain forfaken lies, 
A weary wafte expanding to the ikies : 
Where'er I roara, whatever realms to fee, 
■My heart, untraveird, fondly turns to thee : 
Still to my brother turns, with ceafelefs pain, 
And drag-^jat each remove, a length'ning chain. 

Eternal blefTmgs crown my earlieft friend. 
And round his dwelling guardian faints attend ; 
Blefs'd be that fpot wherecheerfulguefts retire, 
To paufe from toil, and trim their evening fire j 
Blefs'd that' abode where want and pain repair, 
And ev'ry ftranger finds a ready chair: 
Blefs'dbfc taofefealtsswith iimpleplent)'crown''d, 
Where all the ruddy family around 
Lau5h at the jeils or pranks that never fail, 
Or figh with pit}' at fome mournful tale j 
Or prefsthe biilhful ftranger to his food. 
And learn the luxury of doing good ! 

But me, not dellin'd fuch delights to fnare, 
My prime of life in wand'ring fpent, and care: 
Impeird, with fleps unceafmg tc purfue 
Some fleeting good that mocks me with the view 
Thar, like the circle bounding earth and fkies. 
Allures from far, yet as I follow ilies ; 
My fortune leads to traverfe realms alone. 
And m\<i no fpot of all the world ray own. 

E'en now, where Alpine Iblitudes afcend, 
I fit me down a penfive hcu - to fpend ; 
And plac'd on high, above the Itorm's career, 



Lakes, forefts, cities, plains, extending wide. 
The pomp ofkings, the (hepherd'shumblerpride. 
WhenthusCreation'scharmsaroundcombine, 
Amidft the ftore, fhouid thanklefs pride repine ? 
Say, fhouid the philofophic mind difdoin [vain? 
That good which makes each humbler bofoni 
Let fchool-taught pride diffemble all it can, 
Thefe little things are great to little man j 
And wifer he, whofe fympathetic mind 
Exults in all the good of all mankind, [crown *d; 
Ye glitt ring towns, with wealth and fplendour 
Ye fields, where fummerfpreads profufion roundj 
Ye lakes, whofe veifeis catch the bufy gale 5 
Ye bending fwains, thatdrefs the fiow'ry vale; 
For me your tributaiy ftores combine : 
Cjeation's heir, the world, the world is mine !' 

As fome lone mi fer vifiting his ftore. 
Bends at his treafure, counts, recounts it o'er; 
Hoards after hoards his rifing raptures fill, 
Yet ilill he fighs, fc^r hoards are wanting ftill : 
Thus to my breail alternate pafTions rife, [plies ; 
Pleas'd with each good that Heaven to man fup- 
Yet oft a figh prevails, and icrrows fdl. 
To fee the hoard of human blifs fo fmall; 
And oft I wi/h, araidll tbe fcene, to find 
Some fpot to real happiiiefs confign'd. 
Where my worn foul,each v/and'ringhope at reft. 
May gather blifs to fee my iellows bleil. 

But where to find that happieil: fpot belo\y. 
Who can direcl, when all pretend to know ; 
The fhudd'ring tenant of the frigid zone 
Boldly proclaims that happieft fpot his own ; 
Extols the trealiires of his ftormy feas, 

^ And his long nights of revelry and eafe -.■ 
The naked negro, panting at the line, 

jBoails of hi? golden fands and palmy wine ; 

1 Baiks in the glare, or Ite.ais the tepid' wave, 
LockdQwmY.ird where an hundredrealrasappearJ And thanks his gods for all the good they ^:\ve.. 

i Such 



208 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Such Is the patrlot'-s boafl, where'er we roam : 
Hjs firit, belt country, ever is at home. 
And yet, perhaps, if countries we compare, 
And ellimate the bleifings which they fliare, 
Thouo-h patriots flatter, itill fliall wKdom find 
An equal portion dealt to all mankind 5 
As dirterent good, by art or nature given, 
To different nations, makes their bleifings even. 

Nature, a mother kind alike to all, 
Still grants her blifs at labour's earneft call j 
With food as well the peafant is fupplied 
On Idra's cliffs as Arno's Ihelvy fide ; 
And the' the rocky-crefted fammits frown, 
Thefe rocks by culloni turn to beds of down. 
From art more various are the blellings fent ; 
Wealth, commerce, honour, liberty, content. 
Yet thefe each other's pow'r fo llrong conteft, 
That either feems deftruftive of the relt. [fails; 
Where wealth and freedom reign, contentment 
And honouf finks where commercelongprevails. 
Hence ev'ry ftate, to one lov'd bleffmg prone, 
Conforms and models life to that alone. 
Each to the fav'ritfe happinefs attends, 
And fpurns the plan that aims at other endsj 
Till carried to excefs in each domain, 
Thisfav'rite good begets peculiar pain. 

But let us try thefe truths with ciofer eyes. 
And trace them through the profpeft as it lies : 
Here for a while, m.y proper tares rfefign'd, 
Here let me fit, in forrow for mankind 5 
Like yon neglefted flirub at random caff, 
That (hades the ifeep, and fighsat evVy blafl. 

Far to the right, where Apennine afcends, 
Bright as the furamer, Italy extends ; 
Its uplands floping deck the mountain's fide, 
Woods over woods in gay theatric pride j 
While oft fbmetemple'smouid'ringtopsbetween 
With venerable grandeur mark the fcene. 

Could Nature's bounty fatisfy the breaff, 
The fons of Italy were furely bleft. 
V/hatever fruits in different climes are found. 
That proudly rife, orhumbly court theground 5 
Whatever blooms in torrid trafts appear, 
Whofe bright fuceeffon decks the varied year j 
Whatever fweets falute the nothern fky 
With vernal lives, that bloffom but to die : 
Thefe here difporting, own the kindred foil. 
Nor afk luxuriance from, the planter's toil ; 
While fea-born gales their gelid wings expand, 
To winnow fragrance round the fmiling land. 

But fmall the blifs that fenfe alone beftow^s, 
And fenfual* blifs is all the nation knows. 
In florid beauty groves and fields appear, 
Man feems the only growth that dwindles here. 
Contraited faults through all his manners reign : 
Tho' poor, luxurious 5 tho' fubmiffive, vain j 
Tho* grave, yet trifling ; zealous, yet untrue j 
And e'en in penance planning fins anew. 
All evils here contaminate the mind. 
That opulence departed leaves behind; 
For wealth was theirs, not far remov'd the date, 
When commerce proudly flourifh'd through the 
At her command the palace learn'd to rife, [ftate: 
Again the long-falPn column fought the fkies : 



Book JI. 

The canvas glow'd beyond e'en Nature warm : 
The pregnant quarry teem'd wirh human form; 
Till, more unfleady than the fouthern gale, 
Commerce on other fhores difplay'd her fail ; 
While nought remiain'd of all that riches gave, 
But towns unmann'd, and lords without a flave: 
And late the nation found, with fruitlefs fkil!. 
Its former ftrength was but plethoric ill. 

Yet ftill the iofs of wealth is here fupplied 
By arts, the fplendid wrecks of former pride ; 
From thefe the feeble heart and long-fall'n mind"' 
An eafy compenfation feem to find. 
Mere may be feen, in bloodlefs pomp array'd. 
The paiteboard triumph, and the cavalcade 5 
Proceffions form'd for piety and love, 
A miltrefs or a faint in ev'ry grove. 
By fports like thefe are all their cares beguii'd, 
The fports of children fiitisfy the child : 
Each nobler aim, reprefs'-.i by long controul. 
Now finks at iaft, or feebly mans the foul ; 
While low delights, fucceeding fall behind. 
In happier meannefs occupy the mind : 
As in thofe domes where Csefars once bore fway, 
Defac'd by time, and tott'ring in decay. 
There in the ruin, heedlefs of the dead. 
The flielter-feeking peafant builds his fhed; 
And, wondering man could want the larger pile^ 
Exults, and ov.'ns his cottage with a fmile. 

My foul, turn from them— turn we to furvey 
Where rougher climes a nobler race difplay ; 
Where the bleak Swifstheirftormymanfion tread. 
And force a churlifli foil for fcanty bread: 
No produfr here the barren hills afford 
But man and Heel, the foldierand his fword. 
No vernal blooms tlieir torpid rocks array, 
But winter lingering chills the lap of Klay ; 
No zej5hyr fondly fues the mountain's breaff. 
But meteors glare, and llormy giooins inveih 

Yer ftiil e'en here Content can fpread a charmj 
Redrefs the clime, and all its rage difarm. 
Tho' poor the peaf ant's hut, his feall tho' fiiiall. 
He fees' his iittle lot the l©t of all; 
Sees no contiguous palace rear its head, 
To fhame the meannefs of his humble flied: 
No colily lord the fumptuous banquet deal^ 
Xo make him loath his vegetable meal ; 
But calm, and bred in ignorance and toil; 
Each wifh contrafting, fits him to the foil. 
Cheerful at morn he wakes from fhort repofe, 
Breathes the keen air, and carols as he goes; 
With patient angle trolls the finny deep, 
Or drives his vent'rous ploughfhare t<3 the fleep ; 
Or feeks the den wdiere fnow-tracks mark the 
And drags the llruggling favage into day. [wayi[ 
At night returning, ev'ry labour fped, 
He fits him down the monarch of a fhed ; 
Smiles by his cheerful fire, and round furveys 
His children's looks, that brighten at the blaze ; 
While his lov'd partner, boaftful of her hoards 
Difplays her cleanly platter on the board : 
And haply too fome pilgrim, thither led, 
With many a tale repays the nightly bed. 

Thus ev'ry good his native wilds impart, 
[inprints the pati'iot paffion on his heart j 

And 



Book IL 



DIDACTIC, D E S C R 11^ T I V E, &:c. 



And e'en tliofe liills that round hismanfion rife, 
Enhance the blifs his Icanty fund fupph'es. 
Dear is that fhed to vvhicli his i'onl conforms, 
And dear that hill which lifrs him to the flormsj 
And as a child, when fearing founds raoleil. 
Clings clofe and clofer to the mother's bread; 
So the loud torrent, and the whirlwind's roar. 
But bind him to his native mountains more. 

Such are the charms to barren Itates aifignM : 
Their wants but few, their wiihes all confined. 
Yet let them only fhare th6 praifes due j 
If few their wants, their pleafures are hut few: 
For ev'ry want that Itimulates thebreaft, 
Becomes a fource of pleafare when redrefl. [flies. 
Whence from fach lands each pleaiingfcience 
That firll excites deiii-e, and then fiipplies; 
Unknown to them, when ienfiial pleafures cloy 
To fill the languid panfe with iinerjoy; 
Unknown thoiepow''rs that raife thefoul tofiame, 
Catch ev'rynerve,and vibrate tl'.rough the frame. 
Their level life is but a mould'ring fire, 
Unquench'd by want, iinfann'd by ftrong deflrej 
Unfit for raptures 5 or, if raptures cheer 
On fome high feftival of once a year, 
In wild excefs the vulgar breait takes fire, 
Till buried in debauch the blifs expire. 

But not their joys alone thus coarfely flow ; 
Their morals', like their pleafures, are but low : ~ 
For, as refinement fcops, from fire to fon, 
Unaltered, unimprov'd, the manners run ; 
And love's and friendfhip's finely pointed dart 
Falls blunted from each indurated heart. 
Some fterner virtue's o'er the mountaii'i's breafl 
May lit like falcons cow'ring on the neit 5 
But all the gentler morals, fuch as play [way j 
Thro' life's more cultur'd walks, and charm the 
Thefe far difpers'd, on timorous pinions fly. 
To fport and riutter in a kinder fky. 

To kiuder ficies, where gentler manners reign, 
I turn, — and-Francedifplays her bright domain. 
<jay fprightly land of mirth arid focial eafe, 
JPleas'd with thyfelf whom all the vvoild can 
How often have I led thy fportive clioir, [pieafe, 
With tunelefs pipejbefideth.e murm.'ring Loire ! 
Where fliading elms along themargin grew, 
And freflicn'd from the wave, the zephyr Piew j 
And haply, tho' my harlh touch falt'ring ftlll, 
But mock'd a'.l tune,andmarr'd thedancer'sikill, 
Yet would the village prai fe'my wond'rouspow'r. 
And dance, forgetful of the noontide hour ! 
Alike all ages : dames of ancient days 
Have led their children thro' the mirthful maze ; 
And the gay grandure, fkili'd in geflic lore, 
Has Vrillc'd beneath the burden of threefbore. 

So blelt a life thei'e thougbtlefs realms difpiay, 
Thus idly bufy rolls their v/orld av/ay : 
Theirs are thoie arts that mind to mind endeai', 
For honour forms the focial temper here. 
Honour, that praile which real merit gains. 
Or e'en imaginary worth obtains. 
Here palfeo^ Current; paid from hand to hand: 
It fliifts in fplendid trafHc round the land : 
From courts to camps, to cottages, it flrays, 
And all are taught an avarice of praife; 



20^ 

They pi eafe, are pleas 'd, they give to get efteemj 
Till, feeraing blelt, they grow to what they feeni. 

But while this fofterart their blifs fupplies, 
It gives their follies alfo room to rife ; 
For praife too dearly lov'd, or warmly fought, 
Enfeebles all internal flrength of thought; 
And the weak (bul, within itfelf unblefl, 
Leans for all pleafure on another's breaii:. 
Hence oitentation here, with tawdry art. 
Pants for the vulgar praile which fools impart: 
Here vanity affumes her pert grimace. 
And trims her robes of frize with copper-lace j 
Here beggar pride defrauds her daily cheer. 
To boaft one fplendid banquet once a year; 
The mindftillturns where fliifting falhiondraws. 
Nor weighs tlie folid worth of lelf-applaufe. 

To men of other m.inds my fancy flies, 
Embofom'd in the deep where Holland lies. 
Methinks her patient Ions before me fi:ind. 
Where the broad ocean leans againfl the landj 
And, fedulous to flop the coming tide. 
Lift the tall rampire's artificial pride. 
Onward methinks, and diligently flow, 
Tiie firm conneilred bulwark feems to grov/ ; 
Spreads its long armsamidlt the v/at'ry roar. 
Scoops out an empire, and ufurps the fhore j 
While the pent ocean, rifmg o'er the pile, 
'Sees an amphibious v/orld beneath him flnile 5 
The flow canal, the yeliow-blofibm'd vale, 
Tl^ie willovz-tufted bank, the gliding fail, 
The crowded mart, the cultivated pfain, 
A ncv/ creation refcued from his reign. 

Thus, while around the Vv'ave -fubje^lcd foil 
Impels the native to repeated toil, 
Induftrious habits in each bofom reigii. 
And induftry begets a love of gain. 
Hence all the good from opulence that fpring<i, 
With all thofe ills farperfiuous treafure brings. 
Are here dif play'd. Their much-lov'dwealth im - 
Convenience, plenty, elegance, and arts; [parts 
But view them clofer, craft and fraud appear j 
E'en liberty itfelf is bartered here ! 
At gold's fuperior charms all freedom flies i 
The needy fell it, and the rich man buysj 
A land of tyrants and a den of Haves, 
Here wretches feek difhonourable graves. 
And, calmdy bent, to fervitude conform. 
Dull as their lakes that flumber in the Itoi'iri. ' 

Heavens ! how unlike their Belgic fires of old! 
Rough, poor, coiiterit, ungovernably bold ; 
"War in each brcalt, and freedorn on each brow; 
How much unlike the fons of Britain now ! 

Fir'd at the fbuud,my Geriiusfpreadsherwihg 
Andliies where Britaiilcourts tlieweflrernfpring; 
Where lavv'ns extend that fcorn Arcadian pridcj 
Andbrigliter flreams than fara'dHyd tfpes.glide : 
There all around thegentlefl breezes ftraf-. 
There gentle mufic melts on ev'ry fpra;. j 
Creation's mildeflchairtis are there coinbinM; 
Extremes are Only in the mafter's mind ! 
Stern o'er each bofom ReaJbn holds her ftate. 
With daring aims irregularly great : 
Pride in their port, defiance in their eye, 
I fee the lords of human kind paf§ by ; 

P Intent 



2IO 

Intent on high defigns a thoughtful band, 
IBy forms untafliion'd frefli from nature's hand; 
IFierce in their native hardinefs of foul, 
True to imagined right above controul : 
"Whilee'en the peafantboafts thefe rights to fcan, 
And learns to venerate himielf as man. f here, 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book It. 



Till, half a patriot, half a coward grown, 
I rly from petty tyrants to the throne. 

Yesjbrother, curfe with me that baleful hour; 
When firll ambition ftruck at regal pow'r, 
And thus, polluting honour in its fource, 
Gave wealth to fway the mind with double force. 
Thine, Freedom, thine the bleifings picturM ; Have we notfeen, round Britain's peopled (hore. 



Thine are thofe charms, that dazzle and endear ; 
Too bleft indeed were fuch without alloy, 
But fofterM e'en by Freedom ills annoy. 
That independance Britons prize too high, 
Keeps man from man, and breaks the focial tie ; 
The felf-dependant lordlings (land alone ; 
All claims thatbindand fweeten life unknown 5 
Here, by the bonds of Nature feebly held. 
Minds combat minds, repelling and repelPd. 
Ferments arife, impriibn'd faftions roar, 
iReprefs'd ambition ftruggles round her (liorcj 
Till, over-wrought, tl:ie general fyflem feels 
Urs motions ftop, or phrenfy fire the wheels. 

Nor this the worft. As Nature's ties decay, 
As duty, love, and honour fail to fway, 
Fiftitious bonds, the bonds of wealth and law, 
Still gather llrength» and force unwilling awe. 
Hence all obedience bows to thefe alone, 
And talents finks, and merit weeps unknown 
Till time may come, when ftripp'd of all 

charms, 
The land of fcholars and the nurfe of arms, 
Where noble items tranfmit the patriot flame. 
Where kings have toil'd, and poets wi'ote for 



One fink of level avarice Ihall lie. 



[fame. 



Her ufeful fons exchang'd for ufelefs orej 
Seen all her triumphs but deltru^lion hafte. 
Like flaring tapers, bright'ning as they walle 5 
Seen Opulence, her grandeur to maintain, 
Lead Ilern Depopulation in her train, 
j And over fields where fcatter'd hamlets rofe, 
; In barren folitary pomp repofe ? 
j Have we not feen, at Plealure's lordly call,' 
I The fmiling long-frequented village fall ? 
j Beheld the duteous fon, the fire decay'd, 
I The modeft matron, and the blufning maid, 
Forc'd from their homes, a melancholy train. 
To traverfe climes beyond the weitern main 5 
Where wildOfwegofpreads her fwamps around 
And Niagara ftuns v/ith thund''ring found ? 
E'en now, perhaps, as there fome pilgrim flrays 
Thro' tangledforefts, and thro' dangerous ways ; 
Where beafcs with man divided empire claim, 
And thebrown Indian markswithmurd'rousaira, 
her i There, while above the giddy tempeft flies. 
And all around diftrefstul yells arife, 
The penfive exile, bending with his woe. 
To flop too fearful, and too faint to go, 
Cafi:s a long look where England's glories Unne, 



And fcholars, foldiers, kings, unhonour'd die. 
Yet think not thas,when Freedom's ills I flati:, 
I mean to flatter kings, or court tlie great : 
Ye pow'rs of truth that bid my foul afpire, 
Far from my bofom drive the low defire ! 
And thou, lair Freedom, taught alike to feel 
The rabble's rage, and tyrant's angry flieel; 
Thou tranfitory flow'r, alike undone 
By proud Contempt, or Favour's fofl'rlng fun, 
Still may thy blooms the changeful clime-endure, 
I only would reprefs them to fecure : 
For juft experience tells, in cvVy foil , 
That thofewho think mufl:govern thofe who toil^ 
And all that Freedom's highefl: aims can reach, 
Is but to lay proportion'd loads on each. 
Hence, fliould one order difproportion'd grow, 
Its double weight mull ruin all below. 

O, then, how blind to all that truth requires. 
Who think it freedom when apart afpires. 
Calm is my foul, nor apt to rife in arms. 
Except when faft approaching danger warms: 
But when contending chiefs blockadethethrone, 
Contrafting regal pow'r to Itretch their own j 
When I beholtta fa6lious band agree 
To call it freedom when themfelves are free ; 
Each wanton judge new penal fl:atutes draw, 
Laws grind the poor, and rich men rule the law; 
' The wealth of climes, where favage nations 
roam, 
Pillag'd from flaves, to purchafe fiaves at home ; 
Fear, pity, jufl:ice, indignation Itart, 
Tear off referve, and bare my fwelling heart; 



And bids his bolbm fympathize with mine. 

Vain, very vain, my weaiy fearch to find 
That blifs which only centres in the mind? 
Why have I ftray'd from pleafure and repofe. 
To feek a good each government bellows ? 
In ev'ry government, tho' terrors reign. 
Though tyrant kings or tyrant laws rellrain. 
How imalj. of all that human hearts endure, 
That part wliich laws or kings can caule or cure! 
Still to ourfelves in ev'ry place confign'd. 
Our own felicity we make or find : 
With fecret courfe, which no loud itorms annoy, 
Glides the fraooth current of domeitic joy. 
The lifted ax, the agonizing wheel, 
Luke's iron crown, and Damiens' bed of fl:eel. 
To men remote from pow'r but rarely known. 
Leave reafon, faith, and confcience, all our own. 



§ 2. Tl'e Defined tillage. Goldfmith. 

Sweet Auburn ! loveliefl: village of the plain, 
Where.health and plenty cheer'd the labouring 

fvvain ; 
Wherefmlling fpring its earliefl: vifitpaid, 
And parting fumraer's lingering blooms delay 'B ; 
Dear lovely bow'rs of innocence and eafe. 
Seats of ray youth when ev'ry fport could pleafe. 
How often have I loiter'd o'er thy green, 
Where humble happinefs endear'deach fcene 1 
How often have I paus'd onev'iy charm. 
The fiielter'd cot, the cultivated farm. 
The never- failing brock, the bufy mill, [hill. 
The decent church that topp'd the neighb'ring 

The 



00 K 



If. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



211 



The hawthorn bufli,withfeats beneath thefhade, 
For talking age and whifp'ring lovers made I 
How often have T blefs'd the coming day, 
When toil remitting lent its turn to play j 
And all the village train from labour free, 
Led up their fports beneath the fpreading tree; 
While many a paftime circled in the Ihade, 
The young contending as the old furvey'd : 
And many a gambol frolickM o'er the ground, 
And lleitsot artandfeatsof ftrength wentround. 
And itill, as each repeated pleafure tir'd, 
Succeeding fports the mirthful band infpir'd 
The dancing pair that iimply fought renown, ; 
By holding out to tire each other down ; 
The fwain, miftruftlefs of his fmutted face, 
While fecret laughter tittered round the place; 
The bafnful virgin's fide-Iong looks of love. 
The matron's glance that would thofe looks re- 
prove — [th^fe, 
Thefe were thy charms, fweetvillagel-fportslike 
With fweet fucceiFion taught e'en toil to pleafe; 
Thefe round thy bovv'rs theircheerful influence 
fhed, [are fled, 
Thefe were thy charms — ^but all thefe charms 

Sweet fmiling village, lovelieit of the lawn, 
Thy iports arefled,andal I thy charms withdrawn, 
Amidft thy bow'rs the tyrant's hand is feen. 
And defolation faddens all thy green: 
One only mniler grafpsthe whole domain, 
And half a tillage Itints thy fmiling plain ; 
No more thy glafly brook refiecls the day, 
But, chok'd with fedges, works its v^eedy, way ; 
Along thy glades, a folitary guelf, 
The liollow-founding bittern guards its neft ; 
Amid it thy defert walks the lapvv'ing flies, 
And tires their echoes with unvaried cries. 
Sunk are thybow'rsin fliapelefs ruin all, 
And the longgrafs o'ertops themould'ring wall ; 
And tremb!ing,ihrinkingfromthe fpoiler'shand, 
Far, far away thy children leave the land. 

Hi fares the land, to hall'ning ills a prey. 
Where wealth accumulates, ar>d men decay: 
Princes and Lords may flourifli or may fade ; 
A breath can make them as a r reath has made : 
But a Dold pealantry, their country's pride. 
When once deilroy'd, can never be fupplied. 

A time there was, ere England's griefs began, 
When every rood of ground maintain'd its m.an; 
For him light labour Ipreadher wholefome Ho re; 
Juil gave what life requir'd, but gave no more : 
His beft companions, innocence and health j 
And his'bell riches, ignorance of wealth. 

But times are alter'd: trade's unfeeling train 
Ufurp the land, and difpoflefs the fwain ;" 
Along the lawn, were Icatter'd hamlets rofe, 
Unweildy wealth and cumb'rous pomp repofe ; 
And ev'ry want to luxury allied,^ 
And ev'ry pang that folly pays to pride. 
Thofe gentle hours that plenty bade to bloom, 
Thofe calm defires that alk'd but little room, 
Thofe healthful fports that grac'd the peacefu 

fcene, 
Liv'd in each look,and brighten'd all the green ; 
Theie, far departing, feek a kinder ihore. 
And rui-aj mirth and manners are no more. 



Sweet Auburn! parent of the blifsful hour. 
Thy glades forlorn confefs'd the tyrant's pow'r. 
Here, as I take my folitary rounds, 
Amidft thy tangling walks, and ruin'd grounds; 
And, many a year elaps'd, return to view [grew; 
Where once the cottage ftood, the hawthorn 
Remembrance wakes with all her bufy train,_ 
Swells at my bread, and turns the palt to pain. 

In all my wand'rings round thisworldof care, 
In all my grief, and God has given my Ihare— 
I ftill had hopes, my latell hours to crown, 
Amidil thefe humble bovv'rs to lay me down; 
To hulhand out life's taper at the clofe. 
And keep the flam.e from wailing my repofe: 
I ftill had hopes, for pride attends us ilili, 
Amidlt the fwain s to ihewmybook-learn'dflcill, 
Around my fire, an evening group to draw. 
And tell of all I felt, and all I faw ; 
And, as a hare, whom hounds and horns purfue. 
Pants to the place from whence at firft he iiew, 
I ftill had hopes, my long vexations pail, 
Here to return, and die at home at lafl. 

O bleft retirement, friend to life's decline. 
Retreat from care, that never mull be mine ! 
How bleft is he, who crowns,in ftiades like thefe, 
A youth of labour with an age of eafe ; 
Whoquitsaworld where ftrongtemptations try. 
And, fince 'tis hard to combat, learns to fly I 
For him no wretches, born to Avork and weep. 
Explore the mine, or tempt the dang'rous deep; 
No furly porter ftands in guilty ftate. 
To fpurn imploring famine from the gate 5 
Bat on he moves to meet his latter end. 
Angels around; befriending virtue's friend j 
Sinks to the grave with unperceiv'd decay. 
While refignation gently Hopes the way ; 
And, all his profpc6ls bright'ning to the laft. 
His heaven comm.ences ere the world be paft ! 

Sweet was the found, when oft at evening's 
cbfe. 
Up yonder hill the village murmur rofe ; 
There as I pafs'd, v^-'ith carelefs fteps and flow. 
The mingling notes came foften'd from below; 
The fwain refponfive as the milk-maid fung. 
The fober herd that low'd to meet their young. 
The noily geek that gabbled o'er the pool. 
The playful children juft let loofe from fchool. 
The watch-dog's voice that bay'd the whifp'ring 

wind. 
And the lou4 laugh that fpoke the vacant mind; 
Thefe all in fweet confuflon fought the fliade, 
And fiU'd each paufe the nightingale had made* 
But now the founds of population fail, 
No cheerful murmurs flu6luate in the gale. 
No buly fteps the grafs-grcwn footway tread. 
But all the bloomy flufli of life is fled : 
All but yon widow'd, folitary thing. 
That feebly bend befide the plaftiy i'pring ; 
She, wretched matron ! forc'd in age for bread. 
To ftrip the -brook, with mantling creffes 

fpread, -^ 

To pick her wint'ry faggot from the thorn. 
To feek her nightly (hed, and weep till morn ; 
She only left, of all the harmlefs train, 
The fad hillorian of the penfive plain. 

P 2 Near 



tl* 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book 11. 



Kear yonder copfe.where once the g;arden Imirdj 
And ilill where many a garden iiow'r grows wild, 
There, Avhereafew torn Ihrubs the place dlfclofe, 
The village preacher's niodeft manfion role. 
A man he was to all the country dear, 
And pading rich with forty pounds a year; 
Kemcte from towns he ran his godly race, 
Nr>r e'er hadchang'd, nor wiOi'd to change, his 
UnOcilful he to fawn, or feek for pou "i-, [place ; 
By doctrines faihion'd to the varying honr; 
Far other aims his heart had learn'd to prize, 
■Klore bent to raife the wretched than to rile. 
His houie was known to all the vagrant train ; 
Hechidtheirwand'rings, but relieved their pain. 
The long-remembei*\l beggar was his gueft, 
XVlvofe beard deicendingfwept his aged breaft; 
Theruin'd fpendthrift, now no longer proud, 
Claini'd kindred therejandhadhisciaimsallow'dj 
The broken Ibldier, kindly bade to Hay, 
i^at by his nre, and taik'cl the night away; 
^Vept o'er his wounds, or, tales of forrow done, 
Shoulder'dhis crutch,and fijew'dhovvnelds were 

won. [?tow, 

Pleas \l with his guefls the good ir.an learn d to 
And quite forgot their vices in their woe ; 
Carelefs their merits or their faults to fcan, 
JHis pity gave ere charity began, 

Thus to relieve the Avretchecl v/as his pride, 
And ev'nhis fellings lean'd to Virtue's fide ; 
But, in his duty prompt at ev'ry call, 
He watch'd and wept, hepray'dandfelt for all. 
And, as a bird each fond endearment tries, 
To tempt her nevv-fledg'd offspring to the Ikies : 
lie tried each art, reprov'd each dull deiay, 
A.llur'd to brighter worlds, and led the way. 
Belide tlie bed, where parting life was laid, 
And forrow, guilt, and pain, by turns difmay'd, 
The rev'rend champion flood : At his controul 
Defpair and anguifli fled the ftrnggling foul ; 
Comfort came downthetremblingwrelch toraife, 
_Andhislall falt'ringaccents whifper'd praife. 
At church, with meek and unan'ectcd grace, 
His- looks adcrn'd the venerable place ; 
Truth from his lips prevaiPd with double fway, 
And foohjwho came to Icoff", remain 'd to pray. 
The. fervice paft, around the pious man, 
V/ith ready zeal eaeh honefi: rullic ran ; 
Hv'n children follow'd with endearing wile, 
j\.nd pluck'd his gown to dure the good man's 

Itnile. 
5Ii5 ready fmile a parent's warmth exprefs'd. 
Their welfare pleas'd him, and their -care 

diftrefs^d ; _ 
To them his heart, his love,his griefs were given, 
JButall his ferious thoughts had rell in heaven. 
As fome tail cliif that Tifts its awful form, 
dwells from xIk vai-e, and midway leaves the 

itorm, 
Tho' roundits breaft therolling clouds arefpread. 
Eternal funihine fettles on its head. j 

Befide yon Itraggling fence that Ikirts the wa; 
Vi' ith blollbm furze unprofitably gay, 
There, in his noily manlion ficill'd to rule, 
Ti\e viliajje -iiultcr taught his little fciiool ; | 



A man fevere he was, and fiern to view; 
I knew him well, and every truant knew. 
Well had the boding tremblers karn'd to trace 
The day's di falters in his morning face : 
P'nll well they laugh'd with counterfeited glee 
At all his jokes, for many a joke had he ; 
Full well the bufy whifper circling round 
Convey'd the difmal tidings when he frown'd. 
Yet he was kind ; or, if fevere in aught, 
Tne love he bore to learning was in fault ; 
The village all declared how much he knew; 
T'was certain he could write and cypher too; 
Lands he could meafure, terms and tides prefage. 
And ev'n the llory ran that he couid gauge ; 
In arguing too the parfon own'd his Ikill, 
For,even though vanquilh'd, he could argue ftill ; 
While words of learned length, and thundering 

found, 
Amaz'd the gazing riiftics rangM around ; 
And IHil they gaz'd, and Hill the wonder grew. 
That one fmall head could cany all he knew. 
But palt is all his fame,: the very fpot. 
Where many a time he triumpli'd is forget. 

Near yonder thorn that lifts its head on high, 
Whereonce the iign-pall caughtthe pafilng e^re. 
Low lies that houfe where nut-brown draughts 

infpir'd, 
Where grey-beard mirth and fmiling toil redr'd. 
Where village llateunen talk'd with looks pro- 
found, 
A.nd news much olderthan their ale went round. 
Imagination fondly ftoops to trace 
The parlour fplendours of that feilive place;' 
The white- WAfh'd -vail, the nicely fanded fioor. 
The varnifli'd clock that ciick'd behind the 

door ; 
The cheil contriv'd a double debt to pay, 
A bed by nigiit, a cheil of draw'rs by day ; 
The pictures plac'd for ornament and ufe, 
The twelve good rules, the royal game of goofe ; 
The hearth, except when v^^inter chill'd the da}^ 
With afpen boughs,and llow'rs, and fennel ga)". 
While broken tea-cups, wifely kept for fhow, 
Rang'd o'er the chimney, gliHcn'd in a row. 

Vain tranlitory fplendour I could not all 
Reprieve the tott'ring manlion from its fall ? 
Obfcure it links, nor Ihali it more impart 
An hour's importance to the poor man's heart j 
Thither no more the peafant iliall repair 
To fweet oblivion of his daily care; 
No more the farmer's news, the barber's tale. 
No more the woodman's ballad Ihall prevail j 
Mo more the fmith his dulky brow lliall clear. 
Relax his pond'rous ftrength,and lean to hearj 
The hofc himfelf no longer lliall be found, 
Careful to fee the mantling biifs go round ; 
Nor the coy maid, half willing to be preft. 
Shall kifs the cup to pafs it to the relh 

Yes ! let the rich deride, the proud difdaiiij 
Tliefe limple blelTings of the lowly train : 
To me more dear, congenial to my heart, 
One native charm, than all the glofs of art : 
Spontaneous joys, Avhere nature has it?; play. 
The foui adopts, and owns their iii-it-born fway; 

L'ghtlj 



SookIL didactic, DESCRIPTIVE, Sec. 215 

I The dome where pleafure holds her midnight 



Lightlv they frolic o>r the vacant mind, 
Unenvied, unmolelled, unconfin'd: 
But rhe long pomp, the midnight malquerade, 
With all the freaks of want®n wealth array 'd, 
In thefe, ere triflers half their wifh obtain, 
The toiling pleafure fickens into pain; 
And, ev'n while falhion's brighteil arts decoy, 
The heart diitrulling afks, if this be joy ? 

Ye friends to truth, ye Itatefnien who fiirvey, 
The rich man's joys increafe, the poor's decay, . 
'Tis yours to judge how wide the limits Itand 
Between a fplendid and a happy land. 
Proud fwells the tide with loads of freighted ore. 
And fhouting folly hails them from her fnorej 
Hoards, ev'n beyond themifer's wifli, abound, I 



reign, 
Here, richly decked, admits the gorgeous train ; 
Tumultuous grandeur crouds the blazinglquare. 
The rattling chariots clalh, the torches glare. 
Sure fcenes like thefe no troubles e'er annoy ! 
Sure thefe denote one univerfal joy 1 [eyes 

Are thefe thy ferious thoughts ? Ah, turn thine 
Where the poorhoufelels Ihiv'ring female lies. 
She, once, perhaps, in village plenty bleil, 
Has wept at tales of innocence diilreft; 
Her modeft looks the cottage might adorn, 
Sweet as the primrofe peeps beneath the thorn ; 
Now loit to all ; her friends, her virtue lied, 
Near her betrayer's door Ihe lays her head; 



And ridi men liock from all the world around-, I And pinch'd with cold, and ihrinking from the 



Yet^count our gains: this wealth is but a name 
That leaves our ufeful produft ftili the lame. 
Not fo the lofs : the man of wealth and pride 
Takes uv) a fpace that m.any poor fupplled; 
Space for his lake, his park's extended bounds, 
Space for his horfes, equipage, and hounds; 
The robe that wraps his limbs in filken lloth. 
Has robb'd thfe neighboring fields of half their 

growth ; 
His feat, where folitary fports are feen, 
Indignant fpurns the cottage from tlie green; 
Around the world each needful product flies. 
For all the luxuries the world fupplies. 
While thus the land adornM for pleafure all, 
In barren fplendour feebly waits the fall. 

As fome fair female, unadorn'd and plain. 
Secure to pleafe while youth confirms her reign. 
Slights ev'ry borrowed charm that drefs fupplies: 
Nor fliares with art the triumph of her eyes : 
Butwhenthofecharmsarepaft(forcharmsarefi-ail) 
When time advances, and when lovers fail, 
She then ftiines forth, folicitoiis to blefs, 
In all the glaring impotence of drefs. 
Thus fares the land, by luxur)- betray'd, 
In nature's fimpleft charms at firft array'd ; 
But, verging to decline, its fplendours rife, 
Its viitas ftrike, its palaces furprife. 
While, fcourg'd by famine from the fmiling land, 
The mournful peafant leads his Immble band ; 
And while he links, without one arm to fave. 
The country blooms — a garden and a grave ! 

Where then, ah where, Ihall poverty relide. 
To Tcape the prelTure of contiguous pride ? 
If to fome common's fencelefs limits llray'd. 
He drives his flock to pick the fcanty blade, 
Thofe fencelefs fields the fons of wealth divide. 
And ev'n the bare-worn common is denied. 

^ If to the city fped — vrhat waits him there ? 
To iee profufion that he muft not fliare ; 
To fee ten thoufand baneful arts combin'd 
To pamper luxury, and thin mankind ; 
To lee each joy the fons of pleafure know 
Extorted from his fellow-creature's woe. 
Here, while the courtier glitters in brocade, 
There the pale artift plies the fickly trade ; 
Here, while the proud their long-drawn pomp 

dilplay. 
There the black gibbet glooms befide the way. 



I Ihow'r, 

With heavy heart deplores that lucklefs hour. 
When idly firil, ambitious of the town. 
She left her wheel, and robes of country brown. 

Do thine, fweet Auburn, thine, the loveliefl 
Do thy fair tribes participate her pain ? [train, 
Ev'n now, perhaps, by cold and hunger led, 
At proud men's doors they afbc a little bread'. 

Ah, no ! to diilant climes, a dreary fcene. 
Where half the convex v^'orld intrudes between. 
Through torrid trades with fainting ileps they go. 
Where wild Altama murmurs to their woe. 
Far diff'rent there from all that charms before. 
The various terrors of that horrid Ihore ; 
Thofe blazing funs that dart a downward ray,. 
And fiercely Ihed intolerable day ; 
Thofe matted woods where birds forget to fing-,, 
But fiient bats in drowfy cluiters cling : 
Thofe pois'nous fields with rank luxuriance 

crown'd. 
Where the dark fcorpion gathers death aroundj 
Where at each Hep the itranger feai's to wake 
Tne rattling terrors of the vengeful fnake ; 
Where crouching tigers wait their haplefs prey, 
x-lnd favagemen,moremurd'rousil-ili than theyj 
While oft in whirls the mad tornado flies, 
Mingling the ravag'd landfcape with the Ikies. 
Far diff'rent thefe from ev'ry former fcene. 
The cooling brook, the grafly-vefled green. 
The breezy covert of the warbling grove. 
That only Ihelter'd thefts of harmlels love. 

Good Heaven ! what forrcv*'s gloom'd that 
parting day. 
That cail'd them from their native walks awa}^ ; 
When the poor exiles, ev'ry pleafure pafi:, [la'<l^. 
Hung round the bow'rs, and fondly look'd their 
And took a long farewell, and wifli'd in vain 
For feats like thefe beyond the weftern main j 
And fliudd'ring fl:ill to face the difl:ant deep, 
Return'd and wept, andltill return'd to weep ! 
The good old fire the firll prepar'd to go 
To new-found worlds, and wept fo:- others woe j 
But forhimfelf, in confcious virtue brave. 
He only wifli'd for worlds beyond the grave. 
His lovely daughter, lo\elier in her tears. 
The fond companion of his haplefs years. 
Silent went next, negle(ftful of her charms, 
And left a lovei's foi her father's arms» 

F 5 With 



214. 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book If. 



"With louder plaints the mother fpoke her woe8#| * 
And blefs'dthe cot where every pleafure rofe ; 
And kl is'd h^rthoughtlefsbabesvvithmany cttear, 
And clalp'd them clofe, in forrow doubly dear; 
Whilll her tend hufband frrove to lend relief 
In all the filent manlinefs of grief. 

O, luxury! thou curii by Heaven's decree, 
How ill exchanged are things likethefe forthee! 
How do thy potions, with iaiidious joy, 
Diiiu e iheir pleafures only to deftroy ! 
Kingdoms, by thee to fickly greatnefs grown, 
Boalt of a florid vigour not their own. 
At e V 'r)"- draught more large and la^'ge they grow, 
A bloated mafs of rank unwieldiy woe ; 
Till fappM their ilrength,and ev'ry partunfound, 
Down, down they (ink, andfpreada ruin round. 

Even now the' de vacation is begun, 
And half the bus'nefs of deftruftion don>e ; 
Ev'n now, methinks, as pond'ring here I ftand, 
I fee the rural virtues leave the land. 
Down v,'here yon anch'ring vcllel fp reads the fail, 
That idly waiting flaps u'ith every gale, 
Downv.'ard they move, a melancholy band, 
Pafs from the ihore, and darken all the llrand. 
Contented toil, and hofpitable care, 
And kind connubial tendernefs, are there j 
And piety with wiflies pU^cM above. 
And ileady loyalt)', and faithful love. 
And thou, fweet poetry, thou loveliefl: maid. 
Still firil: to fly where feufusi joys invade ; 
Unfit in tbefe degenerate times of fiiarae 
To catch the heart, or fl:rike for honefl fame ; 
Pear charmi-ng nymph, neglefted and decried, 
My fhame in crowds, m.y iblitary pride ! 
Thou foitixe of all my biifs and all my woe. 
That found'fl: m.e poorat firfl:, and keep'fl m.e foj 
Thou guide, by which the nobler arts excel, 
Thoufource of ev'ry virtue, fare thee ivell ! 
Farewell ! and, oh ! where'er thy voice be tried 
On Torrio's cliffs, or Pambamarca's fide, 
V/hether where equinoctial fervours glow. 
Or w^inter wraps the polar world in fnow. 



Still let thy voice, prevailing over time, 
Redrefs the rigours of th' inclement clime^; 
Aid flighted truth with thy perfuafive flirain. 
Teach erring man to fpurn the rage of gain ; 
Teach him thatltates, of native ftrength pofleft, 
Though very poor, may fl:ill be very blefl:; 
That trade's proud empire hafles to fwift decay. 
As ocean fvveeps the labour'd mole away ; 
While felf dependant pow'r can time defy, 
As rocks refift the billows and the flcy. 



Forbear, my fon,' the Hennit cries, 

* To" tempt the dang'rous gloom j 
For yonder phantom only flies 

* To lure thee to thy doom. 
Here to the houfelefs child of want 
' My door is open fliijl; 
And,_ tho' my portion is but fcant, 

* I give it with good-will. 
Then turn to-night, and freely fhare 

* Whate'er my cell beftows ; 
My rufnv couch and frugal fare, 

* My blefllng and repofe. 
No flocks that range the valley free 

* To flaughter I condenm ; 
Taught by that power that pities me, 

* I learn to pity them : 
But from the m.ountain's graffy fide 
' A guiltlefs feafl: I bring j 
A fcrip with herbs and fruit fuppiied, 

' And water fz-om thefpring. 
Then, pilgrim, turn, thy cares forego j 

* All eaith-born cares are wrong: 
Man wants but little here below, 

* Nor wants that little long.' 
I Soft as the 6ew from heaven defcends, 

Ris gentle accents fell: 
The modefl:fi:ranoer lowly bends. 
And follows to the cell. 

Far in a wildernefs obfcure 

The lonely manfion lay j 
A refuge to the neighboring poor. 

And fl:rangers lefd aftray. 

No flrores beneath its humble thatch 

Required a maflrer's care 5 
The wicket, op'ning wuth a latch, 

Receiv'd theharmiefs pair. 
And now, when bufy crowds retire 

To take their ev'ning reft. 
The Hermit trimmM his little fire. 

And cheer'd his peniive gueftj 
And fpread his vegetable fl:ore, 

And gaily prefs'd and fmil'd j 
And, fkill'd in legendary lore. 



§ 3. Edioin and Angelina, A Ballad. 

Goldfmith 
Turn, gentle Hermit of the dale, 

* And guide my lonely way 

To v/heVe yon taper cheers the vale 

* With hofpitable ray. 

For here forlorn and lofl: I tread, 

* With fainting flieps a;id flow j 
Where wilds, immeafurably fpread, 
' Seem length'ning as I go,' 



Around in fympathetic miith 

Its tricks the kitten ti'ies. 
The cricket chirrups in the hearth. 

The crackling faggot flies. 
But nothing could a charm impart 

To footh the fl:ranger's woe ; 
For grief was heavy. at his heart. 

And tears began to flow. 
His rifing cares the Hermit fpied. 

With anfw'ring care opprefs'd : 

* And whence, unhappy youth,' he crieJj 

* The forrows of thy breall ? 

' From better habitations fpurn 'd, • 

* Relaxant doft: thou rove ? 

* Or grieve for friendfiiip unreturn'd. 



Or unregarded love i 



Alas! 



Book IT. DIDACTIC, DE 

* Alas ! the joys that fortune brings 

* Are trifling and decay ; 

* And thofe who prize the paltry things 

* More trifling liill than they. 

« And what h friendfliip but a name, 

* A charm that lulls to fleep ; 

' A (hade that follows wealth or fame, 

* And leavei the wretch to weep ? 

* And love is IHU an emptier found, 

* The modern fair-one's jeil ; 

* On earth nnieen, or only, found 

* To warm the turtle's nelt. 

* For fhame ! fond youth, thy forrows hufh, 

* And fpurn the fex !' lie Inid: 
But, while he fpoke, a rifmg biufh 

His love-lorn gueil betray'd. 
Surprised he fees new beauties rife. 

Swift mantling to tlie view, 
Like colours o'er the morning fkies, 

As bright, as tranfient too. 
The bafhful look, the rifing breaft. 

Alternate fpread alarms ; 
The lovely ftranger itands confefli 

A maid in all her charms. 
And, ' ah ! forgive a ftranger rude, 

* A wretch forlorn,' Ihe cried, 

* Whofefeetuhhallow'd thus intrude 

* Where Heaven and you refide I 

* But let a maid thy pity fliare, 

« Whom love has taught to ftray ; 

* Who feeks for reft, but finds defpair 

* Companion of her way. 

* My father liv'd befidethe Tyne, 

* A wealthy lord was he ; 

* And all his v/ealth was marked as mine, 

* He had but only me. 

* To win me from his tender aiTns 

* Unnumber'd fuitors came ; 

* Who prais'd me for imputed charms, 

* And felt, or feign'd a flame. 

* Each hour a mercenary crowd 

* With richell proffers ftrove; 

* Among the reft young Edwin bow'd, 

* But never talk'd of love. 

* In humble, fimpleft habit clad, 

* No wealth or power had he j 

* Wifdom and worth were ail be had, 

* But thefe v\ere all to me. 

* The bloflxim op'ning to the day, 

* The dews of heaven refin'd, 

* Could nought of parity difplay 

* To emulate his mind. 

< The dew, the bloflbms of the tree, 

* With charms inconftant lliine ^ 

* Their charms were his, but, woe to me ! 

* Their conftancy was mine. 

* For ftill I tried each fickle art, 

* Importunate and vain ; 

< And while his paffion touch'd my heart, 

* I triumph'd in his painj 



SCRIPTIVE, &c. 215 

' Till, quite dejecled with my fcorn, 

* He left me to my pride ; 

' And fought a lolitude forlorn 

* In fecret, where he died. 

' But mine the forrow, mine the fault! 

* And well my life fliall pay ; 
I'll feek the folitude he Ibught, 

' And ftretch me where he lay ! 
■ And there forlorn, defpairing, hid, 

' I'll lay me down and die ; 
' 'Twas fo for me that Edwin did, 

' And fo for him will I !' 
' Forbid it, Heaven !' the Hermit cried. 

And clafp'd her to his breaft: 
The wond'ring fair-one turn'd to chide-— 
.'Twas Edwin's felf that prefs'd. 

* Turn Angelina, ever dear, 

* My charmer, turn to fee 

^ Thy own, thy long -loir Edwin here, 

* Reftor'd to love and thee 1 

* Thus let me hold thee to ray heart, 

* And ev'ry care reiign : 

' And fliall we never, never part, 

' My life — my all that's mine ? 
' No, never from this hour to part; 

' We'll live and love fo true, 
' The figh that rends thy conftant heart 

* Shall break thy Edwin's too V 



§ 4. A Pajloral. In Four Parts. Pope, 
To Sir William Trumbal. 

Pastoral 1. SPRING, 
First in thefe fields I try the fylvan ftrains, 
Nor blufli to fport on Windfor's blifsful plains. 
Fair Thames, flow gently from thy facred ipring, 
While on thy banks Sicilian Mufes lingj 
Let vernal airs through trembling ofiers play, 
And Albion's clifi's refound the rural lay. 

You thatjtoo WT fe for pride, too good for povy'r, 
Enjoy the glory to be great no more, 
And, carrying with you all the world can boaft. 
To all the world illuftrioufly are loft ! 
O let my Mufe her flender reed infpire, 
Till in your native (hades you tune the lyre 
So when the nightingale to reft removes. 
The thrufti may chant to the forfiken groves; 
But, charm'd to filence, liftens while ftie fmgs. 
And all th' aerial audience clap their wings. " 

Soon as the flocks fhookofi:' the nightly dews, 
Two Swains, whom love kept wakeful, imd the 

Mufe, 
PourM o'er the whitenings-ale their fleecy care, 
Frefti as the morn, and as the feaibn fair: 
The dawn nowbluftiing on the mountain's fide, 
ThusDaphnis fpoke, and Strephonthus replied: 

DAPHNIS. 

Hear how the birds, on every bloomy fpray. 
With joyous mufic wake the dawning day ! 
Why fit we mute when early linnets fing, 
Wheft warblir.g Philomel falutes the fprine: ? 
, P 4- Why 



7i6 ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 

Why fit we fad when Pholphor fhines fo clear, 
Ajid lavlfh Nature paints the purple year? 

STREPHON. 

Sing then, and Damon fhall attend the ftrain, 
Wliile yon ilow oxen tvirn the furrowM plain. 
Here the bright crocus and blue violet glow j 
Here weflern winds on breathing roffes blow. 
I'll ftake yon lamb that near the fountain pkiys, 
And from the brink his dancing fliade furveys 

DAPHNIS. 

And I this bow], where wanton ivy twines, 
And fwelling chillers bend the curling vines : 
J'our figures riling tVom the work appear. 
The yanouii Ie.ifons of the rolling year; 
And what ii that, which binds the radiant i1;y, 
Where twelve fair figns in beauteous order lie ? 

DAM OK. 

Then iing by turn-j, by turns the Mufes fing 
Now hawthorns blollbni; novv the dailies fpriug. 
Now leavesthe treesjand flow'rs adcrntheground; 
Begin, the vales iliali ev'r}- note rebound. 

STREPKON. 

Infpirerae, Phcebus, in my Delia's praife, 
W~itb Waller'sftrainSjOrGranville's moving lays! 
A milk-white Bull fliall at your altars ftand, 
That threats a fight, and fpurns the nnng fand. 

DAPHNI?. 

O Love ! for Sylvia let me gain the prJze, 
And make my tongue victorious as her eyes ; 
No lambs or iheep for viftims I'll imp^-rtj 
Thy yiitim. Love, fhall be the fhepherd's heart, 

STREPHON. 

IMe gentle Delia beckons from the plain ; 
Then hid in fliades, eludes her eager fwain ; 
But feigns a laugh, to lee me fearcii around, 
And by that laugh the willing faji" is found. 

DAPHNIS. 

The fprightly Sylvia trips a';ong the green 5 
51ie runs, but hopes the does not run unfeen ; 
While a kind glance at her piirfuer fiies — 
How much at variance are h;;r fter aud eyes ! 



STREPHON, 

O'er golden {imds let rich ?a6tolus fiow. 
And trees weep amber on the banks of Po ; 
^ItllTiiam.es's ihcresthe bri';htert beauties yield: 
Peed, here, my larnbs, I'll ieek no diftant field. 

DAPHN is. 

Celeftial Venus haunts Idalia's groves ; 
Diana Cynthus, Ceres Hybla loves ; 
If Windfor fnades delight the matchlefs maid, 
Cyn'.hus arxd Hybla yield to V/indior-ihade. 

STREPHON. 

All nature mounis, the feies relent in fhow'rs. 
Hulh'd are the birds, and clos'<i the drooping 

fiow'rs; 
If Delia irnile, t^ie flowVs begin to fpring, 
The Ikies to brighun, and the birds to Img. 

DAPHNIS. 

All nahire., lauphs. the groves are frefh asid 
The iun's mild laltre warms the vital air ; [fair, 
If Sylvia fniijes,, new glories gild the (bore, 
Ana vanquifli'd natu;'efceino to charm no more.- 



Book II. 



STREPHON. 

In fpring the fields, in autumn hills I love. 
At morn the plains, at noon the fhady grove, 
Kut Delia always ; abfent from her fight, 
Nor plains at morn, nor groves at noon delight, 

DAPHNIS. 

Sylvia's like autumn ripe, yet mild as ^-lay. 

More bright than noon, yet frefh as early day j 

F/en fpring difpleafes, when ihe fhines not here j 

But, bled: with her, 'tis fpring througbout the 

year. 

STREPHON. 

Say, Daphnis, <ay, in what glad foil appears 
A wondVcus Tree that facred Monarchs bears : 
Tellm.e but this, and I'll difclaim the prize. 
And give the conqueft to thy Sylvia's eyes. 

■ DAPHNIS. 

Nav, tell me firfl, in what more happy fields 
The Thiftle fprings, to which the Lily yields ; 
And then a nobler prize I v.'!U refign ; 
For Sylvia, charming Sylvia, fliall be thine. 

DAMON. 

Ceafe to contend ; for, Daphnis, I decree 
The bowl to Strephon, and the lamb to thee : 
Bleft Swains, whofe Nymphs in every grace excelj 
Bieft Nymphs, whofe Swains thofe graces fing 

fo well ! 
Now rife, and hafte to yonder woodbine bow'rsj 
A foft retreat from fudden vernal fhow'rs ; 
The turf with rural dainties fliall be crown'd ; 
While op'ningbloomsdiifufe theirfweetsa'rouna. 
For, fee ! the gath'ring iiocks to fhelter tend. 
And from the Pleiads fruitful lliow'rs defcend. 



Pastoral 1 1. SUMMER. 
Addrejed to Dr. Garth. 

A Shepherd's boy (he feeks no better name) 
Led for^i his fiocks along the filver Thame, 
Where dancing funbeams on the watei-s play'dj 
And verdant alders form'd a quiv'ring fhade. 
Sole as he mourn'd, the itreams forgot to fiow. 
The flocks around a dumb compaffion fhow. 
The Naiads wept, in ev'r}^ wat'r}- bow'r, 
And Jove coniented in a iilent fnov/'r. 

Accept, O Garth, the MMe's early lays. 
That adds this wreath of ivj to thy bays ; 
Hear what from Love unpractis'dheaits endure. 
From Love, the fole difeafe thou can 'ilnotcure. 

Ye fhady beeches, and ye cooling llreams. 
Defence from Phcebus, not from Cupid's beamSj 
To you I mourn, nor to the deaf I fing; 5 
The woods fliall anfwer, and their echo ring. 
The hills aud ro!;ks attend my doleful lay — 
Why art thou prouder and more hard than they? 
The bleating iheep with my complaints agree ; 
Tney parcli'd with heat, and I infiam'd by thee. 
The fultry Sirius burns the thirAy plains. 
While in thy beart eternal winter reigns. 

Where ftray, ye Mufcs, in what lawn orgrove^ 
While your Alexis pines in hcpelefs love? 
In thole fair fields where lacred Ills glideji. 
Or elfe vyhere Cam his winding vales divides B 



Book II. 



DID ACTIO, DESCRIPTIVE, Seal 



'lif 



As in the cryM fpring I vfew my face, 
Frefli riringbliifhes paint the wat'iy glafsj 
But fince thofe graces pleafe thy eyes no more, 
I ihun the fountains which I fought before. 
Once I was fkill'd in ev'ry herb that grew, 
And ev'ry plant that drinks the morning dew ; 
Ah, wretched ftiepherd, what avails thy art, 
To cure thy lambs, but not to heal thy heart! 

Let other fwains attend the rural care, 
Feed fairer flocks, or richer fleeces fliear : 
^ut nigh yon mountain let me tune my lays, 
Embrace my Love,and bind my brows with bays. 
That flute is mine which Colin's tuneful breath 
Infpir'd when living, and bequeathed in death : 
He faid-— Alexis, take this pipe, the fame 
That taught the groves my Rofidinda's name: 
But nov/\he reeds fliall hang on yonder tree. 
For ever iilent, flnce defnis'd by thee. 
Oh! were I made by fome transforming pow'r 
The captive bird that fmgs within thy bow'r ! 
Then might my voice thy lift'ning ears employ, 
And I thofe kiffes he receives enjoy. 

And yet my numbers pleafe the rural throng. 
Rough Satyrs dance, and Pan applauds the fong 
The Nymphs, foriaking ev'ry cave and fpring. 
Their early fruit and milk-white turtles bring : 
Each am'rous nymph prefers her gifts h\ vain, 
On you their gifts are all beilow'd again. 
For you the fwains the fairell flow'rs defign. 
And in one garland all their beauties join : 
Accept the wreath which you deferve alone, 
In whom all beauties are comprised in one. 

See v.'hat delights in fylvan fcenes appear ! 
Defcending gods have found Elyfium here. 
In woods bright Venus with Adonis Itray'd, 
And chaite Diana haunts the foreil-fnade. 
Come, lovely nymph, and blefs the fdent hours, 
Vv^hea fwains from ihearing feek their nightly 

bov\''rs } 
When weary reapers quit the fultry field, 
And crown'd withcorn theirthankstoCeresyidd. 
This harnilefs grove no lurking viper hides, 
Eut in my breaft the ferpent love abides. 
Here bees from blofibms flp the rofy dew, 
Jiut your Alexis knows no fweets but you. 
Oh deign to vilit our forlaken feats. 
The moffy-fountains, and the green retreats ! 
Wliere'er you walk, cool gales fhallfan the glade, 
Trees, where you fit, {hall crowd into a fliade : 
Where'er you tread, the blulliing flow'rs fnall 

rife, 
And all things flourifli where you turn, your eyes, 
dh! how I long with you to pafs my days. 
Invoke the Mufes, and refound your praife! 
Your praife the birds (liall chant in £v'ry grove, 
And winds fliall waft it to the pow'rs above. 
But would you flng, and rival Orpheus' fl:rain. 
The wond'ring foreits foon fliould dance again. 
The moving mountains hear the pow'rful'call, 
Andheadiongftreamshanglift'ningintheirfall! 

]3ut fee, the Ihepherds fliun the noon-day heat, 
Tlie lowing herds to murm'ring brooks retreat j 
To clofer fliades the panting flocks remove j 
ye j^ods I ancl is there no relief fov Love ? 



But fooil the fun with milder rays defcends 
To the cool ocean, where his journey endsc 
On me Love's fiercer flames for ever prey ; 
By night he fcorches, as he burns by day. 

Pastoral in. AUTUMN. 

Addreffedto Mr. Wycherley, 

Beneath thefliade a fpreading beech difplays 
Hylas and ^gon fung their I'ural lays : 
This mourn'd a faithlefs, that an ablent Love 4 
And Delia's name and Doris' fiU'd the grove. 
Ye Mantuan nymphs, your facred fuccoarbring, 
Hylas and iEgon's rural lays 1 fing. 

Thou, whom the Nine vv^ith Plautus' wit in- 
The art of Terence, and Menander's fire 5 [ipire. 
Whole fenfe inltrucls us, and whole humour 
charms, [warms I 

Whofe judgment fways ias, and whoie fpirit 
Oh, flciird in nature ! fee the hearts of fwains. 
Their artlefs pafiions, and their tender pains. 

Now fetting Phcebus fhone ferenely bright, 
And fleecy clouds were flreak'dwithpurpleiight 5 
When tuneful Hylas with melodious moan 
Taught rocks to weep, and made the mountains 
groan. 

Go gentle gales, and bear my fighs away ! 
To Delia's ear the tender notes convey. 
As fome fad Turtle his loll love deplores. 
And with deep murmurs fills thefoundinglhores^ 
Thus, far from Delia, to the winds I mourn, 
Alike unheard, unpitied, and forlorn. 

Go, gentle gales, and bear my fighs along ! 
For her, the feather'd choirs negleft their fongj 
For her, the limes their pleafing fliades deny j 
For her, the lilies hang their heads and die. 
Ye flow'rs that droop, forfaken by the fpring 5 
Ye birds that, left by fummer, ceafe to fing -, 
Ye trees that fade when autumn heats remove. 
Say, is not abfence death to thofe who love ? 

Go, gentle gales, and bear my fighs away ! 
Curs'd be the fields that caufe my Delia's fl:ay j 
Fade ev'ry bloflbm, wither ev'ry tree. 
Die ev'ry flow'r, and perilh all but flie ! 
What have I faid ? where'er my Delia flies, 
Let fpring attend, and fudden flow'rs arife j 
Let op'ning rofes knotted oaks adorn, . 
And liquid amber drop from ev'iy thorn. 

Go, gentle gales, and bear my fighs along! 
The birds fliall ceafe to tune their ev'ning fong. 
The winds tobreathe, fhe waving woods to move. 
And ilreams to m^urmur ere I ceafe to love. 
Not bubbling fountains to the thirfliy fwain. 
Not balmy fleep to lab'rers faint with pain. 
Not fliow'rs to larks, or funfliine to the bee. 
Are half fo charming as thy fight to me. 

Go, gentle gales, and bear my fighs away! 
Come, Delia, come 5 ah, why this long delay ? 
Thro' rocks and caves the name of Delia founds : 
Delia, each cave and echoing: rock rebounds. 
Ye pow'rs, what pleafing phrenzy fooths my 
Do lovers dream, or is my Delia kind ? [mind 1 
She comes, my Delia comes ! Now ceafe, my lay; 
A.nd ceafe, ye gales, to bear my figlis away I 

' ' Next 



?i5 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IF. 



Next ^^gon Cangf while Windfor groves ad- 
mir'd; 
Rehearle, ye Mufe?, what jrourfelves infpir'd. 

K.efound,ye hills, refoiind my mournful Itrain! 
Or perjurM Doris, dying I complain : 
Here, where the mountains, lefs'ning as they rife, 
Lofe the low vales, and fteal into the Ikies 5 
While lab'ring oxen fpent with toil and heat. 
In their'loofe traces from the field retreat ; 
Wliile curling fmokes from village tops are feen, 
And the fleet Ihades glide o'er the duiky green. 

Refound, ye hills, refound my mournful lay ! 
Beneath yon poplar oft we pal'sM the day : 
Oft on the rinvi I carv'd her am'rous vow?, 
While ihe withgarlandshungthebendingboughs. 
The garlands fade, the vows are worn av.-ay; 
So dies her love, and fo ray hopes decay. 

Refound,yehilIs,refoundmymournful ftrain ! 
Now bright Arfturus glads the teeming grain. 
Now golden fruits on loaded branches fnine, 
And grateful clullers fwell vvith floods of v/ine; 
Now blui'bing berries paint the yellow grove ; 
Juft gods ! {hall all things yield returns but love? 
- Refound, ye hills, refound my mournful lay ! 
The fliepherds cry, "T hy flocks are left a prey.'' 
Ah ! what avails it me the flocks to keep. 
Who loll my heart while I preferv'd my Iheep ? 
Pan came, vandafK'd what magic caus'd my fmart. 
Or what ill eyes malignant glances dart ? 
What eyes but hers, alas ! have pow'r to move ? 
And is there magic but what dwells in love ? 

Refound, 3^e hills, refound myraournfuKirains! 
Ill fly from Ihepherds, flocks, and flow'ry plains. 
Fromfliepherdsjflocksjand plains, I may remove, 
Forfake mankind, and all the world — but Love! 
I know thee, Love ! on foreign mountains bred, 
Wolves gave thee fuck, and favage tigers fed : 
Thou wert from Etna's burning entrails torn, 
Got by fierce whirlwinds, and in thunder born ! 

Refound, ye hills, refound my mournful lay ! 
Farewell, ye woods ! adieu, the light of day ! 
One leap from yonder cliff fhall end my pains : 
No more, ye hills, no more refound my llrains ! 
Thus fung the fliepherds till th' approachofnight 
The flcies )'^et blufhing with departing light ; 
When falling dews withfpanglesdeck'dtheglade, 
And the low fun had lengthen'd ev'ry fliade. 

Pastoral IV. WINTER. 
I'o the Memory of Mrs. Tempejl. 

LYCIDAS. 

Thyrsis, themuflcof thvit murm'ringfpring 
Is not fo mournful as the llrains you flngj 
Nor rivers winding thro' the vales below 
So fweetly warble, or fo fmoothly flow. 
Now fleeping flocks on their foft fleeces lie. 
The moon, ferene in glory, mounts the iky, 
While filent birds forget their tuneful lays, 
Oh fing of Daphne's fate and Daphne's praife! 

THYRSIS. 

Behold the groves that fliine with filver froft, 
Their beauty wither'd, and their verdure loft. 
Here fhall I tiy the fweet Alexis' ftrain. 
That cairdthe lill'ning Dryads to the plain ! 



Thames heard the numbers, as he flow'd along. 
And bade his willows learn the moving fbng. 

LYCIDA?. 

So may kind rains their vital moifture yield, 
And fwell the future hai-veft of the field. 
Begin ; this charge the dying Daphne gave, 
And faid, ' Ye flieplierds, fing around ray gravel* 
Sing, while befide the fliaded torab I mourn, 
And with frefti bays her rural Ihrine adorn. 

THYRSIS. 

Ye gentle Mufes, leave your (Tryftal fpring. 
Let Nymphs and Sylvans cyprefs garlands bring j 
Ye weeping Loves, the ftreamwith myrtles hide, 
And break your bows as when Adonis died ; 
And with your golden darts, now ufelefs grown, 
Infcribe a verfe on this relenting fl:one: 
*• Let nature change, let heaven and earth deplore ! 
"Fair Daphne's dead, and love ia now no more !'' 

'Tis done, and nature's various charm.s decay. 
See gloomy clouds obfcure the cheerful day ! 
Nov/ hung with pearls the dropping trees appear. 
Their faded honours fcatter'd on her bier. 
See where on earth the flow'ry glories lie. 
With her they fiourifli'd, and with her they die. 
Ah, what avail the beauties nature wore ? 
Fair Daphne's dead, and beauty is no more ! 

For her the flocks refufe their verdant food. 
The thirily heifers fliun the gliding flood; 
The filver fwans her haplefs fate bemoan 
In notes more fad than w hen they fing their own^ 
In hollow caves fweet Echo filent lies. 
Silent, or only to her name replies ; 
Hername with pleafure once fhe taught the fliore; 
Now Daphne 's dead, and pleafure is no more 1 

No grateful dews defcend from ev'ning ficies, 
Nor morning odours from the flow'rs arife j 
No rich perfumes refrefli the fmitful field. 
Nor fragrant herbs their native incenfe yield. 
The balmy Zephyrs, filent fince her death, 
Lament the ceafing of a fweeter breath ; 
Th' indufl:rious bees negleft their golden ftore; 
Fair Daphne's dead, and fweetnefs is no more! 

Noraorethemountinglarks,whileDaphnefings, 
Shall, lifl:'ningin mid air, fufpend their wings ; 
No more the birds fhall imitate her lays, 
Or, hufli'd with wonder, hearken from the fpraysj 
No more the flireams their murmurs fhall forbear, 
A fweeter mufic than their own to hear ; 
But tell the reeds, and tell the vocal fhore. 
Fair Daphne's dead, and mufic is no more. 

Her fate is whifper'd by the gentle breeze. 
And told in fighs to all the trembling trees > 
The trembling trees, in ev'iy plain and wood. 
Her fate re-murraur to the filver flood; 
The filver flood, fo lately calm, appears 
S weird with newpaflion,ando'erflowswithtears. 
The winds, andtrees,andfloods,herdeathdeplore. 
Daphne, our grief, our glory now no more ! 

But fee ! where Daphne wond'ring mounts on 
Above the clouds, above the llany flcy ! [high. 
Eternal beauties grace the fliining fcei^e. 
Fields ever freih, aad groves for ever green! 

There;^ 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



Book II. 

There, while you reft in amaranthine bow'rs, 
Or from thofe meads feleft unfading; flow'rs, 
Behold us kindly, who your name implore, 
Daphne, our goddefs, and our grief no more 1 

LYCIDAS. 

How all things lilten while thyMufe complains! 
Such lilenct waits on Philomela's Itrains 
In fome Hill evening, when thewhifp'ringbreeze 
Pants on the leaves, and dies upon the trees. 
To thee, bright goddefs, oft a lamb fhail bleed, 
If teeming ewes increafe my fleecy breed, [give, 
While plants their fliade, orflow'rs their odours 
Thy name, thy honour, and thy praife fhali live ! 

THYRSIS. 

But fee, Orion flieds unwholefome dews; 
Arife, the pines a noxious fnade diffure; 
Sharp Boreas blows, and nature feels decay; 
Tim.e conquers all, and we muft Time obey. 
Adieu, yc vales, ye mountains, ilreams, and 

groves ; 
Adieu, ye fhepherds' rural lays and loves ; 
Adieu, my flocks; farewell, ye fylvancrev/; 
Daphne, farewell ; and all the world adieu ! 



219 



§ 5. Windfor-ForcJ}. Pope. 

To the Rt. Hon. George Lord Lanfdown. 
Thy foreJls, Windfor 1 and thy green retreats, 
At once the Monarch's and the Mufes' feats, 
Invite my lays. Be prefent, fylvan maids ! 
Unlock your fprings, and open all your fliades. 
Granville commands; your aid, O Mufes bring! 
What Mrife for Granville can refufe to fmg ? 

The groves of Eden, vsnifli'd now lb long. 
Live in defcription, and look green in fong: 
Thefe, were my breaft infpir'd with equal flame, 
I,ike them in beauty, fliould be like in fame. 
Here hills and vales, the woodland and the plain. 
Here earth and water ieem to fl:rive again ! 
Not, chaos-like, together crafliM ?a\d bruis'd^ 
But, as the world, harmonioufly confus'd: 
Where order in vai'iety we fee, 
And where, tho' all things difi:er, all agree. 
Here waving groves a chequer'd fcene difplay, 
And part admit,- and part exclude the day ; 
As fome coy nymph her lover's warm addrefs 
Nor quite indulges, nor can quite reprefs. 
There interfpers'd in lawns and op'ning glades. 
Thin trees arife that Ihun each other's fiiades : 
Here, in full light the ruflet plains extend ; 
There, wrapt in clouds, the bluifli hills afcend. 
Ev'n the Vv-ild heath dil'plays her purple dyes, 
And 'midltthe defert fruitful fields arife, 
That,c rov/n'dwithtufted trees andfringingcorn, 
Like verdant ifles, the fable Avafle adorn. 
Let India boait her plants, nor envy we 
The weeping amber or the balmy tree, 
While by our oaks the precious loads are borne. 
And realms commanded which thofe trees adorn. 
Not proud Olympus yields a nobler fight, 
Tho' gods affembled grace his tow'ring height, 
Than what more humble mountains otfer here. 
Where, in their bleflings, all thofe gods appear 



See Pan with fiocks,with fruits Pomona crown'di 
Here blufningFlora paints th' enaniell'd ground. 
Here Ceres' gifts in waving profpeft ftand. 
And nodding tempt ttie joyful reaper's hand; 
Rich Induftry iits fmiling on the plains, 
And peace and plenty tpH, a Stuart reigns. 

Not thus the land apppar'd in ages paft, 
A dreary defert, and a gloomy vvalte; 
To fava'ge beads and favage lav/s a prey ; 
And kings more furious'and ievere than they; 
Who claim'd the ficies, difpeopled air and floods. 
The lonely lords of empty wilds and woods : 
Cities laid walre, they fcorni'd the dens ami caves 
(For wifer brutes were backward to be flaves), 
What could be free, when lawlefs beafts obey'd, 
A\nd ev'n the elements a tyrant fway'd? 
In vain kind feafons fwell'd the teeming grain. 
Soft fliow'rsdiftiird,and funs grew warm in vain; 
The fvv-ain v/ith tears his fruftrate laboxir yields. 
And famifn'd dies amidft his ripen'd field?. 
What v.'onder then, a beaft or fubjeft flain 
Were equal crimes in a defpotic reign ? 
Both doora'd alike for fportive tyrants bled; 
But while the fubjeftllarv'd, the beali: was fed. 
Proud Nimrod firfc the bloody chace began; 
A mighty hunter, and his prey was man : 
Our haughty Norman boafts thatbarb'rous name. 
And makes his trembling flaves the royal game. 
Thefields are ray ifh'd from th' indultriousfwains. 
Froramen their cities, and from gods their femes i 
The levell'd towns with weeds lie cover'd o'er j 
The hollow v*'inds thro' naked temples roar; 
Round broken columns clafping ivy twin'd; 
O'er heaps of ruin ilalk'd the fl:ately hind ; 
The fox obfcene to gaping tom.bs retires; 
And favage bowlings fill the facred quires. 
Av/'d by his nobles, by his commons curft, 
Th' opprelTor rul'd tyrannic where he durfl:; 
Stretch'd o'er the poor and church his iron rod. 
And ferv'd alike his vaflTals and his God. 
Whom ev'n the Saxon fpar'd, and bloody Dane, 
The wanton vi6lims of his fport remain. 
But fee, the man who fpacious regions gave 
A wafre for beails, h'imfelf denied a grave ! 
Stretch'd on the lawn his fecond hope furvey. 
At once the chafer, and at once the prey: 
Lo ! Rufus, tugging at the deadly dart. 
Bleeds in the forefl: like a wounded hart. 
Succeeding monarchs heard the fubjeft's cries. 
Nor faw difpleas'd the peaceful cottage rife. 
Thengath'ringflocksonunknownmountainsfed; 
O'er f-indy wilds were yellow harvefl;s fpread ; 
The foreils wonder'd at the unufual grain, 
And fecret tranfport touch'd the confciousfwain. 
Fair Liberty, Britannia's Goddefs, rears 
Her cheerful head, and leads the golden years. 

Ye vig'rous fwains! while youth fei'ments your 
Andpurerfpirits fwell the fprightly flood, [blood. 
Now range the hills, the gameful woods befet. 
Wind the flirill horn, or IjDread the waving net. 
When milder autumn fummer's heat fucceeds. 
And in the new-fliorn field the partridge feeds. 
Before his lord the ready fpariiel bounds. 
Panting with hope;he tries the furrow'dgrounds; 

But 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



£20 



Bat when the tainted g>tles tlie game betray. 
Couched clofe he lies, and niv^ditates the prey : 
Secure they trult th" unfaithful field befet. 
Till hovVing o'er 'em fvv^eps the fuelling net. 
Tiiu ^ (it fmail things we may with great compare) 
V/hcu Albion lends her eager ions to war, 
^ome thoughtlefs town, with ealc an d plentybleft, 
Iv'ear, and more near, the doling lines invelt ; 
Sudden they feize th' amaz'd, defencelefs prize^ 
And high in air Britannia's irandard fiies. 

See S from the brake the whirring pheaf^nt 
fprings, 
And mounts exulting on triumphant wMngs : 
Short is his joy; he feels the fieiy Wvound^ 
Flatters in blood, and panting beats the ground. 
Ah ! what avail his gloily, varying dyes, 
His purpled creft and fcarlet-circled eyes, 
The vivid green his Ihining plumes unfold. 
His painted wings, aad breail that flames -with 
gold ! 

Nor yet, whenmoift Ar6tiiri^s clouds the fky. 
The woods and fields their plealing toils deny. 
To plains with v»ell-b;-eath\! beagles we repair. 
And trace the mazes of the circling hare : 
{Beafts, urgM by us, their fellow beaits purfue. 
And learn of man each other to undo) : [roves, 
With ilanghi'ring guns th' unwearied fowler 
TVhenfrolis have whiten'd all the naked groves j 
Where doves in flocks the leaflefs trees o'erlliade, 
And lonely woodcocks haunt the wat'r\^ glade. 
He lifts ti^.e tube, and levels w-itli his eyej 
Straight a fnort thunder breaks the frozen fky : 
Oft, as in airy rings they llcim the heath, 
The clamVous lapwings feel the leaden death ; 
Oft, as the mounting larks their notes prepare, 
They fall, and leave their little lives in air. 

In genial fpring, beneath the quiv'ring fnade, 
Where coding vapours breathe along the mead, 
The patient filher takes his lilent fcand, 
Intent, hi-s anjrle tremblinp; in his hand: 



Book IL 



Whofecare, like hers, prote6ls the lylvan reign; 
The earth's fair light, and Emprefs of the main. 

Here too, 'tis lung of old JDJana ftray'd. 
And Cynthus' top forlbok for Windlbr-lhadej 
Kei-e was Ihe feen o'er airy waltes to rove, 
Seek th.e clear Ipring, or haunt the pathiefs grove^ 
Here arni'd with filver bov.s, in early dawn, 
Kcr buikin'd Virgins trac'd the dev.y lawn. 

Above the reft a niral nymph v.as fam'd. 
Thy oiFspriiig, Thames 1 the fairLodonanam'd 
(Lodona's fate, in long oblivion cait. 
The Mule fiiail fing, and what Hie ungs fliall laft): 
Scarce could the goddefs from her nymph be 

known. 
But by the crefcent, and the golden zone. 
She fcorn'd the praife of beauty, and the carej 
A belt her w^ailt, a fillet binds her hair; 
A pointed quiver on her fnoulder founds, 
And with her dart the flying deer Hie wounds. . 
It chanc'd, as, eager of the chace, the maid 
Beyond theforeft's verdant limits ftray'd. 
Pan faw and lov'd ; and, burning with deiire, 
Purfu'd her flight ; her flight increas'd his fire. 
Not half fo fwift the trembling doves can fly. 
When the fierce eagle cleaves the liquid Iky; 
Not half fo fwiftly the fierce eagle moves, 
V/hen thro' the. clouds he dx"ives the trembling^ 
doves ; ^ 



As from the god flie flew with furious 



pace. 



Or as the god more furious urg'd the chace. 
Nov/ fainting, finking, pale, the nymph appears ; 
Now clofe behind his founding fl:eps Ihe hears j 
And now his Ihadow reach' d her as flie run, 
Ris Ihadow^ kngthen'd by the letting fun; 
And nov.' his Ihorter breath, with fultiy air. 
Pants on her neck, and fans her parting hair. 
In vain on father Thames fhe calls for aid. 
Nor could Diana help her injur'd maid. 
j Faint, breathlefs, thus flie pray'd, nor prayM in 

I 'V'^Wl 

With looks unmov'd be hopes the fcaly breed,!" Ah Cynthia! ah — tho' banifli'd from thy train* 
And eyes the dancing cork and bending reed, ! " 'Ltt m.e, O let m.e, to the iiiades repair. 



Our plenteous ftreams a various race fupply : 
The bright-eyed perch, with fins cf Tyritm dye^ 
The filver eel, in Ihining volumes roU'd ; 
The yellow carp, in fcales bedropt with gold; 
Sv/ift trouts, diverfified with crimfon Itains ; 
And pikes, the tyrants of the wat'ry plains. 
Nov*- Cancer glows with Phoebus' fiery car ; 
The youth rufh eager to the lylvan war. 



Swarm o'erthe lawns, the foreft walks furround, 

Roufetliefleethart,andcheertheopeninghound. Oft in her 

Th' 'impatient courfer pants in ever}^ vein, 

And pawing fcem.s to beat the diflant plain : 

Kills, vales, and floods, appear already cro is 'd. 

And ere he itarts a thoufand fl:eps are loft. 

t^ee the bold-youth fl:rain up thethreat'ninglleep, 

Rufh thro' the thickets, down the valley fweep, 

Hang o'er their courfers' heads with eager fpeed. 

And earth rolls back beneath the fiyisig fteed. 

Let old Arcadia boafl her ample plain, 

Th' immortal huntrefs, and her virgin-train ; 

Nor envy, Windfor ! lince tliy fliades have feen 

As bii_^ht _a Goddcfi, and as chafle a. Queen: 



My native fhacles — there weep, and m.urm.ur 
She lay, and melting as in tears flie lay, [there.'* 
In a foft filver fliream dilTolv'd awav. 
The filver fl:ream her virgin coldnefs keeps. 
For ever murmurs, and for ever weeps ; 
Still bears the name the haplefs virgin bore. 
And bathes the foreil where flie rang'd before* 
In her chafte current oft the goddefs laves. 
And with celefl:ial tears augments the waves. 



afs the mufing Ihepherds fpies 
Theheadlong mountains andthedown wardflcies,^ 
The wat'ry landlkip of the pendent woods. 
And abfent trees that tremble in the floods; 
In the clear azure gleam the flecks are feen. 
And floating forefts paint the waves with green j 
Thro' the fair fcenerollflow the ling'ringftreams, 
Then foaming pour along, and rufli^into the 
Thames. 
Thou, too, great fither of the Britifli floods \ 
With joyful pride fur^ey'fl: our lofty woods; 
Where tow'ringoakstheirgrowing honours rear. 
And future na,vi^s on thy ihoies appear : 

Not 



I^ookIL didactic, descriptive, Sec, 



■111 



Not Neptune's felf from all her ftreams receives 
A wealthier tribute than to thine he gives. 
No ieas fo rich, lb gay no banks appear, 
No lake 'lo p;entle, and no fpring fo clear; 
Nor Po io iwells the fabling Poet's lays. 
While led along the Ikies his current drays, 
As thine, which vifits Windfor's fam'd abodes 5 
To grace the manlion of our earthly gods : 
Nor all ills liars above a lullre fliew 
Like thy bright beauties on the banks below ; 
Where j<;ve, fubdued by mortal paiHon ftill, 
Might charige Olympus for a nobler hill. 

Happy the man whom this bright Court 
approves, 
His fov^ reign favours, and his country loves: 
Happy next him, who to thefe Oiades retires, 
Whom Natur? charms, and whom the Mufe 

inipires j 
Whom humbler joys of home-felt quiet pleafe, 
■Succeffive Itudy, exercife, and eafe. 
He gathers liealtii from herbs the forefls yields. 
And of their fragrant phy lie fpoils the lields j ^ 
With chemic arts exalts the min'ral pow'rs, 
And draws the aromatic fouls of iiow'rs : 
Now marks the courle of rolling orbs on high ; 
O'er figurVi v» orlds now travels v>ith his eye j 
Of ancient writ unlocks the learned Itore, 
Conl'uits the dead and lives pafu ages o'er : 
Or, wand'ring thoughtful in the filent wood. 
Attends the duties of the wife and good, 
T' obferve a mean, but to himfelf a friend. 
To follovv/- nature, and regard his end ; 
Or looks on heaven with more than mortal eyes, 
Bids his hee foul expatiate in the fkies, 
Amid her kindred liars familiar roam, 
Survey the region, and confefs her home 1 
Such Vv^as the life great Scipio once admir'd ; 
Thus Atticus, and Trum.bal thus, retir'd. 

Ye facred nine ! that all my foul polTefs, 
Whole raptures fire me, and whofe vilions blefs. 
Bear me, oh bear me to fequeller'd fcenes. 
The bow'ry mazes, and furrounding greens ; 
To Thames's banks which fragrant breezes fill, 
Or where ye Muies fport on Cooper's Hill 
{On Cooper's Hill eternal wreaths Ihall grow, 
While lath the mountain, or while Thames (liall 
I feem thro' confecrated walks to rove, [flow) 
I hear foft mufic die along the grove: 
Led by the found, I roam from fliade to Ihade, 
By godlike poets venerable made: 
Here his firlt lays majeltic Denham fung ; 
lliere the laft numbers flow'd from Cowley' 

tongue. -^ 

O early loil ! what tears the river Hied, 
When the fad pomp alojig hh banks were led ! 
His drooping fwans on ev'ry note expire, 
And on his willows hung each Mufe's lyre. 

Since f-;terelentlefsftopp'dtheirheavenly voice, 
No moretiie forells ring, or groves rejoice^ 
Who now'lliall charm the ihades where Cowley 

ilrung 
His living harp, and lofty^ Denham fung? 
But hark ! the groves rejoice, the foreft rings ! 
Am thefe reviv'd ? or is it Qraaville fings ? 



'Tis yours, my Lord, to blefs our (oh retreatSg 
And call the Mules to their ancient feats j 
To paint anew the flow'ry fylvan fcenes. 
To crown the forells with immortal greens. 
Make Windfor hills in lofty' numbers rife. 
And lift her turrets nearer to the Ikies ; 
To fing thofe honours you defer ve to wear, 
And add new lullre to her filver liar. 
Here noble Surrey felt the facred rage, 
Surrey, the Granville of a former age: 
Matchlefs his pen, victorious was his lance. 
Bold in the lifts, and graceful in the dance : 
In the fame Ihades the Cupids tun'd his lyre, 
To the fome notes of love, and foft delire : 
Fair Geraldine, bright objeft of his vow, 
Then fili'd the groves, as heavenly Mii'a now." 

Oh wo^idlt thou fing what heroes Windlbr 
bore, 
Whatkings firlt breath'd upon her winding iliore; 
Or raife old warriors, whofe ador'd remains 
In weeping vaults her hallow'd earth contains; 
With Edward's ails adorn the lliining page. 
Stretch his long triumphs down thro' ev'ry age 5 
Drawmonarchschain'd,andCrefIi'sgloriousfleld, 
The lilies blazing on the regal fliield : 
Then, from her roofs when Verrio's colours fall. 
And leave inanimate the naked wall, 
Still in thy fong fhould vanquifii'dFrance appear, 
Aiad bleed for ever under Britain's ipear/ 

Let fofter llrains ill-fated Henry mourn. 
And palms eternal flourlfli round his urn. 
Here o'er the Martyr King the marble weeps. 
And, fall befide him, once-fear'd Edward fleeps : 
Whom not th' extended Albion could contain. 
From old Belerium to the northern main; 
The grave unites ; where e'en the great find reil. 
And blended lie th' opprefibr and th' opprell. 

Make facred Charles's tomb for ever known 
(Obfcure the place, and uninfcrib'd the llone). 
Oh fa6l accurs'd ! what tears has Albion (hed ! 
Heavens! what new wounds ! and how her old 

have bled ! 
She faw her fens with purple deaths expire. 
Her facred domes involv'd in rolling fire, 
A dreadful ferie<: of intelline wars, 
Inglorious triumphs, and dilhonell fears. 
At length great Anna laid — 'Letdifcord ceafe !.' 
She faid, the world obey'd, and all was peace I 

In that bJell moment from his oozy bed 
Old father Thames advanc'd his rev'rend head ; 
Mis trelTes dropp'd with dews,and o'er the ftream 
His Ihining horns dili'us'd a golden gleam : 
Grav'd on his urn appear'd the moon, that guides 
His fwelling waters and alternate tides j 
The figur'd llreams in waves of filver roU'd, 
And on their banks Augulla rofe in gold j 
Around his throne the lea-born brothers flood. 
Who fwell with tributary urns his flood j 
Firft, the fam'd authors of his ancient name. 
The winding Ifis, and the fruitful Thame j 
The Kennet fwift, for filver eels renown'd j 
The Loddon flow, with verdant alders crown'd ; 
Cole, whofe clear ftreams his flow'ry iflands lave 
And chalky Wey, that roUa a milky wave: 

The 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



The blue, tranfparent Vandalis appears; 
The gulphy Lee his ledgy trelFes rears ; 
AndVullen Mole, that hides his diving flood} 
And lllent Darent, ftain'd with Danifh blood. 

High in the midit, upon his urn recIinM, 
His iea-green mantle waving with the wind, 
The god appear'd : he turned his azure eyes 
Where "yvindlbr domes and pompous turrets rife! 
Then bow'd and fpoke ; the winds forget to roar, 
And the hufli'd waves glide foftly to the ihore. 

Hail, facred Peace ! hail, long expected days, 
That Thames's gloiy to the Itars (hall raife ! 
TIio' Tybers' ftreams immortal Rome behold, 
Tho' foaming Hermus fwells with tides of gold. 
From Heaven itfelf tho' feven-fold Nilus iiows, 
And harvefts on a hundred realms bellows j 
Thefe now no more fiiall be the Mufes' themes, 
Lollin my fame, as in the fea their ftreams. 
Let Volga's banks with iron fquadrons iliine. 
And groves of lances glitter on the Rhine; 
l^t barb'rous Ganges arm a fervile train ; 
JBe mine the bleflings of a peaceful reign ! 
No more ray fons fliall dye with Britifti blood 
3led Iber's fands, or Ifter's foaming flood : 
Safe on my fhore each unmolefted fwain 
Shall tend the flocks, or reap the bearded grain ; 
The fliady empire fliall retain no trace 
Of war or blood but in the fylvan chace ; 
Thetrumpetsfleepwhile cheerful hornsareblown, 
And arms employed on birds and beafts alone. 
Behold ! th' afcending villas on my fide 
Projeft long ihadows o'er the chryftal tide. 
Behold ! Augufta's glitt'ring fpires increafe. 
And temples rife, the beauteous works of peace. 
I fee, I fee, where two fair cities bend 
Their ample bow, a new Whitehall afcend ! 
There mighty nations fliall enquire their doom., 
The world's great oracle in times to come ; 
There kings fliall fue,andfuppliant fl:ates be feen 
Once more to bend before a Britifli queen. 

Thy trees, fair Windfor ! now fliall leave their 
woods, 
And half thy forefts rufli into my floods, 
Bear Britain's thunder, and her crofs difplay, 
To the bright regions of the riflng day : 
Tempt icy feas, where fcarce the v.aters roll, 
Where clearer flames glow round the fi'ozen pole; 
Or under fouthern flcies exalt their fails. 
Led by new fl:ars, and borne by fpicy gales : 
For me the balm fliall bleed, the amber flow. 
The coral redden, and the ruby glow : 
The pearly fliell its lucid globe infold, 
And Phoebus w^arm the rip'ning ore to gold, 
The time fliall come when, free as feas or wind, 
Unbounded Thames mall flow for all mankind ; 
Whole nations enter with each fweiling tide. 
And feas but join the regions they divide; 
Earth's difliant ends our glory fliall behold, 
And the new world launch forth to feek the old. 
Then fliips of uncouth form fliall Item the tide, 
And feather'd people crowd my wealthy fide j 



Book IF. 



And naked youths and painted chiefs admire 
Our fpeech, our colour, and our ftrange attire ! 
Oh ftretch thy reign, fair Peace ! from fliore to 

fliore, 
Till Conquefl: ceafe, and Slavery be no more ; 
Till the freed Indians in their native 2;roves 
Reap their own fruits, and woo their fable loves j 
Peru once m.ore a race of kings behold. 
And other Mexicos be roof 'd with gold. 
Exil'd by thee from earth to deepeil'^hell, 
In brazen bonds fliall barb'rous Difcord dv/ell j 
Gigantic Pride, pale Terror, gloomy Care, 
And mad Ambition fl)aJl attend her there; 
There purple Vengeance bath'd in gore retires. 
Her weapons blunted, and extinit her nres ! 
There hateful Envy her own Ihakes Ihall feel, 
Aud Perfecution mourn her broken wheel ;' 
There Fadion roar. Rebellion bite her chain, 
And grafping furies thiril for blood in vain. 

Here ceaiethy flight, norwithimhallov/'d lays 
Touch the fair fame of Albion's golden days : 
The thoughts of gods let Granville's verfe recite. 
And bring the fcenes of op'ning fate to light : 
My humble Mufe, in unambitious ftrains. 
Paints the green forefls and the flow'ry plains, 
Where Peace defcending bids her olives fpring. 
And fcatters blefllngs from her dove-like v;ing. 
Ev'n I more fweetly pafs my carelefs days, 
Pheas'd in the filent fliade with empty praife ; 
Enough for vne, that to the liil'ning fwains 
Firfl in thefe fields I fung the fylvan ilrains. 



§ 6. 'Tn^'O Chorufes to the Tr age Jy of Brutus *, 

Pope. 

CHORUS OF ATHENIANS.^ 

STIIOPHE I. 

Ye ftiades, where facred truth is fought ; 
Groves, where immortal Sages taught, 
Where heavenly vilions Plato ilr'd, 
And Epicurus lay infpir'd ! 
In vain yov)r guiltlefs laurels flood 
Unfpottcd long with human blood, 
War, horrid v.- ar, your thoughtlefs walks invades. 
And Iteel now glitters in the Mules' fliadcs. 

ANTISTROFHE I. 

O heaven-born flfters I fource of art ! 
W^ho charm the fenfe, or mend the heart; 
Who lead fair Virtue's train along, 
Moral Truth, and myftic Song i 
To what new clime, what difl:ant flcy, 
Forfaken, friendlefs, fliall ye fly ? 

Say, will ye blefs the bleak Atlantic fliore ? 

Or bid the furious Gaul be rude no more ? 

STROPHE II. 

When Athens finks by fates unjufl:. 
When wild Barbarians fpurn her dufl:; 
Perhaps ev'n Britain's utmofl: fliore 
Shall ceafe to blufli with ftrangers' gore; 



* Altered from Shakfpeare by the Duke -of Buckingham, at whofe defire thefe two Chorufes were 
compofed, to fupply as many wanting in his Play. They weie fet many years afterwards by the famous 
Bonoaciai, and performed at Buckinghanvhoufe. 

oee 



Book IT. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &:c. 



223 



See Arts her favage fons controul, 

And Athens rifing near the pole ! 

Till ibme new Tyrant lifts his purple hand, 

And civil madnels tears them from the land. 

ANTISTROPHE II. 

Ye gods ! what juftice rules the ball ? 

Freedom and Arts together fall ; 

Fools grant whatever ambition craves j 

And men, once ignorant, are flaves. 

O cnrsM effects of civil hate, 

In ev'ry age, in ev'ry ftate 1 
Still when the hift of tyrant pow'r fucceeds, 
Some Athens periihes, fome Tully bleeds. 

CHORUS OF YOUTHS AND VIRGINS. 

SEMICHORUS. 

Oh, Tyrant Love 1 haft thou pofTefs'd 
The prudent, learn'd, and virtuous breaft ? 
Wifdom and Wit in vain reclaim, 
And arts but foften us to feel thy flame. 
Love, foft intruder, enters here ; 
But entering learns to be fmcere. 
Marcus, with blufhes, owns he loves j 
And. Brutus tenderly reproves. 

Why, Virtue, doft thou blame defire, 
. Which Nature has imprefs'd ? 
Why, Nature, doft thou (boneft fire 
The mild and gen'rous breaft ? 

CHORUS. 

Love's purer flames the gods approve j 
The gods and Brutus bend to love j 
Brutus for abfent Portia flghs, 
And fterner Caflius melts at Junia's eyes. 
What is loofe love ? a tranflent guft. 
Spent in a fudden ftorm of luft, 
A vapour fed from wild defire, 
A wandering, felf-confuming fire, 
But Hymen's kindred flames unite, 

A-nd burn for ever one 5 
Chafte as cold Cynthia's virgin light, 
Produftive as the Sun. 

SEMICHORUS. 

Oh, fource of ev'ry focial tie. 
United wifh; and mutual joy ! 
Vv^hat various joys on one attend. 
As i'on, as father, brother, hufttand, friend ! 
Whether his hoary fire he fpies. 
While thoufand grateful thoughts arife j 
Or meets his fpoufe's fonder^ye. 
Or views his fmiling progeny; 

What tender paflions take their turns. 

What home-felt raptures move ! 
His heart now melts, now leaps, now burns, 
With rev'rence, hope, and love. 

CHORUS. 

Hence guilty joys, diftaftes, furmifes ; 
Hence falfe tears, deceit, difguifes. 
Dangers, doubts, delays, furprifesj 

Fires that fcorch, yet dare not fliine ! 
Fureft love's unwafting; treafure. 



Conftant faith, fair hope, long leifure, 
Days of eafe and nights of pleafure j 
Sacred Hymen ! thefe are thine. 



§ 7. Ode on Solitude*. Pope. 
Happy the man whofe wifii and care 

A few paternal acres bound ; 
Content to breathe his native air. 

In his own ground. 
Whofe herds with milk, whofe fields with breads 

Whofe flocks fupply him with attire j 
Whofe trees in fummer yield him fliade. 

In winter fire. 
Bleft, who can unconcernedly find 

Hours, days, and years, fiide foft away : 
In health of body, peace of mind. 

Quiet by day : 
Sound fleep by night, ftudy and eafe 
Togetlier mix'd; fweet recreation ! 
And innocence which moft does pleafe 

With meditation. 
Thus let me live, unfeen, unknown. 

Thus unlamented let me diej 
Steal from the world, and not a ftone 
Tell where I lie. 



§8. 



The Dying Chrijiian to his Soul, 
ODE. 



Pope. 



Vital fpark of heavenly flame! 

Quit, oh quit, this mortal frame ! 

Trembling, hoping, ling'ring, flying; 

Oh the pain, the blifs of dying » 
Ceafe, fond Nature, ceaie thy ftrife. 
And let me languifh into life ! 

Hark! theywhifper; angels fay. 
Siller fpirit, come away I 
What is this abforbs me quite, 
Steals my fenfes, fiiuts my fight, 

Drowns my fpirits, draws my breath ? 

Tell me, my Soul, can this be Death ? 

The world recedes, it difappears ! 

Keav'n opens on my eyes ! my ears 
With founds feraphic ring ! 

Lend, lend your wings ! I mount ! I fly ! 

O Grave where is thy Vi6lory ? 
O Death 1 where is thy Sting ! 



§ 9^ An EJ/ay on Criticifm* Pope. 

'Tis hard to fay, if greater want of flcill 
Appear in writing, or in judging ill ; 
But, of the two, lefs dang'rous is th' offence 
To tire our patience, than miflead our fenfe. 
Some few in that, but numbers err in thisj 
Ten cenfure wrong for one who writes amifs, 
A fool might once himfelf alone expofe; 
Now one in vtx{t makes many more in profe. 

'Tis without judgments, as our watches j none 
Go juft alike, yet each believes his own. 



* This was ^ very early produdti'on of our Author, written at about twelve years old. 



In 



-24 

In Poets as tnie Genius is but rare, 
True Tade as leldoni is the Critic's fhare; 
Both muii alike from Heaven derive their light 
Theib born to judge, as well as thofe to write. 
Xet fuch teach others who themfelves excel, 
And ceafure freely who have written well. 
Authors are partial to their Vv-it, 'tis true .3 
But are not Critics to their judgment too? 

Yet, if we look more clofely, we lliall find 
Moil have the feeds of judgment in.their mind 
Nature affords at leaft a glimm'ring light 5 
The lines, tho' touched but faintly, are drawn 

right. 
But as the flighteft flcetch, if juftly trac'd, T 
Is by ill-colouring but the more difgrac'dj t 
So by falfe learning is good {enfe defac'd. j 
Some are bewilder'd in the maze of fchools, 
Andfomemade coxcombsNature meantbutfools. 
In learch of wit thefe lofe their common lenfe. 
And then turn Critics in their own defence ; 
Each burns alike, who can or cannot write, 
Or with a Rival's or an Eunuch's fpite. 
All fools have ftill an itching to deride, 
And fain would be upon the laughing lide. 
If Majvius fcribble in Apollo's ipite, 
.There are whojudgeftillworfe than he can write. 

Some have at firft for Wits, then Poets pafs'd, 
Turn'd Critics next, and prOv^'dplainFooi at lafc, 
Some neither can for Wits nor Critics pafs j 
As heavy mules are neither horfe nor afs. 
Thofe half-learn'dwritings,num'rous in our ifle, 
As half-form'd infefts on the banks of Nile j • 
Unfinifli'd things, one knows not what to call, 
Their generation's fo equivocal : 
To tell 'em would a hundred tongues require ; 
Or one vain wit's, that might a hundred tire. 

But you, who feek to give and merit fame, 
And juftly bear a Critic's noble name, 
'Be fure yourfelf and your own reach to know. 
How far your genius, tafte, and learning go ; 
Lavmch not beyond your depth, but be difcreet, 
And mark that point where lenfe and dullnefs 

Nature to all things fix'd thelhnits fit, [meet. 
And wifely curb'd proud man's pretending wit : 
As on the land while here the ocean gains. 
In other parts it leaves wide fandy plains j ' 
Thus in the foul while memory prevails. 
The folid pow'r of underftanding fails.; 
Where beams of warm imagination play, 
Tiie memory's <bft figures melt a\^ay. 
One fcience only will one genius fitj 
So vaft is art, fo narrow human wit : 
Not only bounded to peculiar arts, 
But oft in thofe confin'd to fmgle parts. 
Like Kings, we lofe the conquell gain'd before, 
By vain ambition ilill to make them more : 
Each might his fervile province well command, 
Would all but lioop to what they underftand. 

Firft follow Nature, and your judgment frame 
By her juft ftandard, which is ftill the fame j 
Unerring Nature, ftill divinely bright, 
One clear, unchang'd, and univerfal light, 
Life, foi'ce, and heauty, muft to all impart; 
At once the iburce, and end, and teft of Art. 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



£ K iL 



.^rt from that fund each juft fnpply provides; 
Works without fliow,and without pomp prefides; 
In fome fair body thus th' informing foul 
With fpirits feeds, with vigour fills the whole. 
Each motion guides, and ev'ry nerve fuftains ; 
Itfelf unfeen, but in th' effect remains. 
Seme, to whom Heaven in wit has been profufey 
Wantas much more, to turn it to its ufcj 
For wit and judgment often are at ftrife, 
Tho' meant each other's aid, like man and wife. 
'Tis nioreto guide, than fpur the Mufe's fteed j 
Reilrain his fuiy, than provoke his fpeed : 
The winged courfer, like a gen'rous horfe. 
She wsmuch true mettle whenyoucheckhiscourfe. 

Thofe rules pf old difcoveV'd, not devis'd. 
Are Nature ftill, but Nature methodiz'd. 
Nature, like monarchy, is but reftrain'd 
By the lame laws v/hich firft herfelf ordain'd. 
Hear how learn'd Greece her ufeful rules 

indites. 
When to reprefs, and when indulge our flights : 
High on Parnaffiis' top her fons flie fliew'd. 
And pointed out thofe arduous paths they trod 5 
Held from afar, aloft, th' immortal prize, 
And urg'd the reft by equal fteps to rife.- 
Juft precepts thus from great examples given. 
She drew from them what they deriv'd from' 

heaven, 
The gen'rous Critic fann'd the Poet's fire. 
And taught the world with reafon to admire. 
Then Criticifm the Mufe's handmaid prov'd. 
To drefs her charms, andmake her more belov'd : 
But following witsfrom that intention ftray'd; 
Who could not v;in the miftrefsjWOoM the maid 5 
Againft the Poets their own arms they turn'd. 
Sure to hate moft the men from whom thev 
So modei-n 'Pothecaries, taught the art [learn'd 
By Doclor's bills to play the Doctor's part. 
Bold in the practice of miftaken rules, 
Prefcribe, apply, and call their mafters fools. 
Some on the leaves of ancient authors prey ; 
Nor time nor moths e'er fpoil'd fo much as they : 
Some drily plain, without invention's aid, 
Write dull receipts how poets may be m.itle, 
Thefe leave the fenfe, their learning to difplay j 
And thofe explain the meaning quite away. 
You then whofe jui.lgment the right courfe 

would fteer. 
Know well each Ancient's proper character : 
His fable, fubjeft, fcope, in ev'ry page t 
Religion, country, genius of his age: 
Without all thefe at once before your eyes. 
Cavil you may, but never criticize. 
Be Homer's works your ftudy and delight; 
Read them by day, and meditate by night : 
Thence form your judgment, thence your 

maxims bring, 
And trace the Mui'es upwards to their fpring. 
Still with itfeif compar'd his text perule; 
Or let your comment he the Mantua's Mufe. 

When firft youn^ Jvlaro in his boundlefs mmd 
A work t' outlaft immortal Rome defign'd. 
Perhaps he feem'd a'oove the Critics lawy 
And but froxnNatUre's fpuutains fcom'd todraw: 

But 



Book II. DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, Sec. 



225 



But when t* examine ev'ry part he came, 
Nature and Homer were, he found, the fame. 
Convinced, amaz'd, he checks the bold defign Q 
And rules as ftrift his labour'd work confine, > 
As if the Stagyrite o'erlook'd each line. 3 
Learn hence for ancient rules a juft efteem j 
To copy nature is to copy them. 

Some beauties yet no precepts can declare j 
For there's a happinefs as well as care : 
Mufic refembles Poetry ; In each "^ 

Are namelefs graces which no methods teach, ^ 
And which a nialler-hand alone can teach, j 
If, where the rules not for enough extend 
(Since rules were made but to promote their end) 
Some lucky Licence anfwer to the full 
Th' intent proposed, that Licence is a rule. - 
Thus Pegafus, a nearer way to take, 
May boldly deviate from the common track. 
Great Wits fometimes may glorioufly offend, 
And rife to faults true Critics dare not mend j 
From vulgar bounds with brave diforder part, 
And fnatch a grace beyond the reach of art ; 
"Which, without pafling through the judgment, 
The heart, and all Its end at once attains, [gains 
In profpefts thus, fome obje(51:s pleafe our eyes \ 
Which out of nature's common order rife, > 
The fhapelefs rock or common precipice. j 
But tho' the Ancients thus their rules invade, 
As kings difpenfewithiawsthemfelveshavemade, 
Moderns, beware ! or, if you mull oifend 
Againft the precept, ne'er tranfgefs its end; 
Let it be feldom, and compell'd by need 5 
And have, at leaft, their precedent to plead. 
The Critic elfe proceeds without remorfe. 
Seizes your fame, and puts his laws in force. 

I know there are, to whofe prefumptuous 
thoughts 
Thofe freer beauties, ev'n in them, feem faults. 
Some figures monftrous and mis-fiiap'd appear, 
Confider'd fingly, or beheld too near; 
Which, but proportion'd to their light, or place, 
Due diftance reconciles to form and grace. 
A pradent chief not always muft diljplay 
His pow'rs in equal ranks, and fair array ; 
Bat with th' occafion awd the place comply. 
Conceal his force, nay feem fometimes to fly. 
Thofe oft are llratagems which errors feem; 
Nor is it Homer nods, but we that dream. 

Still green with bays each ancient altar Hands, 
Above the reach of facrilegious hands; 
Secure from Fhmes, from Envy's fiercer rage, 
Deltruclive War, and all-involving Age. 
Seefromeachclimetheleani'dtheirlncenfebrlng! 
Hear, In all tongues confenting Paeans ring ! 
In praife fo juft let ev'ry voivC^be join'd, 
And fill the gen'ral chorus of mankind. 
Hail, Bards triumphant ! born in happier days ; 
Immortal heirs of univerLi praife ! 
Whofe honours with Increafe of ages grow. 
As ftreams roll down, er!r.-ging as they flow ; 
Nations unborn your mighty names fhall found, 
And v/orlds applaud that muft not yet be found ! 
O may fome fpark cf your celeftial fire 
The laft, the meaneft, of your fons infpire 



(That on weak wings, from far, purfues your 

flights; 
Glows while he reads, but trembles as he writes). 
To teach vain Wits a fcience little known; 
T' admire fuperlor fenfe, and doubt their own I 

Of all the caufes which cortfpire to blind 
Man's erring judgment, and mifguide the mind. 
What the weak head with ftrongeft bias rules. 
Is Pride, the never-failing vice of fools. 
Whatever Nature has in worth denied. 
She gives in large recruits of needful Pride ; 
For as in bodies, thus In fouls we find [vvind s 
What wants In blood and fpirits, fweird with 
Pride, where Wit fails, fteps in to our defence. 
And fills up all the mighty void of fenfe. 
If once right reafon drives that cloud away. 
Truth breaks upon us with refiftlefs day. 
Truft not yourfelf ; but, your defers to know. 
Make ufe of ev'ry friend— and ev'ry foe, 
A Utile learning Is a dang'rous thing ; 
Drink deep, or tafte not the Pierian fprln^ : 
There fhallow draughts intoxicate the brain. 
And drinking largely fobers us again. 
Fir'd at firfl fight, with what the Mufe imparts, 
In fearlefs youth we tempt the heights of Arts, 
While from the bounded level of our mind 
Short views we take, nor fee the lengths behind 5 
But,moreadvanc'd, behold withftrange furprife 
New diftant fcenes of endlefs fcience rife 1 
So pleas'd at firft the tow'ring Alps we try, 
Mount o'er the vales, and feem to tread the (ky § 
Th' eternal fnows appear already paft. 
And the firftclouds andmcUntains feemthelafta 
But, thofe attain'd, we tremble to iurvey 
The growing labours of the lengthen'd way ; 
Th'.increafingprofpeft tires our wand'ring eyes. 
Hills peep o'er hills, and Alps on Alps arife ! 

A perfe6t judge will read each work of Wit 
With the fame Tpirit that Its author writ ; 
Survey the whole, nor feek flight faults to find. 
Where nature moves, & rapture warms the mind j 
Nor lofe, for that malignant dull delight, 
The gen'rous pleafure to be charm'd with wit. 
But in fuch lays as neither ebb nor flow. 
Correctly cold, and regularly low; 
That fhunning faults, one quiet tenor keep; 
We cannot blame Indeed — hut we may fleep.-,' 
In Wit, as Nature, what affefts our hearts 
Is not th' ^aftnefs of peculiar parts ; 
Tis not a lip, or eye, we beauty call. 
But the joint force and full refult of all. 
Thuswhenweviewfomevvell-proportion'dd'ome, 
The world's juft wonder,and e'en thine,0 Rome; 
No fingle parts unequ:illy furprife; 
All comes united to th' admiring eyes; 
No monftrous height, or breadtli, or lengtbr 

appear; 
The xvbole at once is bold and regular. 

Whoever thinks a faultlefs piece to" fee, 
Thinks what ne'erwas, nor is, nor e'er fhallbe* 
In ev'ry work regard the writer's end. 
Since none can compafs more than they intend ; 
And if the m.eans be juft, the conduit true, 
Applaufe, in fpite of trivial faults, is due. 

Q As 



226 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS. 



Book IL 



As men of breecLing, fometimes men of wit, 
7" avoid great errors, mufl the leCs commit j 
Negle6l the rules each verbal Critic lays, 
For not to know fome trifles is a praile. 
"Moft Critics, fond of fome fubfervient art. 
Still make the Whole depend upon a Part: 
They talk of principles, but notions prize ; 
And all to one lovM folly facrifice. 

Once on a time. La Mancha's Knight, they fay, 
A certain Bard encountering on the way, 
Difcours'd in terms as juft, with looks as fage, 
As e'er could Dennis, of the Grecian Ibige ; 
Concluding all were defp'r^te fots and fools 
tVhp durft depart from Arillotle's rules. 
Our Author, happy in a judge fo nice. 
Produced hisplay,andbegg'dtheKnight'sadvice5 
Made him oblerve the fubjec^ and the plot, 
The manners, paiTions, unities : what not ? 
All which, exaft to rule, were brought about, 
Were but a Combat in the lilts left out. 
What ! leave the Combat out ?" exclaimi the 

Knight; 
Yes, or we muft renounce the Stagyrite. 
*' Not fo, by heaven !" he anfwers in a rage ; 
" Knights, fquires, and Heeds, muft enter on the 

'" ftage." 
So vaft a throng the ftage can ne'er contain. 
" Then build a new, or aft it in a plain.'' 

Thu-s Critics of lefs judgment than coprice, 
Curious, not knowing ; not exaft, but nice, 
Form fhort ideas; and offend in arts 
(As moft in manners) by a love to parts. 

Some to Conceit alone their tafte confine, 
And glitt'ring thoughts ftruck out at ev'ry line ; 
Pleas'd with a work where nothing's juft or fit ; 
One glaring Chaos and wild heap of wit. 
Poets, like painters, thus, unfkill'd to trace 
The naked nature and the living grace. 
With gold and jewels cover ev'ry part. 
And hide with ornaments their want of art. 
True wit is Nature to advantage drefs'd ; 
What oft wasthought.but ne'er fo wellexprefs'd; 
Somethingjwhofe truth convinc'datfightwefind. 
That gives us back the image of our mind. 
As (liades more fweetly recommend the light, 
So modeft plain nefs fets off fprightly wit. 
For works may have more wit thandoes 'emgood, 
As bodies periffi thro' excefs of blood. 

Others for language all their care exprefs. 
And value books, as women men, for drefs : 
Their praife is ftlll — The Style is excellent; 
The Senfe they humbly take upon content. 
Words are like leaves ; and, where they moft 

abound. 
Much fruit of fenfe beneath is rarely found. 
Falfe eloquence, like the prifmatic glafs. 
Its gaudy colours fpreads on ev'ry place; 
The face of Nature we no more furvey; 
All glares alike, without diftinftion gay : 
Butxrue expreffion, like th' unchanging Sun, 
Clears and improves whatever it ihines upon 
It gilds all objefts, but it alters none. 
Expreffion is the drefs of thought, and ftill 
Appears more decent as more fuitablcj 



'] 



A vile conceit, in pompous words expreft, 
Is like a clown in regal purple dreft : 
For diff''rent ftyles with diff''rent fubjefts fort. 
As fev'ral garbs with country, town, and court. 
Some, by old words, to fame have made pretence; 
Ancients in phrafe, mere moderns in their fenfe : 
Such labour'd nothings, in fo ftrange a ftyle. 
Amaze th'unlearn'd,and make the learned fmile. 
Unlucky as Fungofo in the play, \ 

Thefe fparks, with awkward vanity, difplay J 
What the fine gentleman wore yefterday ! 5 
And but fo mimic ancient wits at beft. 
As apes our grandfires, in their doublets dreft. 
In words, as fafiiions, the fame rule will hold ; 
Alike fantaftic, if too new or old. 
Be not the firft by whom the new are tried, ' 
Nor yet the laft to lay the old aiide. 

But moft by numbers judge a poet's fong ; 
And irnooth or roughwith them is right orwrong: 
Tn thebrighiMuie tho'thoufandcharms confpire. 
Her voice is all thefe tuneful fools admire ; 
Who haunt Parnaffus but to pleafe their ear, '\ 
Notmendtheirminds; as fome to church repair > 
Not for the do6f rine, but the mufic there. J 
Thefe equal fyllables alone require, 
Tho' oft the ear the open vowels tire; 
While expletives their feeble aid do join, 
And ten low words oft creep in one dull line : 
While they ringrouudthe fame unvariedchimes. 
With fure returns of ftill expefted rhymes : 
Where'er you find " the cooling weftern breeze," 
In the next line, " it whifpers thro' the trees:" 
If cryftal ftreams ** with pleafingmurmurs creep," 
Thereader'sthreaten'd(notinvain)with"fleep." 
Then, at the laft and only couplet fraught 
With fome unmeaning thing they call a thought, 
A needlefs Alexandrine ends the fong, [along. 
That, like a wounded fnake,drags its fiow length 
Leave fuch to tune their own dull thymes, and 

know 
What's roundly fmooth, or languiftiingly flow ; 
And praife the eafy vigour of a line 
WhereDenham's ftrength and Waller'sfweetnefs 

join. 
True eafe in writing comes from art, not chancej 
As thofe move eafieft who have learn'd to dance. 
' Tis not enough no harflinefs gives often ce. 
The found muft feem an echo to the fenfe : 
Soft is the ftrain when zephyr gently blows, 
Andthefmoothftreaminfmoothernumbersflovvs: 
But when loud furges lafh the founding Ihore, 
The hoarfe, rough verfe fnould like the torrent 

roar. [throw. 

When Ajax ftrlves fome rock's vaft weight to 
The line too labours, and the words move flow : 
Not fo, wheii fwift Camilla frours the plain, 
Flies o'er th' unbending coni,andlkims alongthe 

main. 
Hear how Timotheus^ varied lays furprife. 
And bid alternate paffions fall and rife ! 
While, at each change, the Ion of Libyan Jove 
Now bums withglory,and then melts with love : 
Now his fierce eyes with Ipai-kling fxiry glow. 
Now fi^s fteal out, and tears begin to flow : 

Perfuns 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, Sec. 



227 



Perilans and Greeks like turns of nature found, 
And the world's vi(^tor ilood fubdued by found ! 
The powV of mufic all our hearts allow ; 
And what Timotheiis was, is Dryden now. 

Avoid extremes, and fhun the fault of fuch 
Who Hill are pleas'd too little or too much. 
At evVy trifle fc»rn to take offence ; 
That always Ihews great pride, or little fenfe : 
Thoie heads, as ftomachs, are not fure the bell, 
Which naufeate all, and nothing can digeft. 
Yet let not each gay turn thy rapture move ; 
For fools admire, but .men of fenfe approve: 
As things feem large which we thro'miftsdefcryj 
Dulnel's is ever apt to magnify. 

Some foreign writers, fome our own, defpife; 
The ancients only, or the moderns, prize. 
Thus wir, like faith, by each man is applied 
To one fmall feet, and all are damn'd befide. 
Meanly they fetk. the bleinng to coniine, 
And force that fun but on a part to ihine. 
Which not alone the fouthern wit fublimes, 
But ripens fpirits in cold northern climes ; 
Which from the firft has fhone on ages paft, 
EiUights the prefent, and lliall warm the lafl j 
Tho' each may feel increai'es and decays. 
And fee now clearer and now darker days. 
Regard not then if wit be old or new. 
But blame the falfe, and v.^lue Hill the true. 

Some ne'er advance a judgment of their own, 
But catch the fpreading notion of the town } 
They reafon and conclude by precedent, 
And own ftalenonfenle which they ne'er invent. 
Somejudgeofauthors' names, notvvorks; and then 
Nor praile nor blame the writings, but die men. 
Of all this ferviie herd, the worft is he 
That in proud dulnefs joins with quality : 
A conllant critic at the great man's board, 
To fetch and carry nonlenfe for my lord : 
What woeful Itutf this madrigal would be, 
In fome ftarv'd hackney fonnecteer, or me ! 
But let a lord once own the h.appy lines. 
How the wit brightens ! how the Ityie refines ! 
Before bis facred name flies ev'iy fault, 
And each exalted ftanza teems with thought ! 

The vulgar thus thro' imitation err ; 
As oft the leam'd by being lingular : 
So much they fcorn the crowd, that if the throng 
By chance go right, they pui-pofely go wrong : 
So fchifmatics the plain believers quit. 
And are but damn'd for having too much wit. 
So)ne pi-aife at morning what theyblarae atnight; 
But always think the ialt opinion right. 
A Mufe by thefe is like a miilrefs us'd ; 
This hour Ihe's idoliz'd, the next abus'd j 
While their weak heads, like towns unfortified, 
'Twixtfenfe and non fenfe daily changetheirhde. 
Afk them the caufe; they're wifer ftill, they lay; 
And liiil to-morrow's wifer- than to day* 
We think our fathers fools, fo wife we grow ; 
Our wifer fons, no doubt, will think us fo. 
Once fchool-divinci this zealous iiie o'erfpreadj 
Who knew molt sentences was deepeft read : 
Faith, Gofpel, :.ll feem'd made to be difputed, 
And none had fenfe enough to be confuted : 



Scotifts and Thomifts now in peace remain 
Amidll their kindred cobwebs in Duck-lane. 
If faith itfelf has diff'rent drelTes worn, 
What wonder modes in witfliouldtakethcirturnl 
Oft, leaving what is natural and fit. 
The current folly proves the ready wit j 
And authors think the reputation fafe. 
Which lives as long as fools are pleas'd tolaugh. 

Some valuing thofe of their own fide or mind. 
Still make therafelves the meafure of mankind I 
Fondly we think we honour merit then, 
When we but praife ourl'elres in other men. 
Parties in wit attend on thofe of itate. 
And public faftion doubles private liate. 
Pride, malice, folly, againllDrv'den rofe. 
In various fliapes of parfons, critics, beaux: 
But lenie fur\-iv'd when merry jells wete pail. 
For riling merit will buoy up at lail. 
Might he return, and blefs once more onr eyes j 
New Blackmores and new Milbourns muft arif^s 
Nay, fliould great Homer lift his awful head, 
Zoiius a^ain would Hart up from the dead. 
Envy will merit, as its fliade, pnrfue j 
But, like a fliadow, proves the fubftance true : 
For envied wit, like Sol eclips'd, makes known 
Th' oppofing body's grolTnefs, not its own. 
When firil that fun toopow'rful beams difplaySj 
It draws up vapours which obfcure its rays j 
But ev'n thofe clouds at lafl adorn its way. 
Reflect new glories, and augn-.ent the day. 

Be thou the firft true ment to befriend ; 
His praife is loit who Itays till all commend. 
! Short is tlie date, alas ! of m.odern rhymes, 
I And 'tis but jult to let them live betimes. 
No longer now that golden age appears. 
When patriarch wits furviv'd a thoufand years : 
Now length of feme (our fecond life j is loft, 
x\nd bare threefcore is all e'en that can boail 5 
Our fons their fathers' falling language fee. 
And fuch as Chaucer is IhaU Diyden be. 
So when the faithful pencil has delign'd 
Some bright idea of the mailer's mind. 
Where a new world leaps out at his command, 
And ready Nature waits upon bis hand j 
When the ripe colours foften and unite. 
And fweetly melt into jnll Ihade and iight ; 
When mellowing years theirfull perfeftion gvvCj 
And each bold figure jult begins to live j 
The tresch'rous coioui^s the fair art bet.'-ay. 
And all the bright creation fades away ! 

Unhappy wir, like moil raiftaken things;. 
Atones not for that envy which it brings. 
In youth alone its empty praife we boalt 9, 
But loon the Ihort-lh'd vanity is. loft : 
Like fome fair fiow'r the Cvarly fpring ftlppUe? 
That gaily blooms, but ev'n in blooming dies.- 
What is this wit, which mull our cares employ ? 
The owner's Avife, that ctiicr men enjoy : 
Then moft our trouble ftill when moll admir'd. 
And IliU the more we give, the more rcuuir'd j 
Whofe fame with pains we guard, but lofe with 
Sure fome to vex, 'out ne\'er all to pleafe : [eafe, 
'Tis what the vicious fear, the virtuous ::..:a ; 
Bv fools 'tis hated, x^d by knaves undone I 



228 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



IF wit To m\jch from ign'rr»nce undergo, 
Ah let not learning too commence its toe ! 
Of old, thcle met rewards who could excel, 
And fuch wereprais'd who but endeavourMv/ell: 
Tlio' triumphs were to gen\nil3 only due. 
Crowns were referv'd to grace the ibldiers too. 
Now, they who reach Parnairus' lotty crown 
Employ their pains to Ipnrn lome others down ; 
And while feif- love each jealous writer rules, 
Contending wits become the fport of fools ; 
Butftill the worft with moil regret commend, 
For each ill author is as bad a friend. 
To what bafe ends, and by what abjecl ways. 
Are mortals urg'd through facred lull of praife ! 
Ah ! ne'er fo dire a thirft of glory boalt. 
Nor in the critic let the man be loft. 
Good nature and good fenfe muft ever join : 
To err is human ; to forgive, divine. 

But if in uoble minds fome dregs remain. 
Not yetpurg'd off, of fpleen and iour difdain, 
Difcharge that rage on more provoking crimes, 
Nor fear a dearth in thefe flagitious times. 
No pardon vile obfcenity (hould find, 
Tho' wit and art confpire to move your mind ; 
But dulnefs with obfcenity muft prove 
As fhameful fure as impotence in love. 
In the fat age of pleafure, wealth, and eafe. 
Sprung the rank weed, and thriv'd with large 

increale : 
When love was all an eafy monarck's care ; 
Seldom at council, never in a war. 
Jilts rul'd the ftate, and ftatefmen farce? writ; 
Nay,wits had penflons, and young lords had wit : 
The fair fat panting at a courtier's play, 
And not a malk went unimprov'd av.ay ; 
The mcdeft fan was lifted up no more ; 
And virgins fmil'd at what they blufliM before. 
The following licence of a foreign reign 
Did all the dregs of bold Socinus drain ; 
Then unbelieving priefts reform'd the nation, 
And taught more pleafant method* of falvatlonj 
Where Heaven's free fubje6ts might their rights 

difpute, 
Left God himfelf fliould feem too abfolute: 
Pulpits their facred fatire learn'd to fpare. 
And vice admir'd to find a flatterer there ! 
Encourag'd thus, wit's Titans brav'd the Tkics, 
And the prefs groan'd with licens'dblafphemies. 
Thefe monfters, critics ! with your darts engage. 
Here point your thunder, and exhauft your rage- 
Yet rtiun their fault, who. fcandaloufly nice. 
Will needs miftake an author into vice: 
All feems lnfe6led that th' infected fpy, 
As all looks yellow to the jaundiced eye. 

Learn then what morals critics ought to (hew. 
For 'tis but half a judge's talk to know, 
*Tis not enough, tafte, judgment, learning, join j 
In ?.ll you fpeak, let truth and candour fhiue: 
That not alone what to 3/our fenle is due 
All may allow, but feek your friendfnip too. 

i^e filent always when you doubt your fenfe ; 
And Ipcak, tho' fure, with feeming dillidence: 
S ;me pcfitive, pedifting fops we know. 
Who, if once wrong, will needs be^ways fo j 



But you with pleafure own your errors paft, 
And make each day a critique on the lalt. 

'Tis net enough your counfel ftill be true; 
Blunttruthsmoreniifchiefthannicefalfehoodsdo: 
Men muft be taught as if you taught them not, 
And things unknown propos'd as things forgot. 
Without good-breeding, truth is difapprov'dj 
That only makes fuperior fenfe belov'd. 

Be niggards of ad^ice on no pretence ; 
For the worft avarice is that of ienfe. 
With mean complacence ne'er betray your truft. 
Nor be fo civil as to prove unjuft. 
Fear not the anger of the wife to raife ; 
Thofe beft can hear reproof who merit praife. 

'Twere wellraightcriticsftillthisfreedom take; 
But Appius reddens at each word you fpeak. 
And ftares tremendous, with a threat'ning eye, 
Like fome fierce tyrant in old tapeftry. 
Fear moft to tax an honourable fool, 
Whofe right it i.^, uncenfur'd, to be dull : 
Such, without wit, are poets when they pleafe,. 
As without learning they can take degrees. 
Leave dang'rous truths to unfuccefsful fatires, 
And flatt'ry to fulfome dedicators, [more 

Whom, when they praife, the world believes no 
Than when they promife to give fcribbling o'er. 
'Tis beft fometimes your cenfure to reftrain. 
And charitably let the dull be vain : 
Your filence there is better than your fpite ; 
For who can rail fo long as they can write ? 
Still humming on,their drowfy courfe theykeep. 
And lafli'd fo long, like tops, are lafti'd afleep. 
Falfe fteps but help them to renew the race ; 
As, after ftumbling, jades will mend their pace. 
What crowds of thefe, impenitently bold, 
In founds and jingling fyllables grown old, 
Still run on poets in a raging vein, 
Ev'n to the dregs and fqueezings of the brain ; 
Strain out the laft dull droppings of their fenie. 
And rhyme with all the rage of impotence ! 

Such fhamelefs bards we have: and yet 'tis true. 
There are as mad abandon'd critics too. 
The bookful blockhead, ignorantly read. 
With loads of learned lumber in his head. 
With his own tongue ftill edincs his ears, 
And always lift'ning to himfelf appears. 
All books he reads, and all he reads aflaiis, 
From Diyden's Fables down to Durfey's Tales : 
With him, moft authors fteal their works, or buy; 
Garth did not write his own Difpenfary. 
Name a new Play, and he's the Poet's friend, 
Nay,(hew'dhisfaults,butvvhenwouldPoetsmend? 
No place fo facred from fuch fops is barr'd, 
Nor'isPaul's church more fafe thanPaul's church 

yard ; » 

Nay, fiy to altars ; there they*ll talk you dead ; 
For Fools rulh in where Angels fear to tread. 
Diftruftful fenfe with modelt caution fpeaks, "^ 
It ftill looks home, and (hort excurfions makes; ^ 
But rattling nonfenfe in full vollies breaks, j 
And never fiiock'd, and never turn'd afide, 
Burfts out, refiftlefs, with a thund'ring tide. 

But where's the man who counfel can beftow, 
Still pleai'd to teach, and yet not proud to know? 

Unbiafs'd 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, tec. 



Unbiafs'd or by favour or bj- fpite j 
Nor dirlly prepoireis'd, nor blindly right j 
Tho' learn d \veil-bred,andtho'weli-bredrmcere, 
Modeflly bold, and humanly ievercj 
Wko to a friend his faults can freely fliew. 
And gladly praife the merit of a foe? 
Bielt with a t;ilte exaft. yet unconfinM ; 
A knowledge both of books and human kind j 
GenVousconveri'ej a foul exempt from pride! 
'And love to praife, with reafon on his f.de? 

Such once were Critics j fuch the h:ippy few- 
Athens and Rome in better ages knew. 
The mighty Stagyrite fu'll left the Ihore, 
Spread all his laiU, and du.it the deeps explore: 
He fieer'd fccurely, and di.'cover'd far. 
Led by the light of the Mcconir.i^ Star. 
Poets, a race long unconfin'd and free. 
Still fond and proud of favage libert}', 
Received his laws, and flood convinc'dj 'twas fit, 
Who conquer' d Nature Ihould prefide o'er Wit 

Horace ftill cha'Tiis with graceful negligence,. 
And witliout method talks us into i&iii'c j 
Will, like a faend, familiarly convey 
The trueft notions in tiie eafielc way. 
H? who, fupreme in judgment as in wit. 
Might boldly cenfure, as he boldly writ ; 
Yet judg'd with coolnefs, tho' he funoj with fire j 
His Precepts teach but what his Works infpire 
Our Critics take a contrary extreme; 
They judge with fury, but they write with 

phlegm; 
I^or fuB:er3 Horace more in wrong tranfiations 
By wits, th4an critics in as wrong quotations. 

See DIonylius Homer's thoughts refine. 
And call new beauties forth from ev'ry line ! 

Fancy and art in gay Petronius pleafe ; 
The fcholar's learning, with the courtier's eafe. 

Jn grave Quintiiian's copious work we find 
The juileft mles and cleareft method join'd : 
7"hu3 ufeful aims in magazines we place, 
A.ll rang'd in order, and difpos'd with grace; 
But lefs to pieafe the eye than arm the hand; 
Still fit for ufe, and ready at command. 

Thee, boid Longinus! all the 2<ine infpire, 
A.nd blels their Critic with a Poet's fire.' 
An ardent judge, who, zealous in his truft. 
With wannth gives fentence, yet is always juil; 
Whofe own example ftrengthens all his lawsj 
And is himielf that great iublim.e he draws. 

Thus long fucceedlng Critics juftly reign'd, 
Licence reprefs'd, and ufeful laws ordain'd. 
Learning and Rome alike in empir? grew. 
And Arts frill foUow'd where the Eagles flew : 
From the fame foes, at laft, both felt their 

doom ; 
And the fame age faw Learning fall, and Rome. 
With Tyranny then Superftition join'd ; 
As that the body, this enflav'd the mind: 
Much was believ'd, but- little underftood ; 
And to be dull was conftrued to be good : 
A fecond deluge Learning thus o'er-nin ; 
And the Monks finifti'd what the Goths begim. 

At length Erafmus, that great injur'd name; 
The glory of the Priefthcod, and the fliame ! 



229 

Steram'd the wild torrent of a ba.»-b*roas age. 
And drove thofe holy \'anda]s otf the llage. 

But fee ! each Mufe, in Leo's golden days, 
Starts from her tiTince^andtrimsherwither'd bays; 
Rome's ancient Genius, o'er its ruin Ipread, 
bhakes on the dult, and rears his rev'rend head. 
Then Sculpture and her fifter-arts revive; 
Stone's leap'd to fonn, and rocks began to livt:: 
With fweeter notes each riling temple rung ; 
A Raphael poirited, and a Vida fung. 
Immortal Vida ! on whofe honour'd brow 
Thf Poet's bays and Critic's ivy grow, 
Cremona now ihali ever boait thy name ; 
As next in p'ace toMantna, next in fame I 

But foon by impious arts from Latiumchas'J, 
Theirancient bounds the baniih'd Mufes pai's'd; 
Thence Alls o'erali the northern world advance. 
But Critic-learning fiourifh'd raolt in Fx-^r.ce ; 
The rules a nation, born to ferve o'>ey, obeys; 
.^nd Boileau Iriil in right of Horace fways. 
But we, bi-ave Britons, foreign law s derpis'd. 
And kzpt unconquer'd and unciviliz'd ; ♦ 
Fierce for the libeities of wit, and bold. 
We Iriil defied the Romans, as of old. 
Yet fome there were, among the founder few 
Of tholc who lefs prtfum'd, and better knew. 
Who durlt ailerc the jufter ancient caufe, 
And here reitor'd Wit's fundamental laws ; 
Such was the Mufe whofe rules and practice teil, 
"Nature's chief Mafter-piece is writing wel]." 
Such was Roicommon, not more learnM than 

good. 
With manners gen'rons as his noble blood ; 
To him the wit ofGrece and Rome was known. 
And ev'i-y Author's merit but his own. 
Such late was Walth,tbe Nrul'e'sjudge and friend. 
Who jultly knew to blame or to commend : 
To failings mild, but zealous for dei'ert ; 
The clsaretl head, and the fincereft heart. 
This humble praife, lamented (hade! receive. 
This ppcufe at leaft a grateful Mufe may give. 
The Mufe whofe early voice you taught to fing, 
Prefcrib'dherheightSjandprun'dhertenderwing, 
(Her guide now loll) no more attempts to rife, 
Butin lownurabersfliortexcuriions tries: [view; 
Content, if hence th' unkam'd their wants may 
The learn'd refiecl on what before they knew : 
Carelefs of cenfure, nor too fond of fame; 
Still pleas'd to praife, yet not afraid to blame: 
Averle alike to flatter^ or oifend ; 
Not free from faults, nor vet too vain to mend. 



§ 10. lie Rape of the Lack. Pope. 

Xolueram, Belinda, tuos violare capUios ; 
Sed juvat, hoc precibus me tribuilfe tuis. 

MART. 
CANTO I. 

What dire offence from am'rous caufes 
fprings. 
What mighty contefts rife from trivial things, 
I fing— This verie to Caryl, Mufe ! is due. 
This even Belinda may vouchlafe to view : 

g 3 Slight 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



230 

Slight is the fubjeft, but not fo the praife, I 
If She infpire, and He approve tny lays. [pel 
Saywhatftrange motive; goddefs! could coin- 
A vi-eil-hred Lo:d t' allauit a gentle Belle ? 
O fay what ftranger caufe, yet unexplor'd, 
Could make a gentle Belle reje6t a Lord ? 
In talks fo bold can little men engage ? 
And in foft bofoms dwells fuch mighty rage } 
Sol thro' white curtains fliot a tim'rous ray. 
And op'd thofe eyes that mult eclipfe the day: 
Now lap-dogs gave themfelves the roufingfhake; 
And fleeplels lovers, juft at twelve, awake: 
Thrice rung the bell, the flipper knook'd the 

ground, 
And- the prefs'd watch return'd a filver found. 
Belinda ftill her downy pillow prelsM, 
Her guardian Sylph prolong'd the balmy refi — 
*Twas He had iumraon'd to her filent bed 
The morning-d reamsthat hove r'do'er herhead — 
A youth more glitt'ring than a birth-night beau, 
That even in flumber caus'd her cheek to glow, 
Seem'd to her ear his winning lips to lay. 
And thus in whifpers laid, or feem'd to fay : 
Fairell of mortals, thou dillingui|h'd care 
Of thoufand bright inhabitants of air ! 
If e'er onevinon touch thy infant thoaght. 
Of all the Nu rfe and all the Prieft have taught 5 
Of airy elves by moonlight fliadows feen, 
The liiver token, and the v'^ircled green, 
Or virgins vifited by ARgel-pow'rs, [flow'rs ! 
"With golden crowns, and wreaths of heavenly 
"Hear and believe ! thy own importance know, 
Nor bound thy narrow views to things below. 
Some fecret truths, from learned pride conceal'd. 
To maids alone and children are reveal'd : 
What tho' no credit doubting wits may give, 
The fair and innocent fliall ilill believe. 
Know then, unniimber'd fpirits round thee fly. 
The light militia of the lower Iky ; 
Thefe, tho' unfeen, are ever on the wing. 
Hang o'er the box, and hover round the ring. 
Think what an equipage thou haft in air. 
And view with icorn two pages and a chair. 
As now your own, our beings were of old, 
And once inciosM in woman's beauteous mould; 
Thence, by a foft tranfition, we repair 
From earthly vehicles to thefe of air. 
Thin knot,when woman's tranfient breath is fled, 
That all her vanities at once are dead ; 
Succeeding vanities fhe ftiil regards. 
And, tho' fhe plays no more, o'erlooks the cards. 
Her joy in gilded chariots, when alive. 
And love of ombre, after death furvive ; 
For when the fair in all their pride expire. 
To their firft elements their fouls retire : 
The fprites of fiery termagants in flame 
Mount up, and take a falamander's name. 
Soft yielding raaids to water glide awa)/-, 
And fip, with nymphs, their elemental tea. 
i. he graver prude fmks downward to a gnome, 
In fearch of mifchief ftill on earth to roam. 
Tlie light coquettes in fylphs aloft repair, 
Alid fport and flutter in the fields of air, 
7 



Book II. 



Know further yet— whoever fair and chafte 
Reje6l3 mankind, is by fome fylph embrac'd : 
For fpirits, freed from mortal laws, with eafe 
Aflame what fexes and what (hapesthey pleafe. 
What guards the purity of melting maids 
In courtly balls and midnight mafquerades. 
Safe from the treach'rous friend, the daringlpark, 
The glance by day, the whifperin the dark, 
When kind occafion prompts their warm defires, 
Whenmufic fbftens, and when dancing fires ? 
'Tis but their fyjph, the wife celeftials know, 
Tho' honouris the v/ord with men below, [face, 

Some nymphs there are, too confcious of their 
For life predeftin'd to the gnom.es' embrace. 
Thefe fwell their profpefts and exalt their pride. 
When offers are difdain'd, and love denied: 
Then gay ideas crowd the vacant brain, [train, 
While peers, and dukes, and all their fweeping 
And garters, ilars, and coronets appear, 
And in foft founds "your grace" falutes their ear, 
Tis thefe that early taint the female foul, 
Inftru6t the eye of young coquette's to roll. 
Teach infant-cheeks a bidden blufh to know, 
And little hearts to flutter at a beau. 

Oft, when the v/orld imagine wom.en ftray, 
The fylphs thro' myflic mazes guide their wayj 
Thro' all the giddy circle they purfue, 
And old impertinence expel by new. 
What tender maid but muft a viftim fall 
To one man's treat, but for another's ball ?' 
WhenFlorio fpeaks,what virgin couldwithftand. 
If gentle Damon did not fqueeze lT%r hand ? 
With varying vanities, from ev'ry part. 
They fliift the moving toy-fhop of their heart ; 
Where wigs with wigs, with fword-knots fword- 

knots ftrive. 
Beaux banifh beaux, and coaches coaches drive, 
This erring mortals levity may call j 
j Oh blind to truth ! the Sylphs contrive it all. 

Of thefe am I, who thy prote6lion claim j 
A watchful fprite^ and Ariel is my name. 
Late as I rang'd the cryftal wilds of air. 
In the clear mirror of thy ruling ftar 
I f^w, alas I fome dread event impend, 
Ere to the main this morning fun defcend ; 
But heaven reveals not what, or how, or where j 
Warn'd by thy Sylph, oh pious m.aid, beware 1 
This to difclofe is all thy guardian can : 
Beware of all, but moft beware of man ! [long, 
He faid; whcnShock,who thought fhe flept too 
Leap'd up, and wak'dhismiftrefswithhistongue. 
'Twas then, Belinda, if report fay true. 
Thy eyes firft open'd on a billet-doux ; [read, 
Wounds, charms, and ardours, were no fooner 
But all the vifion vanifh'd from thy head- 

And now, vnveird,the toilet ftands difplay'dj 
Each filver wfe in myftic order laid. 
Firft, rob'd in white, the nymph intent adores. 
With head uncover'd, the cofmetic pow'rs : 
A heavenly image in the glafs appears ; 
To that fhe bends, to that her eyes fhe rears ; 
Th' inferior prieftefs, at her altar's fide. 
Trembling, begins the facred rites of pride. 

Unnumber'd 



Book IT. 



D I D A C T I C, . D E S C R r P T I V E, Sec. 



231 



Unnumber'd treafures ope at once, and here 
The various offerings oF the world appsar; 
From each (he nicely culls with curious toil, 
And decks thegoddeCs with tne gIitt':-inirl"poil. 
This caiket India's giowiMij gems unlocks. 
And all Arabia breathes fron\ yonder box: 
The tortoife here and elephant uniie, [white: 
Tran-furmM to combs, the ibecklcd and the 
Here iiles of pins extend rheir ihining rows, 
Puifs, powders, patches, bibles, billet doux. 
Now a'vful beauty puts on all its arms ; 
The fair each moment rifcs in her charms, 
Repairs her fmiles, awakens ev'ry grace, 
And calls forth all the wonders of her face: 
Sees by degrees a purer blufh arife, 
And keener lightning quicken in her eyes. 
The bufy Sylphs furround their darling care j 
Thelis fet the head, and thofe divide the hair j 
Some fold the fleeue,whilft others plait thegown; 
And Betty's prais'd for labours not her own. 

CANTO II. 

Not with more glories, in th' ethereal plain, 
The fun firl't rifes o'er the purpled main. 
Than, iffuing forth, the rival of his beams 
Launched on the bofom of the filver Thames. 
Fair nymphs, and well-dreft youths, around her 
But ev'ry eye was iix'd on her alone, [(hone ; 
On her white breall a fparkling crofs fhe wore, 
Which Jews might kifs, aud Infidels adore. 
Her lively looks a Iprightly mind difclofe. 
Quick as her eyes, and as unfixt as thofe: 
Favours to none, to all (he iiuiles extends j 
Oft (he rejecfs, but never once otfends. 
Bright as the fun her eyes the gazers flrike. 
And, like the fun, they (hine on all alike. 
Yet graceful eafe, and fvveetnefs void of pride, 
Might hide their faultSjifbelles had faults to hide: 
It to her (hare fome female errors fall. 
Look on her face, and you '11 forget them all. 

This Nymph, to the deftruftion of mankind, 
Nouri(h'dtwoLocks,ivhichgracefulhungbehind 
In equal curls, and well confpir'd to deck 
With fhining ringlets the fmooth iv'ry neck. 
Love in thefe labyrinths his flaves detains. 
And mighty henrts are held in (lender chains. 
With hairy fpringes we the birds betray ; 
Slight lines of hair i'urprife the finny prey j 
Fair trelles man's imperial race en (hare, 
And beauty draws us with a fmgle hair. 

Th'adventVousBaronthebrightlocksadmir'dj 
He law, he wifti'd, and to the prize alpir'd. 
Ref jlv'd to win, he meditates the way, 
By force to ravilh, or by fraud betray ; 
P'or when fuccefs a lover's toil attends. 
Few a(k if fraud or force attain'd his ends. 

For this, ere Photbus rofe, he had implor'd 
Propitious Heaven, and ev'ry pow'r ador'd } 
But chiefly Love — to Love an altar built 
Of twelve vaft French romances, neatly gilt. 
There lay three garters, half a pair of gloves ; 
And all the trophies of his former loves : 
"Vith tender billet-doux he lights the pyre, 
And breathes three am'rcusfighstQraifetheiirei 



Then prolhate falls, and begs with ardent eyes 
Soon to obtain, and long polFefs the prize. 
The pow'rs gave ear, and granted half his prayer j 
The red, the winds difpers'd in empty air. 
But now fecure the painted veffel glides, 
The fun-beams trembling on the floating tides 5 
While melting mulic deals upon the fky. 
And (bften'd founds along the waters die ; 
Smooth flow the waves, theZephyrs gently play 5 
Belinda fmil'd, and all the world was gay. 
All but the Sylph — with carefulthoughtsoppreft, 
Th' impending woe fat heavy on his brea'l. 
He fumsrcons Itraight his denizens of air, 
The lucid fquadrons round the fiiils repair: 
Soft o'er the (hrouds aerial whifpers breathe, 
That feem'd but Zephyrs to the train beneath. 
Some to the fun their infe6f v/ings unfold, 
Waft on the breeze, or (ink in clouds of gold j 
T ran (parent forms, too fine for mortal light. 
Their fluid bodies half dillblv'd in light. 
Loofe to the winds their airy garments flew. 
Thin glitt'ring textures of the filmy dew, 
Dipp'd in the richeft tindlureof the Ikies, 
Where light difports in ever-mingling 4y*^s; 
While ev'ry beam new tranlient colours liings. 
Colours that change whene'er they wave their 
Amid the circle on the gilded maft, [wiags, 
Superior by the head, was Ariel plac'd j 
His purple pinions op'ning to the fun. 
He rais'd his azure wand, and thus begun: 

Ye Sylphs and Sylphids,to your chief give ear: 
Fays, faries, genii, elves, and dasmons hear 1 
Ye know the (pheres and various talks aflignM 
By laws eternal to th' aerial kind. 
Some in the fields of open aether play. 
And bafk and whiten in the blaze of day : 
Some-guide the courfe of wand'ringorbs on higb. 
Or roll the planets through the boandiefs fky : 
Som.e,lefs refin'd, beneath the moon's pale light, 
Purfne the ilars that ihoot acrofs the night. 
Or fuck the mills in grolTer air below, 
Or dip their pinions in the painted bow, 
Or brew fierce tempelfs on the wint'i^ main. 
Or o'er the glebe diftii the kindly rain ; 
Others on earth o'er human race prefide. 
Watch all their ways,and all their actions guide; 
Of thele the chief the care of nations own. 
And guard wfth arms divine the Britifh throne. 

Our humbler province is to tend the Fair, 
Not a lefs pleaiing, tho' lels glorious care; 
To fave the powder from too rude a gale, 
Nor let th' iinpriibn'd eifences exliale ; 
To draw frefh colours from the vernal flow'rs; 
To fteal from rainbow's,ere they drop in (hov^-'rs, 
A brighter wafli ; to curl their waving hairs, 
AlTill their blufhes, and infpire their airsj 
Nay oft, in dreams, invention we beitow, 
To change a flounce, or add a furbelow. 

This day black omens threat the b'ighteftfair 
That e'er deferv'd a n\'atchful Ipirit'g care j 
Some dire difalter, or by force, or fligiit. 
But what.or wliere,the fates have wrapt in night. 
Whether the nymph fliall break Diana's law, 
Or fome frail China jar receive a flaw j 

Q 4 Or 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book 11, 



Or ftain her honour, or her new brocade j 
Forget her pray'rs, or mils a malquerade ; 
Or lofe her heart, or necklace, at a b^l] 5 [fall. 
Or whether Heaven has doom'd that Shock muft 
Hzile then, ye ipirits ! to your charge repair : 
The fluttering fan be Zephyretta's care j 
The drops to thee, Brillante, we confign ; 
-And, Momentiila, let the watch be th'ine ; 
I?o thou, Crifpifla, tend her fav'rite Lock ; 
Ariel himfelf fliall be the guard of Shock. 

To hfty chofen Sylphs, of fpecial note. 
We trull the important charge, the Petticoat : 
Oft have we known that feven-fold fence to fail, 
Tho' ftiff with hoops, and ami'd -with ribs of 
Form aftrong line about the lilver bound, [whale: 
And guard the wide circumference around. 

Wliaterer fpirit, carelefs of his charge. 
His poll neglefts, or leaves the fair at large. 
Shall feel Iharp vengeance foon o'ertake his lins, 
Be ftopp'd in viai^s, or transfixed with pins j 
Orplung'd in lakes of bitter wafhes lie, 
Or wedgM whole ages in a bodkin's eye : 
Gims and pomatums Ihall his flight refl:rain, 
\\ Lile cloggM he beats his fllken wings in vain: 
Ci alum ftyptics with contrafting pow'r, 
SI rink his thin eflence like a fhriveird flow'r: 

, as Ixion flx'd, the wretch fliall feel 
The giddy motion of the -whirling mill j 
li. lumes of burning chocolate fliall glow, 
Ard tremble at the fea that froths TdcIow ! 

Fc fpoke ; the fpirits from the fails defcend : 
S( me, orb in orb, around the nymph extend ; 
vcrae thrid the mazy ringlets of her hair j 
^ome hang upon the pendants of her ear ; 
With beating hearts the dire event they wait. 
Anxious, and trembling for the birth of Fate. 

CANTO III. 

Close by thofe meads, for ever crown'd with 

flow'rs, [tow'rs. 

Where Thames w-ith pride furveys his rifmg 

1 here flands a Ilru6lure of majefl:ic frame, 
Which from the neighboring Hampton take" 

its name. 
Here Britain's ftatefmen oft the fall foredoom 
Of foreign tyrants, and of nym.phs at hom.e 5 
Here thou, greatAnna! whom three realms obey, 
left fometimes counfel take and ibmetimes tea. 

Hither the heroes and the nymphs refort. 
To tafle awhile the pleafures of a court; 
In various talk the infl:ru6tive hours they pafs'd. 
Who gave the ball, or paid the viflt ialt ; 
One fpeaks the glory of the Britifli Queen, 
And one defcribes a charming Indian fcreen; 
A third interprets motions, looks, and eyes ; 
At ev'ry word a reputation dies. 
Snu{f, or the fan, fuDyly each paufe of chat; 
With flnging, laughing, ogling, and all that. 

Meanwhile, declining from the noon of day, 
The fun obliquely flioots his burning ray ; 
Th^ hungry judges fo«n the fentence flgn, 
And wretches hang, that jurym.en may dine ; 
The merchant from th' Exchange returns in 
And the long labours of the toilet ceafe. [peace. 



Belinda now, whom third of fame invites. 
Burns to encounter two advent'rous knights. 
At ombre flngly to decide their doom ; 
And fwells herbreafl: withconquefts yet tocome. 
Straight the three bands prepare in arms to join. 
Each band the number of the facred nine. 
Soon as flie Ipreads her hand, th' aerial guard 
Defcend, and flt on each important card : 
Firfl: Ariel perch'd upon a matadore. 
Then each according to the rank they bore ; 
For Sylphs, yet mindful of their ancient race. 
Are, as when women, wond'rous fond of place. 

Behold, four kings in majefly- rever'd, 
With hoary whilkers and a forky beard; [flow'r. 
And four fair queens whofe hands luftain a 
Th' expreflive emblem of their fofter pow'r ; 
Four knaves in garbs fuccindt, a trufl^' band. 
Caps on their heads, and halberts in their hand; 
And party-coloured troop?, a fliining train, 
Drawn forth to combat on the velvet plain. 

The Ikilful nymph reviews her force with care : 
Let Spades be trumps! flie faid, and trumps they 
were. 
Now move to war her fable matadores> 
In fliow like leaders of the fwarthy Moors. 
Spadillo firfr, unconquerable lord ! 
Led off two captive trumps,and fweptthe board. 
As many more Manillo forc'd to yield. 
And march'd a viftor from the verdant field. 
Him Bafto follow'd, but his fate more hard 
Gain'd but one trump, and one Plebeian card. 
With his broad fabre next, a chief in years. 
The hoary Majefly of Spades appears. 
Puts foith one manly leg, to fight reveal'd. 
The reft his many-colcur'd rcbe conceal'd. 
The rebel Knave, who dares his prince engage. 
Proves the juft viftim of his royal lage. 
E'en might}^ Pam., that Kings and Queens o'er- 

thrcw, 
And mow'd down armies in the fights of LoOj 
Sad chance of war ! now^ deftitutc of aid. 
Falls undiftinguifti'd by the victor Spade ! 
Thus far both armses to Belinda yield j 
Now to the Baron fate inclines the field. 
His warlike Amazon her hoft invades, 
Th' imperial confort of the crcwn of Spades. 
The Club's black tyrant firft her victim died, 
Spite of his haughty mien, andbarb'rous pride ; 
What boots the regal circle on his head ; 
His giant limbs, in ftate unwieldy fpread ; 
That long behind he ti-ails his pompous robe. 
And, of a]l monarchs, onlygi-afps the globe? 

The Baron now his Diamonds pours apace ; 
Th' embroider'dKingwholhewsbuthalf hisface. 
And his refulgent Queen, with pow'rs com- 
Oi broken troops an eafy conqneft find, [bin'd. 
Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, in wild diforder feen 
With throngs proraifcuousflrow thelevel green 
Thus when difpers'd a routed army runs, 
Of Afia's troops, and Afric's fetbie fons. 
With like confufion difl''rent n;:tions fly. 
Of various habit, and of various dye; 
The pierc'd battalions difunited fall 
In heaps on heaps; one fate o'erwhelms them al. 



Book II. DIDACTIC, DE SCRIPTIVE, Sec 

The Knave of Diamonds tries his wily art; 



233 



And wins (oh iharaeful chance!) the Queen of 

Hearts. 
At this, the blood the virgin's cheek forfook; 
A livid palenefs fpreads o'er all her look j 
She fees, and trembles at the approaching il!, 
Jaft in the jaws of ruin, and Codille, 
And now (as ofc in fome dillemper'd ftate) 
On one nice trick depends the genYal fate. 
An Ace of Hearts iteps forth: theKing,unfeen, 
Lurk'd in her haiid, and mourn'd his captive 

Queen : 
He fp rings to vengeance with an eager pace, 
And falls like thunder on the proftrate Ace. 
The Nymph exulting fills with lliouts the fky j 
The wails, the woods, and long canals reply. 

O thoughtlefs mortals ! ever blind to fate, 
Too foon dejedred, and too foon elate, 
Sudden thefe honours fhali be fnatth'd av/ay, 
And curs'dfor ever this vi6forious day.[crown'd, 

For, lo ! the board with cups and fpoons is 
The berries crackle, and the mill turns round : 
On Hiining altars of Japan they raife 
The filver iampj the fiery fpirits blaze : 
From filver fpouts the giateful liquors glide. 
While China's earth receives the linoking tide: 
At once they gratify their icent and tpftie, 
And frequent cups prolong the rich repaid. 
Straight hover roand the Fair her airy band : 
Some, as IhelippM, the fuming liquor fanned ; 
Som.e o'er her lap their careful plumes difplay'd. 
Trembling, and confcious of the rich brocade. 
Coffee (which m.ake the poiician wile, 
And fee thro' all things with his half-fnuteyes) 
Sent up in vapours to the Baron's brain 
New ftratagem^?, the radiant Lock to gain. 
Ah ceafe, rafli youth ! defift ere 'tis too late. 
Fear the juft gods, and think of Scylla's fate ! 
Chang'd to a bird, and fent to liit in air, 
She dearly pays for Nifus' injur'd hair! 

But when to mischief mortals bend their will. 
How foon they find fit inftruments of ill I 
Juft then Claritfa drew with tempting grace, 
A two-edg'd weapon from her Ihining cafe: 
So Ladies, in romance, afTift their Knight, 
Prefent the fpcar,and arm him for the fight. 
He takes the gift with rev'rence, and extends 
The little engine on his fingers ends j 
This juft behind Belinda's neck he fpread. 
As o'er the fragrant fteam fl:ie bends her head. 
Swift to the Lock a thoufand fprites repair, 
A thoufand wings, by turns, blow back the hairj 
And thrice they twitch'd the diamond in her ear; 
Thrice ihe looks back, and thrice the foe drew 
Juft in that inftaut, anxious Ariel fought [near. 
The clofe recelfes of the Virgin's thought : 
As on the nofegay in her breaft reelin'd, 
He watch'd the ideas riling in her mind. 
Sudden he view'd, in fpite of all her art. 
An earthly Lover lurking at her heart. 
Amaz'd, confus'd, he found his pow'r expir'd ; 
R^fign'd to fate, ajid with a figh reiir'd. [wide. 

The Peer now fpread; the glitt'ring forfex 
T" inclofe the Lock j now joins it to divide. 



Ev'n then before the fatal engine closed, 
A wretched Sylph too fondly interpos'd : 
Fate uijg'd the ftieers, and cut the Sylph ia 
But aiiy fubi'cance foon unites again; [twain. 
The meeting points the facred hair diftever 
From the fair head, for ever, and for ever ! 

Then flafti'd the livinglightning fromher eyes. 
And fcreams of horror rend the attrighted ficies. 
Not louder fhrieks to pitying heaven are caft. 
When hu (bands or when lapdogs breath their 

laft; 
Or when rich China vefTels, fallen from high. 
In glitt'ring duft and painted fragments lie ! 

Let wreathsof triumph now my temples twine. 
The Victor cried : the glorious prize is mine! 
While fifh in ftreams, or birds delight in air. 
Or in a coach and fix the Britifa Fair, 
As long as Atalantis ftiall be read. 
Or the imail pillow grace a Lady's bed ; 
While vitits (hall be paid onfolerandays, [blaze; 
When num'rcus wax-lights in bright order 
While nymphs take treats, or afngnatioasgive. 
So long my honour, name, and praile (hall live! 
What Time would i'pare, from fteel receives its 
And monuments, like men,fubmitto fate ! [date, 
i Steel could the labour of the gods deftroy, 
I And ftrike to duft th' imperial tow'rs of Troy ; 
Steel could the works of mortal pride confound, 
I And hew triumphal arches to the ground . 
j What wonder,then,fair Nymph ! thy hairs fhouid 
The conq u'ring force of unrefifted fteel ? [feel 

CANTO IV. j-p.,.^,^^ 

But anxicus cares the yyenfive nymph op- 
And fecret pafilons labour'd in her breaft. 
Not youthful kin^s in battle feiz'd alive. 
Not fcornful virgins who their charms furvivc 
Not ardent lovers robb'd of all their blifs, 
Not ancient ladies when refus'd a kifs. 
Not tyrants fierce that unrepenting die. 
Not Cynchia when her mantua's pinn'd awry. 
E'er felt fuch rage, refentnient, and defpair. 
As thou, fad Virgin ! for thy ravifh'd Hair. 

For that iad moment when the Sylphs with- 
And Ariel v.-eeping from Belinda flew, [drew, 
L^mbriel, a dulky melancholy fprite. 
As ever iullied the fair face of light, 
Down to the central earth, his proper fcene, 
Repair'd to fearch the gloomy cave of Spleen* 

Swift on his footy pinions iiits the Gnome, 
And in a vapour reach'd the difmal dome. 
No cheerful breeze this fallen region knows ; 
The dreaded Eaft is all the wind that blows. 
Here, in a grotto ftieltef d clofe from air, 
I And fcreen'd inftiades from day's detefted glare. 
She fighs for ever on her penfive bed. 
Pain at her fide, and Megrim at her head; [place. 

Two handmaids wait the throne;- alike in 
But diff'ring far in figure and in face. 
Here ftood Ill-nature, like an ancient maid. 
Her wrinkled form in black and white array'd ; 
With ftore of pray'rs- for mornings, nights, and 

noons. 
Her hand is fill'd j her bofom with lampoons. 

There 



ELEGANT EXTRACT'S, 



2>4 

There AfFeftation, with a fickly mien, 
Shews in her cheek the rofes ofeigliteen j 
Prailis'd to lifp, and hang the head afide, 
Faints into airs, and languifhes with pride; 
On the rich quilt finks with becoming woe, 
Wrapt in a gown, for ficknefs and for Ihow. 
The fair ones feel fuch maladies as thefe, 
When each new night-drefs gives a new difeafe. 

A conftant vapour o'er the palace flies. 
Strange phantoms riiing as the mills ariCe; 
Dreadful as hermits dreams in haunted fhades, 
Or bright as viiions of expiring maids : 
Now glaring fiends, and fnakes on roiling fpires, 
Pale fpeftres, gaping tombs, and purple fires ; 
Now lakes of liquid gold, Eiyfian fcenes. 
And cryftal domes, and angels in rnachines. 

Unnumber'd throngs on ev'iy fide are feen 
Of bodies chang'd to various forms by Spleen. 
Here living tea-pots Hand, one arm held out. 
One bent ; the handle this, and that the fpout : 
A pipkin there, like Homer''s tripod^ walks 5 
Here 'fighs a jar, and there a gooie-pye talks ; 
Men prove with child, as powVful fancy works. 
And maids, turn-d bottles, call aloud for corks. 

Safe pafs'd the Gnome thro'this fantaflicband, 
A branch of healing fpleenwort in his hand : 
Then thus addrefs'd the Pow'r;- — Hail, way- 
ward Queen i^ 
Who i-ule the fex to fifty from fifteen : 
Parent of vapours, and of female wit. 
Who gives th' hy fieri c or poetic fit ; 
On various tempers aft, by various ways. 
Make fome take phyfic, others fcrlbble plays; 
Who caufe the proud their vifits to delay, 
And fend the godly in a pet to pray. 
A Nymph there is, that all thy pov/'r difdains. 
And thoufands more in equal mirth maintains. 
But, oh ! if e'er thy Gnome conld fpoil a grace, 
Or raife a pimple on a beauteous face, 
Like citron-waters matrons cheeks inflame,' 
Or change complexions at a lofms: game ; 
If e'er with hairy horns I planted heads, 
Or rumpled petticoats, or tumbled beds, 
Or caus'd fufpicion when no foul was rude. 
Or discompos'd the head-drefs of a prude, 
Or e'er to coflive lapdog gave difeafe, 
Which not the tears of brightefl: eyes could eafe; 
Hear me, and touch Belinda with chagrin « 
That Angle aft gives half the world the fpleen. 

The goddefs, with a difcontented air. 
Seems to rejeft him, tho' flie grant his prayV. 
A^^'ond'rousbag with both her liands flie binds. 
Like that where once Ulylfes held tliC winds ; 
There fhe collefts the force of female lungs. 
Sighs, fobs, and pafllons,. and the war of tongues, 
A vial next flie fills with fainting fears, 
Soft forrows, melting griefs, and tlowingtears. 
The Gnome rejoicing bears her gifis away. 
Spreads h.is black wings, r.nd flowly mounts to 

Sunk in Th.aleflris' arms the Nymph he found, 
Htreycs dejefted, and her hair unbound : 
Full o'er their heads the fweiling bag he rent. 
And ail the Furies iluied at the vent. 



Book IL 



Belinda burns with more than mortal ire. 
And fierce Thaleftris fans the rifing fire, [cried, 
O wretched maid ! flie fpread her hands, and 
(While Hampton's echoes Wretched maid re- 
Was itforthisyou tookfuch confl:antcare[plied) 
The bodkin, comb, and eflence to prepare ? 
For this your Locks in paper durance bound. 
For this with tort'ring irons wreath'd around ? 
For this with fillets ftrain'd your tender head, 
And bravely bore the double loads of lead ! 
Gods ! fliall the ravifher difplay your hair. 
While the fops envy, and the ladies flare ! 
Honour forbid ! at whofe unrivall'd flirinc 
Eafe, pieafure, virtue, all our fex refign. 
Methinks already I your tears furvey. 
Already hear the horrid things they fay ; 
Already fee you a degraded toafl:. 
And all your honour in a whifper loil ! 
How fliail I, then, your helplefs fame defend? 
'Twill then be infamy to feem your friend ! 
And fliall this prize, th' ineilimable prize, 
Expos'd thro' cryflal to the gazing eyes, 
And heighten'd by the diamond's circling ray?, 
On tliat rapacious hand for ever blaze? 
Sooner fhall grafs in Hyde-park Circus grow, 
And wits take lodgings in the found of Bow ; 
Sooner let earth, air, fea, to chaos fall ; 
Men, monkeys, lapdogs, parrots, perifh all ! 

She faid ; then raging to Sir Plume repairs. 
And bids her beau demand the precious hairs; 
(Sir Plume of amber fnufl'-box jullly vain, 
And the nice conduft of a clouded cane) : 
With earneft eyes, and round unthinking face. 
He firfl: the fnufl-box open'd, then the cafe. 
And thus broke out — -' My Lord, why,wdiat the 
"devil! [" mufi be civil ! 

" Z — ds 1 damn the Lock ! 'fore Gad, you 
" Plague on't ! 'tis pafl: ajefl: — nay,prithee, pox! 
** Give her the hair?" — he fpoke, and rapp'd 
his box. 

It grieves me much (replied the Peer again) 
Who fpeaks fo well fliould everfpeak in vain; 
But by this Lock, this facred Lock, I fwear. 
(Which never more fhall join its parted hair; 
Which never more its honours fnall renew, 
Clipp'd from the lovely head where late it grew), 
That while my noflrils draw the vital air. 
This hand, which won it, fliall for ever w^ear. 
He fpoke,and fpeaking in proud triumph fpread 
The long-contended honours of her head. 

But Umbriel, hateful Gnome ! forbear not fo; 
He breaks the vial whence the fbrrows flow\ 
Then,fee! the nymph in beauteousgrief appears, 
Her eyeshalf-languifliing, half-drov.m'd in tears : 
On her heav'd bolbm hung her drooping head. 
Which with, a figh fhe rais'd, and thus fhe faid: 

Forever curs'd be this deteited day. 
Which fnatch'd mybefl:, my fav'rite curl away! 
Happy, ah ten times happy, had I been, 
If Hampton-Court thefe eyes had never feen ! 
Yet am not I the firft miflaken maid 
By love of courts to num'rous ills betray 'd. 
Oh, had I rather unadmir'd remain'd . 
In fome lone ifle, or uiltant nor Jieni land : 

Where 



Book ir. D I D A C T I C, D E S C R I P T I V E, &c. 235 



Where the gilt chariot never marks the way, 
Where none learn Ombre, none e'er talte bohea 
There kept mycharmsconceal'd frommortal eye, 
Like roles that in defeits bloom and die. 
What mov'dmymindwithyoiithful lordstoroam? 
O had I llay'd, and laid my pray'rs at home! 
'Twas this the morning omens leem'd to tell : 
Thricefrom mytremblinghandtliepatcli-box fell j 
The tott'ring China fliook without a wind ; 
Nay Poll fat mure, and Shock was moll unkind! 
A Sylph too warn'd me of the threats of Fate 
In myllic vifions. now believM too late ! 
See the poor remnants of thefe flighted hairs ! 
M} hands fliall rend what ev'n tl:y ra})inefpares: 
ThcCe, in two fable ringlets taught to break. 
Once gave new beauties to the liiowy neck j 
The filter lock now fits uncouth alone, 
And in its fellow's fare forefees its own; . 
UncurlM it hangs, the fatal flieers demands", 
And tempts once more thy facrilegious hands. 
Oh hadft thou, cruel ! been content to feize 
Hairs lefs in fight, or any hairs but thefe ! 

CANTO V. 

She faid: the pitying audience melt in tears. 
But Fate and Jove had ftopp'd the Baron's ears. 
In vain Thaleftris with reproach alfails ; 
For who can move when fair Belinda fails ? 
Not half fo fix'd the Trojan could remain, 
While Anna begg'd, and Dido rag'd in vain. 
Then grave Clarilfa graceful wav'd her fan ; 
Silence enfu'd, and thus the nymph began : 

Say,whyarebeautiesprais*'dand honourMmoft, 
The wife man's palfion,and the vain man's toail? 
Why deck'd with all that land and fea afiord, 
Whyangelscaird, and angel-like ador'd? [beaux, 
Whyround our coaches crowd the white-glovM 
Why bows the fide box from its inmoft rows ? 
How vain are all thefe glories, all our pains, 
TJnlefs good fenfe preferve what beauty gains : 
That men mayl'ay, when we the frant-box grace, 
Behold the firll in virtue as in face ! 
Oh ! if to dance all night, anddrefs all day, 
CharmM the fmall pox, or chas'd old age aWay, 
Who would not fcorn what houiewife's cares 

produce. 
Or who would learn one earthly thing of ufe ? 
To patch, nay ogle, might become a Taint j 
Nor could it lure be fuch a liii to paint. 
But fince, alas ! frail beauty muft decay j 
Gurl'd or uncurl'd, fince locks will turn to grey^ 
Since painted, ornot painted, all fhall fade ; 
And fhe who fcorns a man mull die a m.aid ; 
What then remains, but well our povv'r to ufe. 
And keep good humour ftill, whate"'er we lofe ? 
And truft me, dear! good humour can prevail. 
When airs, andflights,and fcreams, and fcolding 

fail. 
Beuaties in vain their pretty ej^es may roll ; 
Charms Itrike the fight, but merit wins the foul. 
So fpoke the dame, but no applaufe enfued j 
Belinda frown'd, Thaleftris calld her Prude. 
To arms, to arms ! the fierce Virago cries, 
And fwift as lightning to the combat flies r 



All fide in parties, and begin th' attack: [crack; 
Fans clap, filks rui'tle, and tough whaieboues 
fleroes' and heroines' Ihouts confusMly rife. 
And bafs and treble voices flrike the fkies- 
No common weapons in their hands are found j 
Like gods they fight, nor dread a mortal wound. 
So when bold Homer makes the gods engage. 
And heavenly breafls with human paflions rage, 
'Gainft Pallas, Mars ; Latona, Hermes, arms j 
And all Olympus rings with loud alarms ; 
Jove's thunder roarsjheav'n trembles all around, 
BlueNeptuneftorms,the!'«ellowingdec-psrelbund: 
Earth ihakeshernoddingtow'rs,theground gives 
And the paleghoUsfiari at the flafliof day [way. 

Triumphant Umbriel on a fconce's height 
Clapp'd his glad wings,and fat to view the light: 
Propt on their bodkin fpears, the fprites furvey 
Thegrowing combat, oraliift the fray. 

While thro' the prefs enrag'd Thaleftris flies. 
And fcatters death around from both her eyes, 
A beau and witling perifli'd in the throng j 
One died in metaphor, and one in fong. 
" Oh cruel nymph ! a living death I bear,"** 
Cried Dapperwit, and funk befide his chair. 
A mournful glance Sir Fopiing upwards caft ; 
" Thofe eyes are made fo killing ! " was his laib 
Thus on Meander's flow'ry margin lies 
Th" expiring Sw^an, and as he imgs he dies. 

When boklSir Plume haddrawnClariffadown, 
Chloe itepp'd in, andkill'd him with a frown j 
She fmil'd to fee the doughty hero flain ; 
liut. at her fmile, the beau reviv'd again. 

Now Jove fufpends his golden fcales in air. 
Weighs the men's wits againll the lady's hair; 
I'he doubtful beam long nods from fide to fide; 
At length the wits mount up, the hairs fubfide. 

See fierce Belinda on the Baron flies. 
With more than uf ual lightning in her eyes : 
Nor fear'd the chief th' unequal fight to try. 
Who fought no more than on his foe to die. 
But this bold lord, with manly ftrength endued. 
She with one finger and a thumb fubdued : 
Jufl where the breath of life his noftri-s drew, 
A charge of fnuff the wily virgin threw ; 
The Gnomes direft, to ev'ry atom jull. 
The pungent grains of titillating dull. 
Sudden with ftarting tears each eye overflows. 
And the high dome re-echoes to his nole. 

Now meet thy fate, incens'd Belinda cried, 
A-nd drew her deadly bodkin from her fide 
(The fiune, his'autieiit perfonage to deck, 
Her great great-grand fire wore about his neck, 
In three feal rings j Vvhich, after melted down, 
Form'd a vaft buckle for his widow's gown : 
Her infant grand-dames wdiiftle next it grew. 
The bells fhe jingled, and the whiftle blew ; 
Then in a bodkin grac'd her mother's hairs, 
Which long fhe wore, and now Belinda wears). 
Boall not my fall, he cried, inlulring foe! 
Thou by Ibme others fhall be laid as low; 
Nor think, to tlie dejedf s my lofty ir.ind ; 
All that I dread is leaving you behind ! 
Rather than fo, ah let me ftill furvive, 
And burn in Cupid's flrauej — but burn ::!ive.- 

Kedore 



236 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IL 



Reftore the Lock ! flie cries j and all around 
Kellore the Lock ! the vaulted roofs rebound. 
Not fierce Othello in lb loud a ftrain 
Roar'd for the handkerchief that caused his pain. 
But fee how oft ambitious aims are crofsM, 
And chiefs contend till all the prize is loft ! 
The LockjObtain'd withguilt,andkept with pain, 
In ev'iy place is fought, but fought in vain : 
"V\'"ith fuch a prize no mortal muft be bleft, 
So heaven decrees! With heaven who canconteft? 

Some thought it mounted to the Lunar fphere. 
Since all things loft on earth are treafurM there. 
There hero's wits are kept in pondYous vafes, 
And beaux in fnuff-boxes and tweezer-cafes. 
There broken vowsand death-bedalms are found, 
And lovers hearts with ends of ribbands bound; 
The courtier's promifes, and fick man's pray'rs, 
Thefmiles of harlots, and the tears of heirs, 
Cages for gnats, and chains to yoke a flea, 
Dried butterflies, and tomes of cafuiftry. 

Buttruft the Mufe — (he faw it upward rife, 
Tho' mark'd by none but quick poetic eyes : 
So Rome's great founder to the heavens with- 
To Proculus alone confeft in view. [drew, 

A fudden ftar, it {hot thro' liquid air, 
'And drew behind a radiant trail of hair. 
Not Berenice's Locks iirft rofe fo bright, 
The heaven's befpangling with diflievell'd light. 
The Sylphs beheld it kindling as it flies, > 
And pleas'd purfue its progrefs thro' the ftcies. 

This the Beau-monde fliaJl from the Mall fur- 
And hail with mulic its propitious ray ; [vey, 
This the bleft Lover fliall for Venus take. 
And fend up vows from Rofamonda's kike. 
This Partridge foon fhall view in cloudlefs Ikies, 
When next he looks thro' Galliano's eyes ; 
And hence th' egregious wizard (liall foredoom 
The fate of Louis and the fall of Rome. 

Then ceafe, bright Nymph! to mourn thyra- 
vifli'd hair. 
Which adds new glory to the (hining fphere ! 
Not all the trefles that fair head can bcaft, 
Shall draw fuch envy as the Lock you loft. 
For, after all the murders of your eye. 
When, after millions flain yourfelf (hall die ; 
When thofe fair funs fnail let, as fet they muft. 
And all thofe treflTes final 1 'oe laid in duit ; 
This Lock the Mufe fhall confecrate to fame, 
And'midftthe ftars infcribe Belinda's name. 



§11. Elegy to the Meinoryof an Unfortunate Lady. 

Pope. 

What beck'ning ghoft along the moon- 
light fnade, 
Invites my flreps, and points to yonder glade ? 
'Tis llie ! — but why that bleeding bofom gor'd! 
Why dimly gleams the viflonary fword ? 
Oh ever beauteous, ever friendly! tell. 
Is it in heaven a crime to love too well ? 
To bear too tender or too firm a heart. 
To a<5l a Lover's or a Roman's part ? 
lo there no bright reverfion in the fky 
For thofe who greatly think, or bravely die ? 



Why bade ye elfe, ye pow'rs 1 her foul afpire 
Above the vulgar flight of low defire ? 
Ambition firft fprung from your bleft abodes, 
The glorious fault of angels and of gods 1 
Thsncetg their images on earth it flows, 
And in the breafts of kings and heroes glows. 
Moft fouls 'tis true, but peep out once an age. 
Dull, fullen pris'ners in the body's cagej 
Dim lights of life, that burn a length of years, 
Ufelefs, unfeen, as lamps in fepulchres j 
Like eaftern kings, a lazy ftate they keep. 
And clofe confin'd in their own palace ileep. 

From thefe perhaps (ere Nature bade her die) 
Fate fnatch'd her early to the pitying fky. 
As into air the purer fpirlts flow, 
And fep'rate from their kinthed dregs below. 
So jlew the foul to its congenial place. 
Nor left one virtue to redeem her race. 

But thou falfe guardian of a charge too good. 
Thou m.ean deferter of thy brother's blood ! 
See on thefe ruby lips the trembling breath, 
Thefe cheeks, now fading at the blaft of death; 
Cold is thatbreathwhichwarm'd thev/orldbefore. 
And thofe love-darting eyes muft roll no more. 
Thus, if eternal Juftice rules the bail. 
Thus fhall your wives and thu: yourchildrenfall; 
On all the line a fudden vengeance v.aits, 
And frequent hearfes fhall befiege your gates ; 
There paifengers fhall ftand ; and pointing fay 
(While the long fun'rals blacken all the way),: 
Lo ! thefe were they whofe foulsthe Furiesfteei'd, 
And curs'dwithheartsunknowinglKDv.' to yield. 
Thus unlaraented pafs the proud away, 
The gaze of fools, and pageant of a day ! 
So perifti all whofe breaft ne'er learned to glow 
For others good or m.elt at others woe. 

What can atone, oh ever-injur'd fl~.ade ! 
Thy fate unpitied, and thy rites unpaid ? 
No friend's complaint, no kind domeftic tear, 
Pleas'd thy paleghoftjOrgrac'dthymournfulbien 
By foreign hands thy dying eyes were clos'd. 
By foreign hands thy decent limbs compos'd. 
By foreign hands thy humble grave adorn 'd, 
Byft.rangers honour'd,and by ftrangersmourn'd! 
W hat tho' no friends in fable weeds appear. 
Grieve for an hour, perhaps then mourn a year. 
And bear about the mockery of woe 
To midnight dances and the public fhowj 
What tho' no weeping loves thy afhes grace, 
Norpohfh'd marble emulate thy face; 
What tho' no facred earth allow thee room, 
Nor hallow'd dirge be mutter'd o'er thy tomb ; 
Yet fhall thy grave with riling flow'rs be drefs'd. 
And the green turf lie lightly on thy breaft. 
There fliall the morn her earlieft tears beftow. 
There the firft rofes of the year fhall blow ; 
While angels with their filver wings o'erfliade 
The ground, now facred by thy reliques made. 

So peaceful refts, without a ftone, a name. 
What once had beauty, titles, wealth and fanip. 
How lov'd, how honour'd once, avails thee not, 
Te whom related, or by whom begot : 
A. heap of duft alone remains of thee ; 
'Tis all thou art, and all the proud fhall be ! 

Poets 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



Poets themfelvesmufl fall, like thofe they fung, 
Deaf the prals'd earand mute the tuneful tongue. 
Ev'n he, whofefoul now melts in mournful lays. 
Shall fhortly want the genVcus tear he pays ; 
Then from his clofing eyes thy form ftiall part, 
And the lalt pang (hall tear thee from his heart } 
I.iFe"'s idle bufinefs at ©ne gafp be o'er. 
The Mufe forgot, and thou belov'd no more ! 



§12. 



Prologue to Mr. Addifon's Tragedy of Cat o. 

Pope. 

To wake the foul by tender flrokes of art. 
To raife the genius, and to mend the heart} 
To make mankind in coni'cious virtue bold, 
Live o'er each fcene, and be what they behold : 
For this the Tragic Mufe firft trod the flage, 
Commanding tear^ toftream thro"" ev'ry age; 
Tyrants no more their favage nature kept, 
And foes to virtue wonder'd how they wept. 
Our Author ftiuns by vulgar fprings to move 
The hero's glory, or the virgin's love ; 
In pitying love we but our wcaknefs Ihew, 
And wild ambition well deferves its woe. 
Here tears (hall flow from a more generous caufe, 
Such tears as patriots fhed for dying laws : 
He bids your breaits with ancient ardour rife. 
And calls forth Roman drops from Britifh eyes. 
Virtue confeft: in human fliape he draws, 
W'hat Plato thought, and godlike Cato was : 
No common objeft to your fight difplays. 
But what with pieafure Heaven itfelf furveys — 
A brave man ftruggling in the ftorras of fate. 
And greatly falling with a falling Itate. 
While Cato gives his little fenate laws, 
Wliat boibrn beats not in his country's caufe? 
Who fees him a6l, but envies ev'ry deed ? 
Who hears himgroan,and does not wilh to bleed? 
Ev'n when proud Cajfiir, 'midii: triumphal cars. 
The fpoils of nations, and the pomp of wars. 
Ignobly vain, and inipotcntly great, 
Shew'd Rome her Cato's figure drawn in ftate ; 
As her dead father's rev'rend image pafs'd, 
The pomp was darken'd, and the day o'ercaft; 
The triumph ceas'd, tears gulh d from ev'ry eye j 
The world's great viftor pafs'd unheeded by j 
Her lait good man dejefted Rome ador'd, 
And honour'd Csefar's lefs than Cato's fword. 

Briton^s, attend-, be worth like this approved j 
An<l fliew, you have the virtue to be raov'd. 
With honell fcorn the iirit fam'd Cato view'd 
RomelearningartsfromGreecewhomfliefubdu'dj 
Our fcene precarioufly fubfills too long 
On French tranflation and Italian fong. 
Dare to have fenle yourfelves ^ aflert the ftage; 
Be juftly warn'd with your own native rage ; 
Such plays alone ihould win a Britidi ear. 
As Cato's lelf had not drfdaiu'd to hear. 



237 

The play may pafs — but that ftrange creature, 

Shore, 
I can't — indeed now — I fo hate a v/hore — 
Jult as a blockhead rubs his thoughtlefs fkull. 
And thanks his ftars he was not born a fool. 
So from a lifter fmner you (hall hear, 
" How Itrangely you expofe yourfelf, my dear T' 
But let me die, all raillery apart, 
Our fex are ftill forgiving at their heart; 
And did not wicked cuftom fo contrive. 
We'd be the beft good-natur'd things alive. 

There are, 'tis true, who tell another tale. 
That virtuous ladies envy while they rail j 
Such rage without betrays the fire within; 
In fome clofe corner of the foul they fin ; 
Still hoarding up, moft fcandalouljy nice, 
Amidlt their virtue's a relerve of vice. 
The godly dame, who flefhly failings damns, 
Scolds with Uermaid, or with herchaplain crams. 
Would you enjoy foft nights and folid dinners. 
Faith, gallants, board with faints, and bed with 

Well, ifourauthor in the wife offends.[fiilners. 
He has a hufbard that will make amends : 
He drav/s him gentle, tender, and forgiving; 
And fure fuch kind good creatures may be living. 
In days of old they pardon 'd breach of vows j 
Stern Cato's felf was no relentlefs fpoufe: 
Phi — Plutarch — what's his name that writes his 
Tells us that Cato dearly lov'd his wife : [life ? 
Yet if a friend a night or fo fhould need her. 
He'd recommend her as a fpecial breeder. 
To lend a wife, few here v/ould fcruple make; 
But, pray, which of you all would take her back? 
Tho' with the Stoic chief our (rage may ring. 
The Stoic hufoand was the <^lorious thing. 
The man had courage, was a fage, 'tis true, 
And lov'd his country — but what^s th.it to you ? 
Thofe ftrange examples ne'er were made to fitye. 
But the kind cuckold might initruft the city ; 
There many an honeft man may copy Cato, 
Who ne'er law naked fword, or look'd in Plato. 

If, after all, you think itadifgrace 
That Edward's Mifs thus perks it in your face; 
To fee a piece of failing fleih and blood 
In all the reft fo impudently good ; ' 
Faith, let the modeft matrons of the town 
Comeherein crowds,anditarethe ftrumpetdown. 



§ 13. Epilogue to Mr. Ro'we''s Jane Shcre. Pope. 
Prodigious this ! the frail one of our play 
From her ovvn fex (hould mercy find to-day ! 
You might have held the pretty head alidc, 
Peep'd in your fans, been ferious thus, and cried. 



§ 14. The Temple of Fame. Pope. 
In that foftfeafon, when defcending fijowVs 
Call forth the greens, and wake the rifing 

liow'rs ; 
When op'ning buds falute the welcome day. 
And earth relenting feels the genial ray ; 
As balmy fleep had charm'd my cares to reft. 
And love itfeif was banifh'd from my breait, 
(What time the morn myftciious vifions brings, 
\YhilepureriElumbcrs fpread theirgolden wings,) 
A train of phantom.s in wild order rofe; 
And, join'd, this intelle61ual fcene compofe : 

I fcood, methought, betwixt earth, feas, and 
The whole creation open to my eyes ; [fkies ; 
In air felf balanc'd Ijnng the globe below, 
Where mougtaihi riir, ;aid circling cceans ilo\t ; 

Here 



23S 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book I^, 



. Here naked rocks and empty waftes were ieon, 
There to\v*ry cities, and the fbrells gieen 5 
Here failing fliips delight the wand 'ring eyes, 
There trees and intermingled temples riie: 
Now a clciir fan the fliining Tcene difplays, 
The tranlient landfcape now in clouds decays. 

O'er the wide profpeft as I gaz'd around. 
Sudden I heard a wild promifciious found. 
Like broken thunders that at diftance roar. 
Or billsws murm'ring on the hollow fliore: 
Then, gazing up, a glorious pile beheld, 
Whofe towering fummit ambient clouds con 
High on a rock of ice the Itrufture lay, [ceai'd. 
Steep its afcent, and flippVy was the way ; 
The wond'rous rock like Parian marble fhone, 
And feem'd to dillant fight of folid ftone. 
Infcriptions here of various names I view'd. 
The greater part by hoftile time fubdued; 
Yet wide were fpread their fame in ages paft. 
And poets once had promised they faould laft. 
Some, frefh engraved, appeared of wits renewnM j 
I look'd again, nor could their trace be found. 
Critics I faw, that other names defiice, 
And fix their own with labour in their place; 
Their own, like others, foon their place refign'd, 
Or difappear'd, and left the hrft behind. 
Nor was the work impaired by ftorms alone. 
But felt th' approaches of too warm a fun j 
Por fame, impatient of extremes, decays 
Not more by envy than exceis of praile. 
Yet part no injuries of heaven could feel. 
Like ciyliial, faithful to the graving ileel : 
The rock's high fummit, in the temple's iliade, 
Kor heat could melt, nor beating ftorm invade. 
There names in(crib\l unnumber'd ages pail. 
From time's firil: birth, with time itfelf (hall laft ; 
Thefe ever new, nor f iibjeft to decaj's, [days. 
.Spread, and grow brighter, with the length ofi 

ScZembla's rocks(th© beauteous v.'orkoffroll) 
Rife white in air, and glitter o'er the coafc; 
. Pale funs, unfelt, at diftance roll avv-ay. 
And en th' impallive ice the light uings play j 
Eternal fnows the growing/ mais fupply, 
Tiilthebrightmountainsprop th/ incumbent fky: 
As Atlas tix'd, each hoary pile appears 
The gathered \vinter of a thoufand years. 
On this foundation Fame's high temple ftands;| 
Stupendous pile ! not rear'd l->y mortal hands, i 
V/hate'er proud Rome or artful Greece beheld, ! 
Or elder Babylon, its frame exceU'd. 
Four faces had tl^.e dome, and ev'ry face 
Of various ftructure, but of equal grace : 
Four brazen gates, on columns lifted high. 
Salute th' dilt'reiit quarters of the fKy. 
Here fabled chiefs, in, dar^r ages born. 
Or worthies old, whom arms or arts adorn. 
Who cities rais'd, or tam'd a raonftrous race, 
The walls in venerable order grace : 
Heroes in animated marble frown. 
And legifiators feeni to think in frone. 

Weftvv-ard a fumptuous tVontifpiece appear'd 
On Doric pillars of Vvhite marble rear'd, 
Crown'd v.-ith an architrave of antique mold. 
And l"Gulpture rifmg on the roughen'd gold. 



In fhaggy fpoils here Thefeus was beheld, 
And Perfeus dreadful with Minerva's ftiield: 
There great Alcides, ftooping with his toil, 
Reih on his club, and holds th' Hefperian fpoil : 
Here Orpheus fnigs; trees moving to the found. 
Start from their roots, and form a fhade around : 
Amphion there the loud creating lyre- 
Strikes, and beholds a (iidden Thebes afpire ! 
Cythasron's echoes anfwer to his call. 
And half the mountain rolls into a wall : 
Theremightyoufeethe length'ning fpires afcend. 
The domes Iwell up, the widening arches bend, 
The growing tow'rs like exhalations rife. 
And the huge columns heave into the ikies. 

The Eaftern front was glorious to behold, 
With diamond flaming, and Barbaric gold. 
There Ninus fhone, who fpread th' Aflyrian fame. 
And the great founder of the Peruan name j 
There, in long robes, the royal Magi ftand j 
Grave Zoroafter waves the circling wand : 
The fage Chaldaeans rob'd in white appear'd, 
And Brachmans, deep in defert woods rever'd. 
Thefe ftopp'd the moon, and call'd th' unbodied 

ihades 
To midnight banquets in the glimm'ring glades j 
Made vifionary fabrics round them rife. 
And airy fpeftres fkim before their eyes j 
Of Talifmans and Sigils knew the pow'r. 
And careful watch'd the planetary hour. 
Superior, and alone, Confucius ftood, 
Who taught that ufeful fcience, to be good. 

But, on the South, a long majefl-ic race 
Of Egypt's priefts the gilded niches grace. 
Who meafur'd earth, delcrib'd the ftar^ fphere?. 
And trac'd the long records of lunar years. 
High on his car Sefoftris ftruck my view, 
VViiom, fceptred flaves in golden harnefs drew : 
His hands a bow and pointed javelin hold. 
His giant limbs are arm'd in fcales of gold. 
Between the ftatues obelilks we^e plac'd. 
And the learn'd walls with hieroglyphics grac'd. 

Of Gothic ftructure was the northern fide, 
O'erwrought with ornaments of barb'rous pride; 
There huge colofles rofe, with trophies crown'dj 
And Runic characters were grav'd around. 
There fat Zamolxis with erected eyes ; 
And Odin here in mimic trances dies. 
There on rude iron columns, mear'd with blood. 
The horrid forms of Scythian heroes ftood, 
Druids andbar'ls(theironce'ioudharpsunftrung)-, 
And youths that died to be by poets fung. 
Fhefe, and a thoufand more of doubtful fame. 
To whom old fables gave a lafting name. 
In ranks adorn'd the Temple's outv/ard face : 
The wall, in luftre and efteft like friafs. 
Which o'er each objeft calling various dyes. 
Enlarges fbme, and others jnultiplies : 
Nor void of emblem was the myftic wall ; 
For thus romantic Fame increaies all. 

The Temple fhakes, the founding gates un- 
fold, 
Wide vaults appear, and roofs of fretted gold ; 
Rais'd on a thoufand pillars, wf-eath'd around 
With laurel foliage, aud with eagles crown'd. ^ 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, 5fc. 



•39 



Of bright tranfparent beryl were the walls, 
The friezes gold, and gold the capitals: 
As heaven with liars, the roof with jewels glow 
And ever-living lamps depend in rows. 
Full in the paiiage of each ipaclons gate, 
The fage Hillorians in white garments wait; 
Grav'd o'er their feats tlie fonn of Time wdfe 

found, 
His fcythe reversed, and both his pinions bound. 
Within (tcod Heroes, who thro' loud alarms 
In bloody fiekh purfiied renown in arms. 
High on a throne, witli trophies charged, I view'd 
Tlie Youth that all things but himfelf fubdued j 
His feet on Iceptres and tiaras trod. 
And his horn'd head belyed the Lybian god. 
There Ca;far, gracM with both Minervas, flione j 
Csefar, the world's great mailer, and his own; 
UnmovM, fuperior flill, in ev'ry ilate, 
And fcarce detelled in his country's fate, 
But chief were thole who not for empire fought, 
But with their toils their people's fafety bought. 
High o'er the reft Epaminondas flood ; 
Timoleon, glovious in his brother's blood ; 
Bold Scipio, faviour of the Roman ftate, 
Great in his triumphs^ in retirement great; 
And wife Aurehus, in whofe well-taught mind) 
Withboundlefspow'runbounded virtuejoin'd, ^ 
His own ltri6l judge, and patron of m.ankind. 3 

iMuch fuft''ringheroes next their honoursclaim, 
Thofe of lefs noify and lefs guilty fame, 
Fair Virtue's filent train : fupreme of thefe 
Here ever fhines the godlike Socrates ; 
He whom ungraceful Athens could expel. 
At all times jull but when he fign'd the Ihell ; 
Here his abode the martyr'd Phocion claims, 
With Agis, not the laft of Spartan names ; 
Unconquer'd Cato fhews the wound he tore ; 
And Brutus his ill genius meets no more. 

But in the centre of the hallow'd choir, 
Six pompous columns o'er the the reft afpire j 
Around the flirine itfelf of Fame they ftand, 
Hold the chief honours, and the fane command. 
High on the firil the mighty Homer flione. 
Eternal adi 3ant compos'd his throne ; 
Father of verfe '. in holy fillets dreft. 
His filver beard wav'd gently o'er his breaft ; 
Tho' blind, a boldnefs in his looks appears ; 
In years he feem'd, but not irapair'd by yeaj-s. 
The wars of Troy were round the pillar fecn: 
Here fierce Tydides wounds the Cyprian queen; 
Here Hedor glorious from Patroclus' faU, 
Here dragg'd in triumph round the Trojan wall : 
Motion and life did ev'ry part infpire, 
Bold was the work, and prov'd the mafter's fire ; 
A ftrong expreflion moft he feem'd t' affeft, 
And here and there difclos'd a brave neglecl. 

A golden column next in rank appear'd. 
On which a fhrine of pureft gold wa, rear'd ; 
Finilh'd the whole, and labour'd evYy part. 
With patient touches of unwearied art : 
The Mantuan there in Ibber triirmoh fate, 
Compos'd his pofture, and his look fedate ; 
On Homer ftill he fix'd a rev'rent eye, 
Great without pride, in modeft raajefty. 



In living fculpture on the fides were fpread 
rhe Latian wars, and hanghty Turnus dead; 
Eliza ftretch'd upon the fun'ral pyre ; 
^neas bending with his aged fire : 
Troy fiam'd in burning gold; and o'er the throne 
Jirms and the Man in golden cyphers flione. 

Fourfwans fuftaina car of lilver bright, [flight: 
With heads advanc'd, and pinions flretch'd for 
Here, like feme furious prophet, Pindar rode, 
And leeni'd to labour with th' infpiring god, 
Acrofs the harp a carelefs hand he fiings. 
And boldly fmks into the founding firings. 
The figur'd games of Greece the column grace ; 
Neptune and Jove furvey the rapid race. 
The youths hung o'er their chariots as they run. 
The fiery fteeds feem flarting from the ftone: 
The champions, in diftorted pofture, threat : 
And all appear'd irregularly great. 

Here happy Horace tun'd th' Aufonian lyre 
To fweeter founds, and temper'd Pindar's fire : 
Pleas'd with Alcasus' manly rage t' infufe 
The fofter fpirit of the Sapphic Mufe. 
The polifli'd pillar dift'rent fculptures grace j 
A work outlalting monumental brafs. 
Here finiling Loves and Bacchanals appear; 
The Julian liar, and great Auguftus here,. 
The Doves that round the inliint poet fpread 
Myrtles and bays, hang hov'ring o'er his head. 

Here, in a fhrine that caft a dazzling light. 
Sat fix'd in thought the mighty Stagyrite; 
His facred head a radiant zodiac crown'd, 
And various animals his fides furround; 
His piercing eyes, ere6l, appear to view 
Superior worlds, and look all nature through^ 

With equal rays immortal Tully flione ; 
The Roman roftra deck'd the conful's throne : 
Gath'ring his flowing robe, he feem'd to ftand 
In a6l to fpeak, and graceful ftretch'd his hand. 
Behind, Rome's genius waits with civic crowns. 
And the great Father of his country owns. 

Thefe many columns in a circle rife. 
O'er which a pompous dome invades the fides : 
Scarce to the top I ftretch'd my aching fight. 
So large it fpread, and fvvell'd to fucli a height. 
Full in the midft proud Fame's imperial leat 
With jewels blaz'd, JTiagnincently great ; 
The vivid em'ralds there revive the eye, 
The flaming rubies fhew their fanguine dye. 
Bright aziire rays from lively fapphires ftream. 
And lucid amber calls a golden gleam. 
With various-colour'd light tl:e pavement fhone. 
And all on fire appear'd the glowing throne ; 
The dome's high arch reftecls the mingled blaze. 
And foi-rns a rainbow of alternate rays. " 
When on the goddefs firft I caft my fight. 
Scarce feem'd her llature of a cubit's height ; 
But fwell'd to larger fize, the more I gaz'd, 
Till to the roof her tow'ring head fhe rais'd. 
With her, the temple ev'ry moment grew; 
And ampler viftas open'd to my view : 
Upward the columns fhoot, the roofs afcend. 
And arches widen, and long aifies extend. 
Such was her form as ancient bards have told. 
Wings raife her arms, and wings her feet enfold; 

A thoufani 






Z^Q 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



A thoufand hufy tongues the Goddefs bears, 
A thoufand open eyes, and thoufand lllt'ning 
Beneath in order rang'd, the tuneful Nine [ears. 
(Her virgin handmaids) ftill attend the fhrinej 
With eyes on Fame for ever fix'd, they fung j 
ForFame they raife the voice, and tune the fing : 
With time's iirft birth began the heavenly lays, 
And laft eternal thro' the length of days. 
Around theie wonders as I caft a look, 
The trumpet founded, and the temple fliook ; 
And all the nations, fummon'd at the call, 
From difF'rent quarters hll the crowded hall : 
Ofvarioustongues the mingled Ibundswereheardj 
In various garbs promifcuous throngs appear'd j 
Thick as the bees that with the fpring renew 
Their flow^iy toils, and fip the fragrant dew, 
Wiien the wing'd colonies firft tempt the Iky, 
O'er dufky fields and Ihaded waters fly, 
Or fettling feize the fweets the blofToms yield. 
And a low murmur runs along the field. 
Millions of fuppliant crowds the flirine attend, 
And all degrees before the Goddefs bend ; 
The poor, the rich, the valiant, and the fage. 
And boafiing youth, and narrative old age. 
Their pleas were different, their requeft thefame; 
For good and bad alike are fond of Fame. 
Some Ihe difgrac'd, and fome with honours 
Unlike fucceffes equal merits found. [crownM j 
Thus her blind fifter, fickle Fortune, reigns j 
And, undifcerning, Icatters crowns and chains. 

Firft at the flirine the learned world appear. 
And to the Goddefs thus prefer their pray'r : 
Long have we fought t' inftrudl and pleafe 

mankind, 
With ftudies pale, with midnight vigils blind j 
But thank'd by few, rewarded yet by none. 
We here appeal to thy fuperior throne : 
Om wit and learning the juft prize bellow ; 
For Fame is all we muft expeft below. 

The Goddefs heard, and bade the Mufes raife 
The golden trumpet of eternal praife : 
From pole to pole the winds diffufe the found, 
That fills the circuit of the world around ; 
Not all at once, as thunder breaks the cloud : 
The notes at firlt were rather fweet than loud j 
By jull degrees they ev'ry m.oraent rife, 
Fill the wide earth, and gain upon the flcies. 
At ev'iy breath were balmy odours ftied, 
Which ftill grevv iweeter as they wider Ipread : 
Lefs fragrant fcents th' unfolding rofe exhales, 
Or fpices breathing in Arabian gales. 

Next thefe the good and juft, an awful train, 
Thus on their knees addrefs the facred fane : 
Since living virtue is with envy curs'd. 
And the heft men are treated like the worft, 
Do thou, juft Goddefs, call our merits forth, 
And give each deed th' exaft intrinfic worth. 
Not with bare juftice fliall your aft be crown'd 
(Said Fame), but high above defert renown Vi : 
Let fuller notes th"" applauding world am;^ze. 
And the loud clarion labour in your praiie. 

This hand difmifs'd, behold another crowd 
Preferred the fam.e requeft, and lowly bow'd ; 
The conftant tenour of whofe well-fpent days 
No lefs delerv'd a juft return of praife. [ 



But ftraight the direful trump of flander founds! 
Thro' the big dome thedoublingthunderbounds; 
Loud as the burft of cannon rends the flcies. 
The dire report thro' ev'iy region flies j 
In ev'ry ear incefl^ant rumours rung. 
And gath'ring fcandals drew on ev'ry tongue. 
From the black trumpet's rufty concave broke 
Sulphureous flames, and clouds of rolling fmoke; 
The pois'nous vapour blots the purple flcies. 
And withers ail before it as it flies. [wore, 

A troop came next w^ho crowns and armour 
And proud defiance in their looks they bore : 
For thee (they cried) amidft alarms and ftrife 
We fail'd in tempefts down the ftream of life ; 
Forthee whole nationsfill'dwithflamesandblood. 
And fwam to empire thro' the purple flood. 
Thofe ills we dar'd thy infpiration own j 
What virtne feem'd, was done for thee alone. 
Ambitiousfools! (theQueenreplied,andfrown'd) 
Be all your afts in deep oblivion drown'd : 
There fleep forgot, with mighty tyrants gone ; 
Yourftatuesmoulder'd,andyournaraesunknownI 
A fudden cloud ftraight fnatch'd them from my 
And each majeftic phantom funkin night. [fight. 

Then came the fmalleft tribe I yet had feen j 
Plain was their drefs, and modeft was their mien 
Great idol of mankind 1 we neither claim 
The praife of merit, nor afpire to fame ; 
But, Me in deferts from th' applaufe of men. 
Would die unheard of, as we liv'd unfeen. 
'Tis all we beg thee, to conceal from fight 
Thofe acls of goodnefs which themfelves requite. 
O let us ftill the fecret joy partake. 
To follow virtue even for virtue's fake. 

And live there men who flight immortal fame ^ 
Who then with incenfe ihall adore our name ? 
But, mortals ! know, 'tis ftill our greateft pride 
Toblaze thofe virtues which thegood would hide. 
Rife ! mufes, rife ! add all your tuneful breath ; 
Thele muft not fleep in darknefs and in death. 
She faid ; in air the trembling mufic floats. 
And on the winds triumphant fw^ell the notes j 
So foft, tho* high, fo loud and yet fo clear. 
Even lift'ningangels lean from heaven to hear: 
To furtheft fnores th' amhrofial fpirit flies. 
Sweet to the world, and grateful to the ikies. 
Next thefe, a youthful train their vows ex- 
prefs'd, [drefs'di 

With feathers crown'd, with gay embroid'ry 
Hither, they cried, direft your eyes, and fee 
The men of pieafure, drefs, and gallantry j 
Ours is the place at banquets, balls, and plays ; 
Sprigh.tiv our nights, polite are all our days ; 
Courts we frequent, where 'tis our pleaiing care 
To pay due vlfits, and addrefs the fair: 
In fa (St, 'tis true, no nymph we could perfuade, 
But ftill in fancy vanquifli"d ev'ry maid ; 
Of unknown duchefles lewd tales we tell ; 
Yet, would the world believe us, all were well. 
The joy let others have, and we the name 5 
And what w-e want in pieafure, grant in fame. 

The queen afients, the trumpet rends the Ikies, 
And at each blaft a lady's honour dies, [prefs'd 
Pleas'd with the flrange fuccefs, vaft numbers 
Around ihe flirine, and made the fame requeft : 

Whit 



Book IL 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



What ! you ({he crled)un]ec'irn'd in arts to pleafe, 
Slaves to yourfelves, and even fatigu'd with eale, 
Who lofb a length oFundeferving days — 
Would you ufurp the lover's dear-boughtpraife? 
To juft contempt, ye vain pretenders, tall j 
The people's fable and the fcorn of all ! 
Straleht the black clarion, fen- Is a horrid found, 
Loud laughs buril out, and bitierfcoffs fly round; 
^Vhifpers are heard, v/kh taunts reviling loud, 
And fcorni'ul hiffes ran thro' all the crowd. 

Laftjthofe who boalt of raightymlichiefs done, 
Enflave their country, or ufurp a throne; 
Or who their gloiy's dire foundation lay'd 
On fov'reigns ruin'd, or on friends betray'd; 
Calm thinking villains, whom no faith could fix. 
Of crooked counfels and dark politics — 
Of thele a gloomy tribe furround the throne. 
And beg to make th' immortal treafons known. 
The trumpet roars, long fleaky flames expire, 
With fparks that feem'd to fet the world on fire. 
At the dread found pale mortals ftood aghaft, 
And llartled nature trembled with the blaft. 

This having heard and feea, fome pow'r un- 
known. 
Strait changed the fcene, and fnatch'd rae from 

the throne. 
Before my view appear'd a ftrufture fair. 
Its lite uncertain, if in earth or air j; 
With rapid motion turn'd the manlion round ; 
With ceafelefs noife the ringing wslls refound ; 
Not lefs in number were the ipacious doors 
Than leav^es on trees, or fands upon tl\e fliores; 
Which ftill unfolded ftand, by night, by day, 
Pervious to winds, and open e\ 'ry v^ay. 
As flames by nature to the fKies afcend, 
As weighty bodies to the centre tend, 
As to the fea returning rivers roll, 
And the touchM needle trembles to the pole; 
Hither, as to their propep place, arife 
All various founds from earth,and feas,and fkies, 
Or fpoke aloud, or whifper'd in the ear; 
Nor ever filence, refl, or peace is here. 
As on the fmooth expanfe of cryftal lakes 
The finking ftone at firil a circle makes ; 
The trembling furface, by the motion flirr'd 
Spreads in a fecond circle, then a third ; 
Wide, and more wide,the flouting rings advance. 
Fill all the wat'ry plain,and to themaj-gindance : 
Thus ev'17 voice and found,whenfirfttheybreak, 
On neighboring air a foft imprefnon make j 
Another ambient circle then they move ; 
That, in its turn, impels the next above j 
Thro' undulating air the founds are fent, 
And fpreado'er all the fluid element. 

There various news I heard of love and flrife, 
Of peace 'and war, health, ficknefs, death and 

life } 
Of lofs and gain, of famine and of fiore ; 
Of ftorms and fea, and travels on the fhore ; 
Of prodigies, and portents feen in air ; 
Of fires and plagues, and liars with blazisg hair: 
Of turns of fortune, changes in the ftate; 
The falls of favourites, projefts of the great ; 
Of old mifmanao^ements, taxations new : 
All neither wholly falfe, nor wholly true. 



241 

Above, below, without, within, around, 
Confus'd, unnumbered multitudes are found. 
Who pafs, repafs, advance, and glide avVay j 
Hofts rais'd by fear, and phantoms of a day : 
Aftrologers, that future fates forefliew ; 
Projeftors, quacks, and lawyers not a few j 
And priefts, and party zealots,numerous bandj. 
With home-born lies,or tales fron\ foreign landsj 
Each taik'd aloud, or in fome fecret place ; 
And wild impatience flar'd in ev'ry face. 
The flying rumours gather'd as they roli'd. 
Scarce any tale was fooner heard than told ; 
And all who told it added fbmething new, ^ 
And all who heard it made enlargements too ; > 
In ev'ry ear it fpread, on ev'ry tongue it grew. > 
Thus flying eail and v/eft, and north and fouth. 
News traveird with increafe from mouth to 

mouth. 
So from a Ipark that kindled firll by chance, 
With gathering force the quick'ning flames 

advance ; 
Till to the clouds their curling heads afnire. 
And tow'rs, and temples fmk in floods of fire. 

When thus ripe lies are to perfeftion fprung. 
Full grown, and fit to grace a mortal tongue. 
Thro' thoufand vents impatientjforththey flow, 
And rufii in millions on the world below ; 
Fame fits alofL,and points them out their courfe. 
Their date determines, andprefcribestheirforcej 
Some to retain, and fome to perifh foon j 
Or wane and wax alternate like the moon. 
Around a thoufand winged wonders fly, [fky, 
Bornebythetrurapet'sblaft, andfcatter'd tnro'the 

Thdre, at one paffage, oft you may furvey 
A lie and truth contending for the way ; 
And long 'twas doubtful, both fo clofely pent. 
Which lirfl fnould iffue thro' the narrow vent? 
At laft agreed, together out they fly, 
Tnfeparable now the truth and lie j 
The ftri6t companions are for ever join'd, 
And this or that unmix'dnomortal e'erfliallfind. 

While thus I flood, intent to fee and hear. 
One came, methought, and whifper'd in my earr 
What could thus high thy rafli ambition raife I 
Art thou, fond youth, a candidate for praiie ? 

'Tis true, faid I, not void of hopes I came. 
For who fo fond as youthful bards of Fame ? 
But few, alas ! the caiual ble^ing boaft, 
So hard to gain, fo eafy to be loft. 
How vain that fecond life in others' breath, 
Th' efcate which* wits inhei^it after death ! 
Eafe, health, and life, for this they muft refign ; 
Unfure the tenure, but how vafl the fine ! 
The greatman's curfe,without thegainSjCndurcj 
Be env^ied, wretched — and be flatter"'d, pooi" j 
All lucklefs wits their enemies profeft, 
And all fuccefsful, jeal«us friends at beft. 
Nor fame I flight, nor for her favours call ; 
She comes unlook'd for, if fhe comes at all. 
But if the purchafe cofts fo dear a price 
As foothing folly, or exalting vice ; 
Oh ! if the mufe mull flatter lawlefs fway, 
And follow ftill where fortune leads the way ; 
Or if no balis bear my rifmg name 
But the fallen ruins of another's fatne— 

R Theiv 



n^ 



f. L E G A N T EXTRA C T S, 



Book II. 



Then tcacli me,Heaven! tc fcorn thegulltybays, 
Drive from my bread that wretcliedlullof praile, 
Ifnblemiflrd let me live, or (lie unknown ; 
Oh ;rrant an honelt fame, or i^rant me none '. 



^15. The happy Life of a Country Varfon, Pope. 

In Imitation of Dr. Swift. 
Parson, tbefe things in thy poilerhng- 
Are better than the Bifnop's blefling — 
A Wife that makes eonferves ; a Steed 
That carries double when there''s need j 
Oclober ftore, and be ft Virginia 5 
Ty the -Pig, and mortuary Guinea ; 
Gazettes fent gratis down ; and frank'd, 
Vo" whicJi thy patron's weekly thank'd j' 
A large Concordance, bound long fince ; 
Sermons to Charles the Firic when Prince \ 
A Chronicle of ancient ftanding ; 
A Chryfoftom to fmooth th.y band in. 
The Pv->lyglott — three parts — my text, 
Howbeit-T-likewife — now to my next. 
Lo.! hpre the Septuagint — and Paul, 
To fum the whole — the clofe of ail. 
•• He that has thefe, may pafs his life, 
Drink with the 'Squire, and kifs his Wife; 
On Sunilays pteach, and eat his fill ; 
And fell on Fridays — if he v/ill : 
Toaft Church a,hd Queen, explain the News, 
Talk withChurchwardens about pews, 
Pray heartily for fome new Gift, 
And fhake his head at Dr. S 1. 



I 1 6. An EJjhy on Man. In Four Epi/iIes.'Vope. 

To H. St. John Lord Eolingbroke. 

EPISTLE L 



Cf ib 



ARGUMENT. 

Nature and State of Man n^j'itb refpeSi to 



the bodily qualifications oj the Brutes-^ though 
to pnjjefs any of the fenfitive faculties in a 
hiy'her degree n.vould render him miferable. — 
^hat throughout the nuhole <vifible nvorld an 
um^erfal order and gradation in the fenfual 
and mental fufiuliies is ohferved^ <vjhich caufes 
a fubordination of creature to creature, and 
of all creatures to Man. The gradations of 
fenfe, inftind, thought, refle6>ion, reafon } 
that Reafon alone counter-vails all the other fa- 
culties. — Ho<u) much further this order and fub- 
or.iination of li<vi?ig creatures may extend 
above and belovj us-., tvere any fart of 'zvhicb 
broken, not that part only, but the ivhole con^ 
neBed creation mufl he defiroyed. — The extra- 
va?;ance, ma-'^Jiefs, and \)n6.t of fuch a dejire, 
— The confequence of all the abfolute fubinif- 
lion due to Pro-vidence, both as to our prefent 
and future ftate. 
Av/AKE, my Saint John! leave all meaner 

things 
To low ambition and the pride of Kings. 
Let us, fince life can little more fupply 
Than jufl: to look about us, and to die, 
Expatiate free o'er all this fcene of Man ; 
A mighty maze! but not without a plan; [flioot; 
A Wild, where weeds and flcw'rs promilcuous 
Or Garden, tempting v/ith forbidden fruit. 
Together let us beat this ample field. 
Try what the open, what the covert yield ! 
The latent tracks, the giddy heights explore. 
Of all who blindly creep, or lightlefs foarj 
Eye Nature's walks, Ihoot Folly as it fiies. 
And catch the manners living as tliey rife; 
Laugh where we m.u'i, be candid where we can. 
But vindicsfc the waye of God to Man ; 
Say firil, of God above, or Man belov/^ 
What can we reafon, but from whas we know? 
Of -Man, what fee we b^t his ftation here, , 



.- From which to reafon, or to whicli refer ? 

the Um^erfe. Through v/orlds unnumber'd tho' the God be 

Of Man tn the ahfiraa.—That nve r«// jW^^ 'Tis ours to trace him only in ourown. [known, 
only njj'itb^ regard to our o-ivn fyftem, being ig- \ Ke who thro' valt immenfity can pierce, ■ 
iioyyM of the relations of fyfejns and things.— See worlds on worlds compcfe one univerfe, 

Obferve how fyllem into fyltera runs, 



That Man is not to be deemed irnperfecr 
a Being fuited to his place and 



but 
in the 



What other nlanets circle other funs, 



creation, agreeable to the general Order 0/ What vai-ied' Being peoples ev'ry fiar. 



thlngj, and conforfnahle to Y.TiA'i ^^W Relations 
to hi.n unkaonjjn.^-That it is partly upon his 
ignoi-ance of future events, and partly upon 
the hope nf a future fate, that all his hap- 
pinefs in the prefent depeitds, — The pride of 
ciimi?ig at more knouAedge, and pretending to 
more perfeSiion, the caufe of Mans error and 
fnifery, 'ihe impiety of putting hsmfelf in the 
place 0/ God, and judging of the fitnefs or 

nnfitntfs, perfeajoH^or iviperfeaion, jujHce orlPirlt, if thou canit, the harder reafon gue!., 
injujltce, of his difpenfations.—The abfurdity | Why form'd no weaker, blinder, and no lefs ; 
of conceiting htmfef the final caufe of the ere- Alk of tliy mother eaith, why oaks are made 
ation, or exi^eairig that p erf e a ion in the moral | Taller and Itronger than the weeds they fliadej 
ivorld 'wInch is not in the natural.— -The Or allc of yonder argent fields above, 
-\inreafonabiencfs of his complaints a^ainjl Pro- Why Jove's Satellites, are lefs than Jove, 
vidence, ^x^hile on the one haiid he demands Of fvltemsponible,' if 'tis confell 
the perfechons of the Ang4s, and on the other That \Vifdom infinite muit form the bcH-, 

Where 



May tell why Heaven has made us as we arc. 
But of this frauK- the bearings and the ties. 
The ilrong conne6Hons, nice dependencies. 
Gradations jufi, has thy pervading foul 
Look'd thro' ? or can a part contain the Avhole? 

Is the great chain that draws ail to agree. 
And drawn fupports, upheld by God or thee ? 
PrefumptuousManl the realbn wouldit thou find 
Why form'd fo weak, fo little, and fo blind ? 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, D E S C R r P T I V^, &c. 



2+3 



Go, wlfer thou ! and In thy fcale of fenfe 
Weigh thy Opinion againft Providence ; 
Call imperfection what thou fancieft fuch ; 
Say, here he gives too little, there too much: 
Deiiroy all cieatures for thy fport or guft j 
Yet cry, if Man's unhappy, God's unjuft; 
If Man alone engrois not Heaven's high care, 
Alone made perfefl here, immortal there : 
Snatch from his hand the balance and the rod, 
Re-jud|;e his julHce, be the God of God. 
In Pride, in reasoning Pride our error lies ; 
All quit their fphere, and rufh into the fkies. 
Pride is itill aiming at the bleft abodes; 
Men would be Arigels, Angels would beGods# 
Afpiring to be Gods, if Angels fell, 

""Tis but a part we fee, andnota whole., [iirains Alpiring to be Angels, Men rebel : 
When theproud Steed fliallknow whyman re- And who br.t wiflies to invert the law^fci 

His fiery courle, or drives liim o'er the plains, { Of Order, lin^jjagainil ih' Eternal Caufe. 

WheniheduU Ox, why now he breaks the ciod,i Aik tor what end the heavenly bjDdies fliine. 

Is now a viclim, and now ^Egypt's God ; j Earth for whole uiis ? Pride anfwers, " 'Tis for 



Where all mull fall or not coherent be, 
And all that rifes riie in due degree j 
Then in the fcale of reas'ning life, 'tis plain. 
There muil be lomewhere fuch a rank as Man : 
And all the queltion (wrangle e'er fo long) 
Is only this, if God has plac'd him wrong? 

Refpcfting Man, whatever wrong we call. 
May, mult be right, as relative to all. 
In human works, tho' labour'd on with pain, 
A thoulhnd movements fcarce onepurpofe gain; 
In God's, one fmgle can its end produce. 
Yet ferves to fecond too fome other ufe ; 
So Man, who here feems principal alone. 
Perhaps afts fecond to fome fphere unknown. 
Touches fome v/heel, or verges to fome goal j 



Then Ihail Man's prideand dijlnefscomprehend 
His anions', paiTions', being's, ufe and end ; | 
V/hy doingjfuff 'nng,check'd,impeirdjandwhy i 
This hour a Have, the next a deity. j 

Then fay not Man's imperfect. Heaven inj 
Say rather, Man's as perfeft as he ought: [fault ;i 
His knov/ledge meafur'd to his ilate and place, j 
His time a moment, and a point his fpace. j 

Heaven fromallcreaturesuidesthebookof Fate, 
All but the page preicrib'd, tlieir prefent fi;ite; 
From brutes what men, from men what fpn-its 
Or who could fuifer Being here below?[know; 
The lamb thy riot dooms'to bleed to-day ; 
Had he thy Reafon, would he fkip and play ? 
Pleas'd to the laft, he crops the How'ry food. 
And licks the hand juit rais'd to Ih'ed his blood. 
Oh biindlefs to the future! kindly given. 
That each may fill the circle mark'd by Heaven: 
Who fees with equal eye, as God of all, 
A hero perilli, or a fparrow tall ; 
Atoms or fyftems into ruin hurl'd ; 
And now a bubble burft,andnowa world. [foar; 

Hope humbly then; with trembling pinions 
Wait the great teacher Death, and God adore. 
What future blifs he gives not thee to know; 
But gives that Hope to be thy blciTing now; 
Hope fprings eternal in the human breait ; 
Man never Is but always. To be bleil. 
The foul uneafy, and confin'd from home, 
Relts and expatiates in a life to come. 

Lo! the poor Indian, whofe untutor'd mind 
Sees God in clouds, or hears him in the wind; 
His foul proud Science never taught to ftray 
Far as the Ibiar walk, or milky way ; 
Yet fimple Nature to his hope has given, 
Behind the cloud-topthill, an humbler heaven ; 
Some fafer world in depth of woods embrac'd. 
Some happier iliand in tiie v/at'ry waile ; 
Where fiaves o-ice moretheir native land behold. 
.No fiends torment, noChriitians thiril: for gold. 
To Be, contents his natural defire, 
He aiks no Angel's vving,^ no Sera-ph's fire ; 
But thinks, admitted to that eqUil iTcy, 
His faitliful dog (hall bear him company, ^ 



" For me kind Nature wakes her genial pow'r, 
" Suckles eachherb,andfprends out ev'rj'liow'r, 
" Annual for jne the grape, the rofe, renew 
" The juice neftareous, and the balmy.dew ; 
" For me the mine a thouiand treafures brings, 
" For rae health gulhes from a thoufand fpringsj 
" Seas roll to v/aft me, funs to light me rife j 
" My footilool earth, my canopy the ikies," 

But errs not Nature from this gracious end. 
From burning funs when livid deaths deicend. 
When earthquakes fvvaliow or when tempeiis 

fvveep 
Towns to one grave, -w'hoic Nations to the deep? 
" No ('tis replied) ; the firit Almight}'- Caule 
'' Ads not by partial but by gen'ral laws ; [gan : 
" Tir exceptions tevv'; ibme change fince all be- 
" And what created oerfeil ?" — Why then man? 
If the great end be hunian Happinefs, 
Then Nature deviates; and can Man do lefs .' 
As much that end a conilant courfe require:> 
Of Ihow rs and funlhine, as of Man's denres; 
As much eternal fprings and cioudiefs ikies. 
As m.en for ever temp'rate, calm, and wife. 
If plagues or earthquakes break not Heaven's 
Wh}^ then a Borgia or a Cataline ? yefign, 
Whoknowsbuthewholehandthelightningform*, 
Who heaves old ocean, and whowingstheftorms. 
Pours fierce Ambition in aCxlar'smind, [kind? 
Or turns young Ammon loofeto fcourgeman- 
From pride,from. pi-ide,ourveryreas'ningfprings; 
Account for moral as for nat'ral things ; 
Why charge we Heaven in thofe, in thele acquit, 
T.a both, to reafon right, is to fubmit. 
Better for us, perhaps, it might appear, 
Were there all harmony, all virtue here ; 
That never air or ocean felt the wind ; 
That never paffion difcompos'd the mind. 
But all fubfifts by elemental ftrife ; 
And pafiions are the elemen s of Life. 
The gen'ral Order, fince the whole began. 
Is kept in Nature, and is.kept in Man . 

What would this Man ? Now upward w*'l as 

Andjlittle lefs than AnL':el,wou!d be moreiTibar, 

i R 2 Now, 



344 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book 11. 



Nowjlookliig dowmvard, juft as griev'd appears 
To want the Ibength of bulls, the fur of bears. 
Made for his life -^il creatures if he call. 
Say what the ufe, had he the powers of all ? 
Nature to thele, without profufion kind, 
The proper organs, proper powers aiTign'd j 
Each feeming want com-penfated of courfe, 
Here with degrees of fwiftnefs, there offeree 5 
All in exaft proportion to the ftate : 
Nothing to add, and nothing to abate : 
Each bead, each infeiSf, happy in its own : 
Is Heaven unkind to Man, and Man alone? 
Shall he alone, whom rational we call, 
Be pleas'd vvith nothing, if not blelt with all ? 

The blifs of man, (conld Pride that bleHing 
Is not to aft or think beyond mankind: [find) 
No powVs of body of or foul to fliare. 
But what his nature and his ftate caii bear. 
Why has iiot man a microfcopic eye ? 
For this plain reafon, Man is not a fly. 
Say what the ufe, were finer optics given, 
T' infpeft a mite, not comprehend the heaven ? 
Or touch, if tremblingly alive all o'er. 
To fmart and agonize at eveiy pore? 
Or, quick effluvia darting thro' the brain, 
Die of a rofe in aromatic pain, 
If nature thundered in his opening ears, 
AndftvmnM him with the mufic of the fpheres, 



Beaft, bird, fifh, infeft, what no eye can fee, 
No glafs can reach 5 from Infinite to ihee, ■ 
From thee to Nothing. — On fuperio)- pow'rs 
Were v/e to prefs, inferior might on ours 5 
Or in the full creation leave a vod. 
Where, one ftep broken, the great fcalc*s de-- 

Itroy'd: 
Frome Nature's chain whatever link you ftrike, 
Tenth, or ten-thoufandth,breaksthechain alike. 

And, if each fyrnptom in gradation roll 
Alike eflential to the amazing Whole, 
The leaft eonfafion but in one, not all 
That lyftem only, but the whole mull fall. 
Let earth unbalanced from her orbl;: fly. 
Planets and Suns run lavvlefs thro' the (ky ; 
Let ruling Angels from their fpheres be hurled. 
Being on"Being wreckM. and world on world ; 
Heaven's whole foundations to their centrenod. 
And Nature tremble to the throne of God: 
All this dread Order break — forwhom? for thee ? 
Vile v/orm ?— oh raadnefs, pride, impiety ! 

What if the foot, ordain'd the dull to tread, 
Or hand, to toil, afpir'd to be the head ? 
What if the head, the eye, or ear repined 
To ferve mere engines to the ruling mind ? 
Jufl as abfurd for any part to claim 
To be another, in this gen'ral frame ; _ 
Jull as abfurd to mourn the tafks or pains 



How would he wiih that Heav'n had left him The great direding Mind of all ordains 



The whifpering Zephyr, and the purling rill 1 
Who finds not Providence all good and wife. 
Alike in what it gives and what denies ? 

Far as Creation's ample range extends. 
The fcale of fenfual, mental pow'rs afcends : 
Mark how it mounts to Man's imperial race, 
From the green myriads in the peopled grafs : 
What modesof fight betwixt each wide extreme, 
The mole's dim curtain, and tlie lynx's beam ! 
Of fmell,the headlong lionefs between. 
And hound fagacious on the tainted green ! 
Of hearing, from the life that fills the flood. 
To that which warbles through the vernal wood! 
The fpider's touch, how exquifitely fine ! I 
Feels at each thread, and lives along the line ! 
In the nice bee what fenfe fo fubtly true 
Frompois'nous herbs extrafts the healing dew r 
How inftinft varies in the grov'ling fwine, 
Compar'd, half-reafoning elephant, with thine ! 
'Twixt that and Reafon v/hat a nice barrier ! 
For ever fep'rate, yet for ever near ! 
Remembrance and Reiieftion how allied, 
What thin partitionsSenfefrom.Thought divide ! 
And middle natures how they long ^o join. 
Yet never pafs th' infuperable line ! 
W'ithoutthis jufl gradation could they be 
Suhjefted, thefe to thofe, or all to thee ? 
The powers of all fubdued by thee alone. 
Is not thy Reafon all thefe pow'rs in one? 

See thro' this air, this ocean, and this earth, 
All matter quick, a»d burfiin^ into birth. 
Above, how high progrefHve hie may ^o 1 
A.roundjhow wide ! how deep extend^ below ! 
Vaft chainof being I which from God began j 
Natures ethereal, human, angel, man, 



All are but part5 of one flupendous whole, 
Whofe body Nature is, and God the Soul 5 
That, chan'g'd thro' all, and yet in all the fame. 
Great in the earth as in th' ethereal frame; 
eWarins in the fun, refrelhes in the breeze. 
Glows in the flars, andblolToms in the trees; 
Lives thro' all life, extends thro' all extent ; 
Spreads undivided, operates unfpent; 
Breathes in our foul, informs our mortal part,. 
As full, as perfect, in a hair as heart ; 
As full, as perfect, in vile Man that mourns. 
As the rapt Seraph that adores and burns : 
To him no high, no low, no great, no fmall ; 
He fills, he bounds, connecls, and equals all. 

Ceafe then, nor Order Imperfeftions name : 
Our proper blifs depends on what we blame. 
Know thy-ov.-n point : tliis kind, this due degree 
Of blindnefs, v.^eaknefs. Heaven bellows on thee. 
Submit — in this, or any other fphere. 
Secure to be as bleft as thou canfl bear : 
Safe in the hand of one difnofing Pow'r, 
Or in the natai, or the mortal hour. 
All Nature is bat art unknown to th?e ; 
All Chance, Direftion which thou canllnotfeti 
All Difcord, Harmony not underflood ; 
All partial Evil, univerfal Good : 
And fpite'of Pride, in erring Reafon's fpire, 
One truth is clear, U'bate'ver u, is rigbt» 

EPISTLE II. 

ARGUMENT. 

Of the Nuiure and State ofMann.vilh refpeS to 

Himfelf, as an hidi'viduaL 
The Bufincfs4 Man not to pry into God buitofudj 
Hiinfclf. Hi^ Middle Nature j his Poivers and 

frailtia. 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



U; 



Frailties. — The Limits of his Capacity. — The 
ttvo Principles of Man, Self-love and Reafon, 
both necejj'ary. — Self-love the jirongeVy and 
nvhy, — Their end the fame, — The Palfions, and 
their ufe. — The Predominant Pafllon, and its 
force. — Its necejjity in directing Men to different 
Purpofes — Its providential Ufe, in fixing our 
Principle y and afcertaining our /^zr/«£.— Virtue 
and Wee joined in our mixed Nature 5 the limits 
near y yet the things feparate a):dt\n\snl : li hat 
is the Qff.:e of Reafon. — lio^w odious Vice in 
itfelf and hozv ive decei-ve rmrfel'ues in it. — 
'That, honve-uery the Ends of Providence and 
general Good are anjh'jered in our Paffions and 
Imperfeilions. — Ho^ ^f*if^^'y fhefe are dijlributed 
to all Orders of Men. — Ho-iv ufeful they are to 
Society, and to Individuals, in every itate and 
e-very age of Ufe. 

Know then thy felf, prefume not God to lean j 
The proper Itudy of Mankind is Man. 
Plac'd on this ifthmus of a middle ilate, 
A being darkly wife, and rudely great; 
With too much knowledge for the Sceptic fide, 
With too much weaknefs for the Stoic's pride. 
He hangs between; in doubt to acl or reft. 
In doubt to deem hirafelf a God or Beafc j 
In doubt his Mind or Body to prefer ; 
Born but to die, and reafoning but to err; 
Alike in ignorance, his reafon fuch. 
Whether he thinks too little, or too much : 
Chaos of Thought and Paffion, all confas'd, 
Still by himfelf abus'd or dilabus'd ; 
Created half to rife, and half to fall ; 
Great lord of ail things, yet a prey to all : 
Sole judge of Truth, in endlefs Error hurPd : 
The glory, jeft, and riddle of the world ! 

Go,wond'rous creature ! mount where Science 
guides. 
Go, meafare earth, weigh air, and (late the tides 
Inltrucl the planets in what orbs to run. 
Correal old Time, and regulate the Sun ; 
Go, foar with Plato to th' empyreal Iphere, 
To the lirft good, Hnl perfeft, and firll fair; 
Or tread the mazy round his followers tix»d. 
And quitting fenle call imitating God; 
As Eaftern prielts in giddy circles run. 
And turn their heads to imitate the Sim. 
Go, teach Eternal Wifdom how to rule ; 
Then drop into thy felf, and be a fool ! 

Superior beings, when of late they faw 
A mortal Man unfold all Nature's law, 
Admir'd fuch wifdom in an earthly Ihaoe, 
And fliew'd a Newton as we fliew an Ape. 

Could he, whofe raids the rapid comet bind, 
Defcribe or fix one movement of his Mind r 
Who faw its fires here rife, and there defcend, 
Explain his own beginning or his end ? 
Alas, what wonder '. Man's fuperior part 
Uncheck'd may rife, and climb from art to art ; 
But when his own great work is but begun, 
WHiat Reafon weaves, by Paffion is undone. 

Trace Science then, with Modefty thy guide 
Firll: ilrip off all her equipage of Pride j 



Deduv5l but what is Vanity or Drefs, 
Or Learning's Luxury, or Idlenefs ; 
Or tricks to fhew the llretch of human brain. 
Mere curious pleafure, or ingenious pain; 
Expunge the whole, or lop th' excrefcent part» 
Of all our Vices have created Arts; 
Then fee how little the remaining fum. 
Which ferv'dthe pafi:,and mufh the time to cornel 

Two Principles in hmnan nature reign; 
Self-love to urge, and Realbn to refti-ain : 
Nor this a good, nor that a bad we call ; 
Each works its end, to move or govern all : 
And to their nroper operation iliil 
Afcribe all Good; to their improper, 111. 

Self-love, thefpring of motion, afts the foulj 
Reafon's comparing balance rules the whole, 
Man, but for that, no action could attend j 
And, but for this, were adtive to no end; 
Fix'd like a plant on his peculiar foot. 
To draw nutrition, propagate, and rot: 
Or, meteor-like, flame lawiefs thro' the voidf 
Deflroying others, by himfelf deftroy'd. 
Moll flrength the moving principle requires; 
Aftive its talk, it prompts, impels, infpires. 
Sedate and quiet the comparing lies, 
Form'd but to check, deliberate, and advife* 
Self-love, Hill Hronger, as its objefts nigh j 
Reafon's at diftance and in profpedl lie : 
That fees immediate good by prefent fenfe ; 
Reafon, the future and the confequence. 
Thicker than arguments temptations throng; 
Vt beft more watchful this, but that more flrong. 
The aftion of the flronger to fiifpend. 
Reafon Hill ufe, to Reafon flill attend. 
Attention, habit and experience gains; 
Each llrengthens Reafon, and Self-love retrains. 
Let f ubtleTchooimen teach thefe friends to fight. 
More ftudious to divide than to unite ; 
And Grace and Virtue, Senfe and Reafon fplit, 
With all the rafli dexterity of wit. 
Wits, juit like Fools, at vv-ar about a name, 
Piave full as oft no meaning, or the fame. 
Self-love and Reafon to one end afpire ; 
Pain their averfion, Pleafure their defu'e; 
But greedy that, its objeft would devour; 
This talie the honey, and not wound the flow'r i 
Pleafure, or wrong or rightly underltood. 
Our grcateft evil, or our greateft good. 

Modes of Self-love the Paffions we may calif 
'Tis real good, or feeming, moves them all: 
But fmce not ev'ry good we can divide, 
And Reafon bids us for our own provide ; 
Paffions, tho' felfifli, if their means be fair, 
Liil under Reafon, and deferve her care; 
Thofe that imparted court a nobler aim. 
Exalt their kind, and take fome Virtue's name* 

In lazy Apathy let Stoics boafl 
Their Virtue fix'd ; 'tis fix'd as in a froil ; 
Contra6led all, retiring to the breaft; 
But flrength of mind is Exercife, not Refl. 
The rifing tempeft puts in aft the foul ; 
Parts it may ravage, but preferves the whole. 
On life's vaft ocean diverfely we fail, 
IReaibn the card, but Paffion is the gale : 
* R 3 Nor 



246 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



Nor God alone in the Hill calm we fiiu], 

Ke mounts the ilorm, andwaiks U]K>n the wind. 

Pallions, like elements, tho' born to fight. 
Yet mix'd and i"oi"ten"'d in hie- work uinte : 
TiiCJc 'tis enough to temper and employ; 
But what compoies Man, can Man deiboy? 
Saflice that Realon keep to Nature's road, 
£ubje6V, conipound them, follow her and God. 
l.ove,Hope,and joy, fair Pleafuie'sfmiling train; 
Hate, Fear, and Giief, the family of Fain : 
Thele m":x"d wi th art,and to du e bounds con lin'd, 
!Make and raaii'itain the balance of the mind; 
The lights and Ihades, whofe well-accorded ftrife 
Gives :;11 the ftrengdi and colour of our life. 

Plt.tfures are ever in our bands and eyes; 
And, when in aft they ceafe, in profpect rife : 
Pvefent to grafp, and future fcill to find, 
The whole employ of body and of mind. 
All fpread theij- charm.s, but charm not all alike ; 
On diri"'rent fenfes ditfrent objects ftrike : 
Hence ditF'rent PaiTions more or lefs inflame, 
As ftrbng or wenk the organs of the frame ; 
And heuce oi^e mailer PafTion in the breaft. 
Like Aaron's ferpent, fwallows up, the reft. 

As man, perhaps, the moment of his breath. 
Receives the lurking principle of death ; 
The young difeaie, that mult fubdue al length. 
Grows wirhhis growth, and ftrengthens with his 
SojCali: and mingledwith his very frame, [ftrength; 
The mind's di leaf e,''' its ruling pafTion came ; 
Each vital humour Vvhich fnould feed the whole, 
Soon fovvs to this, in body and in foul : 
Whatever warms the heart, or fills the head, 
As the hiine opens, and its fun(?cio'ns fpread. 
Imagination plies her dang'rous art, 
And pours it all upon the peccant part. 

Nature its mother, habit is its nurfe; 
Wit, fpirit, faculties, but make it worfe ; 
Keaibn itlelf but gives it edge and pow'r; 
As heayen-s bieft beam turns vinegar more four. 

We, wretched ft. bjcftb tho' ., to lawful (way, 
In this weak queen, fome fdv'nte Hill obey: 
Ah ! if ihe lend not arms as well as rules, 
AVhat can fhe more than ttll us we are fools ? 
Teach us to mourn our nature, not to n\tn6 ; 
A Iharp accnfer, but a l-.elplels friend ! 
Or from a judge turn pleader, to perfuade 
The choice we m.ake, or juftify it made; 
Pro I'd of an eafy conqueft all along, 
JShe but removes weak pafTions for the fcrong : 
bo, wheji fmall humours gather to a gout. 
The do6tor fancies he has driven them out. 

Yes, nature's road rnuft ever be prefe:r\l ; 
Reafon is here no guide, but ftill a guard; 
lis here to rectify, not overthrow, 
And tre^t this piiflion more as friend th:n foe'; 
A mightier Pow'r the llror,g direftion fends, 
And lev'ral men impels to Tev'ral ends'. 
Like varying winds, by other palTions toft, 
Ti'.ib drives them conftant to a certain coaft. 
Let pow'r or knowledge, gold or glory pleafe, 
iJi- (oft mordtcng than all) the love of eale , 
Thro' life 'tis (bliow'd, even at life's e^pence ; 
The mei chant" s toil, the iage's indolence. 



The monk's humility, the hero's pride ; 
All, all alike fir\d Reafon on their lide. 

Th' Eternal Art, educing good from ill. 
Grafts on this Paflion our belt principle : 
'Tis thus the Mercury of Man is fix'd. 
Strong grows:the Virtue with his nature max'd j 
The drofs cements what elle v,'ere too refin'd. 
And in one int'reft body afts with mind. 

As fruits, ungrateful to the planter's care, 
On favage ftocks ini'erted learn to bear ; 
The fureit Virtuts thus from Pafiions fhoot. 
Wild Nature's vigour working at the root. 
What crops of v»it and honelty appear 
From fpleen, from obftinacy, hate, or fear ! 
See anger, zeal and fortitude fupply : 
Ev'n av'rice, prudence, floth, philofophy ; 
Luft, thro' iome certain ftrainers well refin'd, 
Is gentle love, and charms all v/omankind; 
Envy, to which th' ignoble mmd 's a flave. 
Is enuiiation in the ieasn'd or brave; " 
Nor Virtue, male or female, can we name. 
But what will grow on Pride, or grow on Shame. 

Thus Nature gives us (let it check our pride) 
The virtue iieareft to our vice allied ; 
Reafon the bias turns to good from ill, 
And Nero reigns a Titus if he will. 
The fiery foul abhorr'd in Cataline, 
In Decius charms, in Curtius is divine: 
The fame ambition can deitroy or fave. 
And makes a patriot as it makes a knave. 

This light and darknefs in our chaos join'd. 
What fnall divide ? The God within the mind. 

Extremes in Mature equal ends produce ; 
In man they join to fome myfterious ule: 
Tho' each by turns the other's bounds invade. 
As, in fome well wrought picture, light andfliade. 
And oft [o mix, the diif' rence is too nice 
Where ends the Virtue, or begins the Vice» 

Fools ! who from hence into the notion fall. 
That Vice or Virtue there is none at all. 
If white and black blend, fbften, and unite 
A thoufand wayi:, is therf: no black or white ? 
Afk your own heart, and nothing is fo plain j 
'Tis to miitake them cofis the time and pain. 

Vice is a monfter of fo frightful mien. 
As, to be hated, r>eeds but to 'oe feen ; 
Yet, feen too oft, familiar with her face. 
We nrft ejidure, then pity, then embrace. 
Kut where th' Extreme of Vice, was ne'er agreed : 
Aik where 's the North ? at York, 'tis on the 
In Scotland, at the Orcades ; and there, [Tweed ; 
AtGreenland, Zembla, or the Lordknows where. 
No creature owns it in the firft degree, 
iiut thiiiks his neighbour further gone than he : 
Ev'n thoie who dwell beneath its very zone. 
Or never feel the rage, or never own ; 
What happier natures fhrink at with aftright. 
The hard inhabitant contends is right. 

Virtucus and vicious ev'i"}' man muft be ; 
Few in th"" extreme, but all in the degree: 
The rogue and fool, by fits,^is fair and wife ; 
And ev'n the beft, by fits, what they defpife. 
'Tis but by parts we foll-jw good or ill ! 
For, Vice or Virtue, Self direfts it itillj 

■ £a€h 



Book II. 



D I D A C T I C, . D E S C R I P T I V E, Sec 



247 



Each individual feeks a fev'ral goal 5 [Whole -. 
Bat Heaveirs great view is One, and that the 
l^hat coiintervvoiks each folly and ca^M-Jce ; 
That diiappoints th' eftefl of ev'ry vice; 
That, happy frailties to all ranks applied — 
Sbame to the virgin, to the matron pride,- 
Fear to the ftatefman, raihnefs to the chief, 
To kings prefurnption, and to crowds belief: 
That, Virtue's ends from vanity can raife, 
Which feelis no int'reft, no reward but praife 5 
And builds on wants, and on defers of mind, 
The joy, the peace, the glory of Mankind. 

Heaven, forming each on other to depend, 
A maiter, or a fervaat, or a frierid. 
Bids each on other for anHlance call, [all. 

Till cne Man's weaknefs grows the llrength of 
Wants, frailties, pailions, ciofer Hill ally 
The common int'reiV, or endear the tie. 
To thefe we owe true friend (hip, love lincere, 
Each home-felt joy that life inherits here ; 
Yet from the fame v/e learn, in its decline, 
Thofe joys, thofe loves, thofe infreits to refign ; 
Taught half by Reafcn, half by mere decay. 
To welcome death, and calmly pafs away. 

Whatever the PafIion,knovi^ledge, fame, or pelf. 
Not one will change his neighbour with himl'elf. 
The learn'd is happy nature-to explore, 
The fool is happy that he knows no more j 
The rich is happy in the plenty given, 
The poor contents him with the care of Heaven. 
See the blind beggar dance, the cripple fmg, 
The fot a hero, lunatic a king j 
The ftarving chem.ifl in his golden \^iews 
Supremely bleft ; the poet in his Mufe. 
See fome itrange comfort ev'ry Rate attend, 
And pride, belLOw'd on all, a common friend : 
See fome fit paffion ev'iy age fupply ; 
Hope travels through, nor quits us when we die. 

Behold the child, by nature's kindly law, 
Pleas'd with a rattle, tickled v.'ith a ftraw; 
Some livelier plaything gives his youth delight, 
A little louder, but as empty quite ; 
Scarfs, garters, gold, amufe his riper ftage, 
And beads and pray'r-books are the toys of age: 
Pleas'd with this bauble ilill, as that before; 
Till tir'd he fie«ps, and Life's poor play is o'er. 
Meanwhile Opinion gilds with varying rays 
Thofe painted clouds that beautify our days ; 
Each want of happinefs by Hope fupplied, 
And each vacuity of lenfe by Pride: 
Thefe build as fail as knowl:- ^ge can deftroy 5 
In folly's cup ftill laughs the bubDle, Joy: 
One profpeft lofi, another itiil we gain; 
And not a vanity is given in vain. 
Ev'n mean Self-love becomes, by force divine. 
The fcale to meafure otliers' wants by thine. 
See ! and confefs, one comfort ftill mull rife; 
'Tis this — tho' Man 's a fool, yet God is wife. 
EPISTLE 'in. 

ARGUMENT. 

Of the Nature and. State of Man ^vith refpeSi to 

Society. 
The 'whole Uni'verfe 'one Syfiem of Society. — Nothing 
made wholly for itfelf, nor nxbolly for ano- 



ther. — The happinefs of Aniinals mutual. — 
Reafon or Inltindt operates alike to the good of 
each hidi-vidual. — Reafon or \i\\\mdi operate i 
cdfo to Society in all animals. — lio-iv Jr.r So- 
ciety is carried by InjTut^. — PIoiu much farther 
by Reafon. — Of that ^hich is called 'the State of 
Nature. — Reafon injirutled by^ In find in the 
ln--vention of Arts, and in :hs Forms of Society, 
— Origin oj Political Societies. — Origin of Mo- 
narchy. — Patriarchal Go-vernment. — Origin of 
true Religion and Couernment^ from the fame 
principle of Lcue. — Origin of Superjlition and 
Tyranny, jrom the fo.tne principle of Fear. — • 
The vifiuencs of ^Selflo-ue operating to the fecial 
and public Good, — Refioration of true Religion 
and Go'vernment on their firf Principle. — Mixed 
GoTjernment. — Various Forms of each, and the 
true End of all. 

Here then we reft : * The Unlverfal Caufe 
' A6ls to one end, bat acts by various laws.' 
In all the madnefs of fuperfluous health, 
The train of pride, the impudence of wealth. 
Let this great truth be prelent night and day; 
But moll be prefent, if v,-e preach, or pray. 

Look round our World ; behold the chain of 
Combining all below and all above. [Love 

See plaftic Nature working 10 this end; 
The iingle atoms each to other tend ; 
Attract, ^ittrafted to the next in place, 
Form'd and impell'd its neighbour to embrace. 
See Matter next, with various life endued, 
Frefs to one centre itiil, the gen'ral Good. 
See dying Vegetables life fulLiin, 
See life diflblying vegetate again ; 
All forms that perifh other forms fupply 
{^Y tu-ns Vv-e catch the vital breath, and die) ; 
Like bubbles on the fea of Matter borne, 
They rile, they brep.k, and to that fea return. 
Nothing is foreign ; Parts relate to Whole j 
One all-extending, all-preferving Soul 
Connefts each being, greatcft v»ith the leaft; 
Made Beaft ni aid of Man, and- Man of Beaftj 
All ferv'd, all ferving: nothing ftands alone; 
The chain holds on, and whe/e it ends unknown. 

Has God, thou fool 1 work'd foicly for thy 
good, 
Thy joy, thy paftime, thy attire, thy food ? 
Who for thy table feeds the wanton fawn. 
For him as kindly fpre:.Js the ilov/'ry lawn. 
Is it for thee the lark afcends and fings ? 
Joy tunes his voice, joy elevates his wings. 
Is it for thee the linnet pours his throat? 
Loves of his own and raptures fweil the note. 
The boundiing iteed you yjompoufly beitride 
Shares with his lord the plea/ure and the pride* 
Is thine alone the feed that iirews th.e plain? 
The birds of heaven fnall vindicate their grain* 
Thine the full harveil of the golden year ? 
Part pays, and juitly, the deferving fteer. 
I The hog that ploughs not, nor obeys thy call. 
Lives on the labours of this lord of all. 
, Now, Nature's children ihall divide her care. 
The fur tliat warms a monarch warm'd a tear. 
R 4 While 



;+5 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



While Msn exchims, * See all things for my ufe 
* See min for mine !' replies a nnmper'i goofe : 
And iaft as fliort of realbn be mult Ihll, 
Who thinks all made tor one, not one for all. 
Grant thst the pow'milllill the weak controulj So, from the finl, eternal order ran 



God, in the nature of each being, founds 
Its proper blifs, anc iets its proper bounds: 
But as he fram'd the Whole, the Whole to blefs. 
On mutual Wants bui!t mutual Happinefs j 



Be Niari the Wit and Tyr.int of the whole: 
Nature tliat Tyrant checks ; he only knows, 
And helps another creature's wants and woes. 
Say will the falcon, Itcoping from above, 
Smit with her varyijij? olumage, fpare the dove ! 
Admires the jay the iniect's gilded wings ? 
Or hears the hawk when Philomela lings ? 
I»l3n cares for all : to birds he gives his woods. 
To bealts his pallures, and to nih his lioods, 
For fome his int'ieft prompts him to provide. 
For more his pleafure, yet i or more his pride : 
All feed on one vain Patron, nnd enjoy 
Th' extenlive bieHing of his luxury. 
That x^ry life his Jearnsd hunger craves. 
He faves from famine, from the lavage faves ; 
Nay, {t:}.'^z the animal he dooms his feaft. 
And till he ends the being, makes it bleil j 
\Vhich fees no more thell:roke,or feels the pain, 
Than favour'd Man by touch ethereal llain. 
The creature had his ieaft of life before} 
Thou too jnuit perilh when thy feall is o'er ! 
To eich unthinking being, Heaven a friend. 
Gives not the ufelefs knowledge of its end I 
To Man imparts it ; but with fuch a view 
As, while he dreads it, makes him hope it too : 
The hour concealed, and fo remote the fear, 
Peath ILili di-aws nearer, never feeming near. 
Great llsnding miracle ! that Heaven aflignM 
Its only thinking thing this turn of mind. 

Whether with RealVm or with Inllinft bleft, 
Know, ail enjoy that powV which fuits them 
To h.ifs alike by that direction tend, [belt j 
And nivd the me:ins prcportion'd to their end. 
Say, where full Inftinct is th' unerring guide, 
What Pope or Council can they need belide ? 
Rtafon, however able, ccol at belt. 
Cares not fot fervice, or but lerves when preft^ 
Stays till we call, and then not often nearj 
But honeft Inftinct comes a volunteer. 
Sure never to o'erlhoot, but jult to hit; 
While ftiil too wide or (hort is Jiuman Wit j 
Sure by quick Nature harpinefs to gain, 
V/hich heavier Realon labours at in vain, 
i his too ferv^es always, Reafon never long; 
One TOuft go right, the ether may go wrong. 
See then the aciting and comparing powTs 
One in their nature, which are two in ours ; 
And Realbn raife o'er Inliinft as you can, 
In this 'tis Gcd direfts, in that 'tis Man. 

Who ta^ight the naticns of the field and wood 
To Ihun their pcifon, and to choofe their food ? 
Prefcient, the tides or tempefts towithiland. 
Build on the wave, or arch beneath the land ? 
Uho n^ade the fpider parallels delign. 
Sure as Dc M^ivre, without rule or line ? 
Who bid the llork> Columbus like, explore 
Heav'ns nc^ his own, aud worlds imknown 

befo-e ? 
Who calh the cov,ncil, ftates the certain day? 
\v x,o forms the phalanx, anu who points the way ? 



And creature link'd to c eature, man to man. 
Whate'er of life all-quickning sether keeps. 
Or breathes thro' air, or thoots beneath the deeps. 
Or pours profufe on earth, one nature feeds 
The vital fiame, and fwells the genial feeds. 
Not man alone, but all that roam the wood, 
Or wing the Iky. or roll along the flood. 
Each loves itlelf, bat not itfeif alone ; 
Each lex defiies alike, till two are one. 
Nor ends the pleafure with the herce embrace ; 
They love therafe! ves, a third time, in their race. 
Thus beak and bird their common charge attend. 
The m.others nurfe it, and t'/e tires defend. 
The young diliniis'd to wander earth or air. 
There ftops the Inftinfl:, and there ends the care ; 
The link dilToives, each feeks a frelh embrace; 
Another love fucceeds another race. 

A longer care Man's helplefs kind demands ; 
That longer care contrafts more iafting bands : 
Relledtion, Reafon, ftill the improve. 
At once extend the int'relt and the love : 
With choice we fix, with fympathy we bamj 
Each Virtue in each PaiTion takes its turn; 
And ftiil new needs, new helps, new liabits rife. 
That graft benevolence on charities. 
Still as one brood, and as another role, 
Thefe nat'ral love m.'iintain, habitual thole: 
The lait fcarce ripen'd into perfect Man, 
S:\w helplefs him from vrhom their life began: 
Mera'ry and forecaft juft returns engage; 
That pointed back to youth, this on to age : 
While plealare, gratitude, and hope combin'd, 
StiJl fpread the int'reft, and preferv'd the kind. 

Nor think, in Nature's itate they blindly trod; 
The State of NaMue was the reign of Gc-cT: 
Seif-love and Social at her birth began ; 
Union the bond of all things, and of Man. 
Pride then was not: nor Arts, that Pride to aid; 
Man waik'd with beaft, joint tenant of the Ihade; 
The fame hi> table, and the fame his bed ; 
No murder cloth'd him, and no murder fed. 
In the fame temple, the refounding wocd. 
All vocal beings hymn'd their equal God : 
The Ihrine witii gore unftain'd, with gold un- 

dreft; 
Unbrib'd, unbloody, ftood the blamelels prieft : 
Heaven's attribute was Univerfai Care ; 
And Man's prerogative to rule, but fpare. 
Ah ! how unlike the man of times to come ! 
Of half that live the butcher and the tomb ; 
Who, foe to Nature, bears the gen'ral groan, 
Murdej-s their fpecies, aiid betrays his own. 
But juft difeaie to luxury fucceeds. 
And ev'ry death its own avenger breeds ; 
The fury paffions from that blood began. 
And tuni'd on Man a ne -cer favage, Man. 

See him from Nature riling iiow to Art ! 
To copy Inftinct then was Reafon's part; 
Thus then to Man the voice of Nature fpake— 
" Go, from the Creatures thy inftruc'tions take : 

"Learn 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, Zee. 



249 



** Lea^nfroIllthebirds^vhatfcod the thickets yield: 
" Learn from the beafts the phyfic of the field j 
" Thy arts of building from the bee receive j 
" Learn of the mole to p]ough,thewormtoweave: 
" Learn of the little Nautilus to fail,_ 
*' Spread the thin oar, and catch the driving gale 
*' Here too all forms of fecial union tind, 
*' And hence let Reafon, late, inftruft mankind 
" Here fubterranean works and cities fee j 
*' There towns aerial on the waving tree. 
** Learn each fmall People's geniu-:, policies, 
" The Ant's republic, and the realm of Bees j 
** How thofe in common all their wealth bellow 
*•' And Anarchy v.ithout confalion know 5 
" And thefe for ever, tho' a Monarch reign, 
** Their fep'rate cells and properties maintain. 
** Mark what unvaried laws preferve each ftate, 
*' Laws wife as Nature, and as fixM as Fate. 
" In vain thy Reafon finer webs ihali draw, 
" Entangle Juftice in her net of Law; 
" And right, too rigid, harden into wrong, 
" Still for theltrong too weak,the weaktooftrong 
" Yet go ! and thus o'er all the creatures fway, 
*' Thus let the wifer make the rell obey : 
" And for thofe arts mere InllinCl could afford, 
** Be erown'd asMonarchs,or as Gods ador'd." 
Great Nature fpoke ; oblervant Man obey'd ; 
Cities were built. Societies were made : 
Here rofe one little ftate j another near 
Grew by like means, and join'd thro' love or fear. 
Did here the trees with ruddier burdens bend, 
And there the ftreams in purer rills defcend ! 
What Warcouldravifh, Commerce could beftow. 
And he return'd a friend who came a foe. 
ConverfeandLove mankind might ftrongly draw, 
WhenLovewasLibeity,andNatureLaw. [known. 
Thus llates were fomi'dj the name of King un- 
Till common int'reft plac'd the fway in one. 
'Twas Virtue only (or in arts or arms, 
Diffufjng blefiings, or averting harms). 
The fame which in a Sire the Sons obry'd, 
A Prmce the Father of a People m.ade. [fate 
Till then, by Nature crown'd, each Patriarch 
King, prieft, and parent, of his growing flate j 
On him their fecond Providence, they hung ; 
Their law his eye, their oracle his tor.gue. 
He from the wand' ring furrow call'd the food. 
Taught to command the fire, controul the fiood, 
Draw forth the monfters 01 th' abyfs profound, 
Or fetch th' aerial eagle to the ground. 



Till drooping, f.ck 



dying they began 



No ill could fear in God ; and underftood 
A Sovereign Being but a fov'reign good. 
True faith, true policy, united ran j 
That was but love of God, and this of Man. 

Whofi]-ft taught fouls enfla; 'd, and realms un- 
Th' enormous faith ofmany made for one; [done. 
That proud exception to all Nature's laws, 
T' invert the world, and counterwork its Caufe? 
Force firil made Conqueft, and that Conqueit 
Till Superflition taught the Tyrant awe ; [Law, 
Then fnafd the Tyranny, then lent it aid, 
AndGodsofConqu''rors,SlavesofSubjeftsraade: 
She 'midil the lightnings blaze, and thunder's 
found, [the ground. 

When rock'd the mountains, and when groan'd 
She taught the weak to bend, the proud to pray. 
To Pow'r unfeen, and mightier fir than they: 
She from the rending eaith, and burfting ikies. 
Saw gods defcend, and fiends infernal riie : 
Here lix'd the dreadful, there the bleft abodes ; 
Fear made her Devils, and weak Hope her Gods j 
Gods partial, changeful, paffionate, unjult, 
Whofe attributes were Rage, Revenge, or Lull; 
Such as tlie fouls of cowards might conceive. 
And, form'd like tyrants, t^'rants would believe. 
Zeal then, not charity, became the guide ! 
And hell was built on fpite,and heaven on pride. 
Then f?.cred feem'd th' ethereal vault no more; 
Altars grew marble then, and reek'd with gore: 
Then firlt the Fiarnen tafled living food. 
Next his grim idol fraear'd with human blood ; 
With heaven's own thunders iliock the world 
And play'd the god an engine on bis foe. [below. 

So drives Self-love, thro' juil, andthro' unjuilj 
To one man's pow'r, ambition, lucre, lull : 
The fame Self-love in all, becomes the caufe 
Of what rellrains him, Government and Laws. 
For, what one likes, if others like as well. 
What ferves one will, when many wills rebel? 
How fhall he keep, what, fleeping or awake, 
A weaker may furprife, a ilronger take r 
His fafety muil his liberty reflrain: 
All joined to guard what each defires to gain. 
Forc'd into Virtue thus by Self-defence, 
Ev'n King's leam'd juftice and benevolence : 
Self-love forfbok the path it firll purfued, 
x'lnd found the private in the public good. 

' T was then the ftud-ous head or gen'rous mind, 
Follower cf God, or friend of human kind. 
Poet or Patriot, rofe but to reflore 
|The faith and moral Nature gave before ; 



Whom they rever'd as God, to mourn as Maij :!Refum'd her ancient light, not kindled new; 



Then, looking up from fire to fire, explcr'd 
One great Firft Father, and that Firfl ador'd. 
Or plain tradition that this Ail begun, 
Convey'd unbroken faith from fire to fon ; 
The worker from the work diftinft wa^ known 
And fimple Reafon never fought but one : 
Ere Wit oblique had broke that fleady light, 
Man, like his Maker, faw that all was right; 
To Virtue in the paths of Pleafure trod. 
And own'd a Father when he own'd a God. 
Love all the faith and all th' allegiance then : 
For Nature knew no right divine in Men, 



If not God's miage, yet his fhadow drew 
Taught Powr's due ute to People and to Kings, 
Taught nor to llack nor ftrain its tender firings. 
The lels or greater fet To jufUy true. 
That teaching one mufr flrike the other too ; 
Till jarring inf' rits of themfelves create 
Th' according mufiC oi a well-raix'd flate. 
Such is the world's great harmony, that fprings 
From Order, L'nion, full Confent of things : 
Where fmall and great, where weak and mighty 

made 
To ferve, not fulier ; f:^ eugthen, not invade ; 

More 



so 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IL 



r'rful each as needful to the reft, 



More pow 
And, in proportion as it blelies, bleil ; 
Draw to one point, and to one centre brin^ 
Beait, Man, or Angel, Servant, Lord, or King. 

For forms of Government let fools conteft j 
Whate'er is befl adminilter'd is bell: ; 
For Modes of Faith let gracelefs zealots fight: 
His can 't be wrong \^hofe lite i^ in the right : 
In Faith and Hope tlie world will dilagree. 
Bat all Mankind's concern is Charity : 
Ail muft be falfe that thwart this One great End: 
And ail of God that blefs Mankind, or niend. 
Man, like the gen'rous vine, fupported lives ! 
The Strength he gains is from the embrace he 

gives. 
On their own Axis as the Plnnets run. 
Yet make at once their circle round the Sun j 
So two confident motions act the Soul, 
And one regards Itfelf, and one the Whole, 

Thus God and Nature link'd the gen'ral 
frame, 
And bade Self-love and Social be the fame. 

EPISTLE IV. 

ARr.U.MENT. 

Of the Nature and State of Mai2, 'vaik vefpeB to 
Hajpinefs. 

Falfe Notions of Happinefs, Philofopbical and Po- 
pular. — // is the End of all Men, and attain- 
able by all. — God intends Hafpir.efs to be equal \ 
and to b'efo, it muf be Jocial^Jince all particular 
liappinefs depends on generaU and fine e he go- 
fverns by general not particular Lu^ms. — As it is 
nccejfary for Order ^ and the peace and ^welfare 
of Society^ that exleriiai goods fbould be unequal^ 
Happinefs is not rnude to coifiji in tkefe. — But, 
not~y.vitbjianding that in>^quality, the balance of 
Happi7iefs among mankind is kept e-vcn by Pro- 
'uidence^ by the tvjo Paffions of Hope and tear. — 
What the Happinefs of Indi-viduais is, cs far as 
is confflent ^ixith the confilution of this n;jorld 5 
and that the Good Man has here the advantage. 
— The error of imputing toFirtue nvhat are only 
the calamities of Nature or of Fortune . — The folly 
cf expefting that God jhoidd alter his genercd 
taivs infa^uourofparticulars. — That njje are not 
judges n/^hoare gcod\ but that, ~uohoe--i;er thiy are., 
they muji be happief. — That external goods a,re 
no: the proper re-uoards, but op'ten inconffent 
'Withy or dejiruuive of Virtue. — Thate-uenthefe 
can mo.ke no Man happy -without Virtue: In- 
flancedin R iches — Honours — Nohilhy — Grcatiiefs 
f—iams — Superior Talents — U ith piciuns of hu- 
man infelicity in Men poffeffed oj the?n all. — That 
Virtue only conftitutes a Happin-fs <n;hcfe obje^i is 
Mii'-jerfal, and ^whofe profped eternal. — That the 
perjeiiion of Virtue and Happinefs confijis in a 
cohformily to the Order of Pro'vidence here^ ^and 
a t^flgnation to it here and hereafter. 

O Happiness ! our being's end and aim ! 
Goot^, Pieafure, Eafe, Content, whatever thy 



That fomething ilill which prompts the eternal 
For which we bear to live, or dare to die ; [figb. 
Which ftili fo near us, yet beyond tis lies 5 
O'eriook'd, leen double, by the fool and wile. 
Plant of celeftial feed 1 if dropt below. 
Say, in what mortal foil thou deign'lt to grow? 
Fair op'ning to fbme Court's propitious Ihine, 
Or deep with diamonds in the flaming mine? 
Twin'd with the wreaths Parnadian laurels yield. 
Or reapM in iron harvefrs to the field ? [toil, 
Whe.'e grows ? where grows it not ? if vain our 
We ought to blame the culture, not the foil. 
Fix'd to no fpot is happinefs fincere, 
'Tis no where to be found, or ev'iy where : 
'Tis never to be bought, but always free; [thee. 
And fled from monarchs, St. John, dwells with 
Afk of theLearn'd the way : Tne Learn'd are 
blind: - 
This bids to ferve, and that to fliun mankind j 
Some pla.ce the blifs in action, fome in eafe; 
Thofe call it pieafure, and contentment thefe: 
Some funk to beaits, find pieafure end in pain j 
Some fweird to gods, confefs ev'n virtue vain ! 
Or indolent to each extreme they fall, 
To rrull in ev^ry thing, or doubt of all. 

Who thus derine it, lay they more or lefs 
Tlian this, that happinefs is happinefs ? 

Take Nature's path, and mad opinions leave ; 
All frates can reach it, and all heads conceive j 
Obvious her goods, in no extreme they dwell ; 
There needs but thinking right, and meaning 

well ; 
And mourn our various portions as we pleafe. 
Equal is common i'enfe and common eafe. 
Re nember, Man, " the Univerfal Caufe 
" A6t:s not by partial, but by gen'ral laws ;" 
And makes what Happinefs we jufl:ly call 
Subfifl: not in the good of one, but all. 
There's not a blefling individuals find. 
But fome v/ay leans and hearkens to the kind*^ 
No bandit fierce, no tyrant mad with pride. 
No cavern'd hermit refts felf-fatisfied : 
Who mofl: to fliun or bate manldnd pretend. 
Seek an admirer, or would fix a friend : 
Abftract what others feel, what others think. 
All pleafures ficken, and all glories fink; / 
Each has his fliare; and who would more obtain. 
Shall find the pieafure pays not half the pain. 

Order is Heaven's firll law ; and this confeif. 
Some are, and muft be, greater than the reli. 
More rich, more wife 5 but who infers from hence 
That fuch are happier, fliocks all common feufe. 
Heaven to mankind impartial we confefs, 
If all are equal in their happinefs: 
But mutual wants this happinefs increafe ; 
All nature's diff 'rence keep's all nature's peace. 
Condition, circumilance. is not the thing j 
Blifs is the fame an fubje6l or in king: 
In who obtain defence, or who defend. 
In him who is, or him who finds a friend: 
Heaven breathes thro' ev'ry member of the whole 
One common blefling, as one common foul. 
But fortune's gifts if .each alike poflefs'd. 
And each were equal, mult not all contell ? 



Book IL 



D I D A C T I C, ' D E S C R I P T I V E, ^^c. 251 



It then to all men Happinefs was meant, 
God in Exccrnais could not place content. 

Fortune her gifts may variouily dil'pofe. 
And theie be h:;ppy callM, unliapoy tboie; 
But Heaven's jutl balance equal will appear, 
While thole a,e placM in hope,andthele in fear: 
Not prefent good or ill, the joy or curfej 
But future views of better, or of worfe. 

Oh, fons of earth ! attempt ye ftiil to rife. 
By mountains pil'd on mountains, to the fkiesr 
Heaven ilill with laughter the vain toil funeys, 
And buries madmen in the heaps they raii'e. 

'<laow, :^ii the good that individuals find, 
Or God and Nature meant to mere mankind, 
Kealbn's whole pleaiiire, all the joys of lenle. 
Lie in three words, H-: -=th, Peace, and Corape- 
Bi:t healthfubfutsw'th temperance alone; [fence: 'The very belt will varioufiy mcline. 



When the loole mountain trembles from on high. 
Shall gravitation ceale, if you go by ? 
Or fome old temple, nodding to its fall. 
For Chart res' he^d reicrve the hanging wall ? 
But irill this world (fo fitted for the knave) 
Contents us not. A better fnali we have? 
A kingdom of the juft then let it be : 
But firlf confider how thole jult agree. 
7"he good mull merit God's peculiar care; 
But who, but God, can teli us who they are? 
One thinks, on Calvin Heaven's own Spirit fellj 
Another deems him inllrument of hell. 
If Calvin feel Heaven's bieiling, or its rod, 
This cries there it, and that, there is no GoJ. 
What fhccks one part will edify the rell. 
Nor with one fyitem can they ail be bleft. 



And what rewards your virtue, puniih mine. 
Whatever is, is right, — This world, 'tis true. 



And peace, oh virtue ! peace is all thy own. 
The good or bad the gifts of fortune gain 

But theie lefs taile them, as they worfe obtain. \ Was made for Caelar — but for Titus too 
Say, in purl'uit of profit or delight, j And which more bleil? who chained his country 

Who rilk the molt, that take v. rong means or, Or he w'iOle virtue figh'd to lole a day ? [fay, 
right? i " But fometimcs virtue Itarves while vice is 

Of vice or virtue, whether bleil or curll, [nrft r I *' fed." 

Which meets contempt, or which comDaifion' What then? Is the reward of virtue bread? 
Count all th' advantage profp'rous Vice attains,' That vice may" merit, 'tis the price cf toil; 



'Tis but what Virtue fiies from, and d.fdainsi 

And gmnt the bad what happinefs they wou'd 

One they muft want, which is, to pafs for good 

Oh blind to truth.andGod's whole fcheme below,! The good man may be weak, be indolent j 

Who fancy blifs to vice, to virtue woe? j Nor is his claim to plenty, but content. 

"V^^ho fees and followsthat great fcheme the beft, But grant him riches, your demand is o'er? 



The knave deierves it when he tills the foil. 
The knave defen-esit when he tempts the main. 
Where folly fights for kings, or dives for gain. 



Beit knows the bleirmg, and will mxOil be bielt. 
But fools the good alone unhappy call. 
For ills or accidents that chance to all. 
See Falkland dies, the virtuoi-s and the juft '. 
See godlike "i urenne proltrate on the dull 1 
See Sydney bleeds amid the martial ftrife ! 
Was this their virtue, or contempt of life? 



No^ — fhail the good want health, the good want 
j *' pow'r ?" 

I Add health and pow'r, and ev'r}* eartMy thing, 
j '•' Why bounded pow'r r why priv:ite ? why no 
j Nay, why external for internal giv'n ? [king ?'* 
j Why is not man a God, and earth a heaven ? 
! Who alk and reafon thus, will fcarce conceive 
Say, was it virtue, more tho' Heaven ne'er gave,; God gives enough, whilv he has more to give j 
Lamented Digby 1 funk thee to the grave ? j Imm.enfe the pow'r, immenfe were the demand ; 
Tell me, if virtue made the fon expire, ' Say, at what part of nature will they ftand ? 

Why, full of days and honour, lives the fire ? , Wha. nothing ea'thiy gives, or can deitroy. 
Why drew Marfeilles' goodbifliop purer breath,' The foul's calm funftime, and the heart-felt joy. 
When Nature ficken'd,and each sale was deatli ? Is virtue's prize : a better would you fix ? 



Or why fo long in life (If long can be) 
Lent Heaven a parent to the poor and me ? 

What makes all phyfical or moral ill ? 
There deviates nature, and here wanders will. 
God fends not ill; if rightly underitood. 
Or partial ill is univerial good. 
Or change admits, or nature lets it fall, 
Short, and but rare, till man improv'd it all. 
We juit as wifely .might of Heaven complain, 
That righteous Abel was deilroy'd by Cain, 
As that the virtuous fon is Hill at eafe 
When his lewd father gave the dire difeafe. 
Think we, like fome weak prince, th' Eternal 

Caufe 
Prone for his fav'rites to reverfe his laws ? 

Shall burning ^tna, if a fage requires. 
Forget to thunder, and recal her fires ? 
On air or fea new motions be impreft, 
Oh blamdefs Bethel ! to relieve thy bread ? 



Then give humility a coach and fix, 
Juitice a conqu'ror's fword, or truth a gown. 
Or public jpirit ics great cure, a crown. 
Weak, foolifli man ! will heaven reward us there 
With the fame traih mad mortals wilh for here ? 
The boy and man an individual m^akes. 
Yet llgh'il thou now for apples and for cakes ?' 
Go, like the Indian, in another life 
Expe6l thy dog, thy bottle, and thy wife; 
As well as dream fuch trifles are ailign'd. 
As toys and empires, for a godlike mind : 
Rewards, that either would to virtue bring 
No joy, or be deltruclive of the thing: 
How oft by theie at lixty are undone 
The virtues of a iaint at twenty-one ! 
To whom can riches give repute, or trufl. 
Content or pleai'ure, but the g od and juit ? 
Judges and fenates have been bought for gold; 
Efleera and love were neveiuo be fold. 

Oh 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Oh fool! to think God hates the worthy mind, 
The lover, and the love of human kind, [clear. 
Who lb life is healthful, and whofe conicience 
Becaufe he wants a thotifand pounds a year. 
Honour and iharae from no condition rife ; 
Aft well your part, there all the honour lies. 
Fortune in men has fome fmall diff Vence made ; 
One flaunts in rags, one flutters in brocade : 
The cobler apronM, and the parfon gown'd, 
The friar hooded, and the monarch crovvn'd. 
** What diixer more (you cry) than crown and 

" cowl r" 
I '11 tell you, friend ; a wife man and a fool. 
You '11 find, if once the monarch a6ts the monk. 
Or, cobier-like, the parfon will be drunk, 
AVorth makes the man, and want of it the fellow: 
The reft is all but leather or prunella, [ftrings, 
Stuck o'er with titles, and hung round with 
That thou may ft be by kings, or whores of kings, 
Boaft the pure blood of an illuftritms race. 
In quiet flow from Lucrece to Lucrece : 
But by your fathers' worth if yours you rate. 
Count me thofe only who w ere good and great. 
Gol if your ancient, but ignoble blood 
Has crept thro' fcoundrels ever flnce the flood. 
Go! and pretend your family is young; 
Nor own your fathers have been fools fo long. 
What can ennoble fots, or flaves, or cowards > 
Alas ! not all the blood of all the Howards. 
Look next on greatnels ; fay where greatnefs 
lies? 
*' Where, but among the heroes and the wife ?" 
Heroes are much the fame, the point 's agreed, 
From Macedonia's madman to the Swede ; 
The v^hole ftrange purpofe of their lives, to find 
Or make, an enemy of all mankind ! 
Not one looks backward, onu-ard ftill he goes. 
Yet ne'er looks forward further tiian his nofe. 
No lefs alike the politic and wife ; 
All fly, flow things, with circumfpe6tlve eyes : 
Men in their loofe unguarded hours they take. 
Not that themfelves are wife, but others weak. 
Butgrantthat thofe can conquer, thefe can cheat; 
'Tis phrafe abfurd to call a villain great: 
V/ho wickedly is wife, or madly brave, 
Is but the more a fool, the more a knaVe. 
Who noble ends by noble means obtains, 
Or failing, fmriles in exile or in chains. 
Like good Aurelius let him reign, or bleed 
Like Socrates, that' man is great indeed. 

What 's fame? a fancy 'd hfe in other's breath ; 
j?\.. thing beyond us, ev'n before our death. 
Juft what you hear,youhave,andwhat's unknown 
The fame (my Lord) if Tully's, or your own. 
All that we feel o^ it begins and ends 
In the fmall circle of our foes or friends ; 
To all befide as m.uch an empty fliade 
An Eugene living, as a Caefar dead } 
Alike or when, or where, they ftione, or fhine. 
Or on the Rubicon or on the Rhine. 
A wit 's a feather, and a chief a rod ; 
An honeft man 's the nobleft work of God. 
Fame but from death a villain's name can fave. 
As juftice tears hii body from the grave j 



Book XL 



When what t' oblivion better were refign'd, 
Is hung on high, to poifbn half mankind. 
All fame is foreign, but of true defert ; 
Piays round thehead, but comes not to the heart : 
One felf-approving hour wh^le years outweighs 
Of ftupid ftarers, and of loud nuzzas ; 
And more true joy Marceilus exil'd feels. 
Than Csfa;- with a fenate at hi» heels. 

In parts fuperior what advantage lies ? 
Tell (for you can) what is it to be wife ? 
'Tis but to know how little can be known; 
To fee all others' faults, and feel onr own : 
Condem'd in buflnefs or in arcs to drudge, 
Without a fecond, or without a judge. 
Truths v> ould you teach, or fave a finking land ? 
All fear, none aid you, and few underftand. 
Painful pre-eminence ! j-ourfelf to view 
Above life 's weaknefs, and its comforts too. 

Bring then thefe blelTmgs to a ftri6t account ; 
Make fair dedu6tions ; fee to what they mount : 
How much of other each is fure to coft; 
How each for other oft is wholly loft ; 
How inconfiftent greater goods with thefe ; 
How fometimes life is rifqu'd, and always eafe : 
Think, and if ftill thefe things thy envy call, 
Say, wouldft thou be the man to whom they fall ? 
To figh for ribbands, if thou art fo filly, 
Mark how they grace Lord Umbra, or Sir Billy ! 
Is yellow dirt the paflion of thy life ? 
Look but on Gripus, or on Gripus' wife! 
If parts allure thee, think how Bacon fiiin'd. 
The wifeft, brighteft, meaneft of mankind I 
Or ravifli'd with the wliiftling of a name. 
See Cromwell, damn'd to everlafting fame ! 
If all, united, thy ambition call, 
From ancient ftory learn to fcorn them all. 
There, in the rich, the honour'd, fam'd, and 

great. 

See the talle fcale of happinefs com,plete! 
In hearts of kings, or arms of queens who lay. 
How happy thofe to ruin, thefe betray. 
Mark by w^hat wretched fteps their glory grows. 
From dirt and fea-weed as proud Venice rofe; 
In each hew guilt and greatnefs equal ran. 
And all that i?ds'd the hero funk the man : 
Now Europe's laurels on their brows behold. 
But flnin'd with blood, or ill exchang'd for gold : 
Then fee them broke with toils, or funk m eafe, 
Or infamous for plunder'd provinces. 
Oh wealth ill-fated! which no aft of fame 
E'er taught to fliine, or ianftified from ftiamel 
What greater blifs attends their clofe of life ? 
Some greedy minion, or imperious wife. 
The trophied arches, ftoried halls invade. 
And haunt their flurabers in the pcmpous^ade, 
Alas ! not dazzled with their noon-tide ray. 
Compute the morn and ev'ning to the day; 
The whole amount of that enormous fame, 
A tale, that blends their glor}- with their fliame ! 
Know then this truth — (enough for man to 
know) 
" Virtue alone is happinefs below." 
The only point where human blifs flands ftill. 
And taftes the good without the fall to ill: 

Where 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



^S'i 



Where only meritconflant pay receives, 

Is bleft in what it takes, and what it gives ; 

The joy unequali'd, if its ends it gain j 

And if it lofe, attended with no pain : 

Without fatiety, tho' e'er fo bleft. 

And but more relifli'd as the mere diilreft: 

The broadeft: mirth unfeeling folly wears, 

Lefs pleafing far than virtue's very tears : 

Goodjfrom each obje«5V,from each place acquir'd, 

For ever exercised, yet never tirM j 

Never elated while one man's oppreltj 

Never dejefted wiiile another's bleft : 

And where no wants, no wifties can remain, 

Since but to wifii more virtue, is to gain. 

See the fole blifs Heaven could on all beftow ? 
Which who but feels can taile, but thinks can 

know ! 
Yet poor with fortane,and with learningblind, 
The bad muft mifs, the good untaught will find, 
Slaves to no fed:, who takes no private road ; 
But looks through nature, up to nature's Godj 
Purfues that chain which finks the immenfe 

defign. 

Joins heaven and earth, and mortal and divine. 
Sees that no being any blifs can know, 
But touches forae above, and fome below ; 
Learns, from this union of the rifing whole. 
The firlt, laft purpofe of the human foul 
And knows where faith, law, morals^ all began, 
All end in love, of God, and love of Man. 
For him alone, hope leads from goal to goal, 
And opens itill, and opens on his foulj 
Till lengthen 'p on to faith, and unconfin'd. 
It pours the blifs that fills up all the mind ; 
He fees why nature plants in man alone 
Hope of known blifsjand faith inblifs unknown. 
(Nature, whofe dictr.tes to no ether kind 
Are giv'n in vain, but what they leek they find) 
Wife is her prefent; fhe conne6ls in this 
His greateft virtue with his greateft blifs j 
At once his own bright profpecl to be bleft. 
And Itrongeft motive to afiift the reft. 

Self love thus puftiM to focial, to divine. 
Gives theeto make thyneighbour'sbleflingthine. 
Is this too little for the boundlefs heart ? 
■Extend it, let thy enemies have part j 
Grafp the whole worlds of realbn, life, andfenfe. 
In one dole fyftem of bene'/clence : 
Happier as kinder, in whatever degree. 
And height of bliis but height of charity. 

Godlovesfrom whole toparts: but human foul 
Muft rife from individual to the whole. 
Self-love but ferves the virtuous mind to wake, 
As the fmall pebble fcirs the peaceful lake ; 
The centre mov'd, a circle ftraight fucceeds, 
Another Hill, and ftill another fpreads; 
Friend, parents,neighbour, firft it will embrace^ 
His country next; and next fill human race; 
Wideand more wide,th' o'erfiowingof the mind 
Take ev'ry creatu.-e in, of ev'ry kind; 
Earth fmiles around,with boundlefs beauty bleft, 
And heaven beholds its image on his breaft. 

Come then, rayfriend! my genius! comealongj 
Oh raafter of the poet, and the fon^ ! 



And while the Miifs now ftoops, or now afcend?, 
To man's low palHons, or thtir glorious ends, 
Teach me, like thee, in various nature wife. 
To fall with <iignity, with temper rife j 
Form'd by thy converfr, happily to fteer 
From grave to gay, from lively to feverej 
Correct with ipirit, eloquent with eafe. 
Intent to reafon, or polite to pleafe. 
Oh ! while along the ftream of time thy name 
Expanded flies, and gathers all its fame. 
Say, (liall my little bark attendant fail, 
Purfue tlie triumph, and partake the gale } 
When ftatefraen, heroes, kings, in duft repofe, 
Whofefons (hall blufhtheirfathers were thy foes, 
Shal] then this verfe to future age pretend 
Thou wert my guide, philofopher, and friend ? 
That, urg'd by thee, I turn'd the tuneful art. 
From founds to things, from fancy to the heart; 
For wit's falfe mirror held up nature's light j 
Shew'd erring pride, ^^hate^cer is, is right ; 
That reafon, pafiion, anfwer one great aim ; 
That true felf-love and focial are the fame ; 
That Virtue only makes our blifs below ; 
And all our knowledge is, ourfelves to know. 



§ 17. Moral E Jays. In Four Epifks. Pope. 
To Sir Richard Temple, L. Cobham. 

EPISTLE 1. 

Yes, you defpife the man to books confin'd. 
Who from his ftudy rails at human kind ; 
Tho' what he learns he fpeaks, and may advance 
Some gen'ral maxims, or be right by chance. 
The coxcomb bird, fo talkative and grave. 
That from his cage, cries Cuckold, Whore, and 
Tho' man}- a paiTenger he rightly call, [Knave. 
You hold him no Philofopher at all. 

And yet the fate of all extremes is fuch. 
Men may be read, as well as Books, too much. 
To obfervations which ourfelves we make. 
We grow more partial for th' obferver's fake ; 
To written wildom, as another's lefs : [guefs. 
Maxims are drawn from notions, thele from 
There's fome peculiar in each leaf and grain. 
Some unraark'd fibre, or fome v^arying vein j 
Shall only man be taken in the grofs ? 
Grant but as many forts of minds as mofs : , 

That each from other diifers, firft confefs : 
Next, that he varies from himfelf no lefs ; 
Add nature's, cuft®m's,reafon's, paflion's ftrlfe. 
And all opinion's colours caft on life. 

Ourdepths who fathoms, or our (hallows finds. 
Quick whirls, and Ihifting eddies of our minds ? 
On human aftions reafon tho' you can. 
It may be reafon, but it is Mot man : 
His principle of adlion once explore, 
That inftant 'tis his principle no more. 
Like following like, thro' creatures youdilTe^r, 
You lofe it in the moment you detect. 
Yet more ; the dift^'rence is as great between 
The optics feeing, as the objects feen. 
All manners take a tin^lure from our own ; 
Or CO- .le difcolour'd thro' ourpalllons fiiown. 

Or 



254 



E L'E G A N T EXTRACTS,^ 



Book II. 



Or fancy's beam enlarges, multiplies, / 
Contni^i:?, inverts, and gives ten thou fan d dyes. 

Nor will life's ftream for oblen'ation ftay : 
It hurries all too tail: to mark their way j 
In vain fedate refie6tions we would make, 
When half our knowledge we muft fnatch, not 
Oft in the paflions' wild rotatiou toft, [take. 
Our fpring- of a6lion to ourfelves is loft : 
Tir'd, not determinM, to the laft we yield ; 
And what comes then is malter of the field, 
As the laft image of that troubled heap, 
When fenfe fublides, and fancy fports in Heep 
(Tho' paft the recoUedion of the thought), 
Becomes the ftuff of which our dream is w'rough: 
Something as dim to our internal view, 
Is thus, perhaps, the caufeof moft we do, 

True, fome are open, and to ail men known j 
Others fo veiy clofe, they're hid from none: 
(So darkjiefs ftrikes the fenfe no lefs than light) 
Thus gracious Chandos is belov'd at light; 
And ev'ry child hates Shylock, tho' his foul 
Still fits at fquat, and peeps not from its hole: 
A.I half mankind when gen'rous Manly raves, 
Ail know 'tis virtue, fc-rhe thinks them knaves. 
V/hen univerfal homage Umbra pays. 
All fay 'tis vice, and itch of vulgar praife. 
When flatt'ry glares, all hate it in a queen, 
While one there is whocharms us with hisfpleen. 

But thefe plain charaiSters Vv^e rarely find : 
Tho'ftrongth£bent,yet quick the turns of mind: 
Or puzzling Contraries confound the wdiole; 
Or Afteftations quite reverfe the foul. 
The dull, flat fallehood ferves for policy : 
And in the cunning, truth itfelf 's a lie : 
Unthought-of frailties cheat us in the wife : 
The fool lies hid in inconfiftenties. 

See the fame man, in vigour, in the gout j 
Alone, in company, in place, or out ; 
Early at bufmefs, and at hazard late; 
Mad at a fox-chace, wife at a debate ; 
Drunk at a borough, civil at a ball ; 
Friendly at Hackney, faithlefs at Whitehall. 

Catius is ever moral, ever grave, 
Thinks, who endures a knave is next a knave, 
Save juft at dinner — then prefers, no doubt, 
A rogue with venifon to faint without. 

Who would not pralle Patricio's high defert. 
His hand tmftain'd, his uncorrupted heart. 
His comprehenfive head ! ail int'reits weigh'd. 
All Europe fav'd, yet Britain not betray 'd. 
He thanks you not, his pride is in piquctte, 
Newmarket fame, and judgment at a bett. 
What made (fays Montaigne,ormore fage Char- 
Gtho a warrior, Cromwell a buftbon ? [ron ! ) 
A perjur'd prince a leaden faint revere, 
A godlefs regent tremble ^c a ftar ? 
The throne a bigot keep, a genius quit, 
Faithlefs thro' i)iety, and dup'd thro' wit ? 
Europe a woman, child, or dotard rule. 
And juft her wiieft monarch made a fool ? 

Know, God and Nature only are the fame : 
In m.an, the judgm.ent flioots at flying game j 
Abfrd of paftage! gone as foon as found ; 
Now in th'-- moon perhaps, now underground, 



In vain the fage, with retrofpeftive eye, 
Wouldfromth'apparentWhatconcludeth'eWhy; 
Infer the Motive from the Deed, and Ihew 
That what we chanc'd was what we meant to do. 
Behold ! if Fortune, or a Miftrefs frowns. 
Some pi ungeinbufinefs,othersft»avetheir crowns: 
To eafe the foul of one oppreilive weight, 
This quits an Empire, that embroils a State ; 
The fame aduft complexion has impelled 
Charles to the Convent, Philip to the Field. 
Not always Actions fnew the man ; we find 
Who does a kindnefs, is not therefore kind : 
Perhaps Profperity becalm'dhis breaft. 
Perhaps the Wind juft ftiifted from the Eafl. 
Not therefore humble he who feeks retreat, 

I Pride guides his fteps,and bidshimfhunthegreat. 

I Who comfbats bravely is not therefore brave ^ 

j He dreads a death-bed like the meaneft flave : 

; Who reafons wifely is not therefore wife ; 
His pride in Rea^'ning, not in A6ting, lies. 
But grant that actions beft difcoverman ; 
Take the moft ftrong, and fort them as you can. 
The few that glare, each character muft m.ark j 
You balance not the many in the Hjirk. 
What will you do with fnch as difagree ? 

iSupprefs them or mifcall them po]icy ? 

I Muft then at once (the character to lave) 

iThe plain rough Hero turn a crafty Knave ? 

■Alas i in truth the man but chang'd his mind ; 

■ Perhaps w-as lick, in love, or had not din'd. 
Alk why from Britain Csefar would retrflrt ? 

j Csfar himfelf might Avhifper, he was beat. 

I Why rill: the World's great Empire foiE^l'unk ? 
Ceefar perhaos might anfwer, he was (fiunk. 
But, fage hiftorians ! "'tis your talk to prove. 
One a6rion Conduft ; one, heroic Love. 

'Tis from Iiigh life high charafters are drawn j 
A Saint in Crape, is twice a Saint in Lawn ; 
A Judge is juft. a Chanc"llor julter ftill ; 
A Gownman, learn'd ^ a Bifhop, what you will j 

I Wile, if a Minifter ; but, if a King, [thing. 

{More wife, more learn'd, more juft^ more ev'ry 

j Court-Virtues bear, like Gems, the higheft rate, 

jBorn where Heav'n's inftuence fcarce canpene- 

j trate : 

In life's low vale, the foil the Virtue's like, 

,They pleafe as beauties, here as wonders ftrike. 

iTho' the fame fun with all diffufive rays 
Blulh in the Rofe, and in the Diamond blaze, 

j We prize the ftronger elfbrt of his pow'r, 

I And jiiftly fet the Gem. above the Flow'r. 
'Tis Education forms the common mind ; 

' Juft as the twig is bent, the tree's inclin'd. 
Boaftful and rough,. your firft Ion is a 'SqiMre ; 
The next a Tradelman, m.eek, and much a liar; 
7'om Itruts a Soldier, open, bold, and brave ; 
Will fneaks a Scriv'ner, an exceeding knave : 
Is he a Churchman ? then he's fond of pow'r ; > 
A Quaker? fly; a Preibytenan ? four; ^ 

A fmart Free-thinker? all things in an hour. > 

Alk men's Opinions : Scoto now Ihall tell 
How Trade increafes, and the -world goes well; 
Strike oft" his Peniion, by the letting fun. 
And Britain, if not Eurore, is uiidone. 

That 



Book IL 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c, 



That gay Free-thinker, a fine talker once, 
What turns him now a Itiipid fiient dunce ? 
Some God, or Spirit, lie has lately found : 
Or chanc'd to meet a minilter that frownM. 

Judge we by Nature? Habit can eftace, ' 
Int'relt overcome, or Policy take place : 
By Aeiions ? thofe Uncertainty divides j ^ 
By Paflions ? thofe Diflimulatiou hides; 
Opinions ? they Itill take a wider range : ^ 
Find, if you can, in what you cannot change. 

Manners with Fortunes, Humours turn with 
Climes, 
Tenets with Books, and Principles with Times. 

Search then the Ruling FaiTion : There, alone^ 
TheWild are conitant,and the Cunning knownj 
The Fool conliftent, and the Falfe fincere ; 
Prielts, Princes, Women, no d-iilemblers here. 
This clue once found, unravels all the reft, 
The profpecl: clcars.and Wharton ftands confeft. 
Wharton, the fcorn and wonder of our days, 
Whofe ruling paiJion was the Lu(t of Praile : 
Born with whatever could win it from the wife, | For one puff more, and in that puft"" expires. 



•55 

Time, that on all things lays his lenient hand, 
Vet tames not this ; it fticks to oar lait fand. 
Confident in our follies and our fins. 
Here honeft Nature ends as fiie begins. 

Old Politicians chew on wifdom paft. 
And totter on in bufinefs to the lafr ; 
As weak, as earneft ; and as gravely out, 
As fober Lanefb'row dancing in the gout. 

Behold a rev'rend fire, who want of grace 
Has made the father of a namelefs race, 
Shov'd from the wall perhaps, or rudely prelt 
By his own fon, that palles by unbleft : 
Still to ills wench he crawls on knocking knees, 
And envies ev'iy fparrow that he iees. 

A iaimon's belly, Helluo, was thy fate ; 
The do(5lor cali'd, declares all help too late: 
" Mercy !" cries Helluo- " mercy on my foul! 
" Is there no hope? — Alas! then bring the jowL" 

The frugal crone,whom praying priefts attend. 
Still ftrives to lave the hallowed taper's end, 
Collects her breath as ebbing life retires, 



Women and Fools muft like him, or he dies : 
Tho' wondering Senates hung on all he fpoke, 
The Club muit hail him, Mailer of the Joke. 
Shall parts fo various aim at nothing new ? 
He'll ftiine a Tully and a Wilmot too : 
Then turns repentant, and his God adores 
With the fame fpirit that he drinks and whores ; 
Enough if all around him bat admire. 
And now the Punk applaud, and now the Friar. 
Thus >vith each gift of nature and of art, 
An\i wanting nothing but an honeft heart ; 
Grown all to all, from no one vice exempt ; 
And moft contemptible to fliun contempt : 
His pafllon ftill to covet general praife, 
His life, to forfeit it a thoufand ways ; 
A conftant bounty which no friend has made : 
An Angel Tongue,which no man can perluade^ 
A Fool, with more of Wit than half mankind : 
Too rafli for Thought, for Aftion too refin'd ; 
A Tyrant to the wife his heart approves j 
A Rebel to the veiy king he loves 5 
He dies, fad outcaft of each church and ftate. 
And, harder ftill ! flagitious, yet not great. 
A(k you why Wharton broke thro' ev'ry rule ? 
'Twas all for fear the Knaves fhould call him 

Fool. 
Nature well known, no prodigies remain, 
Comets are regular, and Wharton plain. 
Yet, in this fearch, the v/ifell may miftake, 
If fecond qualities for firft they take. 
When Cataline by rapine fwelTd his ftore ; 
When Csefar made a noble dame a whore j 
lii this the Luft, in that the Avarice 
Were means, not ends ; Ambition was the vice. 
That very Caefar, born In Scipio's days. 
Had aim'd, like him, by Chaftity, at praife. 
LucuUus, when frugality could charm. 
Had roafted turnips in the Sabin farm. 
In vain th' obferver eyes the builder's toil ; 
But quite,miftakes the fcaftold for the pile. 

In this one paffion man can ftrength enjoy. 
As Fits o-ive vigour juft when they deftroy, 



' Odious! in woollen ! 'twould afaintprovoke^ 
(Were the laft words that poor Narcifla fpoke) 
" No, let a charming chintz and Brulfels lace 
" Wrap mycold limbs,and fhade my lifelefs face: 
" One would not, fure, be frightful when one's 

" dead— 
" And — Betty — give this cheek a little red." 

The courtier fmooth, who forty years had 
An humble fervant to all human kind, [fliin'd 
Juft brought cut this, when fcarce his tongue 

could ftir, 
" If — wherei'm going — I could ferveyou, Sir?" 

" I give and I devife" (old Euclio faid, 
And figh'd) •' my lands and tenements to Ned." 
Your money. Sir? — " My money. Sir, what all? 
" Why — if I rauft — (then wept) I give it Paul," 
The manor. Sir ? — " the manor! hold," he cried, 
" Not that, — Icannotpart withthat" — anddifed* 

And you, bravorfCobham, to the lateft breath. 
Shall feel your ruling pafllon ftrong in death : 
Such in thofe moments, as in all the paft, 
" Oh fave my country, Heaven 1" fliall be your 
laft. 

E P I S T L E II. 

To a Lady, 

Of the CharaSlers of Wofnen. 

Nothing fotrue as what you once let fall, 
'' Moft women have no charafters at all." 
Matter too (oft a lafting mark to bear, 
And beft diftinguifli'd by black, bro,wn, or fair. 
How many pictures of one nymph we view. 
All how unlike each other, all how true ! 
Arcadia's countels, here, in ermin'd pride, 
Is there Paftora by a fountain fide. 
Here Fannia, leering on her own good man j 
And there a n.iked Leda with a fwan. 
Let then the fair one beautifully cry, 
In Magdalene's loofe hair and lifted eye. 
Or dreft in finiles of fweet Cecilia fliine, 
Withfimp'ring angeis, palms, and harps divi le; 

Whether 



256 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book 11. 



Whether the charmer finner it, or Ciunt it, 
If foi'v grow romantic, I mufl paint it. 

Come^tl.on, tlie colours and the ground pre- 
Dip in the rainbow, trick her off in air ; [pare 5 
Choofe c\ firm cloud, before it fall, and in it 
Ca^ch, ere ^le change,theCynthia of this minute. 

Rufa, whofe eye quick glancing o'er thePark, 
Attrafcs each light gay meteor of a fpark, 
Agrees as ill with Rufa Itudying Locke, 
As Sappho's diamonds with her dirty fmock j 
Or Sappho at her toilet's greafy talk, 
"With Sappho fragrant at an ev'ning mafk : 
So morning infeif s that in muck begun, 
Shine, buzz, and liy-blow in the fetting fun. 

Kow foft is Silia ! fearful to offend ; 
The frail one's advocate, the weak one's friend ! 
To her, Califta prov'd her conduft nicej 
And good Simplicius alks of her advice. 
Sudden, (he ftormsl (lie raves! You tip the wink, 
But fpare your cenfure ; Silia does not drink. 
All eyes may fee from what the change arofc j 
All eyes may fee — a pimple on her nofe. 

Papillia, vv^edded to her am'rous fpark, 
Sighs for the (hades — " Hov/ charming is a park I ' ' 
A park is purchas'd; but the fair he fees 
AUbath'din tears — "Oh odious, odious trees!" 

Ladies, like variegated tulips, fhow, 
'Tis to their changes half their charms we owe j 
Fine by defe61:, and delicately weak. 
Their happy fpots their nice admirer take. 
'Twas thus Calypfo once each heart alarm'd, 
Aw'd without virtue, without beauty charm'd 5 
Her tongue bewitch'd as oddly as her eyes 5 
Lefs wit than mimic, more a wit than wife j 
Strange graces ftill, and ftronger flights fhe had, 
Was juft not ugly, and was juft not mad j 
Yet ne'er fo lure our paflion to create, 
As when fhe touch'd the brink of all we hate. 

Narcifla's nature, tolerably mild, 
To make a wafli, would hardly ftew a child j 
Has ev'n been prov'd to grant a lover's pray'r, 
And paid a tradefman once to make him ftare j 
Gave alms at Eafter, in a Chriftian trim. 
And made a widow happy, for a whim- 
Why then declare good-nature is her fcorn, 
When 'tis by that alone fhe can be borne ? 
Why pique all mortals, yet affect a name ? 
A fool to pleafure, yet a flave to fame : 
Now deep in Taylor and the Book of Martyrs, 
Now drinking citron with hisGraceandChartres: 
Nowconfcience chills her,and now pafTion burnsj 
And atheifm and religion take their turns j 
A very Heathen in the carnal part. 
Yet ftill a fad good Chriftian at her heart. 

See Sin in ftate m.ajeftically drunk; 
Proud as a peerefs, prouder as a punk ; 
Chafte to her huft)and, frank to all befide, 
A teeming miftrefs, but a barren bride. 
What then ? let blood and body bear the fault. 
Her head 's untouch'd, that noble feat of thought: 
Such this day's doftrine — in another fit 
She fins with poets thro' pure love of wit. 
What has not fir'd her bofom or her brain ? 
Caeiar and Tallboy, Charles and Charlema'ne. 



As Heliuo, late dilator of the feaft. 
The nofe of haut-gout, and the tip of tafte, 
Critiqu'd your wine, and analys'd your meat. 
Yet on plain pudding deign'd at home to eat ; 
So Philomede, lecl'ring all mankind. 
On the foft pa.Tion, and the tafte refin'd, 
Th' addrefs, the delicacy, ftoops at once, 
And naakes her hearty meal upon a dunce. 

Flavia 's a wit, has too much fenfe to pray; 
To toafc our wants and wiihes, is her way, 
Nor afks of God, but of her ftars, to give 
The mighty blefiing, " while we live, to live." 
Then all for death, that opiate of the foul ! 
Lucretia's dagger, Rofamor.da's bowl. 
Say, v/hat can caufe fuch impotence of mind ? 
A fpark too fickle, or a fpoul'e too kind. 
Wife wretch ! with pleafures too refin'd to 
With too much fpirit to be e'er at eafe ; [pleafe j 
With too much quicknefs ever to be taught 5 
With too much thinking to have common 

thought 5 
You purchafe pain with all that joy can give. 
And die of nothing but a rage to live. 

Turn then from wits ; and lock on Simo's 
mate ; 
No afs fb meek, no afs fo obftinate. 
Or her that owns her faults, but never mends, 
Becaufe flie 's honeft, and the beft of friends. 
Or her, whofe life the church and fcandal fhare. 
For ever in a paffion, or a pray'r. 
Or he, who laughs at Hell, but (like her Grace) 
Cries, ^Ah! how charming, if there's no fuch 

" place!" 
Or who in fweet vicilHtude appears 
Of mirth and opium, ratafie and tears, 
The daily anodyne, and nightly draught, • 
To kill thofc foes to fair ones, time and thought I 
Woman and fool are too hard things to hit ; 
For true no-meaning puzzles more than wit. 

But what are thefe tD great Atolla's mind ? 
Scarce once herfelf, by turns all womankind ! 
Who, with herfelf, or others, frorn her birth 
Finds all her life one warfare upon earth: 
Shines in expofing knaves, and painting fools. 
Yet is whate'er fhe hates and ridicules. 
No thought advances, but her eddy brain 
Whifks it about, and down it goes ag-ain. 
Full fixty years the world has been her trade. 
The wifeft fool much time has ever made. 
From lovelefs youth to unrefpefted age. 
No pafiion gratified, except her rage, ■ 
So much the fury ftill outran the wit. 
The pleafure mifs'd her, and the fcandal hit. 
Who breaks with her, provokes revenge from 

Hell ; 
But he 's a bolder man who dares be well. 
Her ev'ry turn with violence purfu'd, 
No more a ftorm her hate than gratitude : 
To that each paffion turns or foon or late; 
Love, if it makes her yield muft make her hate: 
Superiors 1 death ! and equals ! what a curfe 1 
But an inferior not dependant ! worfe. 
Offend her, and (he knows not to forgive; 
Oblige her, and flie '11 hate you while you live. 

But 



Book IT. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



257 



But die, and Hie '11 adore you — then the buft 
And temple ri/e — then falL again to duih 
Lalt night, her lord was all that 's good and great ; 
A knave this morning, and his vvill a cheat. 
Strange ! by the means defeated of the ends, 
By fpirit robbM of pow'r, by warmth of friends, 
By wealth of followers ! without- one diftrefs 
Sick of herfelf, thro' very felfiihatfs! 
Atoifa, curs'd with ev'ry granted pray Y, 
Childlefs with all her children, wants an heir. 
To heirs unknown defcends th' unguarded Itore, 
Or wanders, Hea^'en-direiSVed, to the poor. 

Piftures like thcfe, dear Madam, to delign, 
Alk no Rnp. hand, and no unerring line ; 
Some wand'ring toucJies, fome refleiled light, 
Some flying ftroke alone can hit 'em right: 
For how fnould equal colours do the knack ? 
Cameleons who can paint in white and black ? 

*' Yet Chloe fure was form'd without a fpot." 
Nature in her then err'd not, but forgot. 
*•' With ev'ry pleafing, ev'ry prudent part, 
*' Say, vvhfct can Chloe want ? — She wants a heart. 
She ip&iks, behaves, and acts jull as ihe ought; 
But never, never reach'd one gen'rous thought. 
Virtue fhe finds too painful an endeavour; 
Content to dwell in decencies for ever. 
So very realonable, fo unmov'd. 
As never yet to love, or to be lov'd. 
She, while her lover pants upon her breaft, 
Can mark the figures on an Indian cheft; 
And when {he lees her friend in deep defpair, 
Obferves how much a chintz exceeds mohair ! 
Forbid it, Heav'n ! a favour or a debt 
She e'er fliould cancel — but fhe may forget. 
Safe is your fecret flill in Chloe's ear; 
But none of Chloe's Ihall you ever hear. 
Of all h^r dears fhe never flander'd one, 
But cares not if a thoufand are undone. 
Would Chloe know if you 're alive or dead? 
She bids her footm.an put it in her head. 
Chloe — is prudent — Would you too be wife ? 
Then never break your heart when Chloe dies. 

One certain portrait may (I grant) be feen, 
Which Heaven has varnifh'd out and made a 

Queen : 
The fame for ever ! and defcrib'd by all 
With truth and goodnefs,as with crown and ball. 
Poets heap virtues. Painters gems at will, 
And fhew their zeal, and hide^their want of fkill. 
'Tis well — but, Artifts ! Avho can paint or write, 
To draw the naked is your true delight. 
That robe of quality fo ftruts and fwells. 
None fee what parts of nature it conceals: 
Th' exafteft traits of body or of mind. 
We owe to models of an humble kind. 
If Queenfberry to ftrip there 's no compelling, 
'Tis from a handmaid we mufl take a Helen. 
From peer or bifhop 'tis no eafy thing 
To draw the man who loves his God, or king : 
Alas ! I copy (or my draught would fail) 
From honefl Mah'met, or plain Parfon Hale. 

But grant, in public, men fometimes are 
fhown, 
A womdii'^i ieen in private life aloiies 



Our bolder talents in full light difplay'd; 
Your virtues open fairell in the fliade. 
Bred to difguife, in public 'tis you hide; 
There none dillinguifh 'twixt your fhame or 
Weaknefs or delicacy; all i'o nice, [pride. 

That each may feem a virtue or a vice. 

In men we various ruling pafTions iindj 
In women, two almoit divide the' kind j 
Thofe, only fix'd, they iiril or lall obey. 
The love of pleafure and the love of fway. 

That, nature gives; and where the iefToii 
taught _ ■ / 

Is but to pleafe, can pleafure feem a fault .? 
Experience, this ; by man's opprefTion curit. 
They feek the fecond not to lofe the firfh 

Men, fome to bus'nefs, fome to pleafure take. 
But ev'ry woman is at heart a rake: 
Men, fome to quiet, fome to public ftrife ; 
But ev'ry lady would be queen for life. 
Yet marie the fate of a whole fex of queens ! 
Pow'r all their end, but beauty all the means : 
In youth they conquer with Jo wild a rage. 
As leaves them fcarce a fubjeft in their age : 
For foreign glory, foreign joy, they roam ; 
No thought of peace or happinefs at home. 
But wifdom's triumph is well-tim'd retreat. 
As hard a fcience to the fair as great ! 
Beauties, like tyrants, old and friendlefs grown. 
Yet hate repofe, and dread to be alone j 
Worn out in public, weary ev'ry eye. 
Nor leave one figh behind them when they die, 

Pleafures the fex, as children birds purfue; 
Still out of reach, yet never out of view ; 
Suie, if they catch, to fpoil the toy at mofl. 
To covet flying, and regret when loft : 
At laft, to follies youth could fcarce defend, 
It grows their age's prudence to pretend; 
Afham'd to own they gave delight before, 
Redxit'd to feign it when they give no more: 
As hags hold fabbaths, lefs for joy than fpite. 
So thefe their merry, miferable night ; 
Still round and round the ghoils of beauty glide, 
And haunt the places where their honour died. 

See how the world its veterans rewards I 
A youth of frolics, an old age of cards ; 
Fair to no purpofe, artful to no end. 
Young without lovers, old without a friend; 
A fop their paflion, but their prize a fot, 
Alive, ridiculous, and dead, forgot ! 

Ah, friend ! to dazzle let the vain deiign ; 
To raife the thought and touch the heart be thine ! 
That charm fhall grow, whi^e what fatigues the 

ring. 
Flaunts and goes down an unregarded thing: 
So when the fun's broad beam has tir'd the fight, 
All mild afcends the moon's m.ore fober light; ^ 
Serene in virgin modefty fhe fhines. 
And, unobfervM, the glaring orb declines. 

Oh ! blell with temper, whofe unclouded ray 
Can make to-morrow cheerful as to-day; 
She who can love a fifter's charms, or hear 
Sighs for a daughter with unwounded ear; 
She who ne'er anfwers till a hufband cools; 
Ur, or if flie rules him, never Jliews Ihc rules: 
S Charms 



.5^ 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



Charms by scceptlng, by fubmittlng fways, 
Yet has her humour moft, when (he obeys: 
Let Fops Qv Fortune fly which w:i,y they will , 
Difciuins all lofs of tickets, orcodille; 
Spleen, vapours, or fmall-pox, above them all, 
Ar.d nii'irefs of herfelf, tho' china foil. 

And } et, believe me, good as well as ill, 
Woman 's at beil a contradi'5lion Hill. 
Heaven, when it ftiives to polifli all it can, 
Its laft belt work, but forms a fofler man; 
Picks from each iex, to make the favorite bleft, 
Your love of pleafure, our defire of reft: 
Blends, in exception to all general rules, 
Y'our tafte of follies with our fcorn of fools ; 
Reierve with franknefs, art v/ith truth allied, 
Courage with foftnefs, rnodelty with pride j 
FixM principles, vvitli fancy ever new, 
Shakes all together, and produces — You. 

Be thi? a woman's fame; with this unbleft, 
Toails live a fcorn, and queens may die a jeft. 
This Phoebus promised (I forget the year) 
When thole blue eyes iirft openM on the fphere ; 
Afcendant Phoebus watch'd that hour with care, 
Averted half your parents' fimple pray'r; 
And gave you beaut}'-, but denied the pelf 
That buys your fex a tyrant o'er itfelf. 
The gen'rous god, who wit and gold refines, 
And ripens fpirits, as he ripens mines. 
Kept drofs for duchelles, the world iliall know it, 
To you gave fenle, good-humour, and a poet. 

EPISTLE III. 

To Allen, Lord Batkirjl. 

P. Who fhall decide, Avhen doftors diiagree, 
And foundeft cafuills doubt, like you and me ? 



B. It raifes armies in a nation's aid : [tray'd. 

P. But bribes a fenate, and the land's be- 
In vain may heroes fight, and patriots rave, 
If fecret gold fap on from knave to knave. ■ 
Once, we confefs, beneath the patriot's cloke, 
From the crack'd bag the dropping guineafpoke. 
And, Jingling down theback-ftairs,told thecrew," 
*' Old Cato is as great a rogue as you." 
Bleft paper-credit ! laft and beft fupply ! 
That lends corruption lighter wings to fly ! 
Gold, imp'd by thee, can compafs hardeft thingsj 
Can pocket ftates, can fetch or carry kings j 
A nrgle leaf fiiall waft an army o'er. 
Or (hip off fenates to fom.e diftant fhorej 
A leaf, ,like SibyPs, fcatter to and fro 
Our fates and fortunes, as the wind Ihall blow: 
Pregnant with thoufands flits the fcrap unfeen, 
And filent fells a king, or buys a queen. 

Oh ! that fuch bulky bribes as all might fee, 
Still, as of old, encumber'd villany ! 
Could France or Rome divert our brave defigns 
With all their brandies, or with all thdl^ wines ? 
V^liat could they more than knights and 'fquires 

confound, 
Or water all the quorum ten miles round ? 
A llatefinan's flurnl-rs how this fpeech would 
'-' Sir, Spain has fentathoufandjars of oil ; [fpoil I 
" Huge bales of Britifli cloth blockade the door : 
" A hundred oxen at your levee roar."" 

Poor avarice one torment more would find j 
Nor could profufion fquander all in kind. 
Aftride his cheefe Sir Morgan might we meet ; 
And Worldly crying coals from ttreet to ftreet; 
Whom, with a wig fo wild, and mien fo maz'd. 
Pity miftakes for fome poor tradefman craz'd. 
Had Colepepper's whole wealth been hops and 



You hold the word, from Jove to Monnis given, i Could he himlelfhave fent it to the dogs ? [hogs. 
That man was made the ftand^ng jeft of heaven : | His Grace will game : to White's a bull be led 



And gold but fent lo keep the fools in pliy, 
For lome to heap, and fome to throw away. 

But I, who think more highly of our kind 
(And farely, Heaven and .1 are of a mind,) 
Opine, th.at nature, as in duty bound, 
Deep hid the fliining milchief under ground: 
But when by man's audacious labour won, 
P'hni'il forth this rival to its fire the fun, 
Then careful Heaven fupp%dtwo forts of men; 
To fquander thefe, and thofe to hide agen. 

Like do6fors thus, Vv'hen much dilpute has 
We find our tenets juft the fame at laft. [pafs'd. 
Both fairly owning, riches in elfe(5t 
No grace of Heaven, or token of th' eleft ; 
C^v'n to the fool, the mad, the vain, the evil, 
To Ward, to Waters, Chartres, and the Devil. 

2. What njture v^^ants, commodious gold be- 
'Tis thus we eat the bread another fows. [ftows ; 

P. But how unequal it beftows. obferV/C, 
*Tio thus we riot, while who fow it ftarve : 
What nature wants (a phrafe I muft diftruft) 
Extends to luxury, extends to luft: 
Ufeful, I grant, it ferves what life requires; 
But, dreadful too, the dark aflafiin hires. 

B. Trade it may help, focieiy extend : 

i^. But lures the pirate, and corrupts the frietid. 



With ipurning heels and with a butting head. 
To White's be carried, as to ancient games, 
Fair couriers, vafes, and alluring dames. 
Shall theii Uxorio, if the ftakes he fweep, 
Bear home fix whores, and make his lady weep. 
Or foft Adonis, fo perfum'd and ^\\\e. 
Drive to St. James's a whble herd of fwnie? 
O filthy check on all induftrious ficill. 
To fpoil the nation's laft great trade, Quadrille! 
Since then, my lord, on fuch a world we fall, 
What fiiy you ? B. Say ; Why takeit, goldand all. 

P. What riches give us, let us then inquire : 
Meat, fire, and clothes. 5. What more? P. Meat, 

clothes, and fire, <*• 

Is this too little? woiJd you more than live? 
Alas ! 'tis moi-e than Turner finds they give. 
Alas ! 'tis more than (all his vifions paft) 
Unhappy Wharton, waking, found at laft ! 
What can they give? to dying Hopkins, heirs j 
To Chartres, vigour; Japhet, nofe and ears? 
Can they, in gems bid pallid Hippia glow? 
In Fulvia's buckle eafe the throbs below? 
Or heal, old Narfes, the obfcener ail. 
With all th' embroidery plafter'd at thy tail ? 
They might (wereHarpax not too wife to fpend) 
Give Harpax felf ths bleiTing of a friend j 

Or 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTI V E. &c. 



'59 



Or find fome doi5^or that would fave the lif| 
Of wittchcd Shylock, fpite of Shjdock's vvite: 
But thoufimds die, without or this or thatj 
Pie, and endow a college, or a cat ! 
To fonie, indeed, Heaven grants the happier fate, 
X' enrich a baftard, or a fon they hate. 

Perhaps you think the poor might have then- 
part? [heart. 
Bond dainns the poor, and hates them from his 
The ^rave Sir Gilbert holds it for a i'lile, 
That ev'ry man in want is knave or fool: 
* God cannotlove {lays Blunt, with tearlefs eyes) 
*'The wretch he ll:arves' — and pioufly denies -. 
But the good hifhop, with a meeker aij|^ 
Admits, and leaves them, Providence'^are. 

Yet to be jalt to thefe poor men of pelf. 
Each does but hate Hi: 



I neighbour as himfelf : 
an ec\\h\ fate betides 



Damn'd to tire mine 

The Have that digs it, and the flave that hides 

B. Who fufter'd thus, mere charity ihouid own, 
Muft a6t on motives pov^-erful, tho' unknown 

P. Some v/ar,fomepiague,or famine theyforefee, 
Tiome revelation hid from you and ine. 
Why Shylock wants a meal, the caufe is found j 
He thinks a loaf will rife to fifty pound. 
What made directors cheat in South-fea year? 
To live on ven'fbn when it fold fo dt\';r, 
A(k you why Phryne the whole auftion buys ? 
Phryne forefees a general excife. 
Why fhe and Sappho raife tha:t monftrous fum ? 
Alas ! they fear a m.an will coil: a plum. 

Wife Peter fees the world's refpe6l for gold, 
And therefore hopes ^his nation may be fold: 
Glorious ambition! Peter, fv^^ejl thy ftore, 
And be v/hat Rome's great Di>Mus was before. 
The crown of Poland, venal twice an age, 
To juil three millions tinted mcdeit Gage. 
But nobler fcenes Maria's dreams unfold, 
Hereditary realms, and worlds of gold. 
Congenial fouls! whofe life one av'rice joins, 
And one fate buries in th' Auftrian mines. 

Much-injur'd Blunt! v/hybearsheBrita^in'shate? 
Ax wizard told him in thcfe words our fate: 
*' At length corruption, like a gen'ral flood 
*' (So long by watchful minifters withitood), 
" Shall deluge all ; and av'rice, creeping on, 
^' Spread like a low-born mill, and blot the fun 5 
" Statefman and patriot ply alike the (locks, 
*' Peerefs and butler fhare alike the l>ox, 
*' And judges job, and biihops bite the town, 
*' And mighty dukes pack cards for half a crown. 
" See Britain funk in lucre's fordid charms. 
*' And Francereveng'd of Anne's and EdvVard's 
" arms !" [brain, 

'Twas no court badge, great Scriv'ner I fir'd thy 
Nor lordly luxury, nor city gain: 
No, 'twas thy righteous oid, afliam'd to fee 
Seiiates degen'rate, patriots difagree. 
And nobly v/ifhing p:irty-rage to ceafe. 
To buy both fides, and give thy country peace. 

" All this is madnels," cries'a Ibber i'jLge ■: 
But who, my friend, has reafon- in his rage } 
^' The ruling paifion, be it what it wiy, 
*' The ruling palTion conciuers reafoa ftill/' 



Lefs mad the wildeft whimfy we can frame. 
Than even that paiiion, if it has no aimj 
For though fuch motives folly yal#may caU, 
The folly's greater to have none at all. 

Hear then the truth : " ' Tis heaven each pafTion. 
" lends, 
" And diff'rent men direfls to difF'rentends. 
" Extremes in nature equal good produce j 
" Extremes in man concur to gen'ral ufe." 
Afk we what makes one keep, and one bellow? 
That Pow'r who bids the ocean ebb and flow. 
Bids feed -time, harveft, equal courfe maintain. 
Thro' reconcil'd extremes of drought and rain. 
Builds life on death, on change duration founds, 
Andgivesth' eternal wheels toknowtheirrounds, 

Riches, like infers, when conceal'd they lie. 
Wait but for wings, and in their feafon fly. 
Who fees pale J^ammon pine araidil his ftore, 
Sees but a backward fteward for the poor; 
This year a refeyvoir, to keep and fpare 5 
The next, a fountain, fpouting thro' his heir. 
In laviih ilreams to quench a country's thirft ; 
And men and dogs fliall drink him till they burft". 

Old Cotta fliani'd his fortune and his birth, 
Yet was not Cotta void of wit or worth : 
What tho' (the ufe of barb'rous fpits forgot) 
His kitchen vied in coolnefs with his grot ? 
His court wi4:h nettles, moats with creffes flior'cf. 
With foups unbought and falads bleft his board ? 
If Cotta liv'd on pulfe, it was no more 
Than Bramins, Saints, and Sages did before j 
To cram the rich was prodigal expenee ; 
And who would take the poor from Providence ? 
Like fome loneChartreuxilands the good ojid hall, 
Silence without, and fafts within the wall: 
No rafter'd roofs with dance and tabor found. 
No noontide bell invites the country round : 
Tenants with lighs the fmokelefs tow'rs furvey. 
And turn th' unwilling Heeds anotlisr way: 
Benighted wanderers, the foreft o'er. 
Curie the fav'd-candl%and unop'ning door 5 
While the^gaunt raailjff, growling at the gate. 
Affrights the beggar, whom he longs to eat. 

Not fo his fon, he mark'd this ovepfight, ^ 
And then mi (took reverfe of wrong for right. 
(For what to fhun v/ill no great knowledge need 3 
But what to follow is a talk indeed.) 
Yet fure, of qualities delcrvi ng praife, 
More go to ruin fortunes than to raile. 
What llaugliter'd hecatombs, with floods of wine^ 
Fill the capacious 'fquire, and deep divine 1 
Yet no mean motive this -profuflon draws. 
His oxen perifli in his country's caale; 
'Tis George and Liberty that crowns the cup. 
And zeal for that great houfe which eats him up. 
The woods recede around the naked feat. 
The ly Ivans groan — no matter — for the fleet: 
Next goes his wool — toclothe our valiant bands : 
Laft, for his counti7's love, he fells his lands. 
To town he comes, completes tlie nation's hope. 
And heads the bold train- bands, and burns a 

pope:. 
And fliali not Britain now reward his toils, 
Britain, that pays her patriots with her fpoik ? 
S2 la 



26o 

In vain at couii: the bankrupt pleads his caftfe j 
His thanklels country leaves him to her laws. 

The fcnle to value riches, with the art 
T' enjoy them, and the virtue to impart. 
Not meanly, nor ambitioully purfued. 
Not funk by iloth, nor rais'd by iervitude j 
To balance fortune by a juft expence, 
Join with economy, magnificence j 
With fplendour, charity ; with plenty, health ! 



ILLEGANf EXTRACTS, 



Boofc II. 

P. Of debts and taxes, -^vife and children clear, 
This man pollel3''d five htmdred pounds a year, 
Blulh, grandeur, blufli ! proud courts, withdraw 

your blaze ! 
Ye little ftars ! hide your diminilh'd rays. 

6. Andwhat ? nomonument,inrcription,ftone? 
His race, his form, his namealmoll unknown ? 

P. Who builds a church toGod,and not to fame. 
Will never mark the marble with his name ! 



Oh teach us, Bathurft ! yet unfpoiPd by wealth 1 ; Go, fearch it there, where to be boru and die. 



That fecret rare, between the extremes to move 
Of mad good-nature, and of mean felf-love. 

B. To worth or want well weigh'd be bounty 
And eafe or emulate the care of Heaven j [given, 
(Whole meafure full overflows on human race) 
Mend fortune's fault, and juftify her grace. 
Wealth in the grofs is death, but life diftus'dj 
As poifon heals, in jull proportion us'd: 
In heaps, like ambergris, a flink it lies : 
But well difpers'd is incenfe to the fkies. 

P. Whcilarvesby nobles, or with nobles eats ? 



Of rich and poor makes all the hiftory ; 
Enough, that virtue fili'd the fpace between ; 
ProvM by the ends of being, to liave been. 
When Hopkins dies, a thoufand lights attend 
The wretch, who living fav'd a candle'^s end; 
Shouldering God's altar a vile image ftands, 
Belies iiis features, nay extends his hands; 
That live-long wig which Gordon's felf might 
Eternal buckle takes in Parian ftone. fown. 
Behold what blefllngs wealth to life can lend ■ 



And fee what comfc 



it afibrds 



end. 



The wi'etch that trufb them, and the rogue that ' In the worft inn's woril room, with mat half hung, 



cheats. 

Is there a lord, who knows a cheerful noon 
Without a fiddler, flatt'rer, or buffoon ? 
Whofe table wit or modeft merit fhare, 
Unelbow'd by a gameller, pimp, or play'r ? . 
"Who copies yours, or Oxford's better part, 
To eafe th' oppreft, and raife the finking heart r 
Where'er he fliines, O fortune gild the fcene. 
And angels guard him in the golden meanl 
jlifh bounty yet awhile may ftand, 



The fio(jrs of plaiiter, and the w-alls of dunj 
On once a flock-bed, but repair'd with ftraw. 
With tape-tied curtains, never meant to draw, 
The George and Garter dangling from that bed 
Where tawdr)-- yellow ftrove v.-irh dirty red. 
Great Villiers lies — alas ! how chang'd from him 
That life of pleafure, and that foul of whim 1 
Gallant and g^y, in Cliveden's proud alcove, 
The bow'r of w-anton Shrevvfbuiy and love \ 
Or jult as gay, at council, in a ring 
Of mimic flatefmen, and their merry king, 



There Eng: 

And honour linger ere it leaves the land 

But all our praifes why fhould lords engrofs? | N"o wit to flatter left of all his llore ! 
Rife, honelt Mufe ! and fmg the Man of Rofs : i No fool to laugh at, which he valued more. 
Pleas'd Vaga echoes tliro' her winding bounds, i There, viclor of his health, of fortune, friends, 
And rapid Severn hoarfe applaufe refbunds. I And fame — this lord of ufelefs thoufands ends. 
Who hung with woods yon mountain's fultry | His grace's fate fage Cutler could forefee, 

brow r And well (he thought) advis'd him, " Live like 

From the Axy rock who bade the waters fiow ? j " me." 

Not to the fkies in ufelefs columns toll, j As well his grace replied, " Like you. Sir John I 

Or in proud falls magnificentiy lolt, '' That I can do, when all I have is gone." 



But clear and artlefs, poKring tlirough the plain 
Health to the fick, and lolace to the fwain. 
Whofe caufeway parts the vale with fhady rows ? 
Whofe l"eats the weary traveller repofe r 
Who taught that heaven direc^.ed f)/ire to rife? 
•* The Man of Rofs,"' each lifping babe replies. 
Behoid the market-place with poor o'erfpread! 
The Klan of Rofs divides the weekly bread: 
He feeds yon alms-houfe,neat, but void of Hate, 
Where age and v/ant fit fmiling at the gate ; 
Himportion'dmajd3,apprentic'd orphans blefsM 



The young wl;o iabour, and the old who reft, i Banifli'd the do6lor, and expell'd the friend ! 



Is any fick ? the Man of Rofs felieves, 
Prefcribes,attends.themed'cineraak«, and gives 
Js there a variance? enter but his door, 
Balkdare the courts, and contell is no more. 
pefpairiug quacks with curfes fled the place. 
And vile attorneys, now an ufelefs race. 

B. Thrice happy man enabled to purfue 
V^'hat all fo wifh, but want the pow'r to do \ " 
Oh fay, what fums that gen'rous h:uui fupnly ? 
Wluc mines to Twell that bouadlefs chadtv ? 



Refbive me, Rer.fon, which of thefe is worfe. 
Want with a full, or with an empty purfe r 
Thy life more wretched. Cutler, was confefs'd ; 
An(e, and tell me, was thy death more blefs"d ' 
Cutler faw tenants break, and houfes fall, 
For very w^ant; he could not build a wall. 
His only daughter in a itranger's pow'r. 
For very want; lie could not pay a dow'r. 
A few grey hairs his rev'rend temples crown'd, 
"Twas very want that fold them for two pound. 
What even denied a cordial at his end, 



What but a want, which you perhaps think mad. 
Yet numbers feel the want of what he had! 
Cutler and Brutus, dying, both exclaim, 
'Virtue! and wealth! what are ye but a name !' 

Say, for fuch worth are other worlds prepared! 
Or are they both in this their own reward? 
A knotty point 1 to which we now proceed. 
Bufyou are tir'd — Dl tell a tale — B. Agreed. 

P. Where London's column, pointing at the 
Like u toil bull . , lilh the head^ and lies ; [ikies. 

There 



Book IL 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



a6i 



There dwelt a citizen of Ibber fome, 
A plain good man, and Balaam was his name ; 
Religions, pun(5liiai, frugal, and fo forth ; 
His word would pais for more than lie was worth. 
One folid di(h his week-day meal affords, 
And added pudding folemniz'd the Lord's; 
Conftant at church and 'change j his gains were 

fure. 
His givings rare, fl^ve fi^rthings to the poor. 

The devil was piquM fuch iaint(hip to behold. 
And longd to tempt him, like good Job of old : 
But Satan now is wifer than of yore, 
And tempts by making rich, not jnaking poor. 
Rous'd by the princeof air, the whirlwinds Iweep 
The furge, and plunge his father in the deep ; 
Then full againil his Cornifh lands they roar. 
And two rich fhipwrecks blefs the lucky fhore. 

Sir Balaam now, he lives like other folks ; 
He takes his chirping pint, and cracks his jokes: 
*' Live like yourfelf," was foon my lady's word j 
And lo ! two puddings fmok'd upon the board. 

Adeep and naked as an Indian lay, 
An honeft fa6ior Hole a gem away ; 
He pledged it to the knight ; the knight had wit, 
So kept the diamond, and the rogue was bit. 
Some fcruple rofe, but thus he easM his thought : 
*' I '11 now give fixpence where I gave a groat; 
" Where once I went to church, I '11 now go 

" twice, 
" And am lb clear too of all other vice." 

The tempter law his time ; the woi'k he plied ; 
Stocks and fubfcriptions pour on ev'ry fide, 
'Till all the d;umon makes his full delcent 
In one abundant fliow'r of cent, per cent. 
Sinks deep within him, and pofTefTes whole, 
Then dubs director, and fecures his foul. 

Behold Sir Balaam, now a man of fpirit, 
Afcribes his gettings to his parts and merit ; 
What late he call'd a blellmg, now was wit, 
And God's good providence, a lucky hit. 
Things change their titles, as our manners turn : 
His compting-houfeemploy'dthe Sunday morn: 
Seldom at church ('twas fuch a bufy life). 
But duly fent his family and wife. 
There (fo the devil ordain'd) oneChriftmas-tide 
My good old lady catch'd a cold, and died. 

A nymph of quality admires our knight; 
He marries, bows at court, and grows polite ; 
Leaves the dull cits, and joins (topleafe the fair) 
The well-bred cuckolds in St. James's air: 
Firft, for his Ion a gay commiHion buys. 
Who drinks, whores, fights, and in a duel dies. 
His daughter flaunts a vifcount's tawdry wife ; 
She bears a coronet and p — x for life. 
In Britain's lenate he a feat obtains. 
And one more peniioner St. Stephen gains. 
My lady falls to play ; fo bad her chance. 
He mult repair it ; takes a bribe from France ; 
The Houfe impeacii him, Coningfby harangues; 
The Court foriake him, and Sir Balaam hangs ; 
Wife, ion, and daughter, Satan ! are thy own, 
His wealth, yet dearer, forfeit to the crown ; 
The devil and the king divide the prize, 
And lad Sir Balaam curies God and dies. 



EP tSTLE IV. 



To Richard Boyle , Ear/ of Burlington. 

'Tis ftrange, the mifer Ihould his cares employ 
To gain thole riches he can ne'er enjoy : 
Is it lefs ib-ange, the prodigal (liould wafte 
His wealth, lo puichaie what he ne'er can talle ? 
Nor for himielf he Jees, or hears, or eats j 
Artifts mult chooiehis pi6tures, muiic, meats : 
He buys for Topham, drawings and defi^ns ; 
For Peml)!-oke ftatues, dirty gods, and couis i 
Rare monkilh manufcripts for Hearne alone j 
And books for Mead, and butterflies for Sloane. 
Think we all thele are for himfelf r No more 
Than his fine wife, alas ! or finer whore. 

For what has Virro painted, built, and planted ? 
Only to fliew how many taltes he wanted. 
What brought Sir Vilto's ill-go,t wealth to v/afte ? 
Some daemon whifper'd, *' Vifto ! have a tafte." 
Heaven viiits with a taile the wealthy fool, 
And needs no rod but Ripley with a rule. 
See! fpoitive fate, to punilh awkward pride. 
Bids Bubo build, and lends him fuch a guide : 
A Ilandjing fermon, at each year's expence. 
That never coxcomb reach'd magnificence ! 

You Ihow us Rome was glorious, not profufe. 
And pompousbuildingsonce were things of ufe. 
Yet Ihall (my Lord) your juft,. your noble rules 
Fill half the land with imitating fools; [take. 
Who random drawings from your fheets IhaJl 
And of one beauty many blunders make ; 
Load fome vain chui-ch with old theatric Hate j 
Turn arcs of triumph to a garden- gate ; 
Reverfe your ornaments, and hang them all 
On fome patch'd dog-hole ek'd with ends of wall; 
Then clap four dices of pilafter on 't, 
That, lac'd with bits of ruitic, makes a front: 
Shall call the winds thro' long arcades to roar, 
Proud to catch cold at a Venetian door ; 
Confcious they a<^> a true Palladian part. 
And if they llarve, they itarve by rules of art. 

Oft have you hinted to your brother peer, 
A certain truth, which many buy too dear : 
Something there is more needful than expenfe, 
And fomethingprevious ev'n to talle — 'tis fenfe : 
Good (enfe, which only is the gift of Heaven, 
And, andtho' no fcience, fairly worth the feven ; 
Alight, which in yourfelf you mud perceive j 
Jone? and Le Notre have it BOt to give. 

To build, to plant, whatever you intend. 
To rear the column, or the arch to bend, ^. 
To fwell the terrace, or to fink the grot $ * 
In all, let nature ne\er be forgot ; 
But treat the goddefs like a modell fiur, 
Nor over-drefs, nor leave her wholly bare j 
Let not each beauty ev'ry where be Ipied, 
Where half the fkill is decently to hide. 
He gains all points who pleafingly confounds 
Suprifes, varies, and conceals the bounds. 

Confult the genius ot the place in ail ; 
That tells the waters o'- to rife or fall ; 
Or help th' ambitious hill the heavens to fcale. 
Or Icoops in circling theatres the vale ; 

^ 3 CalU 



2$^ 



t LEG ANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



Calls in the country, catching op'ning glades, 
Joins \viiIing\voods,and variesi'hades from Hiadesj 
Now breaks, or now direfls, th' intending lines j 
Paints as you plant, and, as you work, defigns. 

Still follow i'eni^e, of ev^ry art the foul, 
iParts anfwering parts (hall llide into a whole ; 
Spontaneous beauties all around advance. 
Start ev'n from difficulty, ftrike from chance ; 
Nature fliall join you ; timfe Ihall make it grow 
A work to wonder at-*-perhaps a Stow. 

Without it, proud Verfailles ! thy glory falls ; 
And Nero's terraces defert their walls : 
The vail parterres a thouland hands fliall make, 
Lo ! Cobham comes, and floats them with a lake : 
Or cut wide views thro' mountains to the plain, 
Vou '11 wifh your hill or flielter'd feat again. 
Ev'n in an ornament its place remark, 
Nor in an hermitage fet Dr. Clarke. 
Behold Villario's ten years toil complete ; 
His Quincunx darkens, his Efpaliers meet ; 
The wood fupports the plain, the parts iinite, 
And ilrength of (hade contends with ftrength of 
A Wavingglow the bloomy beds difplay, [light} 
Bin thing in bright diverfuies of day. 
With fiiver-quiv'ring rills meander'd o'er— 
Enjoy them, you ! Villario can no more 5 
Tir'd of thefcene parterres and fountains yield, 
Plefinds at la ft he better likes a field. 

^hro' his young woods how pieas'd Sabinus 
Or fate delighted in the tbick'ning {hade.ritray'd, 
With annual joy the redd'niiig (hoots to greet, 
Or fee the llretchin^^branches long too meet ! 
His fon's fine tafte an op'ner viita loves, 
Foe to the dryads of his father's groves; 
One boundlels green, or flourifii'd carpet views, 
With all the mournful family of yews; 
The thriving plants, ignoble broomfticks made, 
Nowtfwsep thofe alleys they were born to fiiade. 

At Timon's villa let us pafs a day, [away !" j 



Unwater'd fee the drooping fea-horfe mourn, 
And fwallows rooll in Nilus' dufty urn. 
My lord advances with raajeftic mien, 
Smit with the mighty pleafure to be feen : 
But foft — by regular approach — ^not yet — 
Firllthro' the length of yon hot terrace fweat 5 
Andwhen up ten lleep fiopes j'-ou've dragg'dyour* 
Juftat his iludy door he '11 blefsyour eyes. [thighs. 

His ftudy ! with what authors is it ftor'd ? 
In books, not authors, curious is my lord j 
To all their dated backs he turns you round, 
Thefe Aldus printed, thofe Du Sueil has bound, 
Lo, fonje are vellum; and the reit as good 
For all his lordfliip knows, but they are v*^ood. 
For Locke or Milton 'tis in vain to look ; 
Thefe {helves admit not any modern book. 

And now the chapel's filver bell you hear, 
That fummons you ^ all the pride of pray'r; 
Light quirks of muuc, broken and uneven, 
Pvlake the foul dance upon a jig to heaven. 
On painted ceilings you devoutly ilare. 
Where fprawl the faints of Verrio or Laguerre^ 
Or gilded clouds in fair expanfion lie, 
And bring all Paradife before your eye. 
To reftthe culhion and foft dean invite. 
Who never mentions hell to cars polite. 

But hark i the chiming clocks to dinner call} 
A hundred footfleps fcrape the marble hall : 
The rich buffet well-cclour'd ferpents grace. 
And gaping Tritons fpew to warn your face. 
Is this a dinner? this a genial room ? 
No, ^tls a temple, and a hecatomb ! 
A foiemn lacj Ifice, perform'd in ftate ; 
You drink by meafure, and to minutes eat. 
So quick retires each flying courfe, you 'd fwear 
Sancho's dread doftor and his wand" were there. 
Between each act the trembling falvers ring. 
From foup to fweet-wine, and God blefs the king; 
In plenty ilarving-, tantaliz'd in ftatS, 



"Where all cry out, " W^hat i'ums are thrown j And complaifantly help'd to all I hat 



So proud, fo grand ; pf that ilupendous air> 
Soft and agreeable come never ther©^ 
Greatnefs, with Timon, dwells in fuch a draught 
As brings all Brobdignag before your thought. 
To compafs this, his building is a town, 
Kis pond an ocean, his parterre a down : 
Who but mult laugh, the mailer when he fees, 
A pttny infeclj Ihiv'ring at a breeze ! 
Lo, v/hat huge heaps of httienefs around I 
The whole a iabour'd quarry above ground. 
Two Cupids fquirt beibre : a lake behind 
Imj^roves the keennefs of the northern wind. 
Kis gardens next your admiration call ; 
Cn ev'ry fide you ioolc, behold the wall I 
Ko pleailng intricacies intervene. 
No artful wildnefs to ptrplex the fcene 5 
Giove nods at grovi^ each alley has a brother, 
And half the platform j \Ul refle6ls the other. 
The fuff'ring eye inverted nature fees, 
Trees cut to ilatues, llatues thij;k as trees ; 
With here a fountain never to be play'd ; 
And there a fumm.er-houfe that knows no (hade ; 
Here Amphitrite fails thro' myrtle bo vv'rs } 
There gladiators rights or die in fiow'rs j 
4 



Treated, carefs'd, and tir'd, I take ray leave, 
Sick of his civil pride from morn to eve; 
1 curfe fuch lavifn cofl, and little (kill. 
And fwear no day was ever pals'd fo ill ! 

Yet hence the poor are cloth'd, the hungryfedj 
Health to hirafelf, and to his infants bread 
The lab'rer bears : wdiat his hard heart denies. 
His charitable vanity fupplies. 

Another age fhall fee the golden ear 
Imbrown the Aope, and nod on the parterre. 
Deep harveft bury all his pride has plann'd, 
And laughing Ceres re-ailume the land. 

Who then fhall grace, or who improve the foil ? 
Who plants like Bathurft, or who builds like 
'Tis ufe alone that fan6lifies expenfe, [Boyle. 
And fplendour borrows all her rays from fenfe. 

His father's acres who enjoys in peace, 
Or makes his neighbour glad, if he increafe; 
Whofe cheerful tenants blefs their yearly toil> 
Yet to their lord owe more than to the ibil ; 
Wliofe ample lawns are not afcam'd to feed 
The milky heifer and deferving ileed ; 
Whofe ritlng foreits, not for pride or /liov/» 
But future buildings, future iiaviss, grow : 

LQt 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



263 



Let his plantations ftr^tch frora down to down, 
Firft'fiiade a country, and then raile a town. 

You too proceed ! make fiill i ng arts your care, 
Eredl new wonders, and the old repair j 
Jones and Palladio to themfelves refiore, 
And he whatever Virtruvius was before: 
Till kings call forth th' ideas of your mind 
(Proud to accomplifli what fuch hands defign'd). 
Bids harbours open, public w:iys extend j 
Bid temples, worthier of the God, alcend j 
Bid the broad arch the dangerous flood, contain, 
The mole projected break the roaring ftiain^ 
Back to his bounds their fubje6l Tea command. 
And roll obedient rivers thro' the land j 
Thefe honours peace to happy Britain brings : 
Thefe are imperial works, and v/orthy kings. 



§ 18. Epijlle to Mr. Addlfon, occafiomd hy 
his Dialogues on Medals. Pope. 

See the wild wafte of all-devouriag years ! 
How Rome her own fad fepulchre appears. 
With nodding arches, broken temples fpread! 
The very tombs now vanilh'd like their dead ! 
Im-perlal wonders rais'd on nations fpoiPd, 
Where, mix'd with flaves, the groaning martyr 

toiPd : 
Huge theatres, that now unpeopled woods, 
Now drained a dirtant country of her floods : 
Fanes, which admiring gods with pride furvey, 
Statues of men fcarce lefs alive than they! 
Some felt the filent ftroke of mould'ring age. 
Some holtile fury, fome religious rage. 
Barbarian biindnefs, Chriftian zeal confpire, 
And Papal piety, and Gothic fire. ^ 
Perhaps, by its own ruin iav'd from fiame. 
Some buried marble half preferv^es a name; 
That name the learn Viwith fierce difputespurfue, 
And give to Titus old Vefpafian's'due. 

Ambition figh'd : flie found it vain to trull 
The faithlefs column and the crumbling bufh : 
Huge moles, whofe fhadow llretchM from Ihore 

to (bore. 
Their ruins perifli'd, and their place no more ! 
Convinced, (he now contrafts her vaft defign. 
And all her triumphs (lirink into a coin. 
A narrow orb each crowded conquell keeps j 
Beneath her palm here lad Judea weeps. 
Now fcantier limits the proud arch confine, 
And fcarce are feen the prcftrate Nile or Rhfne ; 
And fmall Euphrates thro' the piece is rolPd, 
And little eagles wave their wings in gold. 

The Medal, faithful to its charge of fame. 
Thro' climes and ages bears each form and name ; 
In one fl^ort view fubje6icd to our eye, 
Gods, emp'rors, heroes, fages, beauties, lie. 
With Iharp.en'd fight pale antiquaries pore, 
Th' infcription value, b\it the rufl adore. 
This the blue varnilh, that the green endears, 
The facred ruft of twice ten hundred years 
To gain Pefcennius one employs his Ichemes; 
One grafps a Cecrops in ecltatic dreams. 
Poor Vadius, long with learned Ipleen devour'd, 
Can talte no pleafure fince his Ihield was fcour'd : 



And Curio, reftlefs by the fair one's fide, 
Sighs for an Otho, and neglects his bride. 

Theirs is the vanity, the learning thine i 
Touth'd by thy hand, again Rome's glories fliine. 
Her gods and godlike heroes rife to view, 
And all her faded garments bloom a-new. 
Nor blulh, thefe fl:udiers thy regard engage 5 
Thefe pleas'd the Withers of poetic rnge : 
The verle and fculpture bore an equal part. 
And art reflefted im.ages to art. 

Oh when Ihall Britain, confcious of her claim. 
Stand emulous of Greek and Roman famef 
In living medals fee her wars enroll'd. 
And vanquifhYl realms fupply recording gold? 
Here, rifing bold, the patriot's honeft face ; 
There, v»^arriors frowning in hiftoric brals : 
Fhen future ages with delight Ihall fee 
How Plato's, Bacon's, Newton's, looks agree j 
Or in fair feries laurell'd bards be Ihown, 
A Virgil there, and here an Addifon. 
Then Ihali thyCraggs (and let me call him mine} 
On the call ore, another Pollio, Ihine j 
With afpeft open Ihall ereft his head, 
And round the orb in lading notes be read, 
" Statefman, yet friend to truth ! of foul finecre^ 
" In action faithful, and in honour clear; 
" Who broke no promife, ferv'd no private end,. 
" Who gain'd no title, and who loll no friend t 
" Ennobled by himfelf, by all approved, 
" Andprais'd, unenvied, by the Mufe he lov'd.'* 



§ 19. Epijileto Dr. Arbuthnoti being theVrohgut 
to the Satires, Pope. 

P. Shut, Ihut the door, good John, fatigu'd 

I fud, 
Tye up the knocker; fay I'm fick, I'm dead. 
The Dog-ilar rages ! nay 'tis pafl: a doubt. 
All Bedlam, or Parnaflus, is let out : 
Fire in each eye, and papers in each hand, 
They rave, recite, and madden round the land. 

What walls can guard me, or what Ihades can> 
hidft ? [glide \ 

They pierce my thickets, thro' my grot they 
By land, by water, they renew the charge j 
They flrop the chariot, and they board the barge» 
No place is facred, not the Church is free, 
Ev'n Sunday fiiines no Sabbath day to me : 
Then from the Mint walks forth the man of 
Happy ! to catch me jull at dinner time, [rhyinc,^ 

Is there a Parfon, much bemus'd in beer, 
A maudlin Poetefs, a rhyming Peer, 
A Clerk, foredoom'd his father's foul to'crofs. 
Who pens a Stanza when he Ihould engrofs? 
Is there, who, lock'd from ink and paper fcrawU 
Withdefp'rate charcoal round his darken 'd walls? 
All fly to Twit'nam, and in humble llrain 
Apply to me, to keep them mad or vain. 
Arthur, whofe giddy fon negle6ls the laws, 
Imputes to me and ray damn'd works tht caufej 
Poor Cornus fees his frantic wife elope j 
And curfes Wit, and Poetry, and Pope, [long 

Friend to my Life ! (which did not you pro. 
The world had v/anted many an idle long,) 

S i^ What 



^64 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



What Drops or NoJIrun: can this plague remove ? 
Or which mult end me, a FooVs wrath or love f 
A dire dilemma ! either way I 'm fped ; 
If" foes, they write ; if friends, they read mcdead. 
Sfciz'd and tied down to judge, how wretched I ! 
Who can't be filent, and who will not lie: 
To laugh, were want of goodnefs and of grace; 
And to be grave, exceeds all pow'r of face : 
I fit with fad civility, I read 
With honeft anguiih, and an aching heat! ; 
And drop at lall, but in unwilling ears, 
This faving counfel, * keepyourpiecenineyears/ 
Nine years ! cries he, who high in Drury-lane, 
Luird by foft Zephyrs thro' the broken pane, 
Rhymes ere he wakes, and prints before Term 
Oblig'd by hungerand requeft of friends ; [ends. 
« The piece, you think, is incorreft ? why take it ; 

* I am all fubmiflion, what you'd have it make it,' 
Three things another's modeft wiflies bound, 

MyFriendfliip, and a Prologue, and Ten Pound, 
Pitholeon fends to me: ' you know his Grace: 

* I want a Patron; aik him for a Place.' 
Pitholeon iibelPd me-—' but here 's a letter [ter 

* Informs you, Sir, 'twas when he knew no bet- 

* Dare you refufe him ? Curl invites to dine ; 

* Ke '11 write a Joumal, or lie '11 turn Diviiie.' 

Blefs me ! a packet. — ' 'Tis a ftranger fues, 
' A Virgin Tragedy, an Orphan Mui'e.' 
If I diilike it, * Furies, death and rage!' 
If I approve, * Commoid it to the ftage.' [ends, 
There (thank my flars!) my whole commiffion 
The players and I are, luckily, no friends. 
Fir'd that the houfe reje<5l him, * 'vSdeath, I'll 

* print it, [Lintot.' 

* And ihame the fools — Your int'reft, Sir, with 
Lintot, dull rogue ! will think your price too 

* Not, Sir, if you revife it, and retouch.' [much : 
All my demurs but double his attacks ; 

At lait he wifpers, * Do ; and we go fnacks.' 
Glad of a quarrel, ftraJi,ht I clap the door: 
Sir, let me fee your works and you no more. 

'Tis fung, when Midas' ears began to fpring 
(Midas, a facred perfon and a king). 
His veiy Minlfter who fpied them iirft 
(Some lay his Queen) was forc'd to fpeak, or 
And is not mine, my friend, a forer cafe, [burft. 
When ev'ry coxcomb perks them in ray face ? 

A. Good friend, forbear ! you deal in dang'rous 
things, 
I 'd never name Queens, Minifters, or Kings ; 
Keep dole to Ears, and thofe let AiTes prick, 
'Tis Nothing — P. Nothing, if they biteand kick? 
Out with it, Dunciad ! let the fecret pafs. 
That fecret to each fool, that he's an Afs : [lie ? 
The truth once told (and wherefore fliould we 
The Queen of Midas flept, and fo may I. 

You think this cruel ? take it for a rule, 
Ko creature fmarts fo little as a fool. 
Let peals of laughter, Codrus, round thee break, 
Thou unconcern'd eanft hear the mighty crack: 
Pit, box, and gall'ry in convulnons hurl'd. 
Thou ftand'lt unfhook amidft a burlting world. 
Who ftiames a Scribbler? break one cobweb thro' 
He ipins the fliglit felt-pleafing thread anew : 

z I 



Deftroy bis fib or fophiflry in vain, 
The creature 's at his dirty work again, 
Thron'd on the cehtre of his thin defigns. 
Proud of a vaft extent of flimfy lines 1 
Whom have [ hurt ? has Poet yet, or Peer, 
Lolt the arch'd eyebrow, or Parnaffian fneer 5 
And has not Colley ftill his lord, and whore? 
His butchers Henly, his free-mafons Moor? 
Does not one table Bavius ftill admit? 
Still to one Biftiop Philips feems a Wit? 
Still Sappho—^. Hold, for God's fake— you 'U 

offend, 
No names — becalm — learn prudence of a friend: 
I too could write, and I am tv/ice as tall ; [all. 
Butfoes likethefe — P.OneFlatt'rer 's worfe than 
Of all mad ci-eatures, if the learn'd are right. 
It is the flaver kills, and not the bite. 
A fool quite angry is quite innocent: 
Alas 1 'tis ten times worfe when they repent. 

One dedicates in high heroic profe. 
And ridicules beyond a Inmdred foes: 
One from all Grub-ftreet will my fame defend. 
And, more abu five, calls himlelfmy friend. 
This prints my Letters, that expects a bribe. 
And others roar aloud, * Subfcribe, fubfcribe.' 

There are who to my perfon pay the court, 
I cough like Horace, and, tho' lean, am fhort. 
Ammoifs, great fon one fhoulder had too high ; 
Such Oi'td's nofe; and, 'Sir! you have an Eye'— 
Go on, obliging creatures, make me fee 
All that difgrac'd my Betters met in me. 
Say for my comfort, languilhing in bed, 
' Juft fo inimiOrtai Mzro held his head ;' 
And when I die, be fure you let me know 
Great Homer died three thoufand years ago. 

Why did I write ! what fm to me unknown 
Dipp'd me in ink, my parent's, or my own? 
As yet a child, nor yet a fool to fame, 
I lifp'd in numbers, for the numbers came. 
I left no calling for this idle trade. 
No duty broke, no father difobey'd [Wife, 
The Mufe but ferv'd to eafe fome Friend, not 
To help me thro' this long difeafe, my Life ; 
To fecond, Arbuthnot ! thy Art and Care, 
And teach the being you preferv'd to bear. 

But why then publifli ? Gran<vUle the polite. 
And knowing Waljh, would tellmel could write j 
Well-natur'd Garth, inflam'd with early praife. 
And Cofigre've lov'd, and S<wift endur'd my lays j 
The. courtly Talbcty Somers, Sheffield xtzd-, 
Ev'n mitred Kochefier would nod the head ; 
And St. John"?, felf (great Dryden\ friend be- 
With open arms receiv'd one Poet more, [fore) 
Kappy my ftudies, when by tliefe approv'd I 
Happier their Author when by thefe belov'd ! 
From thefe the world will judge of men and 

books, 
Not from the Burnets, OUmixons, and Cooks. 

Soft were ray numbers, who could take offence 
While pure Defcription held the place of Senfe ? 
Like gentle Fannys was my fiow'ry theme, 
A painted niiftrefs, or a purling ftream. 
Yet then did Gildon draw his Venal quill j 
I wifn'd the man a dinner, and fat Hill. 

Yet 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, Sec, 



265 



I 



Yet then did Dennis rave in furious fret j 
I never anfwerM, I was not in debt. 
If want provok'd, or madnefs made them print, 
I wag'd no war with Bedlam or the Mint. 

Did fome more fober Critic coine abroad; 
If wrong, I fmird; if right, I kiis'd the rod. 
Pains, reading, lludy, are their juft pretence j 
And all they want is fpirit, tafte, and fenfe. 
Commas and points they fet exaftly nght ; 
And 'twere a fin to rob them of their mite. 
Yet ne'er one fprig of laurel gracM thefe ribalds, 
From flafliing Bentley down to piddling libaUs ; 
Each wight who reads not,andbutfcansandfpells, 
Each Word-catcher, that lives on fyllables, _ 
Ev'n fuch fmall Critics fome regard may claim, 
Preferv'd in MiIto?i^s or in Shakfpe^.re's name. 
Pretty ! in Amber to obferve the forms 
Of hairs or ftraws, or dirt, or grubs, or woi-ms ! 
The things we know are neither rich nor rare, 
But wonder how the devil they got there. 

Were others angry : I excus'd them too ; 
Well might they rage, I gave them but their due. 
A man's true merit 'tis not hard to find ; 
But each man's fecret ftandard in his mind. 
That calling-weight pride adds to emptineis, 
This who can gratify ? for who can guefs P 
The Eard whom pilfer'd Paftorals renown. 
Who turns a Perlian tale for half a ci'own, 
Juft writes to make his barrennefs appear. 
And ftnains, from hard bound brains, eight lines 

a year ; ■ - 

He, who Hill wanting, tho' he lives on theft. 
Steals much, fpends little, yet has nothing left : 
And He,whonow to fenfe, now nonfenfe leaning. 
Means not, but blunders roundabout a meaning. 
And He, whofe fuftian 's fo fublimely bad, 
It is not poetry, but profe run mad: 
All thefe, my modeft Satire bade tra?jjlate. 
And own'd that nine fuch Poets made a 'fate. 
How did they fume, and ftarnp, and roar and 
And fwear, not Addifon hirafell was fafe. [chafe ! 
Peace to ail fuch ! but were there one whofe 

fires 
True Genius kindles, and fair Fame infpires j 
Bleft with each talent and each art to pleafe, 
And born to write, converfe, and live with eafe : 
Should fuch a man, tuo fond to rule alone. 
Bear, like the Turk, no brother near the throne. 
View him with fcornful, yet with jealous eyes, 
And hate for arts that caus'd hirafelf to rile ; 
Damn with funt praife, affent with civil leer. 
And, without fneering, teach the reft to fneerj 
Willing to wound, and yet afraid to ftrike, 
Juft hint a fault, and hefitate diflikej 
Alike referv'd to blame, or to commend, 
A tim'rous foe, and a fufpicious friend ; 
Dreading ev'n Fools, by Flatterers befieg'd, 
And fo obliging, that he ne'er oblig'd j 
I/'ke Cato, gives his little Senate laws, 
And fit attentive to his own appiaufe ; 
While Wits and Templars ev'ry fentence raife, 
And won.er with a foolifli face of praife — 
• Wlu) but mnft laugh, if fuch a man there be? 
Who would not weep, if Atticws were he ? 



What, tho' my name ftood rubric on the walls. 

Or plafter'd pofts, with claps, in capitals ? 
Or fmoking forth, a hiuidred hawkers load. 
On wings of winds came flying all abroad? 
I lought no homnge from the race that write : 
I kept, like Afian n\or\2iVchs, from their fight: 
Poems I heeded (now be-rhym'd fo long) 
No more than thou,greatGeorge! abirthdayfong. 
I ne'er with wits or witlings pafs'd my days. 
To fpread about the itch of verfe and praife j 
Nor, like a puppy, dangled thro' the town. 
To fetch and carry fing-fong up and down ; 
Nor at rehearfals fweat, and mouth'd, and cry'd. 
With handkerchief and orange at my fide: 
But fick of fops, and poetry, and prate. 
To Bufo left the whole Cafialian ftate. 

Proud, as Apollo on his forked hill. 
Sat full blown Bufo, pufi-''d by ev'ry quill j 
Fed with foft dedication all day long, 
Horace and he went hand in hajid in fong. 
His library (where buftr, of poets dead 
And a true Pindar ftood without a head) 
Receiv'd of wits an undiitinguilh'd race. 
Who filft his judgment alk'd,and then a place : 
Much they extoll'dhis piftures, much his feat. 
And flatter'd ev'ry day, and fome days eat: 
Till grown more frugal in his riper days. 
He paid fome bards withport,andibmewithpi-aife5 
To fome a diy rehearfal was ailign'd ; 
And others (harder ftill) he paid in kind. 
Dry den alone (what wonder !) came not nighi 
Dryden alone efcap'd this judging eye: 
But ftill \.\\t great have kindnefs in referve; 
He help'd to bury whom he help'd to ftarv€. 

May fome choice patron blefs each grey goofe 
May ev'ry Ba^oius have his Bufo ftill ! quill ! 
So when a ftatefman wants a day's defence. 
Or envy holds a whole week's war with {Q.\\{<t; 
Or fimple pride for llatt'ry makes demands. 
May Dunce by Dunce be whiftied o(f my hands ! 
Bleft be the great for thole they take away. 
And thole they left me, for they left me Gayj 
Left me to fee neglected Genius bloom, 
Neglefted die, and tell it on his tomb : 
Of all thy blamelefs life the fole return. 
My Verfe and Queenftj'ry weeping o'er thy uni, 

O let me live my own, and die 16 too ! 
(To live and die is all I have to do) : 
Maintain a Poet's dignity and eale, 
Andfeewhat friends,and readwhatbooks I pleafc- 
Above a patron, tho' I condefcend 
Sometimes to call a minifter my friend. 
I was not born for courts or great affairs : ' 
I pay my debts, believe, and lay my pray'rs j 
Can fleep without a poem in my head. 
Nor know if Dennis be alive or dead. 

Why am I aflc'd what next fliall fee the light ? 
Heavens ! was I born for nothing but to write ? 
Has life no joys for me ? or (to be grave) 
Have I no friend to ferve, no foul to fave ? [doubt 
" I found him clofe with S^wifC" — ' Indeed? no 
(Cries prating Balbus) fomething will come out. 
'Tis all in vain, deny it as I will ; 
No, fuch a Genius never can lie ftill i' 

And 



iL66 



EL^GANf EXTRACTS, 



And then for mine obligingly millak.es 
The tirlt lampoon Sir Will or Bubo makes. 
Poor guiltlels I ! and can I choofe but fmile, 
When ev'ry coxcomb knows me by my Jlyle ? 

Curlt be the verfe, how well foe'er it flow, 
That tends to make one worthy man my foe. 
Give virtue fcandal, innocence a fear. 
Or from the foft-ey'd virgin fteal a tear ! 
But he whohufts a harmlefs neighbour's peace, 
I]\lLilts fallen worth, or beauty in diftrefs ; 
Who loves a lie, lame {lander helps about, 
Who writes a libel, or who copies out j 
That fop whofe pride affe6ls a patron's name, 
Yet abfent woirnds an author's honeft fame j 
Who can your rv.tnt felji/bly approve, 
And (how thtfewfe of it without the lo^ve 5 
Who has the vanity to call you Friend, 
Yet wants the honour injur*d to defend} 
Who tells whate'er you think, whatever you fay) 
And, if he lie not, muft at lealt betray : 
Wlio to the dean and filver bell can fwear. 
And fees at Cannons what was never there j 
V/ho reads' but with a luft to mifapply, 
Make fatire a lampoon, and fiction lie— 
A lafli like mine no honelt man fhall dread, 
But all fuch babbling blockheads in his ftead. 
, Let SporuS'txtmhlt. — A. What ! that thing of 

lilk? 
Sporus, that mere white curd of afs's milk ? 
Satire or fenfe, alas ! can Sporus feel ? 
Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel ? 

P. Yetlet me flap this bug with gilded wings, 
This painted child of dirt, thatllinks and flings 5 
Whole buzz the witty and the fair annoys. 
Yet wit ne'er talles, and beauty ne'er enjoys : 
So well-bred fpaniels civilly delight 
in mumbling of the game they dare not bite. 
Eternal fmiles his em.ptinefs betray, 
As Ihaliow flreams run dimpling ah the way. 
Whether in florid impotence he fpeaks, 
And,astheprompter breath esjthepuppetfqueaks. 
Or at the ear of E^ve^ familiar toad, 
Kalf froth, half venom, fpits himfelf abroad, 
In puns, or politics, or tales, or lies. 
Or fpite, or fraut, or rhymes, or blafphemies. 
His vvit all fee -fa w, between ihat and this ; > 
Now high, now low, now mafler up, now m.ifs, ^ 
And he himfelf one vile antithefis. 3 

Amphibious thing ! that afting either part, 
The trifling head, or the corrupted heart j 
Fop at the toilet, flatt'rer at the board, 
Jsow trips a lady, and now ftruts a lord, 
jE've's tempter thus the rabbins have exprefs'd: 
A cherub's face, a reptile all the reft. 
Beauty that fliccks you, parts that none will truft, 
Wit that can creep, and pride that licks the dult 

•Not fortune's worfliipper, nor fafliion's fool, 
Kot lucre's madman, nor ambition's tool, 
Kot proud, nor (ervile j be one Poet's praife, 
That, if he pleas'd, he pleas'd by manly ways : 
That fiatt'ry ev'n to Kings he held a fliame, 
And thought a iie in verfe or profe the fame : 
That not in Fancy's maxe he Wc'.nder'd long. 
But ftoop'd to Truth;, and morali'^'d his fon? : 



B K ir. 

That not for Fame, but Virtue's better end. 
He flood the furious foe, the timid friend, 
The danming critic, half-approving wit. 
The coxcomb hit, or fearing to be hit 5 
Laugh 'd at the lofs of friends he never had, 
The dull, the proud, the wicked, and the mad; 
The diftant threats of vengeance on his head. 
The blow unfelt, the tear he never (hed; 
The tale reviv'd, the lie fo oft o'erthrown, 
Th' imputed trafli and dulnefs not his own ; 
The morals blacken'd when the writings 'fcape, 
The libell'd perfon, and the piftur'd Ihape; 
Abufe on all he lov'd, or lov'd him, fpread j 
A friend in exile, or a father dead ; 
The whifper that, to greatnefs fliill too near. 
Perhaps yet vibrates on his Sov'reign's ear-— 
Welcom.e, for thee, fair Firtue! all the pafl; 
For thee, fair Virtue ! welcome even the lajff 

A. But why infult the poor, affront the great? 

P. A knave 's a knave to me in ev'iy itate : 
Alike my fcorn if he fucceed or fail, 
Sporus at cmut, or Japhet in a jail, 
A liireling fcribbler, or a hireling peer, 
Knight of the pofl: cornipt, or of the fliire ; 
If on a pillory, or near a ilirone, 
He gain his Prince's ear, or lofe his own. 

Yet foft by nature, more a dupe than wit, 
Sappho can tell you how this man was bit : 
This dreaded Sat'rifl: Dermis will confefs 
Foe to his pride, but friend to his diftrefs : 
So humble, he has knock'd at Tibald's door, 
Has drunk with Cibbery nay has rhym'd for 

Moor. 
Full ten years flaftder'd, did he once reply ? 
Three thoufand funs went down on JVelJled"^ lie: 
To pleafe a Miiirefs, one afpers'd his life ; 
He lafli'd him not, but let her be his wife: 
Let Budgel charge low Gruhfireet on his quill. 
And write whate'er he pleas'd, except his Will; 
Let the two Curls of Town and Court abufe 
His father, mother, body, foul, and mufe. 
Yet why ? that Father held it for a rule. 
It was a fm to call our neighbour fool: 
That harmlefs Mother thpught no wife a whore: 
Hear this, and fpare his family, James Moor I 
Unfpotted names, and memorable long ! 
If there be force in Virtue or in Song. 

Of gentle blood (part flied in Honour's caufe. 
While yet in Britain Honour had applaufe) 
Each parent fprung. — A. What fortune, pray ?— 

P. Their own j 
And better got than Befia's from the throne, 
liorn to no Pride, inheriting no Strife, 
Nor man-ying Difcord in a noble wife ; 
Stranger to civil and religious rage. 
The good man walk'd innoxious through his age. 
No Courts he faw, no Suits would ever try, 
Nor dar'd an Oath, nor hazarded a Lie. 
Unlearned, he knew no fchoolman's fubtle art; 
No language but tJie language of the heart. 
By nature honeft, by experience wife, 
Healthy by temp'rance, and by exercife 5 
His life, tho' long, to licknefs pafs'd unknown. 
His death was inftapt, and without a groan. 

" O grafit 



Book ft. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



267 



O grant me thus to live, and thus to die I | Abufe the city's belt good men in metre, 

Who Iprung from Kings Ihall know leis jcyj And laugh at peers that putt h'-ir truft in Peter. 

Ev'n thole you touch not, hate you. 

P. What Ihould ail them ? 
F. A hundred fmart in Timon and in Balaanu 
The fewer Hill you name, you wound the niorci 
Bond is but one, but Karpax is a fcore. 

P. Each mortal Ips his pieafure : none deny 
Scarfdale his bottle, Darty his ham-pye; 
Ridotta fips and dances, till fae fee 
The doubling iuitres dance as fait as flie; 

F — loves the lenate, Hockley hole his brother. 
Like in all elfe as one egg to anotiier. 
I love to pour out all myfelf, as plain 
As downright Shippen, or as old Montaigne 2 
In them, as certain to be lov'd as Jeen. 
The lord ftood forth, nor kept a thought 
v.'ithin : 



than I. 

O Friend ! may each domeftic blifs be thine ! 
Be no unpleaiing Melancholy mine : 
Ivie let the tender office long engage. 
To rock the cradle of repofmg Age 5 
With lenient arts extend a Mother's breath, 
Make languor finile, and fmootli the bed of death j 
Explore the thought, explain the alking eye. 
And keep awhile one parent from the Iky ! 
On cares like thefe, if iengch of days attend, 
MayHeaven,toblefsthoredays,prefervemyfriend, 
Preferve him focial, cheerful, and ferene, 
And jult as rich as when ho ferv'd a Queen. 

A. Whether that bleffmg be denied or given, 
Thus far was right, the reft belongs to Heaven. 



§ 20. Satires andPp-rJiks Of Horaceimitated. Pope.! ?" ."?^ "^^ ^Pf^/lf ^^""V ^^^^''^,,^fP^^,^' 
^ /'-'./ r Will prove at leaft the medmm malt be clegr. 

In this impartial glafs my Mule intends 

Fair to expofe myfelf, my foes, my friends; 

Pubiifli the prefe:it age ; but where ray text 

Is vice too high, referve if for the next: 

My foes fliall widi my life a longer dare, 

And ev'ry friend the lefs lament my fate. 

My head and heart thus flowing tiiro"" my quill, 

Verfeman or Profeman, term me which 3''OU will, 

Paplft or Proteftant, or both between. 

Like good Erafmus, in an honelt mean. 

In moderation placing all my glory. 

While Tories call me Whig, and Whigs a Torjr, 

Satire's my weapon, but I 'm too difcreet 
To run a-m^k, and tilt at all I meet] 
I only wear it in a land of heelers, 
Tiiieves, fupercargoes, fharpers, and dire6lors. 
Save but our arjyiyl and let Jove incruil 
Swords, pikes, and guns, with everlafdng rufi: ? 
PSace is my dear deiight— not Fleiiry's more : 
But touch me, and no miniiler fb fore. 
Who'er offends, at fom^e unlucky time 
Slides into verfe, and hitches in a rhvme. 
Sacred to ridicule his whole life long, 
And the fad burthen of fome merry fong. 

Slander or pcifon dread from Delia's rage 5 
Hard words, or hantring, if your judge be Tage : 



S ATI P. E I. 

l!'o Mr. Forte/cue, 

P. Ther£ are (Ifcarcecan think it, but am told) 
There are to whom my Satire feems too bold ; 
Scarce to wife Peter compiaifant enough. 
And fomething faid of Chartresmuch too rough. 
The lines are weak, another's pleas'd to iay j 
Lord Fanny fpins a thouiand fuch a day. 
TimVous by natvire, of the rich in awe, 
I come to counlel learned in tiie law : 
You 11 give me, like a friend both fage and free. 
Advice 5 and (as you ufe) v/ithout a fee. 

F. I M write no more. 

A. Not \vrite ? but then I think : 
And for my foul I cannot fleep a wink. 
i nod in company, I wake at night 5 
Fools rufh into my head, and fb I write. 

f . You could not doaworle thing foryour life. 
Why, if the nights feem tedious, take a wife : 
Or rather truly, if your point be reft, 
Lettuce and covvfiip wine — probatum efi. 
But talk with Celfus, Celfus will advife 
HarLlhorn,or fomething that fliall clofey our eyes. 
Or, if you needs mull write, Avrite Cosfar's praife; 
You l\ gain at leaft a knighthood., or the hcjs. 



P. What ! like Sir Richard, rumbling, rough, | From furious Sappho fcarce a milder fate^, 
and fierce, [the verfe, P-x\l by her love, or libell'd by her hate. 

With Arms, and George, and Brunfwick crowd Its proper pow'r to hurt, each creature feels j 
Rend with tremendous found your ears afunder, I Bulls aJin their horns, and allies lift their heels j. 
With gun, drum, trumpet, blunderbuls, andj'Tis a bear's talent not to kick, but hug; 

thunder ? j And no man wonders he 's not ftung by pug. 

Or nobly wild, with Budgel's fire and force. So drink v/ith Waters, or with Chartres eat"} 
Paint angels treiubling round his Tailing horfe ? TheyMl never poifon you, they'll only cheat. 



F. Then all your Mule's Ibfter art dilplay. 
Let Carolina Imooth the tuneful lay. 
Lull with Amelia's liquid name the Nine, 
And fweetly flow thro' all the ruyal line. 

■ P. Alas ! few verfes touch their nicer ear -, 
They fcarce can bear their Laureate twice a year ; 
And julUy Csfar fcorns the poet'slaysj 
It is to htjiory he trufts for praiie. 

F. Becter be Gibber, I '11 maintain it ftill. 
Than ridicule all tafte, blafpheme quadrille, 



Then, learned Sir ! (to cut the matter Ihoit) 
Whate'er my fate, or well or ill at Court, 
Whether old age, with faint but cheerful ray. 
Attends to gild the ev'ningof my day j 
Or death's black wing alre:-rdy be diiplay'd. 
To wrap me in the univerfal Ihade ; 
Whether the? darken'd room to mu'e invite, 
Or whitea'd wall provoke the Ikevver to write. 
In durance, exile. Bedlam, or The Mintf 
Like Lee or Budgel, 1 will rhvme ?..\\d print. 

F. AJas». 



268 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



F, Alas, young man ! your days can ne'er be 
In flow'r of age you perilh for a long ! [Jong ; 
Phims and direiilors, Shylock and his wife, 
Will club their tellers now to take your life ? 

P. What ? arm'd for virtue when I point the 

Bmnd the bold front of Ihameleis guilty men j 
Dafh txhe proud garaefter in his gilded carj 
Bare the mean heart that lurks beneath a /?m'j 
Can there be wanting, to defend her cauie, 
Lights of the church, or guardians of the laws r 
Could penfion'd Boileau laih in honell Itrain 
Flatterers and bigots even in Louis' reign ? 
Could Laureate Drj'den pimp and friar engage, 
Yet neither Charles nor James be in a rage ? 
And I not ftrip the gilding off a knave, 
Unplaced, unpenfion'd, no man 's heir or Have r 
I will, or perifti in the generous caule: 
Hear this, and tremble ! you who 'fcape the 
Yes, while I live, no rich or noble knave [laws. 
Skill walk the world in credit to his grave. 
To virtue only and her friends a friend. 
The world belide may imu'mur or commend. 
Kiiow, ail the dif^ant din that world can keep, 
KoUs o'er my grotto, and but fooths my fleep. 
There, my retreat the beft companions grace. 
Chiefs out of war, and ilateiinen out of place. 
There St. John mingles with m.y friendly bowl 
The feall of reafon and the fiow of foul : 
And he, whofe lightning pierc'd th'Iberian lines, 
Now forms my quincunx, and now ranks my 
Ortames the genius of the Ibibborn plain, [vinesj 
Almolt as quickly as he conquer'd Spain. 

Envy muft own, I live among the great. 
No pimp of pleafure, and no fpy of flate ; 
With eyes that pry not, tongue that ne'er repeats. 
Fond to fpread friendlhips, but to cover heats ; 
To help who want, to forward who excel ; [tell j 
This, all who know me knov/ ; who love me, 
And he unknown defame me, let thcjii be 
Scribblers to peers, alike are mob to me. 
This is my plea, on this I reft my caufe — 
What (kith my counfel, leained in the laws ? 

F. Your plea is good ; but ftill I fay, beware ! 
Laws are explain'd by men — fo have a care. 
It itands on record, that in Richard's times 
A man \v3.s hang'd for very hor.eft rhymes ! 
Conlult the ftatute, quart, I think it is, 
Edivardii fext. or pnm. et quint. Eliz. 
See Libels, Satires — ^liere you have it — read. 

P. Libels and Satires ! lawlefs things indeed 
But grave Epijiksy bringing vice to light. 
Such as a King might read, a Biihop write, 
Such as Sir Robert would approve — 

F. Indeed? 
Th;; cafe is alter'd — you may then proceed ; 
In fuch a caufe the plaintiff will be hifs'd. 
My loids the judges laugh, and you 're difmifs'd 

SATIRE II, 

To Mr. Bethel. 

What, and how great, the virtue and the 
To live on little witii a chearfui heart, [art. 



(A do6lrine fage, but truly none of mine), 
Let 's talk, my friends, but talk before we dine. 
Not when a gilt buftet's reflefted pride 
I'urns you from found philofophy afide ; 
Not when irom plate to plate your eye-balls roll. 
And the brain dancing to the mantling bowl. 

HearBethel'sSermonjOnenotvers'dinfchools, 
But ftrong in fenfe, and wife without the rules. 
Go work, hunt, exercife ! (he thus began) 
Then fcorn a homely dinner if you can. 
Your wine lock'd up, your butler ftroU'd abroad. 
Or fifh denied (the river yet untbaw'd). 
If then plain bread and milk will do the feat. 
The pleafure lies in you, and not the meat. 

Preach as I pleafe, I doubt our curious men 
Will choofe a pbeafant ftill before a henj 
Yet hens of Guinea full as good I hold. 
Except you eat the feathers green and gold. 
Of carps and mullets why prefer the great, 
(Tho'.cut in pieces ere miy Lord can eat). 
Yet for fmall turbots fuch efteem profefs ? 
Becaule God made thefe large, the other lefs. 
Oldfield, with more than harpy throat endued. 
Cries, *'Sendme;gods! a whole hog barbecued!:" 
O blaft it, fouth winds, till a ftench exhale 
Rank as the ripenefs of a rabbit's tail ! 
By what criterion do you eat, d'ye think. 
If this is priz'd for fweetnefs, that for ftink ? 
When the tir'd glutton labours thro' a treat. 
He finds no relifh in the fweeteft meat} 
He calls for fomething bitter, fomething four. 
And the rich feaft concludes extremely poor: 
Cheap eggs, and herbs, and olives ftill we fee; 
Thus much is left of old Simplicity ! 
The Robin -red- breaft till of late had reft. 
And children lacred held a Martin's neft. 
Till Becca-ficas fold {o dev'lifli dear 
To one that was, or would have been, a Peer, 
Let me extol a Cat on oyfters fed, 
I'll have a party at the Bedford-head ; 
Or ev'n to crack live Crawnfti recommend, 
I'd never doubt at Court to make a friend. 
'Tis yet in vain, I own, to keep a pother 
A-bout one vice, and fcdl into the other : 
Between Excefs and Famine lies a mean; 
Plain, but not fordid ; tho' not fplendid, clean. 
Avidien, or his Wife (no matter which. 
For him you '11 call a dog, and her a bitch) 
Sell their prefented partridges and fruits. 
And humbly live on rabbits and on roots : 
One half-pint bottle ferves them both to dine. 
And is at once their vinegar and wine. 
But on fome lucky day (as when they found 
A loft Bank Bill, or heard their fon was drown'd) 
At fuch a feaft, old vinegar to fpare. 
Is what two fouls fo gen'rous cannot bear: 
Oil, though it ftink, they drop by drop impart; 
But foufe the cabbage with a bounteous heart. 

He knows to live who keeps the middle ftate. 
And neither leans on this iide nor on that j 
Nor ftops for one bad cork his butler's pay j 
Swears, like Albutius, a good cook away j 
Nor lets, like Nasvius, ev'ry eiTor pafs; 
The mufty wine, foul cloth, or greafy glafs. 

Now 



Book II. DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, 

blefiings Temperance can 



&C. 



369 



Now hear what 
bring: 
(Thus faid our friend, and what he faid I fing) 
Firll Health : the llomach (cramin'd from ev'ry 

dilh, 
A tomb of boiPd and roafl, and flefli and fifh, 
Where bile, and wind, and phlegm, and acid jar. 
And all the man is one intei'tine war) 
Remembers oft the lchool-boy"s fimple flire, 
The temp'rate fieeps, and Ipirits light as air. 

How pale each worfliipful and rev 'rend gueft 
Rife from a Clergy or a City feail! 
What life in all that ample boily, fiiy? 
What hc.ivenly particle infpires the clay? 
The foul lubudes, and wickedly inclines 
To feem but mortal, evea in ibund Divines. 

On morning wings how active Iprings the mind 
That leaves the load of yefterday behind ! 
How eafy evVy labour it purfues ! 
How coming to the Poet ev'iy Mufe! 
Nqt but we may exceed fome holy time. 
Or tir'din fearch of Truth, or fearchof Rhyme; 
111 health fomejuft indulgence may engage, 
And more, the ficknefs of long lite, Old Age; 
For fainting Age wh-it cordial drop remains. 
If our intemprate Youth the vellel drains ? 

Our fathers piais'd I'ankVen'fon. You fuppofe. 
Perhaps, young men ! our fathers had no noie. 
Not fo : a Buck xvus then a week's repait, 
And 'twas their point, I ween, to make it lalt ; 
More pleas'd to keep it till their triends could 

come. 
Than eat the fweetelt by themfelves at home. 
Why had not I in thofe good times my birth, 
Ere coxcomb pyes or coxcombs were on earth ? 

Unilrorthy he, the voice of Fame to hear, 
That fweeteft mufic to an honeft ear 
(For, faith, Lord Fanny ! you are in the wrong 5 
The world's good word is better than a fong), 
Who has not learnMjfrefli ilurgeonand hara-pye 
Are no rev.'ards for want and infamy ? 
Wlien luxury has lick'd up all thy pelf, 
Curs'd by thy neighbours, thy trullees, thyfelfi 
To friends, to fortune, to mankind a fhame. 
Think how pofterity will treat tliy name ; 
AJid buy a rope, that future tim.es may teil 
Thou haft at leaft beftow'd a penny well. 
*' Right," cries hisLordihip, "for a rogue in need 
** To have a tafte, is infolence indeed : 
*' In me, 'tis noble, fuits my birth and ftate, 
*' My wealth unwieldy, and my heap too great." 
Then, like the San, let Bounty fpread her ray. 
And fhine that fuperfluity av/ay. 
O Impudence of wealth 1 with all thy ftore. 
How dar'ft thou let one worthy man be poor ? 
Shall half the new-b iiilt churches ro and thee fall ? 
Make Quays, build Bridges, or repair Whitehall -. 
Or to thy Comitry let that heap be lent. 
As M — o's was, but not at five per cent. 
Who tliinks that fortune cannot change her 
mind. 
Prepares a dreadful jeft for all raankind- 
And who ftands fafeft ? teil m.e, is it he 
That fpreads and fwells in pulf 'd profperity j 



Or, bleil with little, whofe preventing cars 
In peace provides tit arms againlt a war ? 
Thus Bethel fpoke, who always fpeaks his 
thought. 
And always thinks the very thing ke ouglits 
His equal mind I copy what I can. 
And as I love, would imitate, the man. 
In South-f^a days not happier, when furmis'd 
The lord of thoalandi, than if now exds''d% 
In foreft planted by a father's hand. 
Than in five acres novv? of rented land* 
Content with little, I can piddle here 
On brocoli and mutton round the year ; 
But ancient friends (tho' poor, or out of play). 
That touch my bell, I cannot turn away. 
'Tis true, no turbots dignify my boards^ 
Batgudgeons,fic)unders,whatmyThamesafFords. 
Fo Hounilow heath I point, and Banlled-dowaj 
Thence comes yourmatton, andtheie chicks my 

own : 
From yon old walnut tree a fliov/'r fliall fall; 
And grapes, long ling'ring on my only wali. 
And figs from itandard and efpalier join ; 
The devil is in you, if you cannot dine: [place j; 
Then ch&erful healths (your miftrefs fliall hav^ 
And, what 's more lare, a poet (I'.all fay gnKe. 
Fortune not m.uch of humbling me can boa&i 
Tho' double tax\i, how little have \ loft! 
My life's amufem.ents have been juft the fknae 
Before and a'ter Handing armies came. 
My lands are fold, my father's houfe is go^uei 
I '11 hire another's 5 is not that my own,- (gate 
And yours, my friends r thro' wdiofe free op'ning 
None comes too earl)', none departs too latcj 
For I who hold fage Horaer'o rule the beft. 
Welcome the coming, fpeed the going g'.ieS:. 
" Pray Heaven it laft ! (cries Swift) as you gooni 
" I wifli to God this hoijfe had been your owil 
" Pity! to build, without a fon or wife; 
" Why, you '11 enjoy it only all your life."" 
Well, if the ufe be mine, can it concern one. 
Whether the name belong to Pope or Vernon? 
'vVhat 's property? dear Swift ! you fee it alter 
From you to me, from me to Peter Walter} 
Or, in a mortgage, prove a law3'er's fhare \ 
Or, in a jointure, vanifn from the heir; 
Or in pure equity (the cafe not clear) 
The Chanceiy takes your rents for twenty year.i 
At beft, it falls to fome ungracious fon, [oyi-n." 
Who cries, " My fiither 's dam.n'd, and all 's my 
Shades, that to Bacon could retreat afford. 
Become the portion of a booby lord j 
And Henfiey,once proud Buckingham's delight, 
Slide;; to a icriv'ner, or a city knight. 
Let lands and houfes have what lords they will. 
Let us be fix'd, and our own mafters ftilh 

rbeFirJl Epifik of the Firfi Book of Hcra£f, 

EPISTLE I. 



*To Lord BoUngbroks. 

St. John, whofe love indulg'd my labours paf!^ 
Matiue5 my pieknt, ai^d lijail bi^und^iiv lalti 



27© 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



Why \\ 111 you break the. Sabbath of my days ? 
Now lick alike of envy and of praife. 
Public too long, ah let me hide my age! 
See, modelL Cibber now has left the ilage j 
Our Gen'rals, new, retired to their eltates, 
Hang their old Trophies o'er the Garden gates; 
In Life's cool evening, lutiatc of applaufe, 
Kor fondx>f bleeding even inBrunfvvick's caufe. 
Avoice there is, that whifpersin my ear, [hear) 
('Tis Reafon's voice, which fometimes one can 
** Friend Pope ! be prudent, let your Muie take 
•^ And never gallop Pegafus to death ; [breath, 
•" Left ililf amd ILitely, void of fire or force, 
•* You limp, like Blackmore, on a Lord Mayor's 
•♦ liorfe." 

Farewell, then,Verfe, and Love, and ev''ry toy; 
The rhymes and rattles of the man or boy ; 
What right, what crue, what fit we juilly call. 
Let this be all my care — for this is All : 
To lay this harveftup, and hoard with hafte, 
That ev'ry day will want, and moft, the laft. 
But alk not to what Do6tors I apply ; 
Sworn to no malter, of no fcft am I: 
As drives the Itorm, at any door I knock ; 
And houfe with Montaigne now, or now with 
Sometimes a Patriot, afti\'e in debate, [Locke. 
Mix with the World, and battle for the State, 
Free as young Lyttleton her caafe purilie. 
Still true to Virtue, and as warm as true : 
-Sometimes with Ariltippus, or St. Paul, 
Indulge my candour, and grow all'to all j 
Back to my native moderation flide, 
And v.'in my way by yielding to the tide. 

Long, as to him, who works for debt, the day, 
long as the night to her whofe Love 's away. 
Long as the year's dull circle feems to run 
When the brilk Minor pants for twenty-one; 
So flow th' unprofitable moments roll, 
That lock up all the functions of my foul; 
That keep me from myfelf, and ftill delay" 
Life's inlb.ur bufmefs to- a future day: 
Th:^t tafk, which as we follow, ordeipife. 
The eldeil is a fool, the youngelt wife : 
Which done, the pooreft can no wants endure ; 
And, vv'hich not done, the richefi: m.ult be poor. 

Late a? it is, I put myfelf to fchool, 
And feel-fome comfort not to be a fool. 
Weak tho' I am of limb, and fljort of fight. 
Far from a Lynx, and not a Giant quite; 
I '11 do what Mead and Chefelden advife, 
To keep thefe linibs, and to preferve "thefc eyes, 
ivot to go back, is fomewhat to advance; 
And men mnft walk at lealt before they dance. 

Say, does thy blood rebel, thy bofom move 
With wretched Av'rice, or as v/retched Love ? 
Know, there are words,and fpelis which can con- 
Between I he Fits, this Fever of the foul^i^ [trol, 
Know, there are rhymes, which, frefh and fre(h 

applied. 
Will cure the arr^nt'ft puppy of his pride. 
Be furious, envious, fioibful, mad, or arunk, 
Slave to a wife, or vaffal to a punk, 
A Switz, a High Dutch, or a Lov/ Dutch bear; 
All that vv-e afk is but a patient ear. 



'Tis the firii: Virtue, Vices to abhor; 
And the firft Wikiom, t.> be a F ^ no more. 
But to the world no bugbeur s ''■ -eat 
As want ci' figure, and a fn.' ' ; • i. 
To either India fee the Merchant Hy 
Scar'd at the ipeftre of pale Poverty i 
See him, with pains of bod)^, pangs of foul, 
Burn th rough theTropic , freeze beneatl: thePoIe ! 
Wilt thou do nothing for a nobler end. 
Nothings to make Ph]}ofophy th}'- friend ? 
To ftop thy foolirti views, thy long defires. 
And ealis thy heart of all that it admires ? 
Here Vv'^ifdom calls : " Seek Virtue firfV, be bold! 
*' As Gold to SiWer, Virtue is to Gold." 
There,London's voice: "Get money, moneyftill! 
''• And then let Virtue foliow:, if flie will." 
jThis, this the faving do6lrine preached to all, 
From low St. James's up to high St. Paul ! 
From him whofe quills Hand quiver'd at his ear, 
To him who notches fticks at Weitminfter. 

Barnard in -pirit, fenfe, and truth aboundi; 
1 " Pray theU; what wants he r" Fourfcore thoufand 
i pounds ; / 

I A penfion, or fiich harnefsfor a ilave 
j As Bug now has, and Dorimant would have. 
Barnard, thou art a Cit, with all thy worth ; 
But Bug and D*l, their Honours and fo forth. 

Yet ev'ry child another fong will fing: 
" Virtue, brave bovs ! 'ti:?Viitufe makes a King." 
True, confcious Honour is to feel no fm ; 
He 's arm'd without th.at 's innocent within: 
Be this thy fcreen, and this thy wall of brafs 
Com.par'd to this, a Minifter 's an Afs. 

And fay, to v/hich Ihall our applaufe belong. 
This new'Court jargon, or the good old fong ? 
The modern language of corrupted peel's. 
Or wii^t was Ipoke at Cr^lfy or Poitiers r 
V/hocounfels beft ! who whifpers, " Be butgreat, 
" Vv^ith praife or infamy, leave that to fate ; 
" Get Place and Wealth, if pofiible with grace; 
" If not, by any means get Wealth and Place:" 
For what ? to have a box v/here Eunuchs fing'. 
And foremoit in the ciixle eye a King--- 
Or he, who bids thee face with fteady view 
ProudFortunejandlookftallowG reatnefs thr( 
And,while he bids thee, fets th' Example too 
If inch a do6trine in St. James's air 
Should chance to make the welUd reft i-abble ftarej 
If honeft S*z take fcandal at a Spark 
That lefs adm.ires the Palace than the Park, 
Faith I fhall give the anfv.er Reynard gave: 
" I cannot like, dread Sir, your Royal Cave ; 
" Becaufe I fee, by all the tracks about, 
" Full many a beaft goes in, but none come out." 
Adieu to Virtue, if you 're once a Slave ; . 
Send her to Court, you fend her to her grave. 

Well, if a King 's a Lion, at tlie leaft 
The people are a many-headed beaft: 
Can they diretl what meafures to punlie. 
Who knov/ themfelves fo little what to do? 
Alike in nothing but one luft of gold, 
Juft half the land would buy, and half be fold; 
Fheir countiy's wealth ourmightierMifersdraia, 
Or crofs, to plunder provinces, the main j' 

The 



ro'; y 

o?3 



Book IT. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, c^c. 



271 



The rell, feme farm the poor-box, feme the pews 5 
Some keep aii'emblies, and would keep the ftevvs j 
Some with fat bucks on childlefs dotards fawn ; 
Some win rich widows by their chine and brawn j 
While with the filent growth often per cent. 
In dirt and darknefs, hundreds ftink content. 
Of all thefe ways, if each purfues his own. 
Satire, be kind, and let the wretch alone: 
But Ihew me one who has it in his povv'r 
To a(5t confident with himfelf an hour. * 



EPISTLE VI. 

lb Mr. Murray. 

" Not to admire, is all the art I know 
" To make men happy, and to^cep them Co. 
(Plain truth, dear Murray ! needs no tlow'rs 

fpeech i 
60 take it m the verj'- wvords of Creech). 

This vault of air, this cons^rcfrated ball. 



Sir Job faiPd forth, the evening bright and ftill, ! Self-centred fun, and Itars that rife and fall, 
" No place on earth (he cried) like Greenwich There are, my friend ! whole philofophic eyes 



hil 

Up ftaits a palace, lo ! th' obedient bafe "J 
Slopes at its foot, the woods its fides embrace, . 
The filver Thames refie6ts its marble f-ice. 3 
Now let fome whim-fy, or that devil within -s 
Which guides all thofe who know not what( 

they mean, i 

But give the Knight (or give his Lady) fpleen,y 
' Away, away! take all your fcaffolds down, 
* For fnug's the word : my dear ! we '11 live in 

town.' 
Atam'rous Flavio is the (locking thrown j 
That very night he longs to lie alone. 
The fool whofe wife elopes fome thrice a quarter. 
For matrimonial folace dies a martyr. 
Did ever Proteus, Merlin, any witch, ^ 

Transform themlelves fo llrangely as the rich ? > 
Well.but the poor — the poor ha v-etlie fame itchjj 
They change their weekly barber, weekly news, 
Prefer a new japanner to their Ihoes, 
Difcharge their garrets, move their beds, and run 
(They know not whither) in a chaife and one ; 
They hire their fcuUer, and when once aboard 
Grov/ lick, and damn the climate like a lord. 



[Look thro' and truft the Pvuler with his Ikies j 
I To him commit the hour, the day, the year, 
'And view this dreadful all without a fear. 

Admire we then what earth's low entrails \ 
! Arabian fhores, or Indian feas infold : [ho!d,^- 
I x-\ll the mad trade of fools and fliivcs for gold ? ) 
jOr popularity, or ftars and ftriiigs ? 
The mob's applaufes, or the gifts of kings r 
Say with what eyes we ought at courts to gaze. 
And pay the great our homage of amaze ? 

If v.-eak the pleafure that from thefe can fpring. 
The fear to want them is as weak a thing. 
Whether we dread, or whether we defu-e, 
In either cafe, believe me, we admire 5 
Whether we joy or grieve, the fame the curfe, 
Surpris'd at better, or furpris'd at worfe. 
Thus, good or bad to one extreme betray 
Th' unbalanc'dmind, and fnatch the man away. 
For virtue's felf mny too much zeal be had j 
The worft of raadm.en is a laint run mad. 
Go then, and if you can, admire the liate 
Of beaming diamonds, and reflefted plate : 
Procure a tafte to double rhe iiirpriff* 
And gaze on Parian charms -vvith leariftd eyes 



You laugh, half beau, half iloven, if I ftand. Be llruck with bright brocade, or Tyrian dye. 
My wig all powder, and ail fnuff my band j jOur birth-day nobles' fplendid livery. 
You laugh, if coat and breeches llrangely var}-,jlf not fo pkas'd, at council-board rejoice, 



White gloves, and linen worthy lady rvlary 

But when no prelate's lawn with hair-lliirt lin'd 

Is half fo incoherent as my mind, 

When (each opinion with the next at ftrife, 

One ebb and flow of follies all my life) 

I plant, root up ; I build, and then confound j 

Turn round to fquare,and fquare again to round. 

You never change one mufcle of your face. 

You think this madnefs but a common cafe, 

Nor once to Chancery nor to Hale apply j 

Yet hang your lip, to fee a feam awry ! 

Carelefs how ill I with myfelf agree, 

Kind to my drefs, my figure, not to me. 

Is this my guide, philolopher, and friend ? 

This he who loves me, and who ought to mend 



To fee their judgments hang upon thy voice j 
From morn to night, at fenate, rolls, and hall. 
Plead much, read more, dine late, or not at alt. 
But wherefore all this labour, all this ftrife ? 
For fame, for riches, for a noble wife ? 
Shall one whom nature, learning, birtfi confpir'd 
To form, not to adnjire but be admir'd. 
Sigh while his Chloe, blind to wit and worth. 
Weds the rich dullnefs of fome fon of earth ? 
Yet time ennobles or degrades each line ; 
It brighten'd Craggs's, and may darken thine :. 
And what is fame ? the meanell have their day ; 
The greateft can but blaze, and pafs away. 
Graced as thou art with all the pow'rof words j 
So known, fo honour'd, at the Houfe of Lords ; 



Who ought to make me (what he can, or none) iConfpicuous fcene ! another yet is nigh. 
That man divine whom wifdom calls her own 5 | (More fdent far) where kings and p®ets lie : 
Great without title,without fortune blell; [preft 5;WhereMurray"(]ongenoughhiscounti7'spride) 
Pvich even when plunder'd, honour'd while op-.Sliall be no m'ore than Tully, or an Hyde ! 
Lov'd \vithoutyouth,andfollow'd v/ithout pow'r; Rack'd with fciatics, martyr'd with the ftone. 
At home, tho' exil'd 5 free, tho' in the Tow'r: Will any mortal let himfelf alone ? 
In iliort, that reas'ning, high, immortal thing; [See Ward by batter'd beaus invited over, 
Juft lefs than Jove, and much above a king, [And defp'rate mifery lays hold on Dover, 



Nay,half in heaven— except(what's mighty odd) 
A fitxjf vapours clouds this demi-god.? 



The cafe is eafier in the mind's difeafe_ 
There all men maybs cur'd whene'er they pleafe, 

Would 



^r- 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



Would ye be blell ? def pife low Joys, low gains ; \ 
Dildain what ever Corubury difdains : ^ 

Be virtuous, and be happy for your pains. 3 

But art thou one whom new opinions iway, 
One who believes as Tindal leads the way j 
Who virtue and a church alike difownsi 
Thinks that but words, and this but brick and 

Itones ? 
Fly then on all the wings of wild defire, 
Admire what'er the maddeft can admire. 
Is wealth thy paffion ? Hence ! from pole to pole, 
TVhere winds can carry, or where waves can roll, 
For Indian fpice?, for Peruvian gold, 
Pre^^ent the greedy, or outbid the bold : 
Advance thy golden mountain to the ikies ; 
On the broad bafe of fifty thoufand rife, 
A^^ one round hundrcd,and (if that 's not fair) 
Add fifty more, and bring it to a fquare. 
For, mark th' advantage, juil fo many fcore 
Will gain a wife with half as many more \ 
Procure her beauty, make that beauty chafte ; 
And then fuch friends — as c;\nnot fail to laft. 
A man of wealth is dubb'd a man of worth j 
Venus Ihall give him form, and Anftis youth. 
(Believe me, many a GeiTnan prince is worfe. 
Who, proud of pedigree, is poor ofpurfe) 
His wealth brave Timon glorioufly confounds j 
Afk'd for a groat, he gives a hundred pounds j 
Or, if three ladies like a lucklefs play. 
Takes the whole houfe upon the poet's day. 

Now in fuch exigences not to need, 
Upon my word, you mull be rich indeed j 
A noble fuperfluity it craves. 
Not for yourfelf, but for your fools and knaves ; 
Something, which foryourhonour they maycheat, 
And which it much becomes you to forget. 
If wealth alone then make and keep us bleft, 
Still, ftill be getting j never, never reft. 

But if to pow'r and place your paiiion lie, 
If in the pomp of life confifts the joy, 
Then hire a flave, or (if you will) a lord, 
To do the honours, and to give the word: 
Tell at your levee, as the crowds approach, 
To whom to nod, whom take into your coach, 
Whomhonourwithyourhand : tomake remarks 
Who rules in Cornwall, or v.-ho rules in Berks : 
** This may be rroublefome, is near the chair ; 
*' That makes three members, this can choofe a 

" may'r.'' 
Inftru^led thus, you bow, embrace, proteft, "j 
Adopt him fon, or couiin at the leaft, ^ 

Then turn about, and laugh at your own jell. 3 

Or if your life be one continued treat, 
If to live well means nothing but to eat, 
Up, up ! cries Gluttony, 'tis break of tl^V ; 
Go, drive the deer, and drag the finny prey, 
With hoimdsand horns go hunt an appetite — 
So RufTel did, but could not eat at night j 
Caird " happy dog" the beggar at his doorj 
And envied thirft and hunger to the poor. 

Or fhall we every decency confound, 
Thro' taverns, ftewSjand bagnios take our round; 
Go dine with Chartres, in each vice outdo 
K'^1'5 lewd cargo, or Ty — y's crew. 



From Latian Syrens, French Circsean feafts, 
Returii'd vvell trave]rd,andtransform'dtobeaftsj 
Or for a titled punk, or foreign flame. 
Renounce our countiy and degrade our name ? 

If, after all, we mull: with Wilmot own, 
The cordial drop of life is love alone. 
And Swift ciy wifely, " Vive la Bagatelle I" 
The man that loves and laughs muft furedo well. 
Adieu — if this advice appear the worft, 
Ev'n take the counlei which I gave you firllj 
Or, better precepts if you can impart. 
Why do J I 'il follow them with all my heart. 

EPISTLE I. BOOK II. 

To Augufus. 

While you, great patron of mankind ! fuftain 
The balanced world, and open all the main;- 
Your countiy, chief, in arms abroad defend, 
At home with morals, arts, and lav.'s amend; 
How (liail the mufe from fuch a monarch Ileal 
An hour, and not defraud the public weal ? 

Edward and Henry now the boaft of fame. 
And virtuous Alfred, a more facred name. 
After a life of gen'rous toils endur'd 
The Gaul fubdued, or property fecur'd. 
Ambition humbled, mighty cities ftorm'd. 
Or laws eftabli{h'd, and the world reform'd; 
Clos'd their long glories with a figh, to find 
Th' unwilling gratitude of bafe mankind ! 
All human virtue, to its lateft brearh. 
Finds envy never conquer'd but by death. 
The great Alcides, ev^r)-^ labour paft. 
Had ftill this monfter to fubdue at laih 
Sure fate of all, beneath whofe riiing ray 
Each ftar of meaner merit fades away ! 
Oppreft we feel the beam direflly beat, 
Thofe funs of glory pleafe not till they fet. 

To thee the world irs prefent homage pays. 
The harveft early, but mature the pi'aife : 
Great friend of liberty ! in kings a name 
Above all Greek, above all Roman fame: 
Whofe word is truth, as ficred and rever'd 
As Heaven's own oracles from altars heard. 
Wonder of kings ! like whom to mortal eyes 
None e'er has rifen, and none e'er fliall rife. 

Juft in one inftance, be it yet confeft, 
Your people, fir, are partial in th.e re It : 
Foes to all living worth except your own, 
And advocates for folly dead and gone. 
Authors, like coins, grow deiir as they grow old. 
It is the ruft we value not the gold. 
Chaucer's worft ribaldr)' is learn'd by rote. 
And beaftly Skelton heads of houfes quote: 
One likes no language but the Faery Queen ; 
A Scot will fight for Chrift's kirk o'er the Green .-, 
And each true Briton is to Ben fo civil, 
He fwears the Mufes met him at the Devil. 

Tho' juftly Greece her eldeft fons admires. 
Why fhould not we be wifer than our fires? 
In cv'iy public virtue we excel; 
We build, we paint, we ling, we dance as well : 
And learned Athens to our art muft ftoop. 
Could ibe behold i!§ Ucmbling thro' s hoop. 

"^ If 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DE 



If time improve our wits as well as wine, 
Say at what age a poet grows divine ? 
Shall we, or rfiall we not, account him fo, 
Who died, perhaps an hundred years ago ? 
End all difpute, and iix the year precile 
Vv''hen Britifh bards begin t' immortalize? 

" Who lalh a century can have no flaw ? 
" I hold that wit a claflic, good in law." 

Suppofehe wants a year, will you compound? 
And Ihall we deem him ancient, riglit, and 
Or danui to all eternity at once, [found ? 

At ninety-nine, a modern and a dance ? 

" We fliail not quarrel for a year or two; 
" By courtefy cf England he may do." [bare, 

Then, by the rnle that made the horle-tail 
I pluck out year by year, as hair by hair. 
And melt down ancients like a heap of fnow, 
While you,TO meafure merits, look in Stowe ; 
And, eltimating authors by the year, 
Bellow a garland only on a bier. [bill 

vShakefpear (wliom you and ev'ry playhoufe 
Style the divine, tl>e matchlefs, what you will) 
For gain, not glory, wing'd his roving flight, 
And grew immortal in his own defpite. 
Ben, oki and ])Oor, as little feem'd to heed 
The life to come, in ev'ry poet's creed. 
Who now reads Cowley ? if he pleafes yet, 
His moral pleafes, not his pointed witj 
Eorgot his epic, nay Pindaric art ! 
^it (till I love the language of his heart. 

" Yet furely, fureiy, tbefe were famous men! 
*' What boy but hears the (ayings of old Ben r 
*•' In all debates where critics bear a part, 
*' Not one but nods, and talks of Jonfon's art, 
*' Of Shakefpear's nature, and of Cowley's wit ;, 
" How Beaumont's judgment check'd what 

" Fletcher writ; 
*' How Shad well hafty, Wycherly was flow, 
** But, for the paflions. Southern lure and Rowe. 
*' Thefe, only thele, fupport the crowded ftage, 
" From eldeil Hey wood down to Cibber'sage." 

All this may be ; the people's voice is odd ; 
It is, and it is not, the voice of God. 
To Gammer Gurton if it gives the bays, 
And yet deny the Carelefs Hufband praife, 
Or fay, our fathers never broke a rulej 
Wliy then, I fay, the public is a fool. 
But let them own thaPgreater faults than we 
They had, and greater virtues, I'll agree. 
Spenler himfelf affefts the obfolete. 
And Sydney's verfe halts ill on Roman feet: 
Milton'sftrong pinion novvnot heaven canbound, 
Now, ferpent-like, in profe he fweens the ground; 
In quibbles, ange) and archangel join. 
And God the Father turns a ichool-divine. 
Not that I'd lop the beauties from his book, 
LikeflafliingBentley, with his defp'rate hook j 
Or damn all Shakefpear, like th' affefted fool 
At court, who hates whate'er he read at fchool. 

But for the wits of either Charles's days. 
The mob of gentlemen who wrote with eafe ; 
Sprat, Carew, Sedley, and a hundred more 
(Like twinkling ftars the mifcellariies o'er), 



SCRIPTIVE, kci 273 

One fimile, that foHtary fliines 

In the dry defert of a thoufand lines, 

Or lengthen'd thought that gleams thro' many 

a page,^ 
Has fan<5Vified whole poems for an age. 
I lofe my patience, and I own it too, 
When works are cenfuf d not as bad, but new; 
While, if our elders break all reafon's laws, 
Thefe fools demand not pardon, but applaufe* 

On Avon's bank, where flow'rs eternal blow> 
If I but afk if any weed can grow ; 
One tragic fentence if I dare deri<!e, 
Which Betterton's grave aftion dignified. 
Or well-mouth'd Booth with emphafis proclaims 
(Tho' but, perhaps, a muIi:er-rotl of names,) 
How will our lathers rife up in a rage, 
And fwear all Ihame is loll in George's age ! 
You'd think no fools difgrac d the former reigrij 
Did not fome grave examples yet remain, 
Who fcorn a lad (liould teach his father fliill. 
And, having once been wrong, will be fo IlilL 
He, who to feem more deep than you or I, 
Extols old bards, or Merlin's prophecy, 
Miftake him not; he envies, not admires; 
And, to debafe the fons, exalts the fires. 
Had ancient times confpir'd to difallow 
What then was new, what had been ancient 
Or what remain'd fo worthy to be read [now ? 
By learned cj-itics of the mighty dead? 

In days of eafe, when now the weary fword 
Was fhcath'd.and luxury with Charles rellor'd j 
In ev'ry tafte of foreign courts improv'd, 
"All, by the king's example, liv'd and lov'd." 
Then peers grew proud in horfemanfnip t'ex- 
Newmarket's glory rofe, as Britain's fell ; [eel 3 
The Ibldier breath'd the gallantries of France, 
And e\''ry flow'ry courtier writ Rom.ance. 
Then marble, foften'd into life, grew warm; 
And yielding metal flow'd to human form : 
Lely on animated canvas ftole 
The fleepy eye that fpoke the melting foul. 
No wonder then, when all was love and fport^ 
The willing Mules were debauch'd at court : 
On each enervate firing they taught the note 
To pant or tremble thro' an eunuch's throat. 

But Britain, changeful as a child at play. 
Now calls in princes, and now turns away. 
Now Whig, now Tory, what we lov'd we hate; 
Now all for pleafure, now for church and Hate; 
Now for prerogative, and nov/ for laws ; 
Elfefls unhappy ! from a hoble caufe. 

Time was, a fober Englifhman would knock 
His fervants up, and rife by five o'clock, 
Inltruft his family in ev'ry rule^ 
And fend his wife to church, his Ton to fchooL, 
To worftiip like his Fathers was his care ; 
To teach their frugal virtues to his heir ; 
To prove, that luxuiy could never hold; 
And place, on good lecurity, his gold. 
Now times are chang'd, and one poetic itch 
Has feiz'd the court and city, poor and ricb : 
Sons, fires, and grandfires, all will wear ihe bays. 
Our wives read Milton, and our daught-ers ulaysi 
T " To 



274 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IT. 



To theatres nnd to relieanals throng; 
And all oar grace at table is a long ! 
i, who lb oft renounce the Mufes, lie ; 

Not ' 's ielf e'er tells more libs than I : 

When, Tick of mule, our follies we deplore, 
And promife our belt friends to rhyme no more, 
V7e wake next morning in a raging fit. 
And call for pen and ink to flitrw our wit. 

He fervM a 'prenticelliip who lets \i\i Ihop ; 
Ward tried on puppies, and the poor, his drop; 
Even Radcliff's do6lors travel tirlt to France, 
Nor dare to pra^life till they've learn'dto dance. 
Who builds a bridge that never drove a pile ? 
(Should Ripley venture, all the world would 

fmile.) 
But thofe who cannot write, and thofewho can, 
All rhyme, and fcrawl, and fcribble to a man. 

Yet lir, relleft, the mifchief is not great ; 
Tiiefe madmen never hurt the church or ftate ; 
Sometimes the felly benefits mankind ; 
And rarely av'rice taints the tuneful mind. 
Allow him but his plaything of a pen. 
He ne'er rebels, or plots, like other men : 
Flight of cafliiers, or mobs, he'll never mind ; 
And knows no lolTes while the mule is kind. 
To cheat a friend, or ward, he leaves to Peter, 
The good man heaps up nothing butmere metre; 
Enjoys his garden and his book in quiet j 
And then — a perfect hermit in his diet. 

Of little ufe the man you may fuppofe, 
Who lays in verfe what others fay in profe ; 
Yet let me fliew, a poet's of fome weight. 
And (tho' no foldier) ufeful to the ftate. 
What will a child learn fooner than a fong? 
What better teach a foreigner the tongue, 
What's long, or Ihort, each accent where to place. 
And fpeak in public with fome fort of grace ? 
I fcarce can think him fuch a worth lels thing, 
Unlefs he praife fome raonfter of a king j 
Or virtue or religion turn to fport. 
To pleale a lewd or unbelieving court. 
Unhappy Diyden ! in all Charles's days, 
Rofcommon only boafts unfpotted bays ; 
And in our own (excufe from courtly ftains) 
No whiter page than Addifon's remains. 
He from the tafte obfcene reclaims our youth, 
And lets the paifions on the fide of truth ; 
Forms the foft bofom with the gentleit art. 
And pours each human virtue in the heart. 
Let Ireland tell, how wit upheld her caufe. 
Her trade fupported, and fupplied her laws ; 
And leave on Swift this grateful verfe engravM : 
" The rights a court attack 'd, a pott lav'd." 
Behold the hand that wrought a nation's cure, 
Stretch'd to relieve the ideot and the poor, 
Proud vice to brand, or injur'tl worth adorn, 
And ftretch the ray to ages yet unborn. 
Not but there are who merit other palms ; 
Hopkin^ and Sternhold glad theheartwithpfalms: 
The boys and girls whom charity maintains, 
Implore your help in thefe patlietic ftrains : 
How could devotion touch the country pews, 
Unlefs the Gods beftow'd a proper mufe ? 



i Verfe cheers their leifure, verfe aflifts their work, 
Verfe prays for peace, or lings down Pope an-d 

Turk. 
The lilenc'd preacher yields to potent ftrain, 
And feels that grace his prayer befought in vain; 
The bleiftng thrills thro' all the lab'ring throng, 
And heaven is won by violence of fong. 

Our rural anceftors, with little bleft, 
Patient of labour when the end was reft, 
Indulg'd the day thathous'd their annual grairj 
With feafts and olfrings, and a thankful ftrain : 
Thejoy their wives, their lbns,and fervants Ihare, 
Eafe of their toil, and partners of their care : 
The laugh, the jeft, attendants on the bowl, 
Smooth'd ev'ry brow, and open'd ev'ry foul : 
With growing years the pleafmg licenfe grew. 
And taunts alternate innocently fkw. 
But times corrupt, and nature ill-mcl:n'd, 
Produc'd the point that left the fting behind ; 
Till friend with friend, and families at ftrife, 
Triumphant malice rang'd thro' private life. 
Who felt the wrong, or fear'd it, took th' alann. 
Appealed to law, and jultice lent her arm. 
At length by wholefome dread of ftatutes bound. 
The poets learn'd to pleafe, and not to wound : 
Moft warp'd l.o flattery's fide; but fome, more 
Preferv'd the freedom, and forbore the vice, [nice, 
Hence Satire role, that jull the medium hit, 
And heals with morals what it hurts with wil^ 
We conquer'd France, but felt our captive s 
charms ; 
Her arts viftorious trimnpb'd o'er our arms j 
Britain to foft refinement lefs a foe. 
Wit grew polite, and numbers learn'd to flow. 
Waller was fmooth; but Dry den taught to join \ 
The varying verfe, the full refounding line, > 
The longmajeilic march, and energy divine, j 
Tho' Itill fome traces of our ruftic vein 
And fplayfoot verfe remain'd and will remain j 
Late, very late, correftnefs grew our care, 
When the tir'd nation breath'd from civil war. 
Exa6t Racine, and Corneille's noble Are, 
Shew'd us that France had fomethingto admire! 
Not but the tragic fpirit v.-as our own. 
And fall in Shakefpear, fair in Otway Ihone: 
But Otway fail'd to polilhor refine, 

i And fluent Shakefpear f<^arce eftac'd a line. 

JEven copious Dryden wanted, or forgot, 

I The laft and greateft art, the art to blot. 

i Some doubt if equal pains or equal lire 

JThe humbler mufe of comedy require. 
But, in known images of life, I guefs 

i The labour greater, as th' indulgence lefs. 
Ohferve how feldom even the bell fucceed: 

jTcll me if Congreve's Fools are fools indeed ? . 

j What pert low dialogue has Farquhar writ ! 
How Van wants gr:i.ce who never wanted wit ! 
The ftage how loofely does Aftrea tread, 
Who fairly puts all characters to bed ! 
And idle Gibber, how he breaks the laws, 
To make poor Pinkey eat with vaft applaufe ? 
But fill their pur'e, our poets' work is done} 
Alike to them, by Pathos or by Pun. 

O yout 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &:c. 



27s 



O you ! whom vanity's light bark conveys 
On fame's mad voyage by the wind of pn^ife, 
With what a fliifting gale your courfe you ply, 
For ever funk too low., or borne too high ! 
Who pants for glory finds but fhort repofe; 
A breath revives him, or a breath overthrows. 
Farewel the Itage ! if, juft as thrives the play, 
The filly bard grows fat, or falls away. 

There ftill remp.ins, to mortify a wit, 
The many-lieaded moniler of the Pit ; 
A fenfelefs, worthlefs, and unhonour'd crowd, 
Who, to difturb their betters mighty proud, 
Clattering their Hicks before ten lines are fpoke, 
Call for the Farce, the Bear, or the Black Joke. 
What dear delight to Britons ferce affords ! 
Ever the talte of mobs, but now of lords 
(Tafte, that eternal wanderer ! which flies 
From heads to ears, and now from ears to eyes) ! 
The play llands Hill! damn a6tion and difcourfe, 
Back fly the fcenes, and enter foot and horfe 5 
Pageants on pageants, in long order drawn, 
Peers, heralds, bifliops, ermin, gold, and lawn ; 
The champion too! and, to complete thejelf. 
Old Edward's armour beams on Gibber's bread. 
With laughter fure Democritus had died, 
Had he beheld an audience gape i'o wide. 
Let bear or elephant be e'er fo white, 
The people, fure the people, are the light ! 
Ah, lucklefs poet ! ftretch thy lungs and roar, 
That bear or elephant fliall heed thee morej 
While all its throats the gallery extends. 
And all the thunder of the pit afcends ! 
Loud as the wolves, on Orcas' llormy flieep, 
Howl to the roarings of the nothern deep. 
Such is the ihout, the long-applauding note. 
At Quin's high plume, or Oldfleld's petticoat: 
Or when from Court a birth-day fuit befl:ow'd 
Sinks the loil Acior in the tawdry load. 
Booth enters— hark ! the univerird peal ! 
*' But has he fpoken ?" Not a fyllable. 
** What fhook the ftage, and made the peopleltare? 
Cato'slongwig,fiower'dgown,andlacquer'dchair. 

Yet, left you think I rally more than teach, 
Or praife malignly arts I cannot reach, 
Let me for once prefume t' initruft the times, 
To know the Poet from the man of rhymes : 
' Tis he who gives my breaft a thoufand pains, 
Can make me feel each paflion that he feigns; 
Enrage, compofe, with more than magic art, 
With pity ani with terror tear m.y heart ; 
And fnatch me o'er the earth, or thro' the air. 
To I hebes, to Athens, when he will, and where. 

But not this part of the poetic ftate 
Alone deferves the favour of the Great: 
Think of thofe Authors, Sir, who would rely 
More on a Reader's fenle, than Gazer's eye. 
Or who fhall wander where the Mufes fmg ? 
Who tlimb their mountain, or who tafte their 
How ftiall we fill a library with wit, [fpring ? 
When Merlin's Cave is half unfurnifli'd yet ? 
My Liege ! why waiters little claim your thought, 
I guefs; and, with their leave, wiirtell. the fault : 
We Poets are (upon a Poet's word-) 
€f all mankind the creatures moil: abfurd : 



The feafon when to come and when to go. 
To ling or ceafe to fing, we never know ; 
And, if we will recite nine hours in ten, 
You lofe your patience julfe like other men. 
Then too we hurt ourfelves, when, to defend 
A Angle verle, we quarrel with a friend ; 
Repeat unalk'd; lament, the wit's too fine 
For vulgar eyes, and point out ev'ry line. 
But moll when, ftraining with too weak a wing. 
We needs will write epiftles to the King; 
And from the moment w-e oblige the town, 
-Expect a place, or penfion from the Crown ; 
Or dubb'd Hlftorians by exprefs command, 
T' enroll your triumphs o'er the feas and land j 
Be call'd to Court to plan Ibme work divine. 
As once, for Louis, Boileau and Racine. 

Yet thijikj great Sir ! (fo many virtue? ihev/n) 
Ah think what Poet beft may make themknown I 
Or cho6fe at leaft fome Miiiilter of Grace, 
Fit to befl:ow the Laureat's weighty place. 

Charles, to late times to be tranfmitted fair, 
Afllgn'd his figure to Bernini's care; 
And great Naflau to Kneller's hand decreed 
To fix him graceful on the bounding fteed ; 
So well in paint and ftone they judg'd of merit: 
But Kings in Wit may want difcerning Spirit. 
The Hero William, and the Martyr Charles, 
One knighted Blackmore, and one penfion'd 

Quarles j 
Which made old Ben and furly Dennis fwear, 
" No Lord's anointed, but a Ruffian Bear." 
Not with fuch majelly, fuch bold relief. 
The forms auguft of King or conq'ring Chief 
E'er fwell'd on marble, as in verfe have fhin'd 
(In polilh'd verfe) the Manners and the Mind. 
Oh ! could I mount on the Mjeonian wing. 
Your Arms, your A6tions, your Repofe to fing ! 
What leas you travers'd, and what fields you 
fought ! [bought ! 

Your country's peace how oft, how dearly 
How barb'rous rage fubfided at your word, 
And nations wonder'd while they dropp'd the 

fwoi"d ! 
How, when you nodded, o'er the land and deep 
Peace ftole her wing, and wrapp'd the world in. 

lleep ; 
Till earth's extremes your mediation own, 
And Afia's Tyrants tremble at your Throne. 
But Verfe, alas ! your Majefty difdains ; 
And I'm not ufed to Panegyric ftrains ;, 
The Zeal of Fools oflends at any time, 
But moft of all the Zeal of Fools in rhyme. 
Befides, a fiite attends on all I write ; 
That, when I aim at praife, they lay I bite, 
A vile Encomium doubly ridicules : 
There's nothing blackens like the ink of fools. 
If true, a woeful likenefs ; and if lies, 
" Praife undeferv'd is fatire in dlfguife :" 
Well may he blufh who gives it or receives ; 
And, when I flatter, let my dirty leaves 
(Like Journals, Odes, and fuch forgotten things 
As Eufden, Philips, Settle, writ of Kings) 
Clothe fpice, line trunks, or flutt'ring in a row 
Befringe the rails of Bedlam and Soho. 

T 2 EPISTLE 



2 JO 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IT. 



EPISTLH II, BOOK II. 



Dear colonel, Cobham's and yoiii- country's 
You love a verle, take fiich as I can fend, [friend! 
A Frenchman comes, prelents you with his boy, 
Bc^ws and begins — " This lad, Sir, is of Blois: 
*' Obrerve his ihape how clean, his locks how 

" cud'd ! 
•* My only Ion, I'd have him fee the world : 
" His French is pure j his voice too — ^you (hall 

" hear, 
" Sir, he's your flave, for twenty pounds a year. 
** Mere wax as yet, you fafliion him with eafe, 
*' Your barber,cook, upholft'rer,w hat youpleafe: 
•' A perfeft genius at an opera fong — 
" To fay too much, might do my honour wrong. 
" Take him with all his virtues, on my word} 
*' His whole ambition was to ferve a lord : 
*' But, Sir, to you, with v.'hat would I not part ? 
•' Tho'faith, Ifear,'twillbreakhismothen'sheart. 
" Ojice (and but once) I caught him in a lie, 
" And then, unwhipp'd,he had the grace to cry : 
*' The fault he has I fairly fliall reveal j 
•' (Could you o'erlook but that) it is, to fi-eal." 

If, after this, you took the gracelefs lad, 
Could you complain my friend, he prov'd fobad ? 
■"Faith, in fuch cafe, if you (hould profecute, 
I think Sir Godfrey Ihould decide the fuit, 
Who fent the thief, that ftole the cafh, away, 
And punifh'd him that put it in his way. 

Confider then, and judge me in this light; 
I told you, when I. went, I could not writej 
You faid the fame ; and are yoti difcontent 
"With laws to which you gave yoiu' own ailent?' 
Kay worfe, to afk for verfe at fuch a time ! 
D'ye think me good for nothing but to rhyme ? 

In Anna's wars, a foldier poor and ojd 
Had dearly earn'd a little purfe of gold : 
Tir'd with a tedious march, one lucklefs Jiight 
He flept, poor dog ! and loll it to a doit. 
This put the man in fuch a defp'ratf mind 
Between revenge, and grief, and hungerjoin 
Againlt the foe, himfelf, and all mankind, 
He leap'd the trenches, fcal'd a caJlle wall 
Tore down a ftandard, took the fort and all. 
** Prodigious well !" his great comraaiider cried j 
Gave him much praife, and fome reward belide. 
Next pleas'd his excellence a town to batter ; 
(it'^ name I know not, and 'tis no great matter) 
•* Go on, my friend (he cried) fee yonder w^alls I 
" Advance and conquer 1 go where glory calls ! 
*' More honours,more rewards,attend thebrave."' 



cdX 



Don't you remember what reply he gave? 
*' D'ye think me, noble Gen'ral, fuch a fot ? 
•' Let him take caftles who has ne'er a groat." 

Bred up at home, full early I begun 
To read in Greek the wrath of Peleus' fon. 
Eefides my father taught me, from a lad, 
Tlie better art to know the good from bad : 
(And little fure imported to remove, 
To hunt for truth in Maudlin's learned grove), 
But knottier points we knew not half fo well 
Depriv'd us loon of our paternal ceil j 



j^nd certain laws, by fuff 'rers thought unjuft. 
Denied all polls of profit or of trult; 
Hopes after hopes of pious Papift fail'd, 
While mighty William's thund'ring arm pre- 
P'or Right Hereditary tax'd and fin'd, {vail'd. 
He ihick to poverty with peace of mind j 
And me the Mufes help to undergo it; 
Convi6l a Papift he, and I a Poet" 
iiut (thanks to Homer !) fmce I live and thrive. 
Indebted to no prince or peer alive. 
Sure I (hould want the care of ten Monroes, 
If I would fcribble rather than repofe. [day. 
Years following years ileal fomething ev'rjr 
A^t iafl they ileal us from ourfelves away; 
In one our frol^, one amul'ements end, 
In one a miftrefs drops, in one a friend : 
This lubtle thief of life, this paltry Time, 
What will it leave me, if it fnatch my rhymed 
If ev'ry wheel of that unwearied mill. 
That turn'd ten thouiand verfes now Hand ftill> 

' But, alter all, what would you have me do, 
When out of twenty I can pleafe not two; 
When this Heroics only deigns to praife, 
Sharp Satire that, and that Pindaric lays? 
One likes the pheafmt's wing, and one the leg: 
The vulgar boil, the learned roall, an egg. 
Hard talk ! to hit the palate of fuch guells, 
When Oldfield loves what Dartincuf detefts. 

But grant I may relapfe, for want of grace. 
Again to rhyme : can London be the place ? 
\Viio there his Mufe, or felf, or foul attends, 



f^n crowds and courts, law, biifinefs, fealts, and 
iViends ? 
My counfel fends to execute a deed : 
A P^t begs me I will hear him read : 
In Palace-yard at nine you"ll iind me there — 
At ten for certain. Sir, in Bloom (bury- fquare— 
Bcibre the Lords at twelve my Caufe comes on — 
There's a Ps-chearlal, Sir, exact at one. 
" Oh ! but a Wit can iludy in the llreets, 
" And raii'e his mind above the mob he meets.'* 
Not quite fo well hov^ever as one Ought ; 
A hackney-coach may chance to ipoil a thought ;' 
And then a nodding beam, or pig of lead, 
God knovys, may hurt the veiy ablell head. 
Have you not fcen, at Guildhall's nairow pafs,^ 
Two Aldermen difoute it v/ith an Afs ; 
And Peers give w-ay, exalted as they are. 
Even to their own S r-v— nee in a car ? 

Go, lofty Poet ! and in fuch a4:rowd 
Sing thy lynorous verfe — but not aloud. 
Alas I to grottos and to groves we run j 
To eafe and fdcnce ev'ry Mufe's fon: 
Blackmore himfelf, for any grand effort. 
Would drinkand doze atTootingorKarrs-court- 
How (hall I rhyme in this eternal roar? [before ? 
How match the bards whom none e'er match 'd 

The man who, ftretch'd in Ifis' calm retreat. 
To books and Iludy gives feven years complete. 
See ! ftrew'd with learned duft, his nightcap on. 
He walks, an objeft new beneath the fun I 
The boys flock round him, and the people llare t\ 
So (liff, i'o mute ! fome flatue, you would fwear, > 
Stept fivm its pedeftal to take the air ! S 

And 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



277 



And here, while town, and court, and city roars, 
With mobs,and duns, and (bldiers, at their doors. 
Shall I in London ail this idle part? 
Compoling i'ongs, for fools to get by heart ? 

The Temple late two brother Serjeants faw. 
Who deem'd each other Oracles of Law ; 
With eq iial talents, thefecongeniaUbuls, [Rolls; 
One luird th' Exchequer, and one ftunn'd the 
Each had a gravity would make you fplit, 
And Ihook his head at Murray, as a wit. 
'Twas, 'Sir, your law'' — and ' Sir, your elo- 
quence i' [bofs fenfe.' 
**Yours,Cowper's manners;" and 'Yours, Tal- 

'I'hus we difpole of all poetic merit; 
Yours Milton's genius, and mine Homer's fpirit. 
CallTibba'idShakefpear,and he'll fwear the Nine, 
Dear Gibber i never match'd one Cde of thine. 
Lord ! how we ftrut thro' Merlin's Cave to fee 
No poets there but Stephen, you, and me. 
Walk with refpeft behind, while we at ea(e 
Weave laurel Crowns, and take what names we 
"MydearTibullus!" if that will not do, [pleafe. 
*' Let me be Horace, and be Ovid you : 
" Or, I'm content; allow me Dryden's drains, 
*' And you fhall rife up Otway for your pains." 
Much do I fuffer, much to keep in peace 
This jealous, wafpifh, wrong-head, rhyming race; 
And much mult flatter, if the whim fliould bite 
To court applaufe, by printing what I write: 
But, let the fit pais o'er, I'm wife enough 
To ftop my ears to their confounded fluff. 

In vain bad Rhymers all mankind rejeft , [fpe6l : 
They treat themfelves with moll profound re- 
'Tis to fmall purpofe that you hold your tongue 5 
Each, prais'd within, is happy all day long: 
rBut how feverely with themielves proceed 
The men who write fuch Yerie as we caii read ! 
Their own itrift Judges, not a word they fpare 
That wants or force, or light, or weight, or care. 
Howe'er unwillingly it quits its place. 
Nay tho' at Court (perhaps) it may find grace : 
Such they'll degrade ; and f<?jm£times, in its Iread, 
In downright charity revive the dead ; 
Mark where a bold expreffive phrafe appears, 
Bright thro' the rubhifh of Ibme hundred years ; 
Command oldwords that long havefiept, t "awake, 
Words that wife Bacon or brave Raleigh fpake ; 
Or bid the new be Englilli, ages hence, 
(For U(e will father what's begot by Senfe) 
Pour the full tide of eloquence along, -\ 

Serenely pure, and yet divinely firong, J 

Kich with the treafures of each foreign tongue :} 
Prune the luxuriant, the uncouth refine, 
But fhew no mercy to an empty line : 
Then polifh all with fo much life and eafe, 
You think 'tis Nature, and a knack to pleafe : 
" But eafe in writing flows from art, not chance; 
" As thofemoveeafiefl: whohavelearn'd todance." 

If fuch the plague and pains to write by rule, 
Better (fay I) he pleas'd, and play the fool : 
Call, if you will, bad rhyming a difeafe ; 
It gives men happinefs or leaves them eafe. 
There liv'd in primo Ceorgii (they record) 
A worthy member, no imali fool, a Lord \ 



Who, tho' the Houfe was up, delighted i:Ue, 
Heard, noted, anfwer'd, as in full debate; 
In all but this, a man of fober life, 
Fond of his Friend, and civil to his Wife j 
Not quite a madman tho' a pafty fell, 
And muchtoo wife to walk into a well. [murM, 
Him the damn'd Do6lors and his Friends im- 
They bled, they cupp'd, they purg'd ; in Ihort, 

theycur'd: 
Whereat the gentleman began to ftare — 
My friends ! he cried, p-x take you for your care. 
That from a Patriot of diltinguifli'd note. 
Have bled and purg'd me to a fimple Vote, 

Well, on the whole,plain profe muft be myfiite: 
VVifdom, curfe on it ! will come foon or late. 
There is a time when Poets will grow dull ; 
I '11 e'en leave verfes to the boys at fchool : 
To rules of Poetry no more confin'd, 
I'll leani to fmooth and harmonize my mind ; 
Teach ev'ry thought within its bounds to roll. 
And keep the equal meafure of the foul. 

Soon as I enter at my country door. 
My mind refumes the thread it dropp'd before ; 
Thoughts which, at Hyde park-corner I forgot. 
Meet and rejoin me in the penfive Grotj 
There all alone, and compliments apart, 
I alk thefe fober queftions of my heart : 

If, when the more you drink, the more you 
crave, 
You tell the Do6lor; when the more you have, 
The more you waht, why not with equal eafe 
Confefs as well your Folly, as Difeafe? 
The heart refolves this matter in a trice: 
" Men only feel the Smart, but not the Vice."*' 

When golden Angels ceafe to cure the Evil, 
You give all royal Witchcraft to the Devil; 
When fervile Chaplains cry that birth and place 
Endue a Peer with honour, truth, and grace, 
Look if that breail, moil dirty D — ! be fair; 
Say, can you find out one fuch lodger there ? 
Yet ftilf, not heeding what your heart can teach. 
You go to Church to hear thele fiatt'rers preach. 

Indeed, could wealth bellow or wit or merit, 
A grain of courage, or a fpark of fpirit, 
The vvifell man might blufh, I mud agree. 
If D * * * lov'd fixpence more than he. 

If there be truth in Law, and Ufe can give 
j A Property, that's yours on which you five. 
I Delightful Abs-court, if its fields aflbrd 
I Their fruits to you, confefles you its lord; 
j All Worldly's hens, nay partridge, fold to town. 
His ven'fon too, a guinea makes your own : 
He bought at thoulands wdiat with better wit 
You purchafe as you want, and bit by bit ; 
Now,or long fince,what dift^'rence will be found? 
You pay a penny, and he paid a pound. 

Heathcote himfelf, and fuch large-acred men. 
Lords of fatE'fliam, or of Lincoln fen. 
Buy ev'ry ftick of wood that lends them heat: 
Buy ev'ry pullet they afford to eat. 
Yet thefe are Wights who fondly call their own 
Half that the Devil o'erlooks from Lincoln town. 
The Laws of God, as well as of the land, 
Abhor a Perpetuity fliould fl:and : 

T 3 EUate* 



?.rs 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



lllhitcs have wings, and hang in fortune's pow'r, 
Loole on the point of ev'ry wavering hour, 
Keady, by force, or of your own accord, 
p.y fale, at leall by death, to change then" lord. 
Ivuin? and for tt'er F wretch! what wouldil thou 
Heirurgesheir, like wave iqipelling wave, [have? 
All valt poffelhons (jult the iame the cafe 
Whether you call them Villa, Park, or Chafe) 
Alas, my Bathurft ! what will they avail ? 
Join Cotfwood hills to^aperton's fair dale j 
Let rifjng granaries and temples here, 
Their mingled farms and pyramids appear; 
Link towns to towns with avenues of oak; 
Indole whole towns in walls — 'tis all a joke 1 
Inexor?a:)le Death Ihall level all, 
And trees, and ltones,aad farms, and farmer fall. 

Gold, Silver, Iv'ry, Vafes, fculptur'a high. 
Paint, Marble, Gems, and robes of Perfian dye, 
There are who have not — and, thank heaven ! 

there are, 
Who if they have not,think not worth their care. 

Talk what you will of Tafte, my fiiend,you Ml 
Two of a face as foon as of a mind. [find 

Why, of two brothers, rich and reftlefs one [fun ; 
Ploughs, barns, manures, and toils from fun to 



Vv^'ith terrors round, can veafon hold her throne, 
Defpife the known, nor tremble at tii' unknown ? 
Survey both worlds, intrepid and entire, 
In ipite of witches, devils, dreams, and fire? 
Pleased to look forward, pleased to look behind. 
And count each birth-day with a grateful mind ? 
Has life no fournefs, drawn lb near its end ? 
Canft thou endure a foe, forgive a friend ? 
Has age but melted the rough parts av.'ay, 
As winter fruits grow mild ere they decay ? 
Or Vv'ill you think, my friend, your bufinefs done, 
1 When, of a hundred thorns, you pull out one ? 
I Learn to live well, or fairly m.ake your will ; 
j You've play'd,andlov'd, and eat, and drank your 
Walk fober oif, before a fprightlier age [fill : 
Ccmes tittVing on, and Ihoves you from theilage : 
Leave fnch to tritie with more grace and eafe, 
Whom folly pleafes, and whole follies pleafe. 



§21. Epilogues to the Satires. 



Fr. 



In two Dialogues* 

Pope. 
I. 

Not twice a twelvemonth you appear in 
print; 



DIALOGUE 



All 



and all Grofvenor' 



The other flights, for women, fports, and v^^ines, | And when it comes, the Court fee nothing in 't. 
' " '~ ' ' - - You grow correft, that once with rapture writ J 

And are, befides, too ;;ioral for a Wit. 
Decay of parts, alas ! we all muft feel — 
Why now, this moment, don't I lee you fteal ? 
'Tis all from Horace; Horace, long before ye. 



Townfliend\s turnips 
mines : 
Why one, like Bu — v/ith pay and fcorn content 
Bows, and votes on, in Court and Parliament ; 
One, driven by ftrong Benevolence of foul, 
Shall fly, like Oglethorp, from pole to pole; 
Is known alone to that r)ire6ting Pow'r 
Who forms the Genius in the natal hour ; 
That God of Nature, who, within us Hill, 
Inclines our a6tion, not conftrains our will: 
Various of temper, as of face or frame. 
Each individual; his great End the fam.e. 

Yes, Sir, how fmall Ibever be my heap, 
A part I will enjoy as well as keep. 
]VIy heir may figh, and think it want of grace 
A man fo poor would live without a place : 
But fure no ftatute in his favour fays, 
How free or frugal I fhall pafs my days ; 
I, who at fome times fpend, at others fpare, 
Divided between carelefsnefs and care. 
"Tis one thing madly to difperfe my ftorej 
Another, not to heed to treafure more; 
Glad, like a boy, to fnatch the firll good day, 
And g.leas'd if ibrdid want be far away. 

What is 't to me (a palTenger, God wot) 
Whether my velfel be firft-ra^te or not ? 
The fliip itlelf may make a better figure. 
But I that fail am neither lefs nor bigger; 
I neither ftrut with ev'ry fav'ring breath. 
Nor flrive with all the tempeit in my teeth : 
In pow'r, wit, figure, virtue, fortune, plac'd 
Behind the foremolt, and before the lall. 

"But why all this of avarice ? I have none." 
I wifh you joy. Sir, of a tyrant gone ; 
iut does no other lord it at this^hour. 
As wild and mad — the avarice of pow'r? 
1 oes neither rage inflame, nor fear appall ? 
Lot the black fear of death that iaddens all? 



Said, " Tories call'd him Whig, and Whigs a 

"Tory;" 
And taught his Romans, in much better metre, 
" To laugh at fools who put their trult in Peter." 

But Horace, Sir, was delicate, was nice; 
Bubo obferves, he lafn'd no fort of Fice : 
Horace would fay. Sir Billy fer'v'd the Ci^iajn; 
Blunt could do bufinefs, H-ggins hienxj the toivni 
In Sa})pho touch the Faili/igs of the Sex, 
In rev'rend Bifhops note (ome fmall iicgleSis j 
And own the Spaniard did a ^ojaggifh things 
Who ci'opp'd our ears, and fent them to theKing. 
His fly, polite, infinuating ilyle 
Could pleafe at Court, and make Augufl:usfmile: 
An artful manager, that crept between 
His friend and fhame, and was a kind oi fcreen. 
But, 'faith, your very friends will foon be fore ; 
Patriots there are who wifh you'd jell no more — 
And Where's the Glory ? 'twill be only thought 
The great man never offer'd you a groat. 
Go fee Sir Robert — 

P. See Sir Robert !— hum— 
And never laugh for all my life to come ? 
Seen him I have, but in his happier hour 
Of Social Pleafure, ill exchang'd for Pow'r, 
Seen him, uncumber'd with a venal tribe. 
Smile without art, and win without a bribe. 
Would he oblige me ? let me only find 
He does not think me what he thinks mankind. 
Come, come — at all I laugh he laughs, no doubt; 
The only diff'rence is — ^I dare laugh out. 
F. Why yes, with Scripture ftill you may be free j 
A horfe-laugh, if you pleafe, at Eonefy\ 

A joke 



Book ir. DIDACTIC, D E S C R I PT I VEf &c. 



279 



A Joke on Jekyl, or fome odd Old Whig^ 
Who never changM his principle, or wig } 
A patriot is a fool in evVy age. 
Whom all Lord Chambeilains allow the ftage : 
Thefe nothing hurts; rheykeeptheir fafhion ilill, 
And wear their llrange old virtue, as they will. 

If any aik you, " Who^s the man, {o near 
*'Iiis prince, that writes in ver("c,and has his ear?'' 
Why aniwer, Lyttleton ; and I'll engage 
The worthy yoiith fliall ne'er be in a rage : 
But were his verfes vile, his whifper bale. 
You'd quickly find him in Lord Fanny's cafe. 
Sejanus, Wolfey, hurt not honeil Fleury 5 
But well may put fome Ihitehnen in a fury. 

Laugh then at any but at foois or foes j 
Thefe you but anger, and yon mend not thofe. 
Laugh at your friends ; and, if your friends are 

So mucii the better, you may laugh the more. 
To vice and folly to connne the jelt, 
Sets half the world, God knows, againft the reft 5 
Did not the {wtitr of more irapa"tial men 
At fenfe and virtue balance all again 
Judicious wits ipread wide the ridicule, 
And charitably comfort knave and fool. 

P. Dear Sir, forgive the prejudice of youth : 
Adieu, diftinftion, fatise, warmth, and truth ! 
Come, liarmlefs charafters that no one hit 5 
Ccmq, Henley's oratory, Oiborne's wit ! 
The honey dropping from Favonio's tongue. 
The f.ovv'rs of Bubo, and the flow of Y — ng ! 
The gracious dew of jrolpit eloquence, 
And ail the well-whipp'd cream of courtly fenfe. 
The firft was H— vy's, F — 's next, and then 
The S— ^te's, and then H— vy's once again. 
O come, that eafy, Ciceronian ll:3le, 
.So Latin, yet fo Engli(h all the while. 
As, tho' the pride of Middleton and Bland, 
All boys may read, and girls may underftand ! 
Then might I fing, without the leaft offence. 
And all I fung ihould be the Nation s Senfe j 
Or teach the melancholy Mufe to mourn, 
Hang the fad verfe on Carolina's urn. 
And hail her paliage to the Realms of Reft, 
All parts perform 'd, and cdl her children bleit ! 
So S itire is no more— I feel it die — 
No Gazetteer more innocent than I— 
And let, a-God's name, ev'ry fool and knave 
Be grac'd thro' life, and flatter'd in his grave. 

F. Why fo ? if Satire knows its time and place, 
You ftill may lafh the greateft— in difgrace : 
For merit will by turns forfake them all ; 
Would you know when ? exa6cly when they fall. 
But let ail fatire in ull changes fpare 
In.raortal S — k, and grave D — re. 
Silent and foft as faints remov'd to heaven, 
AH ties diffolv'd, and ev'ry fni forgiven, 
Thefe may fome gentle minilterial wing 
Receive, and place for ever near a King ! [port, 
There, where no palfion, pride, or fhame tranf- 
Lull'd with the fweet Nepenthe of a Court; 
There, where no lather's, brother's, friend's dif- 
grace 
Once break their reft,ofilir them from theirplace: 



But, part the fenfe of human miferies, 
Ail tears are wip'd for ever from all eyes j 
No cheek is known to blulh, no heart to throb, 
Save when they lofe a queftion, or a job. 

P. Good Heaven forbid that I Ihould blaft 
their glory. 
Who know how like Whig Minifters to Tory, 
And when three Sov'reigns died, could fcarce be 

vext, 
Confid'i ing what a gracious Prince was next. 
Have I, in liknt wonder, feen fuch things 
As pride in Slaves, and avarice in Kings j 
And at a Peer or Peerefs fliall I fret, 
Who ftarves a filler, orforfwears a debt ? 
Virtue^ I grant you, is an empty boaft ; 
But iiiall the dignity of Vice be loft t 
Ye Gods ! Ihall Gibber's fon, without rebuke. 
Swear like a Lord, or Rich outwhore a Duke ? 
A fav'rite's porter with his raafter vie, 
Be brib'd as often, and as often lie } 
Shall Ward d^x?^\\' contrafts with a ftatefman's 
Or Japhet pocket, like his Grace, a will ? [Ikill ? 
Is it for Bond or Peter (paltry things !) 
To pay their debts, or keep their faith, like kings ? 
If Blount difpatch'd himfelf, he play'd the man, 
And fo may 'ft thou, illuftrious Pafleran ! 
But fhall a Printei*, weary of his life, 
Learn from tr.eir books to hanghimfelf and wife? 
This, this, my friend, I cannot, muft not bearj 
Vice thus abus'd demands a nation's care: 
This calls the church to deorecate our i;n. 
And huris the thunder of the laws on gin. 

Let modeft Fofter, if he will, excel 
Ttw Metropolitans in preaching well ; 
A firnple Quaker, or a Quaker's Avife, 
Outdo Landaff" in doftrine — yea in life ; • | 
Let humble Allen, with an awkward fliame. 
Do good by ftealth, and blufli to find it fame. 
Virtue may choofe the high or low degree, 
'Tis juft alike to virtue, and to me ; 
Dwell in a Monk, or light upon a King, 
She's ftill the iirme belov'd, contented thin^. 
Vice is undone if fhe forgets her birth. 
And ftoops fiom angels to the dregs of earth : 
But 'tis the Tail degrades her to a whore: 
Let Creatnefs own her, and file's mean no more. 
Her birth, her beauty, crowds and courts confefs, 
Chafte matrons praifeher,and grave biihopsblefsj 
In golden chains the willing world fne draws. 
And hers the gofpel is, and hers the laws ; 
Mounts the tribunal, lifts her fcarlet head. 
And fees pale Virtue carted in her itead. 
Lo ! at the wheels of her triumphal car. 
Old England's Genius, rough with many a fear, 
Dragg'd in the dull ! his arms hang idly round, 
Kislftag inverted trails along the ground ! 
Our youth, all livery'd o'er with foreign gold. 
Before her dance ; behind her, crawl the old ! 
See thronging millions to the Pagod run. 
And ofter countiy, parent, wife, or fon ! 
Hear her black trum.pet thro' the land proclaimi 
That not to be corrupted is tht jkayne. 
In foldier, churchman, patriot, man in pow'r, 
'Tis av'rice all, ambition is no more ! 

T4 Se 



28o 



ELEaANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



See nil our nobles begging to be (laves ! 
See ■il our faois :ifpiriPig to be knaves ! 
The wit ct' cheats, the courage of a whore. 
Are what ten thou land envy and adore : 
A!', all look up, with reverential awe, 
J\t crimes that 'fcape or triumph o'er the law 5 
While tru'.h, worth, wifdom, daily they decry : 
^* Nothing is facred now but villany." / 

Yet ma)' this veri'e (if fuch a verle remain) 
Shew there was one who held it in diidain. 

DIALOGUE II. 

F. 'TIS all a libel— Paxton (Sir) will fay, y 

P. Not yet, my friend ! to-morrow, 'faith, it > 
^nd for that yery caufe I print to-day. [may j ) 
How iliould T fret to mangle ev'ry line, 
In rev'rence to the iins of Thirty -nine ! 
"Vice with fuch giant ftrides comes on amain, 
Invention drives to be before in vain ; 
Feign what I will, and paint it e'er fo ftrong, 
Some riling genius ilns up to my fong. 

F. Yet none but you by name the guilty lafh ; 
I^ven Guthry faves half Newgate by a daih. 
Spare thta the perfon, and expofe the vice : 

P. How, Sir ! not damn the {hanier. but the 



Then better fure it Charity becomes 

To tax Direftors, who, thank God, have plums j 

Still better Minifters ; or, if the thing 

May pinch even there — why lay it on a King. 

F. Stop I Hop ! 

P. Muft fatire, then, nor rife nor fall*i? 
Speak orft, and bid m.e blame no rogues at all. 

F. Yes, ftrike that Wild, Til juftify the blow. 

P. Strike ? why the man was hang'd ten years 
ago; 
Who now that obfolete example fears ? 
Even Peter trembles only for his ears. 

F. What always Peter ? Peter thinks you mad ; 
You make men defp'rate, if they once are bad : 
Elfe might he take to virtue fome years hence — 

P. As St— k, if he live?, will love the Prince. 

F. Strange fpleen to S — k I 

p. Do I wrong the man ? 
God knows, I praife a Courtier where I can. 
When I confefs, there is who feel^ for fame, 
And melts togoodnefs, need i Scarb' row name? 
PJeas'd let me own, in Ffher^s pe?.ceful grove 
(Where Ksntc^nd nature vie forPelham's love). 
The icene, the mafher, op'ning to my view, 
I fit and dream I fee my Craggs anew ! 

Even in a Bifliop I can fpy defert j 
Seeker is decent, Rundel has a heart: 



Come on then, fatire! gen'ral, uneonjin'd [dice ? 

Spread thy broad wing, and foufe on all the kind. ■ Manners with candour are to Benfon given ; 

Ye ftatefinen, priefls, of one religion all ! To Berkley ev'ry virtue under heaven. 

Ve tradefmen, vile, in army, court, or hall ! But does the C-mrt a worthy man remove 

Ye rev'rend Atheifts — F. Scandal i name them ;!That inftant, I deciare».he has my love 



jThat inftant, I declare,. he has my 
1 1 /hun his zenith, court* his mild d 



who ? ' |I /hun his zenith, court* his mild decline ; 

P. Why that's the thing you bid m.s not to do. j Thus Somers once and Plalifax were m.ine. 
Who ftai-v'd a filter, who foriwore a debt, jOft, in the clear ftill mirrour of retreat. 



I never nam/d ; the town's enOjUiring yet. 
F. The pois'ning dame,you raean.---P.I don't. 
F. You do. 

P. See, now I keep the fecret, and not you ! 

Xhebribing fcatefnian. — F.Hold,too highyou go. 

P. The brib'd eledor.— ;i^. Theie you Hoop 

too low. 
P. I fain would pleafe you 
what; 



I liudied Shrenvjhury^ the wife and great ; 

Carleton<i calm fente and Stanhope^s noble flame 

Compar'd, and knew their gen 'rous end tlie fame. 

How pleafmg J tier bury "s fofter hour ! 

How ftiin'd the foul, unconquer'd in theTow'r ? 

How can I Pufney, Chejierfitld forget, 

While Roman fpirit chaim.s, and Attic wit ? 
I knew with Argyle, the State's whole tliunder born to wield, 

{ And fluke alike thie feirate and the field,: 
Tell miC whichknave is lawful game, which not? ! Or JVyndham, juft to freedom and the throne, 
Maft great oifendsrs, once efcap'd the Crown, The mailer of our pafiions, and his own: 
Like royal harts, be never m.ore ran down ? Names which I longh.ave lov'd,nor lov'd in vain. 
Admit your law to fpare the knight requires, Rank'd Avith their friends, not number'd with 
As bealfs of nature may we hunt the 'iquires ? their train ; 

Suppofe [ cenfu^'e— you know what I mean — j And if yet higher the proud lift fhould end. 
To fave a Bifhop, may I name a Dean ? jSlill let me fay. No follower, but a fnend. 

F. A Dean, Sir ? no ; his fortune is not made ; Yet thinknotjfriendlhip onlyprompts my laysj 



You hurt a man that's rifing in the trade. 

P. If not the tradefman who fet up to-day, 
Much lefs the 'prentice who to-morrow may. 
Down,4own proud fatire ! tho'a realm be fpoil'd, 
Arraign no mightier thief than wretched JVild-^ 
Or, if a court or country's made a job, 
Go drench a pickpocket, and join the mob. 

But, Sir, I beg you (for the love of vice !) 
The matter's weighty, pray confider twice : 
Have you lefs pity for the needy cheat. 
The poor andfriendlefs villain, than the great ? 
/^\d% \ the linall difcredit of a bribe 
Scarce hurts the Lawyer, but undoes the Scribe. 



I follow Virtue \ where fhe fliines, I praife j 

Point (he to Pricft or Elder, Whig orToiy, 

Or round a Quaker's beaver caft a glory. 

I never (to m.y forrow 1 declare) 

Din'd with the Man cf Rofs, or my Lord Mayor. 

Some in their choice of friends (nay, look not 

grave) 
Have ftill a fecret bias to a knave : 
To find an honeft man, I beat about, 
And love him, court him, praife him, in or out, 
f . Then why fo few commended r 

P, Not fo fierce ; 
Find you tlie virtue^ and I'll find tlie verfe. 

?ut 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c; 



2?l 



But random pralfe — the tafk can ne'er be done : 
Each mother aflcs it for her booby fon : 
Each widow afks it for the bejl of men ; 
For him fhe weeps, for him fhe weds again. 
Praife cannot ftoop, likefatire, to the ground : 
The number may be hang'd,bnt not be crownM. 
Enough for half the greatell of thefe days, 
To 'fcape my cenfure, not expeft my praile. 
Are they not rich ? what more can they ^oretend ? 
Dare they to hope a poet for their friend — 
What Richlieu wanted, Louis fcarce could gain j 
And what young Amnion wifhM, butwilh'd in 

vain ? 
Nopow'rthe Mufe's friendfliip can command; 
No povy'r, when virtue claim.s it, can withlland -. 
To Cato, Fit'gil pay'd one honeft line ; 

let my country's friends illumine mine ! 
— What are you thinking? F. 'Faith, the 

thought's no fin; 

1 think your friends are out, and would be in. 

P. If m.erely to come in, Sir, they go out, 
The way they take is ftrangely round about. 
F. They too may be corrupted, you '11 allow. 
P. I only call thofe knaves who are fo now. 
Is that too little ? Come then, 1 '11 comply — 
Spirit o{ Arnall! aid me while I lie. 
Cobham 's a coward, Polwart is a flave; 
And Lyttleton a dark, defigning knave j 
St. John has ever been a wealthy fool — 
But let me add, Sir Robert's mighty dull ; 
Has never made a friend in private life, 
And was, befides, a tyrant to his wife. 

But pray, w' en others praife liim, do I 
Call Verres, Wol fey, any odious name ? [blam.e ? 
Why rail they then, if but a wreath of mine, 
O ail -accompli ill 'd St. John.! deck thy flirine r 

What (halleach fpur-gall'd hackney of the day, 
When Paxton gives him double pots and pay ; 
Or each new-penfion'd fycophant, pretend 
To break my windows if I treat a friend; 
Then wifely plead, to me they meant no hurt ; 
But 'twas my gueft at whom they threw the 
Sure, if I fpare the Minifter, no rules [dirt ? 
Of honour bind me not to maul his tools j 
Sure, if they cannot cut, it may be faid 
His faws are toothlefs, and his hatchets lead. 

It anger'd Turenne, once upon a day, 
To fee a footman kickVi that took his pay : 
But when he heard th' aifront the fellow gave, 
Knew one a man of honour, one a knave : 
The prudent gen'ral turn'd it to a jeit, [reft : 
And begg'd he'd take the pains to kick the 
Which notat prefent having time to do — [you ? 
F. Hold, fir, for God's fake, where's th' aftVont to 
Againft your worlhip when had S — k writ ? 
Or P — ge pour'd forth the torrent of his wit ? 
Or grant the Bard wbofe diftich all commend 
(hi po'w''r afer'vant, out of po'vfr a friend) 
To W — le guilty of fome venial fm ; 
What 's that to you, who ne'er was out nor in ? 

ThePrieft whofe flattery bedropp'd the Crown, 
How hurt he you ? he only ftain'd the gown. 
And how did, pray, the florid youth offend, 
y'^tiofe fpeech you took, and gave it to a friend r 



P. 'Faith, it imports not much from whom -^ 
it came ; f 

Whoever borrowed could not be to blame, i 
Since the whole Houfe did afterwards the fame..7«t 
Let courtly wits to wits afford fupply, 
As hog to hog in huts of Weftphaly ; 
If one thro' nature's bounty, or his lord's. 
Has Vfhat the frugal dirty ibil affords. 
From him the next receives it, thick or thin. 
As pure a m.efs almoft as it came inj 
The blefled benefit, not there confin'd. 
Drops to the third, v^-ho nuzzles clofe behind: 
From tail to mouth they feed and they caroufe ; 
The laft full fairly gives it to the Houfe, 
F. This filthy fimile, this beaftly li^ie 
Quite turns my ftomach — 

P. So does flatt'ry mine : 
And all your courtly Civet-cats can vent. 
Perfume to you, to me is excrement. 
But hear me farther — Japhet, 'tis agreed. 
Writ not, and Chartres fcarce could write or read. 
In all the Courts of Pindus guiltlefs c[uite ; 
But pens can forge, my friend, that cannot 

write; 
And muft no tgg in Japhet 's face be thrown, 
Becanfe the deed he forg'd was not my own ? 
Mult never Patriot then declaim at gin, 
Unlefs, good man ! he has been fairly in ? 
No zealous paftor blame a failing fpoufe. 
Without a ftaring reafon on his brows ? 
And each blafphemer quite efcape the rod,'' 
Becaufe the infult's not on man, but God ? 

Aflc you what provocation 1 have had ? 
The fl:rong antipathy of good to bad. 
When truth or virtue an affront endui-es, 
Th' affront is mine, my friend, and fhould be 
Mine, as a foe profexl: to falfe pretence, [yours. 
Who think a Coxcomb's honour like his fenfe j 
Mine, as a friend to ts'rj worthy mind ; 
And mine, as man, who feel for all mankind. 
F. You 're ftrangely proud. 

P. So proud, I am n© Have; "^ 
So impudent, I own rayfelf no knave; V 

So odd, my country's ruin makes me grave. ) 
Yes, I am proud, I muft be proud, to fee 
Men not afraid of God afraid of nie ? 
Safe from the bar, the pnlpit, and the throne, 
Ytt touch'd and ftiam'd by ridicule alone^ 
O facred weapon ! left for truth's defence; 
Sole dread of folly, vice, and infolsnce! 
To all but Heaven-direfted hands denied, 
TheMufe may give thee, but the gods miift guide.j 
Rev' rent I touch thee ! but with honeft zeal ; 
To roufe the watchmiCn of the public weal. 
To virtue's work provoke the tardy hall, 
x^nd goad the Prelate flumb'ring in his ftall. 
Ye tinfel infefts ! whom a court maintains, ' 
That counts your beauties only by your ftainr. 
Spin all your cobwebs o'er the eye of day! 
The Mufe's wing fhall brufli you all away: 
All his Grace preaches, all his Lordfliip fings. 
All that makes faints of queens,and gods o^ kings. 
All, all but truth, drops dead-born from the prefs, 
Like the laft Gazette, or the laft addrefs. 

Whea 



aSa 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



When black ambition ftains a public caiife, 
A monarch's Iword when mad vain -glory draws, 
IjJot Waller's wreath can hide the nation's fear, 
•^or Boileau turn the feather to a Itar. 

Not fo, when diadem'd with rays divine, 
Touch'd with the flame that breaks from Virtue's 

Ihrine, 
Her prieftefs Mufe forbids the good to die. 
And opes the temple of Eterjiity. 
There, other trophies deck the truly brave. 
Than fuch as Anftis calls into the grave ; 
Far other ftars tliAn * and * * wear. 
And may defcend to Mornington from Stair; 
(Such as on Hough's unlullied mitre fhine. 
Or beam, good Digby, fi-om a heart 'like thine) j 
'LttE/rjy howl, while heaven's whole chorus lings, 
And bark at honour not conferr'd by kings ; 
Let Flatfry fick'ning fee the incenfe Yife, 
Sweet to the wodd, and grateful to the fkies : 
Triith guards the Poet, fanftifies the line, 
And makes immortal, verfe as mean as mine. 

Yes, the lalt pen for freedom let me draw, 
When truth ftands trembling on the edge of law ; 
Here, lalt of Britons ! let your names be read ; 
Are none, none living ! let me praife the dead ; 
And, for that caufe which made your fathers 
Fall by the votes of their degen'rate line, [fhine, 

F. Alas ! alas ! pray end what vou began, 
And write next winter more £J/ays on Man, 



§22. IMITATIONS OF HORACE. Pope. 

EPISTLE VII. 

Imitated in the Manner of Dr. S^xift, 

"Tis ti-ue, my Lord, I gave my word 
I would be with you, June the third ; 
Chang'd it to Auguft; and, in fhort. 
Have kept it — as you do at Court. 
You humour me when I am lick, 
Wiiy not when I am fplenetic ? 
In town, what objeifcs could I meet ? 
The ihops fliut up in ev'ry ftreet, 
And fun'rals black'ning all the doors, 
And yet more melancholy whores : 
And what a duit in ev'ry place ! 
And a thin Court that wants your face. 
And fevers raging up and down, 
And W * and H * * both in town ! 

" The dog-days are no more the cafe." 
'Tis true, but winter comes apace : 
Then fouthward let your bard retire, 
Hold out fbme months 'twixt fun and fire, 
And you Ihall fee, the firll warm weather. 
Me and the butterflies together. 

My lord, your favours well I know 5 
""Tis with diitincVion you beftow ; 
And not to ev'iy one that comes, 
Juft as a Scotfman does his plums. 
*' Pray, take them, (irj enough 's a feaft: 
** Eat fome, and pocket up the reft." 
What, rob your boys, thole pretty rogues ? 
** No, fir, you'll leave them to the hogs." 
Thus fools with compliments be liege ye, 
Contriving ne\'er to oblige ye, * 



Scatter your favours on a fop, 

Ingratitude '^s the certain crop j 

And 'tis but juft; 1 '11 tell you wherefore, 

You give the things you never care for. 

A wife man always is or Ihou'd 

Be mighty ready to do good ; 

But makes a diif'rence in iiis thought 

Betwixt a guinea and a groat. 

Now this I '11 fay j you '11 find in me 
A fafe companion, and a free ; 
But if you'd have me always near — • 
A word, pray, in your Honour's ear. 
I hope it is your refolution 
To give me back my Conltitution ! 
The fprightly wit, the lively eye, 
Th' engaging fm.ile, the gaiety. 
That laiigh'd down many a fummer fun^ 
And kept you up fo oft till one j 
And all that voluntary vein, 
As when Belinda rais'd my ftrain. 

A weazel once made (hift to (link 
In at a corn-loft thro' a chink; 
But, having amply fluff 'd his fkin. 
Could not get out as he got in : 
Which one belonging to the houf€ 
('Twas not a man, it was a moufe) 
Obferving, cried, " You 'fcape not io ; 
" Lean as you came, fir, you muft go."* 

Sir, you may fpare your application, 
I ']n no fuch beail, nor his relation ; 
Nor one that temperance advance, 
Cramm'd to the throat with Ortolans ; 
Extremely ready to refign 
All that may make me none of mine. 
South-fea fubfcriptions take who pleafe. 
Leave me but liberty and eafe. 
'Twas what I faid to Cragga and Child, 
Who prais'd my modelty, and fmil'd. 
Give me, I cried (enough for me). 
My bread, and independency I 
60 bought an annual rent or two. 
And liv'd — juft as you fee I do ; 
Near fifty, and without a wife, 
I truft that finking fund, my life. 
Can I retrench? Yes, mighty well 5 
Shrink back to my paternal cell, 
A little houfe, with trees a-row. 
And, like its mafter, very low. 
There died my father, no man's debtor—. 
And there I '11 die, nor worfe nor better. 

To let this matter full before ye, 
Our old friend Swift will tell his ftory : 

<' Harley, the nation's great fupport,"— 
But you may read it, I ftop fhort. 

SATIRE VI. 

The firjl part ijjiitated in the year iji^hy Dr. 
Sivift 5 the latter. part added afternianij. 

I 'vE often wilh'd that I had clear. 
For life, fix hundred pounds a-year, 
A handfome houfe to lodge a friend, 
A river at my garden's end, 
A terrace walk, and half a rood 
Of land fet out to plant a wood. 

Well, 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, Sec. 



2%, 



Well, now I have all this and more, 
I afk not to increafe my ftore ; 

* But here a grievance feems to He, 

* All this is mine but till I die j 

* I can't but think 't would found more clever 
*' To me, and to my heirs for ever." 

' If I ne'er got or lolt a groat 
' By any tiicic or any fault ; 

* And if I pray by reafon's rules, 

* And .not like forty other fools, 

* As thus : " Vouchfafe, O gracious Maker ! 
** To grant me this and t' other acre j 

" Or if it be thy will and pleafure, 

" Direct my plough to find a treafure j" 

* But only wi-.at my ilation fits, 

* And to be kept in my right wits : 

* Prelerve, Almighty Providence ! 

* Juii what you gave me, competence: 

* And let m.e ia tbefe fnades compofe 

* Something in verie as true as prole; 

* i^euiov\l tVom all th' ambitious fcene, 

* Nor puff M by pride, nor funk by fpieen.' 

In fhort, I "m perfedly content. 
Let me but live on this fide Trent; 
Nor crofs the Channel twice a year, 
To Ipend Mx months with ftatefmen here. 

I mult by all mea^is come to town, 
'Tis for the fervice of the crown. 
*• Lewis, the Dean will be of ufe; 
" Send for him up, take no excufe." 
The toil, the danger of the feas, 
Great minilters ne'er think of thefe j 
Or let it coll five hundred pound. 
No matter where the money 's found : 
It is but fo much more in debt, 
And that they ne'er coniider'd yet. 

" Good Mr. Dean, go change your gown, 
** Let my Lord know you 're come to town.'* 
I hurry me in hafte away. 
Not thinking it is levee-day ; 
And find his Honour in a pound, 
Hemm'd by a triple circle round, 
Chequer'd with ribbons blue and green ; 
How ihould I thruft myfelf between ? 
Some wag obferves me thus perplex'd. 
And fmiling, whii"pers to the next, 
" I thought the Dean had been too proud 
" To joftle here among a crowd." 
Another, in a furly fit. 
Tells me I have more zeal than wit : 
" So eager to exprefs your love, 
*' You ne'er confider wliom you fhove, 
" But rudely prefs before a Duke." 
I own I am pleas'd with this rebuke. 
And take it kindly meant to (hew 
What I delire the world (hould know. 

I get a whifper, and withdrav/ j 
When twenty fools I never faw 
Come with petitions fairly penn'd, 
Defiring I would fraud their friend. 

This humbly ofrers me his cafe, 
That begs my int'reli for a place : 
A hundred other men's affairs. 
Like bees, ai-e humming in my ears. 



" To-morrow my appeal comes on ; 

" Without your help the caufe is gone—"' 

The Duke expefts my Lord and you. 

About fomc great aflairs, at two — 

" Put my Lord Bolingbroke in mind, 

" To get my warrant quickly fign'd : 

" Confider, 'tis my firft requeft," 

Be fatisfied, I '11 do my belt: 

Then prefently he falls to teafe. 

" You may for certain, if you pleafe ; 

" I doubt not, if his Lordfhip knew — 

" And, Mr. Dean, one word from you — '*' 

'Tis (let me fee) three years and more 
(October next it will be four) 
Since Harlcy bid me iirlt ittend. 
And chofe nie for a humble friend; 
VVould take me in his coach to chat. 
And quelaon me of this and that ; 
As, * What's o'clock,' and ' How's the wind V. 

* Whofe chariot 's that we left behind ?' 
Or gravely try to read the lines 

Writ underneath the country figns; 
Or, ' Have you nothing new to-day 

* From' Pope, from Parnell, or from Gay?' 
Such tattle often entertains 

My Lord and me as far as Stains; 
As once a week we travel down 
To Windlbr, and again to Tov/n, 
Where all that paffes viter ms 
Might be proclaim'd at Charing- Crofs. 

Yet fome I know with envy fvvel^, 
Becaufe they fee me us'd i'o well : 
" How think you of our friend the Dean? 
" I wonder what fbme people mean ; 
' My Lord and he are grown fo great, 
' Always together iPte-a-tcte] 
' Vv^hat, they admire him for his jokes— • 
" See but the fortune of fbme folks!" 
There fiies about a llrange I'eport 
Of fbme expreis aniv'd at Court : 
I 'm flopp^i by ail the fools I meet, 
And catechis'd in ev'ry ftreet. 
" You, Mr. Dean, frequent the Great; 
" Inform us, will the Emp'ror treat ? 
" Or do the prints and papers lie ?" 
Faith, Sir, you know as much as I. 
" Ah, Do6tor, how you love to jell 1 
" 'Tis now no fecret" — I proteft 
'Tis one to me — " Then tell us, pray, 
" When are the troops to have their pay ?*' 
And, tho' I folemnly declare 
I know no more than my Lord IMayor, 
They ftand amaz'd, and think me grown 
The cloiefl mortal ever known. 

Thus, in a fea of folly tofc, 
My choicefl hours of life are lofl; 
Yet always wifliing to retreat, 
Oh, could T fee my country feat! 
There, leaning near a gentle brook. 
Sleep, or perufe fome ancient bookj 
And there in fweet oblivion drown 
Thofe cares that haunt the court and town. 
Oh" charming noons, and nights divine! 
Or when I fup, or when I dine, 

" My 



i 



ft84 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IT, 



My friends above, my folks below. 

Chatting and laughing all a-row. 

The beans and bacon fet before 'em, 

The grace-cup ferv'd with all decorum: 

Each willing to be pleas'd, and pleafe, 

And even the very do^s at eafe ! 

Here no man prates of idle things, 

Kow this or that Italian lings, 

A neighbour's madnefsj'.or his fpoufe's. 

Or what's in either of the houfes: 

But foi.iething much more our concern. 

And quite a fcandal not to learn : 

Which is the happier, or the wifer, 

A man of merit, or a mifer ? 

Whether we ought to choofe our friends 

For their own worth, or our own ends ? 

What good, or better, we may call. 

And Avhat, the very bell of all r 

Our friend Dan Prior told (you know) 

A tale extrem.ely a propos : 

Name a town life, and in a trice 

He had a llory of two mice. 
Once on a time, fo runs the fable, 
A country moufe, right hofpitable, 
Receiv'd a town moufe at his board,. 
Juft as a farmer might a lord. 

A frugal moufe upon the whole. 

Yet lov'd his friend, and had a foul : 

Kn^w vi'hat was handfome, and would do 't. 

On juft occalion, coute qui conte. 

He brought him bacon (nothing lean). 

Pudding that might have pleas'd a dean j 

Cheefe, fuch as men in Suffolk make, 

But wiflrd it Stilton for his fake 5 

Yet, to his guell tho' no w:iy iparing, 

He ate himfelf the rind and paring. 

Our courtier fcarce would touch a bit. 

But ftiew'd his breeding and his wit: 

He did his bed to feem to eat, 

Afid cried : " I vow you 're mighty neat. 

*' But, Lord 1 my friend, the lavage icene ! 

*' For God's fake, come and live with men: 

" Ccnfider, mice like men mult die, 

*' Both fmall and great, both you and I : 

" Then fpend your life in joy and fport ; 

" This doctrine, friend, I learn'd at court.'* 

The verieft hermit in the nation 
May yield, God knows, to ftrong temptation. 
Away they come, thro' thick and thin, 
To a tail houfe near Lincoln's-Inn : 
'Twas on the night of a debate. 
When all their lordfnips had fat late. 

Behold the place where, if a poet 
Shin'd in defcription, he might ftiew it ; 
^ Tejl how the moon-beam trembling falls. 
And tips with filver all the walls j 
Palladian walls, Venetian doors, 
Grotefco roofs, and llucco floors: 
But let it, in a word, be faid. 
The moon was up, and men a bed. 
The napkins white, the carpet red : 
The guefts withdrawn had left the treat, 
And 4pwn the mice fat, tHe-a-t<U. 



Our courtier walks from dllh to difh, 
Taftes for his friend of fowl and fifh ; 
Tells all their names, lays down the law, 
" Sine ^a eji bon ! Ah, goutez. f« / 
" That jelly's rich, this malmfey healing j 
" Pray dip your whiikers and your tail in.'* 
Was ever fuch a happy fwain > 
He ftuffs and fwills 5 and fluffs again. 
" I 'm quite afliam'd — 'tis mighty rude 
" To eat fo much— but all's fo good ! 
" I have a thoufand thanks to give — 
" My lord alone knows how to live.'* 
No fooner faid, but from the hall 
Rufli chaplain, butler, dogs and all : 
" A rat ! a rat ! clap to the door." — 
The cat comes bouncing on the floor ! 
O for the heart of Homer's mice. 
Or gods, to fave them in a trice ! 
(It was by Providence, they think. 
For your damn'd ftucco has no chink.) 
" An't pleafe your Honour," quoth thepeafant, 
" This fame defiert is not fo pleafant: 
" Give me again my hollow tree, 
" A cruft of bread and liberty!" 



ODE 



:. B O O K IV. 

To Venus, 



Again ? new tumults in my breaft ? 
Ah fpare me, Venus! let me, let me reft! 

I am not now, alas 1 the man 
As in the gentle reign of my queen Anne. 

Ah found no more thy foft alarms, 
Nor circle fober fifty with thy charms! 

Mother too fierce of dear defires ! 
Turn, turn, to willing hearts your wanton fires. 

To number ji<ve direCl your doves, [loves j 
There fpread round Murray all your blooming 

Noble and young, v.'ho Itrikes the heart 
With ev'ry fprightly, ev'ry decent, partj 

Equal, the injur'd to defend. 
To charm the miftrefs, or to fix the friend. 

He, with a hundred arts refin'd. 
Shall ftretch thy conquefts over half the kind: 

To him each rival ftiallfubmit. 
Make but his riches equal to his wit. 

Then (hall thy form the marble grace 
(Thy Grecian form), and Chloe lend the face: 

His houi'e embofom'd in the grove. 
Sacred to focial life and focial love, 

Shall glitter o'er the pendant green, 
Where Thames reflefts the vifionary fcene: 

Thither the filver founding lyres 
Shall call the fmiling loves and young defires : 

There ev'iy grace and mufe fliall throng. 
Exalt the dance, or animate the fong ; 

There youths and nymphs, in concert gay, 
Shall hail the rifing, ciofe the parting day. 

With me, alas ! thofe joys are o'er ; 
For me the vernal garlands bloom no more. 

Adieu, fond hope of mutual fire ! 
The ftill-believing, ftill renew'd defire; 

Adievi, the heart-expanding howl ! 
And all the kind deceivers of the foul ! 

But 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



a«5 



But why ? ah tell me, ah, too dear 1 
Steals down my check th' involuntary tear ? 

Why words io fiowing, thoughts fo free. 
Stop, or turn nonfenfe, at one glance of thee ? 

Thee, drell: in fency's airy beam, 
Abfent I follow thro^ th' extended dream; 

Now, now, I ceafe, I clalb thy charms. 
And now you burft (ah cruel !) from my arms ; 

And fwiftly Ihoot along the Mall, 
Or foftly glide by the Canal ; 

Now Iht'wn by Cynthia's filver ray, 
And now on rolling' waters fnatch'd away. 

Part of the Ninth Ode cf the Fourth Book, 

A FRAGMENT. 

Lest you ftiould think that verfe fhall die. 

Which founds the illver Thames along. 
Taught on the wings of truth to fly, 

Above the reach of vulgar fong. 
Tho' daring Milton fits fublime. 

In Spenfer native mufes play; 
Nor yet fhall Waller yield to time. 

Nor penfive Cowley's moral lay. 

Sages and chiefs long fmce had birth, 
Ere Csfar was, or Nevvton nam'd ; 

Thefe raisM new empires o'er the earth, 
And thofe new heavens and fyftems fi-am'd. 

Vain was the chiers, the fage's pride ! 
They had no poet, and they died; 
In vain they fchera'd, in vain they bled I 
They had no poet, and are dead. 



§ 23. A Panegyric to my Lord ProteBor, of the 
prefent GreainefSy and joint Intereji of his 
High fiefs and this Nation. Waller. 

While with a ftrong, and yet a gentle hand, 
You bridle fa6lion, and our hearts command, 
Proteft us from ourfelves, and from the foe. 
Make us unite, and make us conquer too : 

Let partial fpirits Itill aloud complain. 
Think themfelves injur'd that they cannot reign ; 
And own no liberty, hut where they may 
Without controul upon their fellows prey. 

Above the waves as Neptune (hew'd his face 
To chide the winds, and fave the Trojan race. 
So has your Highnefs, rais'd above the reft. 
Storms of ambition, tolfing us, reprefs'd. 
Yo\ir drooping country, torn with civil hate, 
Reltor'd by you, is made a glorious ftate ; 
Tlie feat of empire, where the Irifli come. 
And the unwilling Scots, to fetch their doom. 

The fea's our own : and now all nations greet, 
With bending fails, each veifel of our fleet : 
Your pow'r extends as far as winds can blow. 
Or fwelling fails upon the globe may go. 

Heaven (that hath plac'd this ifland to give law, 
To balance Europe, and her ftates to awe) 
In this coniunftion doth on Britain fmile ; 
The greatell Leader, and the greateft Ille I 



Whether this portion of the world were rent 
By the rude ocean from the continent, 
Or thus created ; it was fure deii^n'd 
To be the facred refuge of mankind. 

Hither th' oppreiTed fiiall henceforth refort, 
Jultice to crave, and fuccour, at your court j 
And then your Highnefs, not for ours alone, 
But for the world's Proteftor fliall be known. 

Fame, fwifter than your wing'd navy, flies 
Through ev'ry land that near the ocean lies ; 
Sounding your name, and teliir.g dreadful news 
To all that piracy and rapine u!e. 
With fuch a Chief the meaneft nation bleft. 
Might hope to lift her head above the reft j 
What may be thought impoflibie to do 
By us, embraced by the Sea and You ? 
Lords of the world's great wafte, the ocean, we 
Whole forefts fend to reign upon the feaj 
And ey'r}' coaft may trouble or relieve; 
But none can vifit us without your leave. 
Angels and we have this prerogative. 
That none can at our happy feats arrive ; 
While we defcend at pleafure to invade 
The bad with vengeance, and the good to aid. 
Our little world, the image of the great, 
Like that, amidft the bound iefs ocean fet. 
Of her own growth hath all that nature craves; 
And all that's rare, as tribute from the wave*. 
As Egypt does not on the clouds rely. 
But to the Nile owes more than to the fky ; 
So what our earth, and what our heaven, denies, 
Our ever-conftant friend, the fea, fupplies. 
The tafce of hot Arabia's fpice we know. 
Free from the fcorching fun that makes it grow; 
Without the worm, in Perfian flks we fhine; 
And, without planting, drink of ev'iy vine. 
To dig for wealth we weaiy not our limbs; 
Gold, though the heavieft metal, hither fwims i 
Ours is the harveft where the Indians mow ; 
We plough the deep, and reap what others ibw. 
Things of the nobleft kind our own foil breeds; 
Stout are our men, and warlike are our fteeds : 
Rome, tho' her eagle thro' the world liad flown. 
Could never make this ifiaad all her own,. 
Here the thirdEdward, and theBlack Prince too, 
France-conqu'ring Kenry, flourifn'd ; and now 

You; 
For whom we ftay'd, as did the Grecian ftate. 
Till Alexander came to urge their fate. 
When for more worlds the Macedonian cried. 
He will not Thetis in her lap did hide 
Another yet ; a world referv'd for you 
To make more great than that he did fubdue. 
He fafely might old troops to battle lead, 
Againft th' unwarlike Perlian and the Mede; 
Whofe hafty flight did, from a bloodlefs field, ^ 
More fpoils than honour to the viftoryield. 
A race unconquer'd, by their clime made bold. 
The Caledonians, arm'd with want and cold. 
Have, by a fate indulgent to your fame. 
Been from all ages kept for you to tame. 

Whom 



286 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



Whom the old Romnn wall lb ill confin'd. 
With a new chain of garrilbns you bind : 
Here foreign gold no more Ihal 1 make them come; 
Our Enghlh iron holds them fait at home. 
They, that henceforth muft be content to know 
No warmer region than their hills of fnow, 
May blame the fun ; but muft extol your Grace> 
W^hich in our fenate hath allow'd tliem place. 
Preferred by conqueft, happily overthrown, 
Falling they rife, to be with us made one: 
So kind dictators made, when they cam.e home. 
Their vanquifh'd foes free citizens of Rome. 
Like favour find the Irifli, with like fate, 
Advanced to be a portion of our ftate 5 
While by your valour, and your bounteous 
Nations divided by the fea are join'd. [mind, 

Holland, to gain your friendfnip, is content 
To be our out-guard on the Continent: 
She from her fellow-provinces would go, 
Kather than hazard to have yon her foe. 

In our late fight, w-hen cannons did diffufe, 
Preventins; polls, the terror and the news, 
Our neighbour-princes trembled at their roar; 
But our conjundtion makes them tremble more. 

Your never-failing fword made war to ceafe ; 
And now you heal us with the a6ts of peace. 
Our minds with bounty and with awe engage, 
Invite affeftion, and reftrain our rage. 

Lefs pleafure take brave minds in battles won. 
Than in reftoring fuch as are undone ; 
Tigers have coiirage, and the rugged bear; 
But man alone can whom he conquers fpare. 
To pardon willing, and to puniih loth. 
You ftrike with one hand,bur you heal with both: 
Lifting up all that prollrate lie, you grieve 
You cannot make the dead again to live. 

When fate or error had our age mified. 
And o'er this nation fuch confufion fpread ; 
The only cure which could from heaven come 

down, 
Was fo much powV and piety in one ! 

One, whofe extraction from an ancient line 
Gives hope again that well-born men may fiiine : 
The meaneft, in your nature mild and good ; 
The noble, reft fecured in your bjood. 

Oft have we wonder'd, hov./ you hid in peace 
A mind proportion'd to fuch things as thefe ; 
How fuch a ruling fp'rit you could reftrain. 
And praftife firft over yourfelf to reign. 

Your private life did a juft pattern give, | 

Hou' fathers, huft)ands, piougFjfons, (liould live j| 
Born to command, your princely virtues flept, 
Like humble David's, while the flock he kept. 

Butwhen yourtroubled country cail'd youforth, 



Changed like the world's great fcene ! when with- 
out noife 
The riling fun night's vulgar lights deftroys. 
Had you, fome ages paft, this race of glory 
Run, with amazement we ihould read your ftor}^j 
But living virtue, all achievements paft, 
Meets envy ftill to grapple with at laft. 

This Csefar found ; and that ungrateful age, ' 
With lofing him, went back to blood and rage : 
Miftaken Brutus thought to break their yoke. 
But cut the bond of union with that ftroke. 

That fun once fet, a thoufand meaner ftars 
Gave a dim light to violence and wars; 
To fuch a tempeft as now threatens all. 
Did not your mighty arm prevent the fail. 
If Rome's great fenate could notwieldthatfword. 
Which of the conquer'd world had made them 
lord, [new. 

What hope had ours, while yet their pow'r was 
To rule victorious armies, but by you ? 

You, that had taught them to fubdue their foes. 
Could orderteach,andtheirhighfp'ritscompofe: 
To ev'ry duty could their minds engage. 
Provoke their courage, and command their rage. 
So, when a lion ihakes his dreadful mane. 
And angry grows, if he that firft took pain 
To tame his youth, approach the haughty beaft. 
He bends to him, but frights away the reft. 
As the vex'd world, to find repofe, at laft 
Itfelf into Auguftus' arms did caft ; 
So England now does, with like toil oppreft. 
Her weary head upon your bofom reft. 
Then let the Mufes with fuch notes as thefe 
Inftru6t us what belongs unto our peace ! 
Your battles they hereafter ftiall -indite. 
And draw the image of our Mars in fight; 

Tell of towns ftorm'd, of armies over-run. 
And mighty kingdoms by your conduct won : 
How, while you thunder'd, clouds of duft did 

choke 
Contending troops, and feas lay hid in fmoke. 

Illuftrious a£ts high raptures do infufe. 
And ev'ry conqueror creates a Mufe : 
Here in low ftrains your milder deeds we fing; 
But there, my Lord! we'll bays and olives bring;|. 
To crown your head; while )^ou in triumph ride 
O'er vanquifh'd nations, and the lea befide; 
While all your neighbour-princes unto you, 
Like Jofeph's flieaves, pay reverence and bow. 



§ 24. Coopers Hi/L Devkam. 

. Sure there are poets which did never dreara 
Upon Parn^flus, nor did tafte the ftream 
Of Helicon; we therefore may fuppofe 



Yourflaming courage and your matchlefs worth, j xhofe ma^ie not poets, but the poets thofe. 
Dazzling the eyes ot all that did pretend, j .^^j ^^ ^^Q^^j.^g ^,^;^^ uotkings,butkingsthecourt. 

So where the Mufes and their train refort» 



To fierce contention gave a profp'rous end. 
Still as you rife, the ftate, exalted too, 
Finds no diftemper while 'tis chang'd by youj 
7 



ParnalTus ftands ; if I can be to thee 
A post, thou Parnaftus art to me. 



Not- 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, ffc. 



2S7 



Nor wonder, if (advantaged in my flight 
By taking wing from thy aufpicious height) 
Through untrac'd ways and airy paths I Hy, 
More boundlefs in my fancy than my eye : 
My eye,wluch fwiftas thought contradl:s the fpace 
That lies between, and firft falutes the place 
Crown'd with that facredpile, fovaft, fo high, 
That whether 'tis a part of earth or Iky 
Uncertain Teems, and may be thought a proud 
Al'piring mountain, or dclcending cloud, [flight 
Paul's, the late theme of liich a Mufe * whole 
Has bravely reach'd and foar'd above thy height: 
Now dial t thou ftand, thoM'word,ortime, oriire. 
Or zeal more fierce than they, thy fall confpire 3 
Secure whilil thee the beft of poets fmgs, 
Preferv'd from ruin by the belief kings. 
Under his proud furvey the city lies, 
And, like a mift beneath a hill, doth rife; 
Whofe ilate and wealth, the bufmefs and the 
Seem at this dillance but a darker cloud ; [crowd, 
And Is, to him who rightly things eiieems, 
No other in efleft than what it feems : 
Where, with likehafte. thoMeveral ways they run 
Some to undo, and feme to be undone ; 
While luxuiy and wealth, like war and peace. 
Are each the other's ruin and increafe ; 
As rivers lofl in feas fome fecret vein 
Thence reconveys, there to be loft again. 
Oh liappinefs of Iweet retir'd content ! 
To be at once fecure and innocent. 
Windfor the next( whereMarswithVenus dwells, 
Beauty with ftrength) above the valley fwells 
Into my eye, and doth itfelf prefent 
With fuch an eafy and unforc'd afcent, 
That no ffupendous precipice denies 
Accefs, no liorror turns away our eyes j 
But fuch a rife as doth at once invite 
A pleafure and a rev'rence from the fight. 
Thy mighty mailer's emblem, in whole face 
Sat meeicnefs, heighten'd with rhajellic grace ; 
Such feems thy gentle height, made only proad 
To be the bans of that pompous load. 
Than which a nobler weight no mountain bears, 
But Atlas only w^hich fupports the fpheres. 
WhenNature'shandthisgrounddidthusadvance, 
'Twas guided by a wilerPow'r than Chance j 
Maik'd out for fuch an ufe, as if 'twere meant 
T' invite the builder, and his choice prevent. 
Nor can we call it choice, when what wechoofe 
Folly orblindnefs only could refule. 
A crown of fuch majeftic tow'rs doth grace 
The gods' great mother, when her heav'nly race 
Do homage to her; yet fhe cannot boall, 
Among that num'rous and celeftial hoft, 
More heroes than can Windfor ; nor dolh Fame 
Immortal book record more noble names. 
Not to look back {o far, to whom this ille 
Owes the firft glory of (b brave a pile. 
Whether to Ca;lrir, Albanaft, or BriUe, 
The Britilh Arthur, or the Danifn Cnute, 
(Though this of old no lefs contcfl did move, 



(Like him in birth, thou fliouldftbelikein fame. 
As thine his fate, if mine had been his flame) 
But whofbe'er it was, Nature defign'd 
Firft a brave place, and then as brave a mind. 
Not to recount thofe fev'ral kings, to whom 
It gave a cradle, or to whom a tomb j 
But thee, great Edward, and thy greater fonf , 
(The lilies which his father wore he won). 
And thy BellonaJ, who the conlbrt came 
Not only to thy bed, but to thy fame. 
She to thy triumph led one captive king§. 
And brought that fonwhichdidthefecondbringS, 
Then didlt thou found that order (whether love 
Orvidtory thy royal thoughts did move, 
Each was a noble caufe, and nothing lefs 
Than the delign has been the great fuccefs). 
Which foreign kings and emperors efteem 
The fecond honour to their diadem. 
Had thy great deltiny but given theefkill 
To know, as well as pow'r to a6l, her will; 
That from thofe kings, wdio then thy captives- 
In after-times fhould fpring a royal pair, [were. 
Who fhould poflefs all that thy mighty pow'r. 
Or thy defires more mighty, did devour ; 
To whom their better fate referves whate'er 
The vi6lor hopes for, or the vanquifh'd fearj 
That blood which thou and thy great grandfire 
And all that fmcet^iefe fifter nations bled, [fhed. 
Had been unfpilt, had happy Edward known 
That all the blood he fpilt had been his own. 
When he that patron chofe, in whom are join'd 
Soldier and martyr, and his anus confined 
Within the azure circle, he did feera 
But to foretel and prophecy of him 
Who to his realms that azure round hath joinM, 
"Which Nature for their bound at firft defign'd ; 
That bound which to the world's extremeit ends, 
Endlel's itfelf, its liquid arms extends. 
Nor doth he need thofe emblems whicli we paint. 
But is himfelf the foldier and the faint. 
Here lliould my wonder dwell.and heremypraife. 
But my fix'd thoughts my wand'ring eye betrays. 
Viewing a neighb'ring hill, whole top of late 
A chapel crown'd, till in the common fate 
Th' adjoining abbey fell (may no fuch ftorm 
Fall on our times, whei^e ruin muft reform !) 
Tell me, my Mule, whatmonflrous dire offence. 
What crime, could any Chriftian king incenfe 
To fuch a rage ? Was't luxury, or luft ? 
Was he fb temperate, fo chafte, fo juft ? [more : 
Were thefe their crimes? They were his ownmuch 
But wealth is crime enough to him that's poor j 
Who, having fpent the treafures of his crown, 
Conde)"ns their luxury to feed his own. 
And yet this ail, to varnifli o'ei* the fharae 
Of facrilege, muft bear Devotion's name, 
No crime lb bold but would be underflood 
A real, or at leaft a feeming, good : 
I Who fears not to do ill, yet fears the name, 
1 And, free from conlcience, is a flave to fame : 
i Thus he the church al once protects and f polls: 



Than when forKomer's birth kven cities llrove;) *But princes' fwords are Iharnertlian their Ityles. 

And 
» Mr. Waller. . f EJwanUir. an 1 the Black Prince. ;;. Queen Phil: ppa, 

^ § Tne Kin;;s of France and ScoilaaJ. 



£S8 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



And thus to th' ages paft he makes amends, 
Their charity deftroys, their foith defends. 
Then did religion in a lazy cell, 
In empty airy'contemplations dwell ; 
And, like the block, unmoved lay : but ours. 
As much too a6live, like the llork devours. 
Is there no temperate region can be known 
Betwixt their frigid and our torrid zone ? 
Could we not wake from that lethargic dream. 
But to be reftlefs in a worfe extreme ? 
And for that lethargy was there no cure. 
But to be caft: into a calenture ? 
Can knowledge have no bound,but rauft advance 
So far, to make us wi fn for ignorance j 
And rather in the dark to grope our way. 
Than led by a falfe guide to err by day r 
Who fees thefe difnial heaps, but would dem.and 
What barbarous invader lackM the land ? 
But whenhe hears, no Goth, no Turk did bring 
This defclation, but a Chriftian king 5 
When nothing but the name of zeal appears 
■*Twixt our bell ailions and the M'orft of theirs 5 
Wfiat does he think our facrilege would fpare, 
When fuch th' effefts of our devotions are ? 
Parting from thence 'twdxt anger,(hame,and fear, 
Thofe for what's paft,and this forwhat'stoonear. 
My eye, defcending from the hill, furveys 
Where Thames among the wanton valleys ftrays. 
Thames, the moft lov'd of all the Ocean's fons 
By his old fire, to his embraces runs j 
Hailing to pay his tribute to the fea. 
Like mortal life to meet eternity. 
Tho' with thofe ftreams he no refemblance hold, 
Whole foam, is amber, and their gravel gold. 
His genuine and lefs guilty wealth t' explore, 
Search not his bottom, but furvey his (liore, 
O'er which he kindly fpreads his fpaciout win^. 
And hatches plenty for the enfuing fpringj 
Nor then deftroys it with too fond a Hay, 
Like mothers who their infants overlay 5 
Nor with a fudden and impetuous wnve, 
Like profufe kings, refumes the wealth he gave. 
fio unexpefted inundations fpoil 
The mower's hopes,or mock the plowman's toil: 
But godlike his unwearied bounty fiovvs ; 
Firft loves to do, then loves the good he does : 
Nor are his bleffings to his banks confin'd. 
But free and common, as the fea or wind ; 
When he, to boaft or to difperfe his (lores. 
Full of the tributes of his grateful ihores, 
Vifits the world, and in his flying tow'rs 
Brings home to us, and makes both Indies ours; 
Findswealth where'tis,beftowsit where it wants; 
Cities in deferts, woods in cities, plants. 
So that to us no thing, no place is itrange. 
While his fair bofom is the world's exchange. 
O could I flow like thee, and make thy ftream 
My great example, as it is my theme 1 
Tho' deep, yet clear ; tho' gentle, yet not dull j 
Strong without rage, without o'erfiowing full. 
Heaven her Eridanus no more fliall boaft, 
Whofe fame in thine, like lefler current, 's loft. 



Thy nobler ftreams fliall vifit Jove's abodes, 
To ftiine among the ftars*, and bathe the gods. 
Here nature, whether more intent to pleale 
Us for herfelf, with ftrange varieties, 
(For things of Avonder give no lefs delight 
To the wile Maker's than beholder's fight : 
Tho' thefe delights from fev'ral caufes move ; 
For fo our children, thus our friends we love,) 
Wifely file knew, the harmony of things, 
As well as that of founds, from difcord fprings. 
Such was the difcord which did firft difperfe 
Fonu, order, beauty, through the univerfc j 
While drynefs moifture, coldnefs heat refifts, 
All that we have, and that we are, fuhfifts. 
While the fteep horrid roughnefs of the wood 
Strives with the gentle calmnefs cf the flood. 
Such huge extremes when nature doth unite. 
Wonder from thence refultS;frcm thence delimit: 
The ftream is fo tranfparent, pure and clear. 
That had the felf-enr.mour'd youth gaz'd here, 
So fatally deceiv'd he had not been. 
While he the bottom, not his face, had feen. 
But his proud head the airy mountain hides 
Among the clouds; his Ihoulders and his fides 
A fnady mantle clothes ; his curled brows 
Frown on the gentle ftream, which calmly flowsj 
While winds and ftorms his lofty forehead beat. 
The common fate of all that's high or great. 
Low at his foot a fpacious plain is plac'd. 
Between the mountain and the ftream embrac'd j 
Which fhade and fiielter from the hill derives. 
While the kind river wealth and beauty gives;. 
And in the mixture of all thefe appears 
V^iety, which all the reft endears. 
This icene had fome bold Greek or Britifh bard 
Beheld of old, what ftories had we heard 
Of furies, fatyrs, and the nymphs their dames, 
Their feafts, their revels,and theiram'rousflames! 
'Tis ftill the fame, although their airy fliape 
All but a quick poetic fight efcape. 
There Faunus and Sylvanus keep their courts. 
And thither all the horned hoft reforts 
To graze the ranker mead, that noble herd. 
On whofe fublime and Ihady fronts is rear'd 
Nature's great mafter -piece; to fliew hovvfoon 
Great things are made, but fooner are undone. 
Here have I feen the King, when great affairs 
Gave leave to ft^icken and unbend his cares. 
Attended to the chace by ail the flow'r 
Of youth, whofe hopes a nobler prey devour : 
Pleafure with praife,and danger they would buy. 
And \\-i\\\ a foe that would not only fly. 
The flag, now confcious of his fatal growth. 
At once indulgent to his fear and floth, 
To fome daik covert his retreat had made, 
Where norman's eyes nor heaven^s flior.ld invade 
His foft repofe; when th' unexpected found 
Of dogs, and men, his wakeful ear does wound : 
Rous'd with the noife, he fcarce believes his ear, 
Willing to think th' illufions of bis fear 
Had given this falfe alarm, but ftraight his vievsr 
Confirms, that more than all his fears is true. 

Betniy'd 



* The foreft. 



Book IT. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIP T I V E, &c. 



1S9 



Betray 'd in all his ftrengths, the wood befetj 
All inftruments, all arts of ruin met; 
Hecalistomind hisftrength,and then hisfpeed 
His winged heeis, and then his armed head; 
"With the/e t' avoid, with that his fate to meet 
But fear prevails, and bids him truft his feet. 
So fait he flies, that his reviewing eye 
Has loll the chafers, and his ear the cry; 
Exulting, 'till he flnds their nobler fenih 
Their difproportion'd fpeed doth recompenfe; 
Then curies his confpiring feet, whofe fcent 
Betrays that iafety which their fwiftnefs lent. 
Then tries his friends; among the ba("er herd, 
Where he fo lately was obey'd and fear'd, 
His fafety feeks; the herd, unkindly wife, 
Or chafes him from thence, or from him flies; 
Like a declining ftatefman, left forlorn 
To his friends' pity, and purfuers' fcorn, 
Wit^ ihame remembers, while himfelf was one 
Of the fame herd, himfelf the lame had done. 
Thence to the coverts and the confcious groves, 
The (bene of his pail triumphs and his loves; 
Sadly lurveying where he rang'd alone 
Prince of the foil, and all the herd his own; 
And, like a bold knight errant, did proclaim 
Combat to all, and bore away the dame; 
And taught the woods to echo to the irream 
His dreadful challenge and his clafhingbeam. 
Yet faintly now declines the fatal flrife. 
So much his love was dearer than his life. 
Now ev'iy leaf and ev'iy moving breath 
Prelents a foe, and ev'ry foe a death. 
Wearied, forlaken, and purfiied, at laft 
All lafety in defpair of fafety plac'd. 
Courage he thence refumes, refolv'd to bear 
All their aluiults, fnice 'tis in vain to fear. 
And now, too late, he v/iflies for the fight 
That Itrength he wafced in ignoble flight: 
But when he fees the eager chace renew'd, 
Himfelf by dogs, the dogs by men purfued, 
He fcraight revokes his bold refoive, and more 
Repents his courage than his fear before; 
Poinds that uncertain vvays unfafell are. 
And doubt a greater mii'chief than defpair. 
Then to the llream,when neitherfriends norforce, 
Nor fpeed, nor art avail, he ihapes his courfe; 
Thinks not their rage fo defp'rate to efiity 
An element more mercilels than they. 
But fearlefs tliey purfue, nor can the flood 
Quench their dire thirft; a!as,th€y thirft for blood! 
So towards a ftiip the oar-finn'd gallies ply, 
Which wanting fea to ride, or wind to fly, 
Stands but to fall reveng'd on thoi'e that dare 
Tempt the laft fury of extreme defpair. 
So fares the fl:ag among th' eii^-aged hounds, 
RepeIstheirforce,andwoundsreturnsforwounds. 
And as a hero, Avhom his bafer foes 
In troops furround, now thefe allails, now thofe ; 
Through prodigal of life, difdains to die 
By common hands ; but if he can defcry 
Some nobler foe approach, to him he calls, 
And begs his fate, and then contented falls : 



So when the king a mortal fhaft lets fly 
From his unerring hand, then glad to die, 
Proud of the wound, to it refigns his blood. 
And ftains the cryftal with a purple flood. 
This a more innocent and happy chace. 
Than when of old, but in the felf-fame place, 
Fair Liberty purfued*, and meant a prey 
To lawlefs pow'r, here turn'd and itood at bay. 
When in that remedy all hope was plac'd 
Which was, or fliould have been at lealt, the laft. 
Here was that charter feal'd, wherein the crown 
A 11 marks of arbitraiy pow'r lays down : 
Tyrant and flave, thofe names of hate and fear. 
The happier ftyle of king and fubjeft bear: 
Happy, when both to the lame centre move, 
When kings give liberty, and fubjecls love. 
Therefore not: long in force this charter Itood ; 
Wanting that feal, it mufl: be feal'd in blood. 
The fubje61-s arm"d, the more their princes gave, 
Th' advantage only took the more to crave ; 
Till kings by giving give themfelves away, 
And ev'n that pow'r that flnould deny betray. 
"Who gives conftrain'd, but his own fear reviies; 
"Not think'd, but fcornM; nor are they gifts, 

but fpoils." 
ThuskingSjbygrafpingmorethantheycouldhold, 
Firfi: made their fubjefts by oppreflion bold; 
And pop'lar fway, by forcing kings to give 
More than was fit for fubjeits to receive, 
Ran to thv'i fame extremes : and one excefs 
Made both, by ftriving to be greater, lefs. * 
When a calm river, rais'd with ludden rains,. 
Or fnows difiblv'(i,o'erflows th'adjoining plains. 
The hufbandmen withhigh-ruis'd banks fecure 
Their greedy hopes ; and this he can endure. 
But if with bays and dams they Ibive to force 
His channel to a new or narrow courfe. 
No longer then within his banks he dwells; 
Firft to a torrent, then a deluge fwells: 
Stronger and fiercer by reftraint he roars, [ihores. 
And knows no bound, but makes his jrow'r his 



§ 25. On Mr. Abraham Covjley^s Deaths and Bu, 
rial a?nonyft the ancletit Poets. Denham. 
Old Chaucer, like the morning itar. 
To us difcovers day from far ; 
His light thofe mills and clouds diflblv'd 
\¥hich our dark nation long involved j 
But, he defcending to the Ihades, 
Darknefs again the age invades. 
Next (like Aurora) Spenfer rofe, 
Whofe purple blufh the day fprefhews j 
The other three with his own fires 
Phoebus, the poet's god, infpires ; 
By Shakefpear's, Jonfon's, Fletcher's lin^ 
Our Itage's luftre Rome outlhines ; 
Thefe poets near our princes fleep. 
And in one grave our manfion keep 
They liv'd to fee fo many days. 
Till time had blafl:ed all their bays; 
But curfed be the fatal hour 
That pluck'd the faireft, fweeteft flow'r 

U That 



Runiiy MeatU 



'9© 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II, 



That in the mufe's garden grew. 

And amonglt wither'd laurels threw ! 

Thne, which made their fame out-live. 

To Cowley fcarce did riperiefs give. 

Old mother Wit and Nature gave 

Shakefpear and Fletcher all they have j 

In Spenfer, and in Jonfon, art 

Of flower nature got the ftart j 

But both in him i'o equal are, 

None knows which bears the happieft fliare. 

To him no author was unknown, 

Yet what he wrote was all his own ; 

He melted not the ancient gold, 

Nor, with Ben Jonfon, did make bold 

To plunder all the Roman ilores 

Of poets and of orators : 

Horace's wit, and Virgil's ftate, 

He did not fteal, bur emulate! 

And when he would like them appear, 

Their garb, but not their clothes, did wear: 

He not from Rome alone, but Greece, 

Like Jafon, brought the golden fieece; 

To him that language (though to none 

Of th' others) as his own vi^as known. 

On a fliff gale (as Flaccus fmgs) 

The Theban fwan extends his wings: 

"When thro' th' ethereal clouds he Hies, 

To the fame pitch our fwan doth rifej 

Old Pindar's flights by hirn are reacVd, 

When on that gale his wings are fuvtch'd: 

His fancy and his judgment fuch. 

Each to the other feem'd too muchj 

His (evers judgment (giving law) 

His modeft fancy kept in awe j 

As rigid hufbands jealous are. 

When they believe their wives too faii% 

His Englifli ilreams fo piire did fiow. 

As ail that faw and tailed know. 

But for his Latin vein, fo clear. 

Strong, full, and high, it doth appear, 

That, were immortal Virgil here, 

Him for his judge he would not fearj 

Of that great portraiture, fo t/ue 

A copy pencil never drew. 

My raufe her fong had ended here. 

But both their Genii itraight appear j 

Joy and amazement her did ftrike. 

Two twins fhe never faw fo like. 

'Twas taught by wife Pythagoras, 

One foul might through more bodies pafs; 

Seeing fuch tranfmigration there. 

She thought it not a fable herej 

Such a refemblance of all parts, 

Life, death, age, fortune, nature, arts ; 

Then lights her torch at theirs, to tell, 

And (hew the world this parallel : 

Fix'd and contemplative their looks, 

Still turning over nature's hooks: 

Their works chafte, mora), and divine. 

Where profit and delight combine j 

They, gilding dirt, in nobic verfe 

KulHc phiiolbphy rehearfe. 



When heroes, gods, or godlike kings 

They praife, on their exalted wings 

To the ceieliial orbs they climb. 

And with th' harmonious fpheres keep time: 

Nor did their a*^tions fall behind' 

Their words, but with like candour fhin'd ; 

Each drew fair characters, yet none 

Of thofe they feignM excels tlitir own. 

Both by two generous princes lov'd. 

Who knew, and judg'd what they approved ;^ 

Yet having each the fame defire. 

Both from the bufy throng retire. 

Their bodies, to their minds refign'd, 

Car'd net to propagate their kind: 

Yet though both fell before their hour, 

Tim.e on iheir oflspring hath no pow'rj 

Nor fire nor fate their bays fhall blafl, 

Nor death's d^rk yeil their day o'ercaft. 



§ 26. 



Jn EJjhy on TranJ\atedVerfe. 

Earl of Rofcommor^. • 
^^ Happ.y that author whofe correct eflliy* 
Repairs 10 wdi our old Horatian way: 
A-nd happy you, Avho (by propitious fate) 
On great Apollo's iacred fbndard wait. 
And with ilriil: difcipiine initruded right, 
Have Icarn'd to ufe your arms before you fight* 
But fmce the prefs/the pulpit, and the Hage, 
Confpire to ceni'ui-e and expofe our age j 
Provok'd too far, we refolutely mult, 
To the few virtues that vve have, he juft. 
For who have long'd or who have labour'duiore^ 
To fearch the tieafures of the Roman {tore, C 
Or dig in Grecian mines for purer ore ? S 

The nobleft fruits, transplanted iu oiir ifle, 
V^ith early hope and fi-agrazit bloffoms fmile. 
Familar Ovid tender thoughts infpires. 
And nature ft- conds all his fpft defires : 
Theocritus does now to us beiongj 
And Albion's rocks repeat his rural fong. 
Who has not heard how Italy was bleft 
Above the Medes, above the wealthy Eaft? 
Or Gall us' long fo tender and ;o true. 
As ev'n Lycoris might with pity view ! [hearfe. 
When mourning nymphs attend their Dc^hphis"' 
Who does not weep that reads the moving verfe? 
But hear, oh hear, in what exalted ftiains ■^ 
Siciliaii Mufes through thefe happy plains (( 
JProclaim Saturnian times — our own Apollo^ 

reigns! \ 

WhenFrance had breath'dafterinteflineb roils. 

And peace andcouqueftcrown'dherforeign toils. 

There (cultivated by a royal hand) 

Learning grew faft, and fpread, and blefs'd the 

land ; [known. 

The choicell bo '>ks that Rome or Greece have 
Her e^ccellent trmdiHrors made herownj 
And Furo[>e lliil confiderably gains 
Both by their good example and their pains. 
From hence onr generous emul?tion came 5 
We undertook, and we performed tlie lame. 



Jchn ShefueM Duke uf Buckingliam, 



Book II, 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



291 



But nowwe fliew the world a nobler way, 
And in tranflated verfe do more tlian they } 
Serene and clear harmonious Horace flows, 
With Iwcetnefs not to he exprel'sM in profe: 
Degrading profe explains his meaning ill. 
And fhews the ftiiff", but not the workman's (kill: 
I (whohavelerv'd him more than twenty years) 
Scarce know my mafter as he there appears. 
Vain are our neighbours' hopes, and vain their 

cares ; 
The fault is more their language's than theirs; 
*Tis courtly, iiorid, and abounds in words 
Of fofter found than ours perhaps affords j 
Bul^vhodid ever in French authors lee 
The comprehenfive Engliih energy ? 
The weighty bullion of one fterfing line,* 
Drawn to French wire, would thro' whole pages 

fhine. 
I fpeak my private but impartial fenfe, 
With freedom, and I hope without oifence ; 
For I '11 recant when France can fhew me wit 
As ftrongas ouis, and as fuccinftly writ. 
'Tis true, compoiing is a nobler part; 
B.ut good tranflation is no eafy art. 
For though materials have long (ince been found. 
Yet both your fancy and your hands are bound; i It mult delight us when 'tis linderftood. 



With how much eafe is ayoiingMufe betray 'dl 
How nice the reputation of the maid 1 
Your early, kind, paternal care appears, 
By chalie inltru6lion of her tender years'. 
The firfl imprefTion in her infant breait 
Will be the deepeft, and fhoulJ b- the belt. 
Let not aufterity bree^i fervile fear. 
No wanton found otfend her virgin car. 
Sec^-e-from foolifli pride's affefted ftate. 
And fpecious flatt'ry's more pernicious bait, 
Habitual ijinocence adorns her thoughts ; 
But your negle6l jnuft r.nfwer for her faults. . 

Iramodeft words admit of no defence ; 
For want of decency is want of fenfe. [(tews, 
What mov-^'rate fop would rake the Park or 
Who among troops oi fauitlels nymphs may 
Variety of inch is to be found : [choofe? 

Then take a fubjedt proper to expound ; _ 
But moral, great, and worth a poet's voice, 
For men of ienfe defpife a trivial choice : 
And fuch applaufe it mult expeCt to meet. 
As would fome painter bufy in a ftreet 
To copy bulls and bears, and ev'ry fign 
That calls the flaring fots to nafty v\ine. 

Yet 'tis not all to have a fubjecl good; 



And by improving what was writ before. 
Invention labours le(s, but judgment more. 

The foil intended for Pierian feeds 
y Muft be well purg'd fro}n rank pedantic v/eeds. 
Apollo Itarts, and all Parnaifus fliakes, 
At the rude rumbling Baralipton makes. 
For none have been Vvith admiration read. 
But who (behde tlieir learning) were v.-ell bred. 

Theiirlt great work (a talk perforra'd by few) 
Is, that yourielf may toyourielf be true: 
No maik, no tricks, no favour, no referve; 
Diifect your mind, examine ev'ry nerve. 
Whoever vainly on his ftrength depends, 
Begins like Virgil, but like Masvius ends. 
That wretch (in fpite of his forgotten rhymes), 
Condemn'd to live to all.fucceeding times, 
With pompous nonfenfe and a beilovving found. 
Sung lofty Ilinm tumbling to the ground. 
And (if my Mufe can through pjill ages fee) 
That noify, naufeous, gaping fool was he: 
Exploded w^^en, with univerfal fcorn. 
The mountains labour'^ and a moufe was born. 

Learn, learn, Crotona's brawny wreltler cries, 
Audacious mortals, and be timely wife ; 
'Tis I that call, remember Milo's end, 
Wedg'd in that timber which he ftrove to rend- 
Each poet with a difF'rent talent writes y 
One praifes, one inltru6ls, another bites. 
Horace did ne'er alpire to Epic bays, 
Nor lofty Maro ftoop to Lyric lays. 
Examine how your humour is inclined, 
And which the ruling paflion of your mind ; 
Then feek a poet who your way does bend. 
And choofe an author as you choofe a friend ; 
United by this fympathetic bond, 
You grow familiar, intimate, and fond; 
Your thoughts, your words, your Ityles, your 
h{o longer his inttrpietei-, but he. [rgul-va^rce. 



He that brings fulfome obje<5ts to my view 
(As many old have done, and many new) 
With naufeous images my fancy fills. 
And all goes down like oxymel of fquills. 
Inltru(5l the lilt'ning world how Maro iings 
Of ufefui fubjeftsand of lofty things. 
Thefe will fuch true, fuch bright ideas raife, • 
As merit gratitude as well as praife : 
But foul defcriptions are olfenfive llill, 
Either for being like, or being ill. 
For who, without a qualm, hath ever lr»ok'd 
On holy garbage, though by Homer cook'd ? 
Whofe railing he roes, and whofe v/ounded Gods, 
Make fome iufpeit he fnorea as well as nods. 
But I olfend-=-^Virgil bei^ins to frown. 
And Horace looks with indignation down; 
My bhilhing Mufe with conlcious fear retires. 
And whom they like Implicitly admires. 

On fure foundations let your fabric rife. 
And with attra6live majefcy furprife, 
Not by affefted meretricious arts. 
But ftrift harmonious fymmetr}' of parts ; 
Which through the whole infenftbly muft pais. 
With vital heat to animate the mafs : 
A pure, an active, and aufpicious flame, [came; 
And bright as heaven, from whence the blefUng 
But few, oh few, fouls pre-ordain'd by fate. 
The race of Gods, have reach'd that envied 
No rebel Titan's facrilegious crime, [height. 
By heaping hills on hills, can hither climb: 
The grizly ferryman of hell denied 
^neas entrance, till he knew his guide: 
How jul-tly then will impious mortals fidl, 
Whofe pridewouldfoarto.heaven without a caii! 
Pride (of all others the moit dang'rous fault) 
Proceeds from want of fenfe or want of thought. 
The men who labour and digeft things moft. 
Will he much, apter to defpond tiian boaft: 

U i Fof 



2^2 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IL 



For if yovCr ^ther be |)rbfoundly good, 
'Twill c6ft you dear before he 's undetftdod. 
How many ages fince has Virgil writ ? 
How few are they who underftand him yet ! 
Approach his altars with religious fear, 
No vulgar deity inhabits there : 
Heaven Ihakes not more at Jove's imperial hod, 
Than poets fhbuld before their Mantuan god. 
Hail, mighty Maro ! rhay that facred name 
Kindle my breaft with thy celeitial flame j 
Sublime ideas and apt words infufe ;[the Muf*! 
The Mufe inftruft my voice, ^^nd thou irtfpire 

What I have inilan'c'd only in the beft. 
Is, in proportion, true of all the reft. 
Take paiiis the genuine meaning to explore; 
There fweat, there ftrain, tug the laborious oar; 
Search ev'ry comment that your care can fmd 
Some here, fome there, may hit the poet's mind,' 
Yet be not blindly guide'd by the throng 5 
The multitude is always in the wrong. 
When things appear unnatural or hard, 
Confult your author, with himfelf compar'd j 
Who knows what blelling Phoebus may beftOw, 
And future ages to your labour owe ? 
Such fecrets are not eafily found out; 
But, once difcover'd, leave no room for doubt. 
Truth ftamps conviftion in yourravifti'd breall, 
And peace and joy attend the glorious gueft. 
Truth ftill is one; truth is divinely bright ; 
No cloudy doubts obfcure her native light ; 
While in your thoughts you find the lealt debate. 
You rnay confound, but never can tranflate. 
Your ftyle will this through all difguifes fbew. 
For none explain more clearly than they know. 
He only proves he underftands a text, 
Whoie expofition leaves it unperplex'd. 
They who too faithfully on names infill, 
Rather create than difiipate the mift; 
And grow unjuft by being over nice 
(For luperftitioiTS virtue turns to vice). 
Let Craifus' * ghoft and Labienus tell 
How twice in Parthian plains their legions fell 
Since Rome hath been fo jealous of lierfame, 
That few know Pacorus' or Monaifes' name. 

Words in one language elegantly us'd. 
Will hardly in another be excused. 
And fome that Rome admired in Caefar's time. 
May neither fuit our genius nor our clime. 
'The genuine fenfe, intelligibly told, 
Shev»7s a tranflator both diicrcet and bold. 

Excurfions are Inexpiably bad ; 
'And 'tis much fafer to leave out than add. 
Abftrufe and myfticthoughts you muftexprefs \ 
With painful care, but leeming ealinefs ; > 
For truth fliines brighteil thro' the plaineft5 

di'efs. 
Th'^nean Mufe, when fhe appears in fta'te. 
Makes all Jove's thunder on her verfes wait; 
Yet writes fometimes as foft and moving things 
As Venus fpeaks, or Philomela fings. 
Your author always will the beft advife; 
Fall when he falls, and when he rifes rife. 



Affefted noife is the moft wretched thing 
That to cohtempt can empty fcribblers bring. 
Vowels and accents, regularly plac'd. 
On even fyllables (and ftill the laft). 
Though grofs innumerable faults abound, 
In fpite of nonfenfe, never fail of found. 
But this is meant of even verfe alone, 
As being moft harmonious and moft known : 
For if you will unequal numbers try, 
There accents on odd fyllables muft lie. 
Whatever fifter of the learned Nine 
Does to your luit a willing ear incline. 
Urge your fuccefs, defetve a lafting name. 
She'll crown a grateful and a conftant flam** 
But if a wild uncertainty prevail. 
And turn your veering heart with ev'ry gale. 
You lofe the fruit of all your former care 
For the fad profpeft of a juft defpair. 



A quack (too fcandaloufly mean to natne) 
Had, by man-midwifery, got wealth and fame: 
As if Lucina had forgot her trade. 
The labouring wife invokes liis furer aid. 
Well-feafon'd bowls the goflip's fpirits raife, 
Who.whiiefhe guzzles, chats the doctor's praife; 
And largely what fhe wants in words fupplies 
With maudlin-eloquence of trickling eyes. 
But what a thoughtlefs animal is man ! 
How very a61:ive in his own trepan ! 
For greedy of phyflcians' frequent fees, 
From female m.ellow praife he takes degrees; 
Struts in a new unlicens'd gown, and then. 
From laving x^omen, falls to killing men. 
Another fuch had left the nation thin, 
In fpite of all the children he brought in. 
His pills as thick as hand-granadoes flew; 
And where they fell, as certainly they flew; 
His name ftruck every where as great a damp 
As Archimedes' through the P«oman camp. 
With this, the doner's pride began to cool ; 
For fmartir.g foundly may convjnce a fool. 
But now repentance came too late for grace ; 
And meagre famine ftar'd him in the face ; 
Fain v/ould he to the wives be reconcil'd, 
But found no hufband left to own a child. 
The friend^th-tt got the br.?ts were poifcn'd too; 
In this fad cafe what could our vermin do ? 
Worried with debts, and paft all 4iope of bail, 
Th' unpitied wretch lies rotting in a jail : 
And there with baficct-alms fcarce kept alive. 
Shews how miftaken talents ought to thrive. 

I pity, from my foul, unhappy men, 
Compeirj by want to proftitute their pen ; 
Who ?i-;ufL, like lawyers, either ftarve or plead, 
And follow, right or wrong, where guineas lead ! 
But you, Pompilian, wealthy pamper'd heh"s, 
Who to your country mve your fword sand cares. 
Let no vain hope your eafy n:ind feduce, 
For rich ill poets are without excufe, 
'Tis very dangerous, tampering with a mufe ; 
The profit's fmall, and you have much to lofe; 
For though true wit adorns your birth or place. 
Degenerate lines degrade th' attainted race. 



• Hon ill. Od. 6. 



Kv 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, D E S C R I P T I V E, &c. 



29| 



No poet any parPion can excite, 



But wlat they feel traiiiport them when they 
Have you been led through the Cunie:in cave, 
And heard the impatient maid divinely rave? 
I hear her now; I iee her rolling eyes: 
And panting, Lo ! the god ! the god! flie crie^j 
Withwords not hers,and more than humanfound, 
She makes th' obedient ghofls peep trembling 

thro' the ground. 
But, tho' we muft obey when Heaven commands, 
And man in vain the Ikcred call withitands, 
Beware what fpirit rages in your breaft; 
For ten infpired, ten thouland are pofl«(l. 
Thus make the proper ufe of each extreme, 
And write with, fury, but correal with phlegm. 
As when the cheerful hours too freel)^ pafs, 
And fparkling wine frniles in the tempting glafs, 
Your puife advifes, and begins to beat 
Through ew^vy fwelling vein a loud retreat: 
So when a mufe propitioufly invites, 
Improve her favours, and indulge her flights ; 
But when you find that vigorous heat abate, 
Leave oif, and for another fummons wait, 
Befote the radiant iim a glimmering lamp. 
Adulterate metals to the fterling ftamp, 
Appear not meaner than mere human lines. 
Compared with thofe whofe infpiration (hines: 
Thefe nerv^ous, bold; thofe languid and remifs; 
There, cold lalutes; but here a lover's kifs. 
Thus have Ifeen a rapid headlong tide 
With foaming waves the paflive Soane divide; 
•Wliofe lazy waters without motion lay, 
While he with eager force, urg'd his impetuous 
way. 

The privilege that ancient poets claim, -% 
Now turn'd to licence by too juft a name, i- 
Belongs to none but an eitabliih''d fame, j 

Which fcorns to take it 

Abfurd exprelTions, crude abortive thoughts, 
All the leu'd legion of exploded feults, 
Bafe fugitives, to that afyUim fly, 
And facred laws with infolence defy. 
Not thus our heroes of the former days 
Deferv'd and gain'd their never-fading bays; 
For I miftake, or far the greateil part 
Of what fome call negleft, was ftudy's art. 
When Virgil feems to trifle in a line, 
'Tis like a warning-piece, which gives the fign 
To wake your fancy, and prepare your flght, 
To reach the noble height of fome unufuai flight. 
I lofe my patience when, with fancy pride, 
By untun'd ears I hear his numbers tried. 
Reverfe of nature j fliall fuch copies then. 
Arraign th' originals of Maro's pen ; 
And the rude notions of pedantic fchools 
Blafpheme the facred founder of our rules ? 

The delicacy of the niccit ear 
Finds nothing harfli oi out of order there. 
Sublime or low, unbended or intenfe. 
The found is ftill a comment to the fenfe. 

A fkilful ear in numbers (hould prcfide, 
Aad all difputes without appeal decide. 



[write. iThis ancient Rome ^nd elder Athens found, 



Before mi|l:;iken ftops debauch 'd the Ibund. 

When,by impulle from Heaven,Tyrt2eusfung, 
la drooping foldiers a new courage fprung; 
Heviving Sparta now the flight maintained. 
And what two generals loft, a poet §ain'4f 
By fecret influence or indulgent (Jcies, 
Empire and poefy together rife. 
Xi'ue poets are the guardians ©f the ftate. 
And, when they fail, portend approaching fg^^p; 
For that which Rome to conquelt did i|ilpire. 
Was pot the veftal, but the mufe's fire ; 
Heaven joins the blelTmgs: no declinip^age 
E'er felt the raptures of poetic rage. 

Of many faults rhyme is perhaps th? ^avif^ ; 
Too ilrift to rhyme, we flight more ufeful laws j 
For that, in Greece or Rome, was never j^^pw'n. 
Till by barbarian deluges o'erflown: 
Subdu'd, undone, they did at laft obey. 
And change their own for their invader's yriy, 

I grant thai, from fome molTy idol oak, 
In double rhymes our Thor and Woden fpojc-e; 
And by fucceflaon of unlearned times, 
As bards began, fo monks rung on the chiifles. 

But now that Phoebus and the fa(;red ^Jin£ 
With all their beams on our bleft iflancl Ihjnp, 
Wliy fliould not we their ancient rights re(|Qre, 
And be what Rome or Athens were before^ 

* * HaveyouforgothowRaphael'snumerousprofjp 
' Led our exalted fouls thro' heavenly camps, 

' And markM tl?e ground where proud apellate 

* thrones 

' Defied Jehovah ! here, 'twixt hoft and hpft, 
' (A narrow, but a dreadful interval) 
' Portentous fight ! before the cloudy van 
' Satan with valt and haughty ft rides ad vane 'd, 
' Came tow'ring arm'd in adamant and gold. 
' There bellowdng engines, with theirfieiy tubes, 
' Difpers'd ethereal forms, and down they fell 
' By thoufands, angels on archangels roll'd j 
Recover'd, to the hills they ran, they flev^', 
Which (with their ponderous load, rocks, 

* waters, woods). 

From their firm feats torn by the fliaggy tops. 

They bore like fliields before them through the 

' air, [foes. 

' Till more incens'd they hurled them at their 
All was confufion, heaven's foundation flhiook, 
Threat'ning no lefs than univerfal wreck; 

' For Michael's arm main prcm.ontories flung, 

* And over-prefs'd whole legions weak with fin. 
' Yet they hlafphem'd and ftruggled as they lay, 

* Till the great enfign of Mefliah blaz'd, 

' And (arm'd with vengeance) God's vi(Sorious 
(Effulgence of paternal deity !) [Soa 

' Grafping ten thoufand thunders in his hand^ 
■' Drove th' old original rebel.s headlong down, 
' And fent them flaming to the vaft abyfs.' 

O may I live to hail -the glorious day. 
And fing loud paeans through the crowded way. 
When in triumphant ftate the Britifli Mufe, 
True to herfelf, flbiall barbarous ai4 x^fufe. 



U 3 Ax4 

f Aa Eflay on Blank Verfe, out of Paradife toft, B, VI, 



^94 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



lio 



6 K 



n. 



And in the Roman majefty appear, [near. 

Which none know better, and none come fo 



§ 27. Abfalorn and Achitophel. Dryden. 

In pious times, ere prieftcraft did begin. 

Before polygamy was made a fm ; 

When man on many maltipUed his kind, 

Ere one to one was curledly confined ! 

When nature prompted, and no law denied 

Promifcuous ufe of concubine and bride j 

Then Ifrael's monarch,after Heaven's own heart, 

His vigorous warmth did varioiifly impart 

To wives and flaves ; and wide as his coxnmand, 

Scatter'd his Maker's image thro' the land. 

Michal, of royal blood, the crown did weai'j 

A foil ungrateful to the tiller's care ; 

Not fo the reft; for fever^l mothers bore 

To godlike David feveral fens before. 

But (ince, like (laves, his bed they did afcend,j The bad found no occanon to rebel 



Who baniih'd David did frotn Hebron bririg;^ 
And with a gen'fal fhout proclaira'd him king: 
Thofe very Jews, wh© at their very beft 
Their humour more than loyalty exprefs'd, 
Now wonder'd why fo long they had obey'd 
An idol monarch, which their hands had madej 
Thought they migiitruin him they could create. 
Or melt him to that golden calf of ftatc. 
But thefe were random bolts: no form'd defign, 
Nor int'refc made the factious crowd to join : 
The fober part of Jfrael, free from ftain. 
Well knew the value of a peaceful reign ; 
And looking backward with a wife affright. 
Saw feams of wounds difhoneft to the fight; 
In contemplation of whofe ugly fears. 
They curs'd the memory of civil wars. 
The moderate fort of men thus qualified. 
Inclined the balance to the better fide: 
And David's mildnefs manag'd it fo well. 



No true fucceffion could their feed attend. 
Of all the numerous progeny, was none 
So beautiful, fo brave, as Abfalorn : 
Whether infpired by forne diviner luft, 
His father got him with a greater guft ; 
Or that his confcious deftiny made way, 
By manly beauty, to imperial fway. 
Early in foreign fields he won renown, 
With kings and ftates allied to Ifrael's crown: 
In peace the thoughts of war he could remove 
And ieem'd as ht were only born for love. 
Whate'er he did was done with fo much eafe, 
In him alone 'twas natural to pleafe : 
His motions all accompanied with grace j 
And paradife was open'd in his face. 
With fecret joy indulgent David view'd 
His youthful image in his fon rentw'd : 
To all his wifhes nothing he denied ; 
And made the charmintr Annabel his bride. 
What faults he had (for whofrom faults is free ?) 
His father could not, or he would not fee. 
Some warm excefies which the law forbore, 
Were conftruedyouth that purg'dbyboilingo'er. 
And Ammon's murder, by afpecious name, 
Was caJl'd a juft revenge for injur'd fame. 
Thus prais'dandlov'd the noble youth lemain'd, 
While David undifturb'd in Sion reign'd; 
But life can never be fincerely bleft : 
Heaven puniihes the bad, and proves the beft. 
The Jews,aheadftrong,moody,murmuring race. 
As ever tried th' extent and ibetch of grace ; 
God's pamper'd people, whom, debauched with 

eafe. 
No king could govern, nor no God could pleafe. 
Gods they had tried of every fhape and fize, 
Thatgodfmiths could produce, or pricfts devife: 
Thefe Adam-wits, too fortunately free, 
Began to dream they wanted liberty ; 
And v/hen no rule, no precedent was found 
Of men by laws lefs circumfcrib'd and bound 



I But when to fin our biafs'd nature leans. 
The careful devil is ftill at hand with means j 
I And providently pimps for ill defires : 
riie good old caufe reviv'd a plot requires. 
Plots true or falfe are necefiary things 
To raife up commonwealths, and ruin kings. 

Th' inhabitants of old Jerufalem 
Were Jebufites; the town fo call'd from them j 

And theirs the native right 

But when the cholen people grew more flrong, 
The rightful caufe at length became the wrong j 
And ev'ry lofs the men of Jebus bore, 
They ftillwerethought God's enemies the mere. 
Thus worn or weaken'd, well or ill content. 
Submit they muft to David's government j 
Impoverifh'd, and depriv'd of all command. 
Their taxes doubled as they loft their land; 
And what was harder yet to flefli and blood. 
Their gods difgrac'd, and burnt like common 

W'Ood. 
This fet the heathen priefthood in a flame; 
For priefts of all religions are the fame. 
Of whatfoe'er defcent their godhead be, 
Stock, ftone, or other homely pedigree. 
In his defence his fervants areas bold 
As if he had been born of beaten gold. 
The Jevvifn rabbins, though their enemies. 
In this conclude them honeft m.en and wife : 
For 'twas their duty, ail the learned think, 
T' efpoufehis caufe by whom they eat and drink. 
From hence began that plot, the nation's curfe. 
Bad in itfelf, but repreiented worfe ; 
Rais'd in extremes, and in extremes decried ; 
With c;Uhs affirmed, with dying vows denied ; 
Not weigh'd nor winnow'd by the multitude ^ 
But fwallov^'d in themafs, unchew'd and crude. 
Some truth there was, butdafli'dand brew'd with 
To pleafe the fools, and puzzle all the wife, piesj 
Succeeding times did equal folly call, 
Believins: nothinsr, or believing: "all. 



They led their wild defires to woods and caves, Th' Egyptian rites the Jebufites embrac'd 5 
And thought that all but SaVvages were flaves. jwhere gods were recommended by their tafte. 
They who, when Saul was dead, without a blow, Such favoury deities muft needs be good, 
•Made foolifti iihbcfiKth tlie crown forego; i As lerv'd at once for i\'«rlhip and for food. 

9 ) By 



Book II; 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



295 



By force they could not introduce thefe gods ; 
For ten to one in former days was odds j 
So fraud was us'd, the facrificer's trade: 
Fools are more hard to conquer than perfuade. 
Their bufy teachers mingled with the Jews, 
And rakM for converts ev'n the court and flews: 
Which Hebrew prieils the more unkindly took> 
Becaule the Ikece accompanies the flock. 
Some thought they God's anointed meant to flay 
By guns, invented fince fall many a day: 
Our author fwears it not; but who can know 
How far the devil and Jebufites may go ? 
This plot, which fiird for want.of commonfenfe, 
Had yet a deep and dangerous confequence : 
For as, when raging fevers boih tlie blood, 
The itanding lake loon floats into a flood, 
And every hoftile humour, which before 
Slept quiet in its. channels, bubbles o'erj 
So fev'ral faftions from this firfl; ferment, 
V/oik up to foam, and threat the government. 
Some by their friends, more by themfelves 

thought wife^ 
Oppos'd the pow'r to which they could not rife. 
Some had in courts been great ; and throv/n from 
Li kefiends,wereharden'dinimpenitence. [thence 
Some, by their monarch's fatal mercy, grown 
From pardonM rebels kinfmen to the throne. 
Were raised in pov/'r and public oflice high : 
Strong bands, if bands ungrateful men could tie. 
, Of thefe the falfe Achitophel was firft j 
A name to all fucceeSing ciges curit : 
For clofe deflgns and crooked counfels fit; 
Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit; 
Reftlefs, unfixM in principles and place; 
In pow'r unpleas'd, impatient of difgrace: 
A fiery foul, which, working out its way, ") 
Fretted the pigmy-body to decay, ^ 

And o'er-informM the tenement of clay. } 
A daring pilot in extremity; 
Pleas'd with the dangerwhenthewaveswent high, 
He fought the florms; but, for a calm unfit, 
Would Iteer too nigh the fands to boafl; his wit. 
Great wits are fure to madnefs near allied. 
And thin partitions do their bounds divide; 
Blfe why fnould he, with wealth and honour bleft, 
Refufe his age the needful hours of reft ? 
Pimifli a body which he could not pleafe; 
Bankrupt of life, yet prodigal of eafe? 
And all to leave what with his toil he won 
To that unfeather'd two-legg'd thing, a Son ; 
Got, while his foul did huddled notion^ try 5 
Andborn a fhapelefs lump, like anarchy. 
In friendfliip falfe, implacable in hate; 
Xlefolv'd to ruin or to rule the ftate. 
To compafs this, the triple bond he broke ; > 
The pillars of die public fafety fliook; ^ 

And fitted tfrael for a foreign yoke : j 

Then, feizM with fear, yet ftill alFefting fame, 
Ufurp'd a patriot's all-atoning name. 
So eafy fl:ill it proves, in fa6lious times, 
With public zeal to cancel private crimes. 
How fafe is treafbn, and how facred ill, 
V/here none can fin againft the people's will ! 
\yhere crouds can winkjandno offence beknown, 
fcoce in another's guilt they find their own ! 



Yet fime deferv'd no enemy can grudge : 
The fl:atcfman we abhor, but praife the judge. 
In Ifraers courts ne'er fat an Abethdin 
With more difcerning eyes, or liands more 

clean, 
Unbrib'd, unfought, the wretched to redrefs. 
Swift of difp'^tch, and eafy of accefs. 
Oh! had he been content to ferve the crown 
With virtues only proper to the gown; 
Or had the ranknefs of the foil been freed 
From cockle, that opprefs'd the noble feed; 
David for him his tuneful harp had flrung. 
And heaven had wanted one immortal fong. 
But wild ambition loves to Aide, not fland; 
And fortune's ice prefers to virtue's land, 
Achitophel, grown weary to pofTefs 
A lawful fame, and lazy happinefs, 
Difdain'd the golden fruit to gather free, 
And lent the crowd his arm to fhake the tJ'ee. 
Now, manifeft of crimes contriv'd long fince, 
Heftood at bold defiance with his prince; 
Held up the buckler of the people's caufe 
Againfl: the crown, and fculk'd behind the laws. 
The wifli'd occafion of the plot he takes ; 
Some circumftances finds, but more he makes 1 
By buzzing emiffaries fills the ears 
Of lift'ning crowds with jealoufies and fears 
Of arbitrary couniels brought to light, 
And proves the King himfelf a Jebufite. 
Weak arguments ! which yet, he knew full well. 
Were Itrong with people eafy to rebel. 
For, govern 'd by the moon, the giddy Jews 
Tread the fame track when fhe the prime renews ; 
And once in twenty years, their fcribes record. 
By natural infl:in6l: they change their lord. 
Achitophel flill wants a chief, and none 
Was found fo fit as warlike Abfalom. 
Not thaj: he wifh'd his greatnefs to create, 
For politicians neither love nor hate: 
But, for he knew his title not allow'd 
Would keep him ffill depending on the crowd: 
That kingly pow'r, thus ebbing out, might be 
Di-^wn to the dregs ©f a democracy. 
Him he attempts with fludied arts to pleafe. 
Arid iheds his venom in fuch words as thefe; 

Aufpicious prince ! at whofe nativity 
Some royal planet rul'd the fouthern flcy ; 
Thy longing country's darling and defire; 
Their cloudy pillar and their gUardian fire; 
Their fecond Mofes, whofe extended wand 
Divides the feas, and fhews the promis'd land; 
Whofe dawning day, in ev'iy diflant a^e, 
Has exercis'd the facred prophet's rage ; 
The people's prayer, the glad diviner's theme. 
The young men's vifion, and the old men's 

dream ! 
Thee, Saviour, thee the nation's vows Gonfefs» 
And, never fatisfied with feeing, blefs : 
Swift unbefpoken pomps thy fleps proclaim. 
And ftamm'ring babes are taught to lifp thy 

name; 
How long wilt thou the general joy detain. 
Starve and defraud the people of thy reign ; 
Coiitent inglorioufly to pafs thy days, 
Like one of Virtue's fools that fwa on praife; 
^4 Till 



tg6 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IL 



Till thy frefli glories, which now fnlne fo bright, 
Grow Ib-.le, and tarnifh with our daily fighf ? 
Believe me, royal youth, thy fruit jiuift be 
Or gatherM ripe, or rot upon the tree. 
Heaven has t^ all allotted, loon or l:ite, 
Some lucky revolution of their fote ; 
Whofe motions if we watchand guide with flcillj 
For human good depends on human will, 
Our fortune rolls as from a fmooth defcent, 
And from the firft impreffion takes the bent: 
But, if unfeizM, fne glides away like wind. 
And leaves repenting folly fir behind. 
Now, now ftie meets you with a glorious prize, 
And Ipreads her locks before you as fhe tiies. 
Had thus old David, from whofe loins you Ipring, 
Not dar'd when fortune calTd him to be king, 
At Gath an exile he might ftill remain, 
And Heaven's anointing oil had been in vain. 
Let his fuccefsful youth your hopes engage; 
But (hun th' example of declining age : 
Behold him fetting in his wellern fkies, 
The fliadovv^s lengthening as the vapours rife. 
He is not now, as when on Jordan's fand ~\ 
The joyful people throng'd to fee him land, i 
Covering the beach, and blackening all the^ 
Itrand ; J 

But, like the prince of angels, from his height, 
Come tumbling downward withdiminifh'dlight; 
Betray 'd by one poor plot to public fcorn; 
Our only bleffnig fmce his curs'd return: 
Thofe heaps of peoy)le which one flieaf did bind. 
Blown off and fcatter'd by a puff of wind, 
What Itrength can he to your defigns oppofe, 
Naked of friends, and round belet with foes? 
If Pharaoh's doubtful fuccour he fliould ufe, 
A foreign aid would more incenfe the Jews: 
ProudEgypt would difiembled friendihipbring : 



Foment the war, but not fu 



ppo 



■t the kin<r; 



Nor would the royal party e'er unite 
With Pharaoh's arms t' affift the Jebufite j 
Or,if they fhould,theirint'reftfoon would break, 
And with fuch odious aid make David weak. 
All forts of men, by my fuccefsful arts, 
Abhorring kings, eftrange their altered hearts 
From David's rule; and 'tis their general cry, 
Religion, commonwealth, and liberty. 
If you, as champion of the public good. 
Add to their arms a chief of ro)^al blood. 
What may not Ifrael hope, and what applaufe 
Might fuch a gen'ral gain by fuch a caufe ? 
Not barren praife alone, that gaudy liow'r 
Fair only to the fight, but folid pow'r j 
And nobler is a limited command, 
Given by the love of all your native land, 
Than a lucceffive title, long and dark, 
Di"awn from the mouldy rolls of Noah's ark. 

What cannot praife effeft in mighty minds, 
When jlatt'ryfooths,andwhenambition blinds? 
Dtfire of pow'r, on earth a vicious weed, 
Yet fpriuig from high, i:i of celeftial feed : 
In God 'tis gloiy ; and when men afpire, 
'Tis but a fpark too much of heavenly fire. 
Th' ambitious youth, too covetous of fame, 
Too full of angers meul in k'n fi^ame, 



Unwarily was led from virtue's ways. 

Made drunk with honour, and debauch'd with 

prai'e. 
Half loth, and half confenting to the ill. 
For royal blood within him fcruggle<l flill, 
-He thus replied -. — And what pretence have I 
To take up arnjs for public liberty ? 
^Ty father governs with unqueilioned right ; 
The faith's defender, and mankind's delight : 
Good, gracious, juft, obfervant of the laws ; 
And Heaven by wonders has efpous'd his caufe. 
Whom has he wrong'd in all his peaceful reign ? 
Who iucs for juftice to his throne in vain ? 
WJiai: millions has he pardon'd of his foes. 
Whom juil revenge did to his wrath expofe ! 
Mild,eafy, humble, ftudious of our good ; 
Inclin'd to mercy, and averfe from blood. 
If raildnefs ill with fiubborn Hrael fuit, 
His crime is God's beloved attribute. 
What could he gain his people to betray. 
Or change his right for arbitrary fway ? 
Lei haughty Pharaoh curfe with fuch a reign 
His fruitful Nile, and yoke a fervile train. 
If David's rule Jeruialem difpleafe. 
The dog-ftar heats their brains to this difeafe. 
Why then fliould I, encouraging the bad. 
Turn rebel, ?nd run popularly mad ? 
Were he the tyrant, who by iawlefs might 
Opprefs'd the Jews, and rais'd the Jebufite, 
Well m.ight I mourn ; but nature's holy bands 
Would curb my fpirits, and reftrain my hands: 
The people might allert their liberty ; 
But what was right in them were crime in me. 
His favour leaves me nothing to require. 
Prevents my wifhe;, and outruns defire j 
What more can I expeft while David lives ? 
All but his kingly diadem he gives : 
And that — but here he paus'd; then, fighing^ 

faid— 
Is juftly delHn'd for a worthier head. 
For when my father from his toils lliall reft, 
And late augment the number of the bleii, 
His lavv'ful ifiue fliail the throne afcend. 
Or the collateral line, where that fhall end. 
His brother, though opprefs'd with vulgar fpite^ 
Vet dauntlefs, and fecure of native right. 
Of ev'ry royal virtue ftands polleft; 
Still dear to all the braveft and the beft. 
His courage foes, his friends his truth proclaim. 
His loyalty the king, the world his fame. 
His mercv e'en th' oH^ending crowd w-ill findj 
For fure he conies of a forgiving kind. 
Why fhould I then repine at Heaven's decree. 
Which gives me no pretence to royalty? 
Vet, oh'that fate, propitioufly inclin'd, 
Had rais'd my birth, or had debas'd my mind I 
To my large foul not all her treafure lent. 
And then betray'd it to a mean defcent ! 
I find, I find my mounting fpirits bold, 
And David's part difdains my m®thsr's mould* 
Why am I fcanted by a niggard birth? 
My foul difclaims the kindred of her earth j 
And, made for empire, whifpers me within, 
Delire of great nefs is a godlike fnu 

Hint 



I^OOK II. 



DIDACTIC, D E S C R I P T I V E, &c. 



Hiiii itaggerlng fo when helPs dire agent found, 
While fainting virtue fcaixe maintained her 

ground, 
He pours nefh forces in, and thus rephes : 
Th' eternal God, fupremely good and ^vife. 
Imparts not thefe prodigious gifts in vain: 
Wh:it wonders are refervM, to blefs your reign ! 
Again (t your will your arguments have fnewn, 
Such virtue's only giv'n to guide a throne. 
Not that your father's mildnefs I contemn j 
But manly force becomes th? diadem. 
'Tis true, he grants the people all they crave ; 
And more perhaps than fubjects ought to have: 
For lavifli grants fuppofe a monarch tame, 
And more his goodnefs than his wit proclaim. 
But when fliould people ftrive their bonds to 
If not when kings are negligent or weak ? [break, 
Let him give on till he can give no more, 
The thrifty fanhedrim flial! keep him poorj 
And ev'ry fliekel which he can receive 
Sball cofc a limb of his prerogative. 
To ply him with new plots fhall be my care, 
Or plunge him deep in feme expeniive war ; 
Which when his treafure can no more fupply. 
He muit, with the remains of kiugibip, buy. 
His faithful friends, our jealoufies and fears 
Call Jebuiites, and Pharaoh's penfioners j 
Whom when our fuiy from his aid has torn, 
He {hall be naked left to public fcorn. 
The next fuccelTor, whom I fear and hate. 
My arts have made obnoxious to the llatej 
Turn'd all his virtues to his overthrow, 
And gain'd our eiders to pronounce a ioe. 
His right, foj furas of necelfary gold, 
Sh:dl tirft be pawn'd, and afterwards be fold 5 
Till time fliall ever-wanting David drav/ 
To pafs your doubtful title into lav/: 
If not, the people have a right fupreme 
To make their Icings^ for kings are madeforthem. 
All empire is no more than pow'r in truft, 
Which, when relum'd, can be no longer juil. 
Succefhon, for the general good defign'd. 
In its own wrong a nation cannot bind j 
If alt'ring that the people can relieve. 
Better one fuffer than a natipn grieve. 
The Jews well knew their pow'r : ere Saul they 

choofe, t_ 

God was their king,and God they durft depofe 
Urge now your piety,your filial name, 
A father's right, and fear of future fame} 
The public good, that univerlal call, 
To which e'en Heaven fubtnitted, anfwers all. 
Nor let his love enchant your gen'rous mind j 
'Tis nature's trick to propagate her kind. 
Our fond begetters, who would never die. 
Love but themfelves in their pofterity. 
Or let his kindnefs by th' eftefts be tri^d. 
Or let him lay his vain pretence afide. 
God faid, he lov'd your father j could he bring 
A better proof than to anoint him king ? 
It furely fhew'd, he lov'd the fhepherd well, 
Who gave fo fair a flock as Ifi^el. 
Would David have you thought his darling fon, 
Wha^.meaas ks then to alienate the crown ? 



The name of Godly he may bludi to hear; 
Is 't after God's own heart to cheat his heir ? 
He to his brother gives fupreme command. 
To you a legacy of bairen land ; 
Perhaps th'old harpon wb.ich he thumps his lays, 
Or fome dull Hebrew ballad in your praife. 
Then the next heir, a prince fevere and wife. 
Already looks on you with jealous eyes ; 
Se^s through the thin difguifes of your arts, 
And marks your progrels 'n the people's he.irts _; 
Though now his migluy foul its grief contains ': 
He meditates revenge who leaft complains : 
And like a lion, flumb'ring in the way, 
Or ilecp dilTembling, while he waits his prey. 
His fearlefs foes within his diftance draws, 
Confrrains his roaring, and contrafts his paws ; 
Till at the lafr, his time for fury found, 
He flioots v.'ithfuddenvengeancefromtheground^ 
The proitrate vulgar palles o'er and fpares. 
But with a lordly rage his hunters tears. 
Your cafe no tame expedients will alibrd : 
Refolve on death, or conquell by the fword, 
VVliich for no lefs, a (lake than life you draw j 
And felf-defence. IS nature's el deft law. 
Leave the warm people noconfidering time j 
For then rebellion may be thought a crime. 
Avail yourfelf of what occaficn gives. 
But try your title while your father lives : 
And, that your arms may have a fair pretence. 
Proclaim you take them in the king's defence 5 
VVhofe facred life each moment v/o\ild expofe 
To plot5, from feeming friends and fecret foes. 
And, who can found the depth of David's foul ? 
Perhaps his fear his kindnefs may controul. 
He fear? his brother, thougli he loves his Ion, 
For plighted vows too kite to be undone, 
f f fo, by force he wiihes to be gain'd : 
Like wom.en's lechery to feem conftrain'd. 
Douht not : but, when he moft affeft s the frown, 
Commit a pleafmg rape upon the crown. 
Secure his perfon to fecure your caufe: 
They who poflfefs the prince pofiefs the laws. 

He faid : and this advice above the reft, 
Wnh Abfalom's mild nature fuited beft ; 
Unblam'd of life, ambition fet alide, 
Not-ftain'd with cruelty, nor puff 'd with pride. 
How happy had he been, if deftiny 
Had higher plac'd his birth, or wot fo high ! 
His kingly virtues might have claim'd a throne. 
And blefs'd all other countries but his own. 
But charming greatnefs fince fo few refufe, 
'Tis jufter to lament him than accufe. 
Strong were his hopes a rival to remove, 
With blandifliments to gain the public love: 
To head the fa£lion while their zeal was hot, 
And popularly profecute the plot. 
To further this, Achitophel unites 
The malcontents of all the Ifraelites ; 
Whofe diff'ring parties he could wifely join, 
For feveral ends, to ferve the fame dellgu. 
The beft, and of the princes fome were fuch. 
Who thought the pow'r of monarchy too much j 
Miftaken men, and patriots in their hesrts ; 
Not wicked, but feduc'd by impiou* art:?i 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Booii It.' 



By thcfe the fprings of property were bent, 
And wound i'o high,theycrack.Mthe government. 
The next for int'reft i'ought t' embroil the ftate, 
To fell their duty at a dearer rate. 
And make their Jewifh markets of the throne ; 
Pretending public good to ferve their own. 
Others thought kings an ufelefs heavy load. 
Who coft too much, and did too little good. 
Tbefe were for laying honeil David by, 
On principles of pure good hufbandry. 
"With themjoinMallth' haranguers of the throng. 
That; thought to get preferment by the tongue. 
Who follow next, a double danger bring. 
Not only hating David, but the king. 
The Solymrean rout j well versMof old 
Ihgodly fa6lion, and in treafon bold; 
Cow'iing and quaking at a conqueror's fword, 
But lofty to a lav.'fui prince reftor'd j 
Saw \vith difdain an Ethnic plot begun, 
Andl'corn'd by Jebufites to be outdone. 
Hot Levites headed thefe ; who pulTd before 
From th* ark, which in thejudge's days they bore. 
Refunrd their cant, and with a zealous cry 
Parfuejd their oldbelovM theocracy: 
Where fanhedrira and prieft enflavM the nation, 
And juitiiied their fpoils by infpiration : 
For who fo fit to reign as Aaron's race. 
If once dominion they could found in grace? 
Thefe led the pack, though not of fureii: fcent, 
Yet deepeit mouthMagainll the government. 
A numerous lioil of (^Ireaming faints fucceed, 
Of the true old enthufiaftic breed i 
'Gainft form and order they their pow'r employ, 
Nothing to build, and all things to deflroy. 
But far more numVous was the herd of fuch 
V/ho think too little, and who talk too much ; 
Thefe out of mere inftinil, they knew not why, 
Ador'dtheir'fathers' God, and property J 
And, by the lame blind benefit of fate. 
The devil and the Jebufite did hate: 
Born to be fav'd, ev'n in their own defnite, 
IJeeaufe they could not help believing right, 
fe'uch were the tools: but a" wiiole Hydra more 
Kemains of fpronting heads too long to fcoreT 
So-fie of their chiefs were princes of the land: 
111 the firH rank of thefe did Zimri Ihnd j ' 
A man i'o various that he ieem'd to be 
Not one, bat all mankind's epitome: 
Stiff in opinions, always in the wrong; 
Was ev'ry thing by ftarts, and nothing longj 
But in the courfe of one revolving moon 
Was chemift, fiddler, fbatefman, and bufibon ; 
Then aliforyvomen, painting, rhymingjdrinking, 
Befides ten thoufand freaksthatdied in thinking. 
Bieft madman ! v/ho could ev'ry hour employ, 
With fomethinjr new to wilh, or to enjoy. 
Railing and praillng v/ere his nfual th.emes : 
And both, to fliewhis judgment, in extremes: 
So over- violent, or over-civil, 
That cv'ry man with him Avas God or DeviK 
In iquandering \veaUh was his peculiar art: 
Nothing went unrewarded, but defert ; 
Beggar'd by fool's, whom flil] he Ibund too late ; 
He hiid his }eil, and they had his eitate^ 



He laugh'd himfelf from court; then foilght relief 
By forming parties, but could ne'er be chief; 
For, fpite of him, the weight of bufmefs fell 
On Abfalom and wife Achitophel : 
Thus, wicked but in will, of means bereft. 
He left not faftion, but of that was left. 

Titles and names 'twere tedious to rehearfe. 
Of lords, belov/ the dignity of verie. 
Wits, warriors, commonwcaiths-men, were the 

beft: 
Kind hufbands and mere nobles all the reft. 
And therefore, in the name of dulnefs, be 
The well-hung Balaam and cold Caleb free : 
Arid canting Nadab let oblivion damn, 
Who made new porridge for the pafcal lamb. 
Let friendfhip's holy band fome names afTure ; 
Some their own worth, and fome let fcornfecure. 
Nor fhall the rafcal rabble here have'place. 
Whom kings no title gave, and God no grace : 
Not bull-fac'd Jonas, who could ftatutes dravr 
To mean rebellion, and make treafon law. 
Bat he, though bad, is folio w'd by a worfe. 
The wretch who heaven's anointeddar'dtocurfej 
Shimei, whofe youth did early promife bring 
Of zeal to God, and hatred to his king. 
Did wifely from expenfive fins refrain. 
And never broke the Sabbath but for gain : 
Nor ever was he known an oath to vent, 
Or curfe, unlefs againft: the government. 
Thus heaping wealth by the moft ready way 
Among the Jews, which was to cheat and pray j 
The city, to reward his pious hate 
Againft his mafter, chofe him magiftrate. 
His hand a vafe of juftice did Uphold ; 
His neck was loaded with a chain of gold j- 
During his office trfafon was no crime ; 
The fons of Belial had a glorious time; 
For Shimei, though not prodigal of pelf, 
Yet lov'd his wicked neighbour as himfelf. 
When two or three were gathered to declaim » 
Againft the monarch of Jeriifalem, > 

Shimei was always in the midft of them ; j 
And, if they curs'd the king when he was by, 
Would rather curfe than breVk good company j 
If any dxirii his factious friends accufe. 
He pack'd a jury of dilfenting Jews ; 
Whole fellow-feeling in tlie godly caufe 
Would free the /bit" 'ring faint from human laws. 
For laws are only made to punifti thofe 
Who ferve the king, and to proteft his foes,- 
If any lei Cure time he had from povv'r, 
Becaufe 'tis fin to mifempioy an hour, 
Kis bufinefs' v/as, b)'" writing f© perfuade 
That kings were u.'elels, and a clog to trade:' 
And, that his noble ftyle he might refine, 
No Rechabite morefhunn'd the fumes of v/ine, 
Chafte were his ceHars, and his Oirieval board 
The groffnefs of a city feaft abhorr'd j 
His cooks, with long difufe, their trade forgot; 
Cool was his kitchen, though his brains were hot. 
Such frugal virtue malice may accule; 
But fure 'twas neceffary to the Jews: 
For towns, once burnt, fuchinagiftrates require 
As dare iiQt tempt God's providence by iu'e. 

Wifek 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



iij^ 



With fpiritual food he fed his fervants well, 
But free from fleili that made the Jews rebel : 
And Mofes' laws he held in more account, 
For forty days of flifting in the mount. 
To fpeak the relt, who better are forgot, / 
Would tire a well-breath'd witriefs of the plot. 
Yet, Corah, thou fhalt from oblivion pafs j 
Eredl thyfelf, thou monumental brafs. 
High as the ferpent of thy metal made, 
While nations ftand fecure beneath thy fhade. 
What though his birth were bafe, yet comets rife 
Fi"om earthly vapours ere they fhine in fkies. 
Prodigious actions may as well be done 
By weaver's iffue, as by prince's fon. 
This arch-atteftor for the public good. 
By that one deed, ennobles all his blood. 
Who ever alk'd the witnefs's high race, 
Whofe oath with martyrdom did Stephen grace ? 
Ours was a Levitcj and, as times went then, 
His tribe were God Almighty's gentlemen. 
'Sunk, were his eyes, his voice was harfh and loud ; 
Sure figns he neither choleric was, nor proud : 
His long chin provM his vi'it; his faint-like grace 
A church vermilion, and a Mofes' face. 
His memory, miraculoufly great, 
Could plots, exceeding man's belief, re^jcat ; 
Which therefore cannot be accounted lies. 
For human wit could never fuch devife. 
Some future truths are mingled in his book; 
But where the witnefs fail'd, the prophet fpokej 
Some things like vifionary flights appear ; 
The fpirit caught him up the Lord knows where j 
And gave him his rabinnical degree, 
Unknown to foreign univerfity. 
His judgment yet^his memory did excel ; 
Which pierc'd his wond'rous evidence fo well, 
And fuited to the temper of the times, 
Then groaning under Jebufitic crimes. 
Let Ifrael's foes flifpeft his heavenly call, 
And rafhly judge his writ apochryphalj 
Our laws for fuch affronts have forfeits made: 
He takes his life who takes away his trade. 
Were I myfelf in witnefs Corah's place. 
The wretch who did me fuch a dire difgrace 
i>hould whet my memory, though once forgot, 
To make him an appendix of my plot. 
His 7,eai to Heaven made him his prince defpife. 
And load his pcrfon v/ith indignities. 
But zeal peculiar privilege affords. 
Indulging latitude to deeds and words : 
And Corah might for Agag's murder call. 
In terms as coarfe as Samuel us'd to Saul. 
What others in his evidence did join, 
The belt that could be had for love or coin. 
In Corah's own predicament will fall ; 
For Witnefs is a common name to all. 

Surrounded thus with friends of ev'ry fort. 
Deluded Abfalom forfakes the court: 
Impatient of high hopes, urg'd with renown. 
And fir'd with near poirelfion of a crown, 
Th' admiring crowd are dazzled with furprife, 
And on his goodly perfon feed their eyes-. 
His joy conceal'd, he fets himfelf to fliow j 
Qii- each fide bowing popularly Jgw ; 



His looks, his geftures, and his words he frames, 
And with familiar eaferepeats their names. 
Thus form'd by nature, furnifh'd out with arts, 
He glides unfelt into their fecret hearts. 
Then with a kind compafTionating look. 
And fighs, befpeaking pity ere he fpoke, 
Few words he faid j but eafy thofe and fit, 
More flow than Hybla- drops, and far more fweet. 

I mourn, my countrymen, your loft eftate j 
Though far unable to prevent your fate : 
Behold a banifh'd man, for your dear caufc 
Expos'd a prey to arbitrary laws ! 
Yet oh ! that I alone could be undone, 
Cut off frem empire, and no more a fon ! 
Now all your liberties a fpoil are made ; ^ 

Egypt and Tyrus incercept your trade, t 

And Jebufites your facred rites invade. j 

My father, whom with rev'rence yet I name, 
Charm'd into eafe, is carelefs of his fame ; 
And, brib'd with petty fums of foreign gold. 
Is grown in Bathfheba's embraces old; 
Exalts his enemies, his friends deflroys ; 
And all his power againft himfelf employs. 
He gives, and let him give my right away: 
But why fhould he his own and yours betray? 
He, only he, can make the nation bleed, 
And he alone from my revenge is freed. 
Take then Hiny tears (with that he wip'd hi» , 

eyes),^ 
'Tis all the aid my prefent pOw'r fupplies : 
No court-informer can thefe arms accufe ; 
Thefe arms may fons againft their fathers ufei 
And 'tis my wifli the next fuccefTor's reign 
May make no other Ifraelite complain. 

Youth, beauty, graceful aftion, feldom fai! j 
But common int'relt always will prevail: 
And pity never ceafes to be fliown 
To him who makes the people's wrongs his own* 
The crowd, that ftill believe their kings opprefs. 
With lifted hands their young MefFiah blefs: 
Who now begins his progrefs to ordain 
With chariots, horfemen, and a numerous trainj 
From eaft to weft his glories he dlfplays, 
And, like the fun, the promis'd land furveys. 
Fame runs before him as the morning ftar. 
And fhouts of joy falute him from afar : 
Each houfe receives him as a guardian god. 
And confecrates the place of his abode. 
But hofpitable treats did mcft commend 
Wife Iflhchar, his wealthy weftern friend. 
This movingcourt,that caught the people's eyes, 
And feem'd but pomp, did other ends difguifej 
Achitophel had form'd it, with intent 
To found the depths, and fathom where it went 
The people's hearts,diftinguifh friends from" foes. 
And try their ftrength before they cametoblows. 
Yet all was colour'd with a fmooth pretence 
Of fpeciouG love and duty to their prince. 
Religion, and redrefs of grievances, 
Two names that always cheat and always pleafe, 

iAre often urg'd; and good king David's life 
Endanger'd by a brother and a wife. 
Thus in a pageant fliow a plot is made; 
And peace itfelf i< war in mafquerade. 
i ^ ^ Oh 



30« 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book 



11. 



Oh fool i Hi irra«l 1 never wam'd by ill ! 
Still the fame bait, and circuj-aveuted ftill ! 
Did ever men forUke their prelent eafe j 
In midft of health imagine a difeafe ; 
Take pains contingent miicliiefs to forefee ; 
Make heirs for moaarchs, and for God decree ? 
What Ihall we think ? Can people give away, 
Both for themfelves and fons, their native fway ? 
Then they are left defencelefs to the fword 
Of each unbounded arbitraiy lord : 
And laws are vain, by which we right enjoy, 
If kings anqueItion''d can thofe laws deltroy. 
Yet if the crowd be judge of fit and juft. 
And kings are only ouicers in truft, 
The:i this refuming covenant was declarM 
When kings were made, or is for ever barr'd. 
If thofe v/ho gave the fceptre could not tie 
By their own deed their own pofterity. 
How then could Adam bind his future race? 
How could his forfeit on mankind take placer 
Or how could heavenly juflice damn us all, 
Who ne'er confented to our father's fall ? 
Then kings are flaves to thofe whom they com- 
mand. 
And tenants to their people's pleafure ftand. 
Add, that the pow'r for property allow'd 
Is mifchievoufly feated in the crowd: 
For who can be fecure of private right, 
If fovereign fway may be difiblv'd by might? 
Nor is the people's judgiuent always ti-ue: 
The moft may err as grofsly as the few j 
And faultlefs kings run down by common cry. 
For vice, oppreifion, and for tyranny. 
What ftandard is there in a fickle rout, 
Which, flowing to the mark, runs fufcer out r 
Nor only crowds, but fanhedrims may be 
Infefted with this public lunacy, 
And ihare the madnefs of rebellious times, 
To murder monarchs for imagin'd crimes. 
If they may giye and take whene'er they pleafe, 
Not kings alone, the Godhead's images, 
But governm.ent itfelf, at length muit fall 
To nature's ftate, where all have right to all. 
Yet, grant our lords the people kings can 

make. 
What prudent men a fettled throne wouldfhake? 
For whatfoe'er their fufferings were before. 
That change they covet makes them fuflfer more. 
All other errors but dilfurb a ftate j 
But innovation is the blow of fate. 
If ancient fabrics nod, and threat to fall. 
To patch their flaws, and buttrefs up the wall, 
Thus far 'tis duty: but here fix the mark; 
For all beyond it, is to touch the ark. 
To change foundations, caft the frame anew, 
Is work for rebels, who bafe ends purfue. 
At once divine and human laws controul. 
And mend the parts by ruin of the whole. 
The tamp'ring world is fubjeft to this cuife, 
To phyfic their difeafe into a v/orfe. 

Now what relief can righteous David bring? 
How fatal 'tis to be too good a king! 
Friends he has few, fo high the madneis grows ; 
Who dare be fuch mud be the people's foes. 






Yet forae there were, ev'n in the worft of days j 
Som.e let me name, and naming is to praife. 
In this fliort file Barziillai firlt appears ; 
Barzillai, crown'd with honour and with years. 
Long fince, the rifmg rebels he withftood 
h\ regions waite beyond the Jordan's flood: 
Unfortunately brave to buoy the Itate; 
But finking underneath his mailer's fate: 
In exile with his godlike prince he ipourn'd j 
For him he futfer'd, and with hira return'd. 
The court he pradlisM, not the courtier's art: 
Large was his wealth, but larger was his heart, 
Which well the nobleft obje6h knew to choofe, 
The fighting warrior, and recording Mufe. 
His bed coukl once a fruitful ifi'ue boaft; 
Now more than half a father's name is loll. 
His eldeft hope, with ev'ry grace adorn'd. 
By me (fo Heaven will have it) always mourn'd 
And always honour'd, fnatch'd in manhood's 
, B' unequal fates,and providence's crime : [prime 
I Yet not before the goal of honour v.'on, 
I All parts fulfiU'd of fubjeft and of fon: 
i Swift was the race, but fnort the time to run. 
Oh narrow circle, but of pow'r divine. 
Scanted in fpace, but perfedl in thy line ! 
By fea, by land, thy matchlefs worth was known. 
Arms thy delight, and war was all thy own: 
Thy force infus'd the fainting Tyrians propp'd ; 
And haughty Pharaoh found his fortune ftopp'd. 
Oh ancient honour! oh unconquer'd hand. 
Whom foes unpunifli'd never could withitand! 
But Ifrael was unworthy of his name: 
Short is the date of all immod'rate fame. 
It looks as'Keaven our ruin had defign'd, 
I And durfl: not trail thy fortune and thy mind. 
I Now, £r€e from earth, thy dilencuriiber'd Ibul 
Mounts up, and leaves behind the clouds and 

fl:arry pole: 
From thence thy kindred legions may 'ft thou 

, bring, 
To aid the guardian angel of thy king. 
Here ftop,my Kjufe, here ceafe thy painful flight: 
No pinions can purfue immortal height: 
Ti.ll good Barzillai thou canft fing no more. 
And tell thy Ibul flie fliould have^fled before: 
Or fled flie with his life, and left this verfe 
To hang on her departed patron's hearfe ? 
Now take thy fteepy flight from heaven, and fee 
If thou canft findon earth another he : 
Another he would be too hard to find; 
See then whom thou canft fee not far behind. 
jZadoc the prieft, whom, fhunning pow'r and 

place. 
His lowly mind advanc'd to David's grace. 
With him the Sagan of Jerufalem, 
Of hofpitable ibul, and noble ftem; 
Him of the weftern dom.e, whofe weighty fenib 
Flows in fit words ajid heavenly eloquence. 
The prophet's fons, by fucli example led. 
To learning and to loyalty v\-ere bred: 
For colleges on bounteous kings depend j 
And never rebel was to arts a friend. 
To thefe fucceed the pillars of the laws ; 
V/ho bcft can plead, and beft can judge, a caufe. 

Next 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DE SCRIPT I VI, &c. 



Next tbem a train of loyal peers afcend ; 
Sharp-judging Adriel, the Mufes' friend, 
Mimleif a Mule : in (hr.hedrims debate 
True to his prince, but not a flave of ftate j 
Whom David's love with honours did adorn, 
That from his difobedient fon were torn. 
Jotham of piercing wit, and pregnant thought, 
Endued by nature, and by learning taught, 
To move aiTemblies, who but only tried 
The worfe awhile, then chofethe better fide: 
Nor chofe alone, but turn'd the balance too ; 
So much the weiglit of one brave man can do. 
Hufhai, the friend of David in diurefs j 
In public ftcrms of manly fledfaftnefs : 
By foreign treaties he informed his youth, 
And joined experience to his native truth. 
His frugal care fupplied the wanting throne ; 
Frugal for that, but bounteous of liis own : 
'Tis eafy conduct when exchequers flowj 
But hard the ta(k to manage well the low : 
For fov ""reign pow''r is too deprefs'd or high, 
When kingsare forc'dto fell, or crowds to buy. 
Indulge one labour more, miy weary Mufe, 
For Amiel : who can Amiel's praiie refufe ? 
Of ancient race by birth, but nobler yet 
In his own worth, and without title great: 
The fanhedrim long time as chief he ral'd, 
Their reafon guided, and their pa,irion cool'd : 
So dextVous was he in the crown's defence. 
So forni'd to fpeak a loyal nation's fenfe, 
That, as their band was Ifraers tribes in fmall, 
So fit v/as he to reprefent them all. 
Now rafher charioteers the feat afcend, 
Whofeloofe careers his fteady (kill commend : 
They, like th' imeqnal ruler of the day, 
\Iifgulde the fealbns, and miftake the way; 
While he withdrawn at their mad labours irniles. 
And ki'a enjoys the fabbath of his toils. 

Thefe were the chiefsa fmall but faithful band \ 
Of worthies, in the breach who dar'd to Hand, > 
And tempt th' united fury of the land. j 

With grief they view'd fuch pow'rfu! engines 

bent 
To batter down the lavv'ful government: 
A num'rous fnftion, with pretended frights, 
In fmliedrinis to plume the regal rights ; 
The truefuccefior from the court remov'd ; 
The pbtby hireling witneifes improv'd. 
Thefe ills they faw, and, as their duty bound, 
Tliey fliew'd the king the danger of the wound : 
That no conceffionsfromtherhroncvvouldpleafe. 
But lenitives fomented the difeafe : 
That AbJalora, ambitious of the crown. 
Was made the lure to draw the people down : 
That falfe Achitophel's pernicious hate 
Had turn'd th.c plot to ruin church and Hate ; 
The council violent, the rabble worfc : 
That Shimei taught Jerufabm to curfe. 
. With' all theic loads of injuries oppreft, 
And long revolving in his careful breail 
Th' event of things, at lafl his patience tir'd, 
Thus from bis royal throne, by heaven infpir'u. 
The godlike David fpoke ; with awful fear 
His train their Maker in their maftcr hear; 



301 

Thus long have I, by native mercy fway'd. 
My wrongs diflTembied, my revenge delay'd: 
So willing to forgive th' offending agej 
So much the father did the king affuage. 
But now fo far my clemency they (light, 
Th' offenders queflion my forgiving right t 
That one was made for many, they contend j 
But 'tis to rule; for that's a monarch's end. 
They call my tendernefs cA blood my fear 5 
Though m.anly tempers can the loi.gelt bear. 
Yet, fmce they vail divert my native courfe, 
'Tis time to Ihev/ I am not good by force. 
Thofc heap'd affronts thachaughty fubjeftsbring 
Are burdens for a camel, not a king. 
Kings are the public pillars of the Irate, 
Born to fuftain and prop the nation's weight : 
If my young Samfbn v/ill pretend a call 
To fhake the column, let him fl-are the fall: 
But, oh ! that yet he would repent and live ! 
How eafy 'tis for parents to forgive ! 
With how few^ tears a pardon miglit be won. 
From nature, pleading for a darling fbn ! 
Poor, pitied youth, by my paternal care 
Rais'd up to all the height his fame could bear: 
Had God ordain'd his fate for empire born, 
He would have given his foul another turn : 
Gull'd with a patriot's name, whofe modern 

fenfe 
Is one that v.'ould by law fupplant his prince ; 
The people's brave, the politician's tool j 
Never was patriot yet but was a fool. 
Whence comes it that religion and the laws 
bhould more be Abfalom's than David's caufe? 
His old infbuftor, ere he lofl his place. 
Was never thought endued with fo much grace. 
Good heavens ! how faction can a patriot paint ! 
My rebel ever proves my people's faint. 
Would they impofe an heir upon the throne. 
Let fctnhedrims be taught to give their own. 
A king's at Icail a part of government; 
And mine as requllite as their confent : 
Without my leave a future king to choofe, 
Infers a right the prefent to depofe. 
True, they petition mc t' approve their choice: 
But Eiau's hands fuit ill with Jacob's voice. 
My pious fubie6ls for my fafety pray; 
Which to fecure, they take my pow'r away. 
From plots and treafonslicavenprefervemyyears. 
But fave me raufi. from my petitioners ! 
Unfatiaie as the barren womb or grave, 
pod cannot grant fo much as they can crave. 
What then is left, but with a jealous eye 
To guard the fmall remains of royalty ? 
The law (liail ilill direcf: ray peaceful fway, 
•And the fame law teach rebels to obey : 
Votes fhali no more eftablifh'd power controul. 
Such votes as jnake a- part cxxeed the whole. 
Nogi:oundIefs clamours fhall my friends remove. 

Nor crowds have pow'r to punifh ere they prove; 

For Gods and godlike kings their ca«"e exprefs, 
Still to defend their fervants in diftrefs. 

Oh, that my pow'r to laving were confin'd ! v 



' .' r" ~ a — ...>.. w. . _ 

Why am I f brc'd,like heaven, againfl my mind^ > 
To make examples of another kind > J 



Muff 



3*^ 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II, 



Mufl: I at length the fword of juftice draw? 
Oh carlt etfefts of necclTary law! 
How ill my fear they by my mercy fcan ! 
Beware the fury of a patient man. 
Law they require, let law then fliew her face ; 
They could not be content to look on grace, 
Her hinder parts, but with a daring eye 
To tempt the terror of her front, and die. 
By their own arts 'tis righteoully decreed, 
Thofe dire artificers of death fiiall bleed ; 
Againlt themfelves their wdtnelfes will fv.'ear. 
Till, viper-like, their mother plot they tearj 
And fuck for nutriment that bloody gore, 
Which was their principle of life before. 
Their Belial witl\ their Beelzebub will fight: 
Thus on my foes my foes I'liall do me right. 
Nor doubt th' event : for factious crowds engage. 
In their firft onfet, all their brutal rage. 
Then let them take an unrefifted courfe: 
Ketire, and traverfe, and delude their force : 
Biit when they ilandall breathlefs,urge the fight. 
And rife upon them with redoubled might; 
For lawful pow'r is Hill fuperior found ; 
\Vhen long driven back, at length it ilands the 
ground. 
Ke faid : th* Almighty nodding gave confeiit; 
And peals of t^'iunder ihook the firmament. 
Henceforth a feries of new time began, 
The mighty years in long proceiTion ran : 
Once more the godlike David was refcor'd, 
And willing nations kne^v their ia#ful lord. 



While pamper'd crowds to mad fedition run, 

And monarch s by indulgence are undone. 

Thus David's clemency was fatal grown. 

While wealthy fa£tion awM the wanting throne j 

For now their fovereign's orders to contenui 

V/as lield the charter of Jerufalem ; 

His rights t' invade, his tributes to refufe, 

A privilege peculiar to the Jews j 

As if from heavenly call this licence fell. 

And Jacob's feed were chofen to rebel ! 

Achitophel vrith triumph fees his crimes 
Thus fuited to the madnefs of the times ; 
And Abfalora, to m.ake his hopes fucceed, 
Of flatt'ring charms no longer ftamis in need ; 
While,fondofchange,tho'ne'erfodearlybought, 
Ourtribesoutilriptheyouth's ambitious thought. 
His fwifteil hopes with fwifter homage meet, 
And croAvd their iervile necks beneath his feet. 
Thus to his aid while preiTmg tides repair. 
He mounts, and fpreads his ftreamers in the air. 
The charms of empire might his youth millead. 
But what can our befotted Ifrael plead ? 
Sway'd by a monarch whofe ferene command 
Seems half the bleiling of our promis'd land, 
Whofe only grievance is excefs of eafe ; 
Freedom our pain, and plenty our difeafe ! 
Yet, as all folly would lay claim to fenfe. 
And wickednefs ne'er v/anted a pretence, 
With arguments they'd make theirtreafongaod. 
And righteous David's felf with Canders load: 
That arts of foreign fway he did aifect, 
And guilty Jebufites from law proteCi:, 
Whole veiy cliiefs, convift, were never freed j 
Nay, we have feen their facrifices bleed ! 
Ac'cufers' infamy, is urg'd in vain, 
Willie in the bounds of fenfe they did contain; 
But foon they launch'd into th' unfatlioni'dtide. 
And in the depths rhey knev<- difdain'd to rid^. 



PART II. 

*' —Si quis tamen haec quotjue, fi qu'j 
«* Captus amore legec — " 

Ik the year 16 So, M-r. Dry den undertook the 
poem of Abfalom a7id Aclntophety upon the defire o/'jFor probable difcovei-ies to difpenfe 
king Charles 11. The perfo>frMi2ce nxfas appbuded\YV?^s thought below a penfion'd evidence ; 
by e'very one \ and fc'-vcral perfons prefilng him to\ Mere truth was dull, nor fuited with the port 
nvriie a Second Part, hey uyon declining it himjelf^Oi pamper d Corah when ad vane 'd to court. 
fpolie to Mr. 'Tate to ivrite one^ and gwoe him /^'/jjNo lefs than wonders nov.' they will irapofe, 
adnjice in the diretiion of It i and thc.t part begin- 
ning 'Vjith 

*• Next thefe, a troop of bufy fpirits prefs," 
end ending nvitk 

" To talk like Doeg, and to write like thee," 
containing near t~MO hundred 'verfes, nuas entirely 
AJr. Dryden^s compofitiony befides fame touches in 
ether places. — The preceding lines, upwards of three 
hundred in number, <ivere nvritten by Mr, Tate. 
The poem is here printed complete. 

,,, ^A-,^^^ A-..T-r^ A^T^TT-rT-^T%T-r-r-.-r I Shc H vcs wltli anffcls, 
ABSALOM AND ACHITOPHEL. ^ Quits heavenfometime.toblefs tlfe world below: 

Since men, like bealls, each other's prey were Where,cherifh'dbyherboiuiry'splenteousfpiiug, 
nj.ide j Reviving widav.-s fmile, aiid orphans fing. 

Since trade began, and prieflhood grew a trade j Oh ! when rebellious Ifraei's crimes at height 
Since realms were form'd, none fure fo curft as Are tlireaten'd with her lord's approciching fau» 



And projects void of grace or fenfe difclofe. 
Such was the change on pious Michal brought, 
Michal that ne'er was cruel even in thought, 
The beft of queens, and moft obedient wife, 
Impeach'd of curit defigns on David's life 1 
His life, the theme of her eternal pray'r, 
'Tis fcarce fo much his guardian angel's care.- 
Not fummer morns fuch mildnefs can difclofe. 
The Hermon lily, nor the Sharon rofe. 
Negle6ling each vain pomp of majefty, 
Tranfported Michal feeds her thoughts on high : 
She lives with angels, and, as angels do. 



tnoie 



,The 



piety 



of Michal then remain 



That madly their own happinefs oppofe ; Ii^ Heaven's remembrance,andproIonghls reign'. 

Tklicre ileaven itfelf, and godlike kings in vain Le^^ dciojaticn did the pelt uur.iie 



4liovt'r down the nunr^a cf a genrlq reign; 



Tliat from psir? liuiits to jj'etrfneja ilew. 



LeGk 



3J00K II, 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



305 



Lcfs fatal the repeated wars of Tyre, 
And lels Jerufalem's avenging fire 5 
With gentler terror thele our ilate o'er-ran. 
Than fince our evidencing days began 1 
On ev'ry cheek a pale confufion fat, 
Continued fear beyond the worft of fate ! 
Trull was no more; art, fcience, ufelefs made 5 
All Gccuyiations loll but Corah's trade- 
Meanwhile a guard on modeft Corah w^alt, 
If not for fafcty, needful yet for fcate. 
V/el 1 might he deem eachpeerand prince hisflave, 
And lord it o'er the tribes which he could fave: 
Ev'n vice in him w^as virtue — what lad fate 
But for his honefty had feiz'd our Hate ! 
And with what tyranny had we been curir. 
Had Corah never prov'd a villain iiril ! 
T' have told his knowledge of th' intrigue in 
Had been, alas ! to our deponent's lofs: [grols, 
The travell'd Levite had th' experience got, 
To hufband well, and make the befc of 's plot ; 
And therefore, like an evidence of Ikill, 
With wife referves fecur'd his penfion ftill ; 
Not quite of future powV himfelf bii-reft, 
But limbos large for unbelievers l?ft. 
Aad now his writ fuch reverence had got, 
'Twas worfe than plotting to fufpeft his plot. 
Some were fo well convinc'd, they made no doubt 
Themfelves to help the founder'd fwearers out. 
Some had their fenfe impost on by their fear, 
But more for intereli: fike believe and fvvear : 
Even to that height with fome the phrenzy grew, 
They rag'd Ic lind their danger not prove true. 

Yet, than all thele a viler crew remain. 
Who with Achitophel the cry maintain ; 
Not urg'd by fear, nor thro' mifguided {eviCe- — 
Blind zeal and ilarving need had fomepretence — 
Bat for the good old caufe that did excite 
Th' original rebel's wiles— revenge and fpite. 
Thefe raife the plot to have the fcandal thrown 
Upon the bright fucceilbr of the crown, 
Whole virtue with liich wrongstheyhadpurfued, 
As feem'd all hope of pardon to exclude. 
Thus, while on private ends their zeal is built, 
The cheated crowd applaud and Ihare their guilt. 

Such pra6lices as thefe, too grofs to lie 
Long unobferv'd by each difcerning eye, 
The more judicious Ifraelites unfpell'd, 
Though dill the charm the giddy rabble held. 
Even Abfalom, amidft the dazzling beams 
Of empire, and ambition's flatt'ring dreams, 
Perceives the plot, too foul to be excus'd. 
To aid defigns, no lefs pernicious, us'd : 
And, filial knfe yet ftriving in his breaft, 
Thus to Achitophel his doubts exprefs'd : 
^Why are my thoughts upon a crown employ 'd, 
Which once obtain 'd can be but half enjoy 'd ? 
Not fo when virtue did my arms require, 
And to my father's wars I flew entire. 
My regal pow'r how will my foes refent, 
When I niyfelf have fcarce my own confent ! 
Give me a foji's unblemifn'd truth again. 
Or quench the fparks of duty that remain. 
How flight to force a throne'that legions guard 
The talk to me ; to prcvc unjult, how hard ! 



And if th'imagin'd guilt thuswoundmythought. 
What will it when the tragic fcene is wrought? 
Dire war mull iirft be conjur'd from below. 
The realm we'd rule we liiit muit overthrow ; 
And when the civil furie;; arc on wing, "l 

Thatblindandundiftinguilh'dflaughters fling, ( 
Who knows what impious chance may reach f 
the king ? 4 

Oh! rather let t^e periih in the flrife, 
Than have my crown the price of David's life I 
Or, if the temped of the war he Hand, 
In peace, fome vile officious villain's hand 
His foul's anointed temple may invade; 
Or, prefs'd by clam'rous crowds, mylelf be made 
His n"|.urderer — rebellious crowds, whofe guilt 
Shall dread his vengeance till his blood belpiit. 
Which if my filial tendernefs oppofe^ 
Since to the empire by their arms I rofe, 
Thofe very arms on me fliall be employed, 
A new ufurper crown'd, and I deitroy'd. 
The fam.e pretence of public good will holdo 
And new Achitophels be found as bold ^» 
To urge the needful change, perhaps the old..> 
He laid: the ftatefman with a fmile replies, 
A fmile that did his rifmgfpleen difguife: 
My thoughts prefum'd our labours at an aid^^ 
And are we fhil with ccnfcience to contend, 
Whofe want in kings as needful is allow'd 
As 'tis for them to iind it iji the crovv^d? 
Far in the doubtful paflage you are gone. 
And" only can be fafe by prefiing on. 
The crown's true heir, a prince fevere and wile. 
Has viewM your motions long with jealous eyes j 
Your perfon's charms, your more prevailing arts. 
And mark'dyourprogrefsin the people's hearts, 
Whofe patience is th' effecl of itinted pow'r. 
But treafures vengeance for the fatal hourj 
And, if remote the peril he can bring, 
Your prelent danger's greater from the king. 
Let not a parent's name deceive your fenfe^ 
Nor truil the father in a jealous prince I 
Your trivial faults if he could fo refent. 
To doom you little lefs than banifliment. 
What rage mull your prefumiption fince infpire! 
Againfl; his orders you return from T)'^re. 
Nor only fo, but with a pomp more high, 
And open court of popularity. 
The faflioustribes — And this reproof from thee? 
The prince replies, O ftatefman's winding ikill! 
They firft condemn that fin'l advis'd the ill ! 
Illuitrious youth, return'd Achitophel, 
Mifconftrue not the words that mean you well. 
The courfe you fi:eer I worthy blame conclude. 
But 'tis becaufe you leave it unpurfued. 
A monarch's crown with fate furrounded lies ; 
Who reach, lay hold on death thatmifs the prize. 
Did you for this expofe yourfejf to fhow. 
And to the crowd bow popularly low ? 
For this your glorious progrefs next ordain. 
With chariots, horfemen, and a numerous train ; 
With fame before you like the morning dar. 
And fhouts of joy fainting from afar? 
Oh.frcmtheheightsj.'ou'vereach'dbuttakeaview, 
Scarce leading Lucifer could fall like you ! 

AlTil 



;o4 



£LEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book If. 



And mull I here my fhlpwreck'd arts bemoan ? 
Have I for this fo oft made Ifrael groan ? 
Year fmgle intVeft with the nation weighMj 
And turn'd the fcale whereyour deii res were laid? 
Even when at hehn a courfe fo dangerous mov'd 
To land your hopes as my removal prov'd? 

I Aot difpute, the royal youth replies, 
The known perfection of your policies ; 
Nor in Achitophel yet o:nidsxe or blame 



The privilege that ftatei?nen ever claim ; 
Who private int'reiL never yet pnrfued, 
But Hill pretended 'twas for others' good: 
What politician yet e'er fcap'd hi^ fate, 
Who fiving his own neck not fav'd the ftate ? 
From hence on ev'ry humorous wind that 

veer'd, 
With fliifted fails a feveral courfe you fteer'd. 
"V^^'hat from a fway did David e'er purfae, 
That feem'd like abfolute, but fprung from you? 
Who at your iuftance quafli'd each penal law, 
That kept diffenting faftious Jews in awe ; 
And who fufpends fix'd laws, may abrogate; 
That done, form new, and fo enflave the ftate. 
Even property, whofe champion now youfrand. 
And feem for this the idol of the land, 
Did ne'er fullain fuch violence before, 
As v^hen your counfel fhut the royal llore j 
Advice, that ruin to whole tribes procur'd, 
>^ut fecret kept till your own b^nks fecur'd. 
Recount with thi> the triple cov'nant broke, 
And If-ael fitted for a foreign yoke ; 
Nor here your counfel's fatal progrefs ftaid. 
But fent our levied pow'rs to Pharaoh's aid. 
Hence Tyre and Ifrael low in ruins laid. 
And Egypt, once their fcorn, their common 

terror made. 
Even yet of fuch a feafon can we dream. 
When royal rights you made your dariii-igtheme, 
For pow'r unlimited could reafons draw. 
And place prerogative above the law- 
Which on your fall from office grew unjiift. 
The laws made king, the king a Have in trull : 
Whom with frate-craft, to int'reft only true, 
You now accufe of ills contrived by you. 

To this hell's agent — Royal youth, fix here, 
Let int'reft be the ftarby which yo\i fteerj 
Hence to repofe your truft in m.e was wife, 
Whofe int'reft moft in your advancement lies : 
A tie fo firm as always will avail. 
When friendfhip, nature, and religion, fail. 
On ours the fifety of the crowd depends; 
Secure the crowd, and we obtain our ends i 
Whom I will caufe fo far ovir guilt to fliare. 
Till they are made our champions by their fear. 
What oppofition can your rival bring. 
While lanhedrims are jealous of the king? 
His Itrength as yet in David's friendfhip lies. 
And what can David's felf without fapplies ? 
Who with excluuve bills muft now difpenfe. 
Debar the heir, or ftarve in his defence ; 
Conditions which our eiders ne'er will quit, 
And David's juftice never can admit. 
Or forc'd by wants his brother to betray, 
To your ambition next he clears the way ; 



For if fucceflion once to nought they bring. 
Their next advance removes the prelent king : 
Perlifting elfe his fenates to diflblve. 
In equal hazard fhall his reign involve. 
Our tribes,whomPharaoh'spow'rfomuch alarms. 
Shall rife without their prince t'oppofe his arms. 
Nor boots it on what caufe at firft they join. 
Their troops once up are tools for our defign. 
At ieaft fuch fubtile cov'nants fnall be made, 
Till peace itfelf is war in mafquerade. 
Affociations of myfterioas fenfe, 
Againft, but feeming for, the king's defence— 
E'en on their courts of juftice fetters draw. 
And from our agents muzzle up their law : 
By which a conqueft if we fail to make, 
'Tis a drawn game at worft, and we fecure our 
ftake. 

He laid; and for the dire fuccefs depends 
On various fefts, by common guilt made friends; 
\Vl-!ofe heads, tho' ne'er fodift''ringintheircreed, 
I' th' j:oint of treafon yet were well agreed. 
'Mongft thefe, extorting Ifhban firft appears, 
Purfued by meagre troops of bankrupt heirs. 
Bleft times, v.dien Illiban, he whofe occupation 
So long has beea to cheat, reforms the nation 1 
Iihban of confcience fuited to his trade, 
As good a frtint as uJurer ever made. 
Yet Mamm.on has not fo engrofs'd him quite. 
But Belial lays as large a claim of fpite; 
Whojfor thofe pardons from his prince he draws. 
Return reproaches, and cries up the caufe. 
That year in which the city he did fway. 
He left rebellion in a hopeful way. 
Yet his ambition once was found fo bold. 
To ofter talents of extorted gold ; 
Could David's wants have fo been brib'd, to 

fhame 
And fcandalize our peerage with his name j 
For which, his dear fedition he'd forfwear. 
And ev'n turn loyal to be made a peer. 
Next him, let railing Rabfhekahave place. 
So fall of zeal he has no need of grace ; 
A faint that can both fielh and fpu-it u'e^ 
Alike haunt conventicles and the ftews : 
Of whom the queftion difiicult appears. 
If moft i' th' preacher's or the bawd's arrears. 
What caution could appear too much in him 
iThat keeps the treafure of Jerufalem ! 
Let David's brother but approach the town. 
Double our guards, he cries, we are undone ! 
Pro telting that he dares not ileep in 's bed. 
Left: he Ihould rife next morn without hi? head. 

" Next thefe, a troop of bufy fpirits preis. 
Of little fortunes, and of confcience lefs ; 
With them the tribe, whofe luxmy had drain'd 
Their banks, in former fequeftrarion^-^ain'd ; 
Who rich and great by paft rebellions grew. 
And long to fiOi the troubled ftrearas anew. 
Some future hopes,fome prefent payment draws, 
To fell their confcience and efpoufe the caufe. 
Such ftipends thofe vile hirelings belt befit,_ 
Priefts without grace, and poets without wit. 
Shall that falfe Hebronite efcape our cnrfe, 
Judas that keeps the rebels' peiifive purfe ; 

Judas^ 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &:c. 



30; 



Judas that pays the treafon-writer's fee, 
Jiidas that well deferves his namefake's tree ; 
Who at Jerufalem''s own gates erefts 
Kis college for a nurfery of fedls } 
Young prophets with an early care fecures, 
And with the dung of his own arts manures ? 
WJiat have the men of Hebron here to do ? 
What pa;t in ICraers promis'd land have you ? 
Here Phaleg the lay-Hebronite is come, 
'Caufe like the reft he c6uld not live at home 5 
Who from his own poiieiTions could not drain 
An omer even of Hebronitifn grain. 
Here ftruts it like a patriot, and talks high 
Of injur'd fubjefts, alter d property : 
An emblem of that buzzing infeft juft. 
That mounts the v,rh£el, and thinks (lie raifes duft. 
Can dry bones Jive ? or fkeletons produce 
The vital warmth of cuckoldizing juice ? 
Slim Phaleg could, and at the tabieVed, 
Return 'd the grateful product to the bed. 
A waiting man to travelling nobles chofe. 
He his own laws would laucJly impofej 
Till baftinadoed back again he went, 
To learn thofe manners he to teach v/as fent. 
Chaftis'd he ought to have retreated home j 
But he reads politics to Abfilom. 
For never Hebronite,'tho' kick'd and fcorn'd, 
To his own country willingly returned. 
But, leaving famifli'd Phaleg to be fed. 
And to talk treafon for his daily bread. 
Let Hebron, nay let hell, produce a man 
So made tor mifchief as Ben-Jochanan j 
A Jew of humble parentage was he. 
By trade a Levite, though of low degree : 
His pride no higher than the defk afpirVi ; 
But for the drudgery of priefts v.'as liirM, 
1 o read and pray in linen ephod brave. 
And pick up fmgle fhekeis from the grave. 
Married at laft, but finding charge corne fafter, 
He could not live by God, lb chang'd his mailer: 
Infpir'd by want, v/as made a factious tool j 
They got a villain, and v/c loft a fool. 
Still violent, whatever caufe he took, 
But moft against the party he forfook. 
For renegadoes, who ne'er turn^by halves. 
Are bound in confcience to be double knaves. 
So this profe-prophet took moft monftrous pains, 
To let his mafters fee he earr/d his gains. 
But, as the devil owes all his imp's a lliame. 
He choie th' apoftate for his proper theme j 
With little pains he made the picture true. 
And from refieftion took the rogue he drew. 
A wond^-ous work, to prove the Jewifli nation 
in every age a murmuring generation ; 
To tr;ice them from their^infancy of fmning, 
And iliewthem fi^dlious from tlieir firftbeginning. 
To pi-ove they could rebel, and rail, and mock, 
Much to the credit of the chofen flock : 
A ftrong authority, which muft convince. 
That faints owe no allegiance to their prince. 
As 'ris a leading card to make a wliore, 
To pj-ove her mother had turned up before. 
But, tell me, did the drunken patriarch blefs 
The i'Qii thdt ihsw'd his father's nakednefs » 



Such thanks theprefent church thy pen will give 
Which proves rebellion was fo primitive. 
Muft ancient failings be examples made ? 
Then murderers from Cain may learn their trade. 
As thou the heathen and the faint haft drawn, 
Methinks th' apoftate was the better manj 
And thy hot father, waving my refpefi. 
Not of a m.other-church, hut of a fe6l : 
And fuch he needs muft be of thy inditing ; 
This comes of drinking alTes milk, and writing. 
If Balak fhould be call'd to leave his place. 
As profit is the loudeft call of grace, 
His temple, difpoffefs'd of one, would be 
Replenifh'd wdth feven devils more by thee. 

Levi, thoii art a load, I'll lay thee down. 
And ftiew rebellion bare, without a gown j 
Poor flaves in metre, dull and addle-pated, 
Who rhyme belowev'nDavid'sPfarmstrandated. 
Some in my fpeedy pace I muft out-run. 
As lame Mephiboflieth, the wizard's fon ; 
To make quick way, I 'lileap o'er heavy blocks, 
Shun rotten Uzza as I v.-ould the poxj 
And haften Og and Doeg to rehearfe, 
Two fools that crutch their feeble ienfe on verfe; 
Who by my mufe to all fucceeding times 
Shall live, in fpite of their own doggrel rhymes. 
Doeg, though without knov»^ing how or why. 
Made ftiil a blundering kind of melody j 
Spurr'd boldlyon ,and dafn'd thro' thick and thin. 
Thro' (tnCe and nonfenfe, never out nor in j 
Free from all meaning, whether good or bad. 
And, in one word, heroically mad : 
He was too warm on pi eking- work to dwell, V 
But fagotted his notions as they fell, > 

And, if they rhym'd and rattled, all was well jj 
Spiteful he is not, though he wrote a fatire, 
For ftill there goes fome thinking to ill-nature; 
He needs no more than birds and beafts to 

think. 
All his occauons are to eat and drink. 
j If he call rogue and rafcal from a garret, 
He means you no more miichief than a parrot; 
jThe words for friend and foe alike were made; 
jTo fetter them in verfe, is all his trade. 
j For almonds he '11 cry whore to his o\5'n mother ; 
j And call young Abfalom king David's brother. 
Let him be gallows-free by my confent, 
And nothing fufter fince he nothing meant ; 
Hanging fuppofes human foul and reafon ; 
This animal's below committing treafon ; 
Shall he be hang'd v/ho never could rebel ? 
That's a preferment for Achitophel. 
The woman that committed buggery 
Was rightly fentenc'd by the law to die ; 
But 'twas hard fate that to the gallows led 
The dog that never heard the ftatute read. 
Railing in other men may be a crime. 
But ought to pafs for mere inftin6l in him : 
JnftinCl: he follows, and no farther knows ; 
For to writs verfe with him is to tranfpole, 
'Twere pity treafon at his door to lay, 
Whomalies heaven's gAte a lock to its own key. 
Let him rail on, let his inve6live Mufe 
Have four-aad- twenty letters 10 abule ; 

X Which, 



566 



feLEGANT EXTRACT 



Book Iti' 



\ih\ch, if lie jumbles to one line of fenfe, iThewifeand rich forpiirfe and council bronghtj 

Indict him of a capital offence. I The fools and bej^gars for their numbers lought: 

In lire-works jjive him leave to vent his fpite, i Who yet not only on the town depends* 

JFor ev'n in court the faftion had its friends; 



riiefe thought the places they pofTefa'dtoofmalli 
I And in their hearts wilh'd court and king to fall* 
i VVhofe name thelvlufe difdaining-,holds i'thMarki 
jTiiruli; in the villain herd without a mark; 



Thofe are the only ferpents he can write ; 
The height of his ambition is, \ve know^ 
Jiut to be mafter of a puppet-lhow ; 
On that one ftage his works may yet appear: 
And a month's harveft keeps him all the year 

Now ftopyour noles, readers, all and ibme, ^ :With parafitcs and libel-fpawning imps, 
For here's a tun of midnight-work to come, ^intriguing fops, dull jefters, and woiie pimps. 
Og from a treafon-tavern rolling home. 3 iDifdain the rafcal rabble to purfucj 

FvOund as a globe, and liqaorM ev'ry chink, i Their fet cabals are yet a viler crew : 
Goodly and great he iails behind his link; jSee where invoWdin common fmoke they fit; 



With all this bulk there's nothing loll in Og ; 
For every inch that is not fool, is rogue : 
A monftrous mafs of foul corrupted matter, 
As all the devils hud fpevv-'d to make the batter. 
Whenwinehas given him courage to blafpheme, 
He curfes God, but God before curs'd him; 
And, if man could havereafon, none has more, 
Th^t made his paunch fo rich, and him fo poor. 
With wealthhewas not trailed, for Heavenknew 
What ■'tvv'as of old to pamper up a Jew ; 
To what would he on quail and pheafant fwell, 
That e'en on tripe and carrion could rebel ? 
But tho' Heaven made him poorj with reverence 

fpeaking, 
He never was a poet of God's making ; 
The midwife laid her hand on his thick fkull, 
With this prophetic blefilng— " Be thou dull; 
Drink, i'wear, and roar; forbear no lewd delight 
Fit for thy bulk ; do any thing but write : 
Thoii art of lafting make, like thoughtlefs men; 
A ftrong nativity*— but for the pen ! 
Eat opium, mingle arfenic in thy drink. 
Still thou mayfl: live, avoiding pen and ink: 
I fee, I fee, 'tis counfel given in vain, 
For treafon botch'd in rhyme will be thy bane : 
Khyme is the rock on which thou art to wreck, 
*Tis fatal to thy fame and to thy neck : 
Why (hould thy metre good king David blaft ? 
A pfdm of his will furely be thy laft. 
Dar'ft thoU prefjme in verity to meet thy foes. 



Some for our mirth, forae for our fatire iit : 
Thefe gloomy, thoughtful, and on mifchief bent, 
Whiie thofe for mere good fellowfnip frequent 
Tlie' appointed club, can let fedition pafs, 
Senfe, no fenfe, any thing, t' employ the glafs 5 
And who believe in theiT" dull honeft hearts. 
The reft talk trealbn but to fhew their parts j 
Who ne'er had wat or will for mifchief yet. 
But plcas'd to be reputed of a fet. 

But, in the facred annals of our plot, 
Indultrious Arod never be forgot : 
The labours of this midnight magiftrate 
May vie with Corah's to preferve the ftate, 
In iearch of arms he fail'd not to lay hold 
On war's moft pow'rful,dangeroUs weapon, gold. 
And laft, to take from Jebufites all odds, 
Their altars pillag'd, ftole their veiy gods._ 
Oft w^ould he ciy, wdien treafure he furpris'd, 
'Tis Baaliih gold in David's coin difguis'd: 
Which to his houfe with richer relics came, 
^Vhile lumber idols only fed the flame : 
For our wife rabble ne'er took pains to enquire 
What 'twas he burnt, fo 't made a roufmg fire. 
With which our elder was enrich'd no more 
Than falfe Gehazi with the Syrian's Itore ; 
So poor, that when our choofing tribes were met, 
Ev'n for his llinking votes he ran in debt; 
I For meat the \vicked, and, as authors think, 
[The laints he chous'd for his eltfting drink j 
Thus ev'ry fhift and fubtle niethod paft. 



Thou whom the penny pamphlet foil'd in profe?! And all to be no Siiken at the lalt 



Do'eg, whom God for mankind's mirth has made, 
O'ertops thy talent in thy veiy trade : 
Doeg to thee, thy paintings are fo coarfe, 
A poet is, tho' he 's the poet's hprfe. 
A double noofe thou on thy neck doft pull 
For writing treafon, and for writing dull : 
To die for faft ion is a colnmon evil ; 
But to be hang'd for nonfenfe is the devil. 
Hadlt thou the glories of thy king exprefs'd. 
Thy pr.dfes had been iatire at the belt ; 
But thou in clumfy vci-fe, unlick'd, unpointed. 
Haft ftiameftilly delied the Lord's anointed : 
I will not rake the dunghill of thy crimes, 
Fortv ho would read thy I ite that reads thy rhymes ? 
But of" king David*s toes be this the doom, 
May all be like the yoling man Abfalom ! 
And for my foes, may this their blefling be, 
To talk like Doeg, and to write like thee V* 

Achitophel each rank, degree, and age, 
For various ends ne^kcls not to engage 



Now, rais'd on Tjre's fad ruins, Pharaoh^s 

pride 
Soar'd high, his legions threat'ning far and wide* 
As when a battering ftorm engender'd high, 
By winds upheld, ha)igs hovenng in the Iky, 
Is gaz'd upon by ev'ry trembling fwain ; 
This for his vineyard fears, and that his grain j 
For blooming plants, and ftow'rs new^ opening, 

thefe, 
For lambs yean'd lately, and far-labouring bees : 
To guard his ftock each to the gods dees call, 
Uncertain where the Hre-charg'd clouds will fall. 
Ev'n fo the doubtful nations ^vatch his arms. 
With terror er.ch expefting his alarms. 
Where, Judah, where was now the lion's roar, 
Thon only couldft the captive lands rcftore : 
But thou, with inbred broils and faftion preft. 
From Egypt need'ft a guardian w ith the reft. 
Thy prince from fanhedrims no crutl: allow'd. 
Too much the rcpreienters of the crowd. 

Who 



DIDACTIC, DESCI^IPTI Vfi, &c. 



Book 11. 

Who for their own defence give no fupply, 
But what tlie crown's prerogative mult buy : 
As if their monarch's right to violate 
More needful were, than to preierve the (late! 
Prom prtlent dangers they divert their care, 
Antl ail tiieir fears are of the royal heir ; 
Whom now Uie reigning malice of his foes, 
Unj ndg'dwouldfentence,and ere crow^n'ddepofe; 
Religion the pretence, but their decree 
To bar his reign, whatever his faith fliall be ! 
By fanhedrims and clamorous crowds thus preft, 
What paflTions rent the righteous David's brealtl 
Who knows not how t' oppofe or to comply, 
Unjuil to grant, and dang'rous to deny 1 
How near in this dark junfture IfraePs fate, 
Whofe peace one fole expedient could create, 
Which yet th' extremeil virtue did require, 
Ev 'n of thatprince whofe downfall theyconlpire ! 
His abfence David does with tears advife 
T' appeafe their rage : undaunted he complies. 
Thus he who, prodigal of blood and eafe, 
A royal life exposed to winds and feas, 
At once contending with the waves and fire, 
And heading danger in the wars of Tyre, 
Inglorious now forfakes his native fiind, 
Aud, like an exile, quits the promised land ! 
Oiir monarch fcaixe from prefling tears refrains, 
And painfully his roj'al ftate maintains ; 
Who now embracing on th' extremeft lliore 
Ahnoft revokes what he enjoin'd before : 
Concludes at lait more trult to be allowed 
To Itorms and feas than to the raging crowd ! 
Forbear, ralh Mule, the parting fcene to draw, 
V/ith iilence charm'd as deep as theirs that faw ! 
Not only our attending nobles weep, 
But hardy iailors fwell with tears the de«p ! 
The tide reltrain'd her courfe, and more aniazM 
The twin-ftars on the royal brothers gaz'd: 
While this fole fear— — 
Does trouble to our fuffering hero bring. 
Left next the popular rage opprefs the king ! 
Thus parting, each forth' other's danger griev'd, 
The ftiore the king, and feas the prinoe received 
Go, injur'd hero, while propitious gales, 
Soft as thy confort's breath, infpire thy larls ; 
Well may (lie truft her beauties on a iiood, 
Where thy triumphant fleets fo oft have rode ! 
Safe on thy bread reclin'd her reft be deep 
Pock'd like a Nereid by waves afleep ; 
While happieft dreams her fancy entertain, 
And to Elyfian fields convert the main! 
Go, injur'd hero, while the (hores of Tyre 
At thy approach ]b filent fl\all admire. 
Who on thy thimder ftill their thoughts employ, 
And greet thy landing with a trembling joy. 

On heroes thus the prophet's fate is thrown, 
Admir'd by ev'ry nation but their ov/n 5 
Yet while our factious Jews his worth deny, 
Their aching confcience gives their tongue the 

lie. 
Ev'n in the worft of men the nobleft parts 
Confefs him, and he triumphs in their hearts, 
Whom to his king the heft refpe6ts commend 
Of fubje<51:, Ibldier, kinfmun, prince, and friend. 



m 



All facred names of moft divine efteem, 
And to perfeftion all fuftain'd by him j 
Wile, juft, and conftant, courtly without art. 
Swift to djfcern and to reward cielert ; 
No hour of his in fruitlefs eafe deftroy'd. 
But on the noblelt Ibbjefts Itiil employ'd : 
Whofe Iteacly Ibu! ne'er learnt to feparate 
Between his monarch's int'reft. and the ftate; 
But heaps thofe bleiTmgvS on the royal head. 
Which he well knows muftbeon lubjecSts flied. 
On what pretence could then the vulgar rage 
Againft his worth and native rights engage ? 
Religious fears their argument are made^ 
Religious fears his facred rights invadel 
Of future fuperftition they complain, 
And Jebufitic worfliip in his reign : 
With fuch alarms his foe? the crowd deceive. 
With dangers frightwhichnotthemfelves believe* 

Since nothing can our facred rights remove, 
Whate'er the faith of the fuccefibr prove : 
Our Jews -their ark fhall undifturb'd retain. 
At leaft while their religion is their gain ; 
Who know, by old experience, Baal's command?. 
Notonlyclaim'dtheirconfciencebuttheirlands; 
TheygrudgeGod's tithes,howtherefore fiiall they 
An 'idol full pofteflion of the field ? [yield 

Grant fuch a prince enthron'd, we muft confefs 
The people's fufterings than that monarch's lefs. 
Who muft to hard conditions ftill be bound, 
jVnd for his quiet with the crowed compound; 
Or, fliould his thoughts to tyranny incline. 
Where are the means to compafs the defign ? 
Our crown's revenues are too fliort a ftore^ 
And jealous fanhedrims would give no more. 

As vain our fears of Egypt's potent aid. 
Not fo has Pharaoh, learnt ambition's trade j 
Nor ever with fuch meafures can compl)^, 
As fliock the common rules of policy j 
None dread like him the growth of Ifrael's king. 
And he alone fuflicient aids can bring ; 
Who knows that prince to Egypt can give law; 
That on our ftubborn tribes his yoke could draw. 
At fuch profound expence he has not ftood, 
Nor dyed for this his hands fodeep inblood; [take, 
Would ne'er thro' wrong and right his progrela 
Grudge his own reft, and keep the world awake. 
To fix a lawlefs prince on Jiida's throne, 
Firft to invade our rights, and then iiis own : 
His dear-gain'd conquefts cheaply to delpoil. 
And reap the harvefts of his crimes and toil. 
We grant his wealth vaft as our ocean's fandj 
And curfe its fatal influence on our land. 
Which our brib'd Jews fo num'rouily partake. 
That ev'n an hoit his penfioners would make; 
From thefe deceivers our divifions fpring, 
Our weaknefs, and the growth of Egypt's king; 
Thefe, with pretended friendftiip to the ftate, 
Our crowd's fufpicion of their prince create ; 
Both pleas'd and frighten 'd with the fnecious Cry-, 
To guard their facred rights and property; 
To ruin thus the chofcn flock are Jold, 
While wolves are ta'eji for guardians of the fold ; 
Seduc'd by thefe Ave groundlefsly complain. 
And loath the raiimna of a gentle reign : 

X 2 Tha^ 



3oS 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



L^eoit II. 



Thus our forefathers' crooked paths are trod ; I Are princes thus diftinguifn'd from the crowd, 
Wetriiftour prince no more than theytheir God. 'And this the privilege of royal blood i" 
But ail in vain our reasoning prophets preach iButgrantwefliouldconfirmthewrongstheyprefs, 
To thofe whom fad experience ne'er could teach, JHis fuifenngs yet were than the peopk'5 lefs^ 
Who can commence new broils in bleeding fears, !Condemn''d for life the murdering fword to wield, 
And frefli remembrance of inteftine wars ; lAnd on their heirs entail a bloody field : 



When the fame hou'ehold mortal foes did yield, 
And brothers ftain'dwithbrcthers'bloodthefiekl. 
When fons'curft fteel the fathers' gore djd ftain, 
And mothers mourn 'd for fens by fithefs fiain ! 
When thick as Egypt's locufts on the fmd 
Our tribes lay (laugh/ter'dthro'the prcmis'd land, 
Whofe few furvivors witii worfe fate remain, 
To drag the bondage of a tyrant's reign : 
W^hich fcene of woes, unknowing, we renew. 
And madly, ev'n thofe ills we fear, purine ; 
While Pharaoh laughs at our domeftic ij^roils, 
And fa:fely crowds his tents with nations' fpoils. 
Yet our fierce ianhedrim in reftlefs rage 
A-gainil our abfent hero ftili engage ; 
And chiefly urge, fuch did their phren-fy prove, 
The only luit their prince forbids to move ; 
Which till obtain'd they ceafe affairs of Itate, 
And real dangers wave for groundlefs hate. 
Long David's patience waits relief to bring, 
V/ith all th' indulgence of a lawful king, 
Expe6ting till the troubled waves Vi^ould ceafe, 
But found the raging billows itill incrcafe. 
The crowd, whole infolence forbearance fwells, 
While he forgives too tui\ almoft rebels. 
At lafc his deep refentment filence broke, ■ 
Th' imperial palace ihook v/hile thus he fpoke : 
Then Juilice wake, and Rigour take her time, 
For, lo ! our mercy is become our crime. 
While halting Punifhment her ftroke delays, 
Our fov'reign right, heaven's facred trull, decays! 
For whofe llipport ev'n fubjecls' inteiefi calls, 
Woe to that kingdom where the monarch falls ! 
That prince who yields the leaft of regal hvny 
So far his peoples freedom does betray, 
Kight lives by lav/, and law fubtifh by pcv/'r 5 
Diiarm the fhepherd, wolves the ilock devour. 
Hard lot of empire o'er a ftubborn race, 
Which Heaven itfelf in vain has tried with grace! 
Whenv/illourreafon'slong-charm'deyesunclole, 
And Ifrael judge between her friends and foes ? 
When f'lali we lee expired deceivers ^'ay, 
And crc*dit wliat our God and monarch s lay ? 
Diffembled patriots, brib'd with Egypt's gold, 
Ev'n fanhedrims in blind obedience hold ; 
Thofe patriots falfehood in their acftions fee. 
And judge by the pernicious fruit the tree^ 
If aught for Vvhich fo loudly they declaim. 
Religion, laws, and freedom, were their aim j 
Our fenates in dne methods they had led, 
T'avoidtbolemifchiefsvv-hichtheyfeem'dtodread, 
But firll ere yet they propp'd the finking Itate, 
T' impeach and charge, as urg'd by private hate; 
Provesthattheyne'erbeliev'dthefearstheyprefs'd, 
But barb'roufly dellrcy'd the nation's reft ! ' 
O! whither will ungovern'd fenates drive, 
And to v.'hat bounds licentious votes arrive ? 
When their injuftice we are prefs'd to ihare, 
The monarch urg'd t' ezclude the lawful heir j 



Thus madly their ov/n freedom they betray, 
And for th^oppreflion which they fear m^ake way j 
SuccefTion fix'd by Heaven, the kingdom's bar. 
Which once dilfoivM admits the flood of war: 
Wafce, rapine, fpoil, without, th' aflaulr begin ; 
And our 'mad tribes fnpplant the fence within. 
Since then their good they will not underftand, 
'Tis time to take the monarch's pow'r in band j 
Authority and force to join with fK.ill, 
And fave the lunatics againfl: their will. 
The fame rough means that'fuage the crowd, ap- 

peafe 
Our fenates raging with the crow^d's djfeafe. 
Henceforth unbial's'd meafures let them draw 
From no falfe glofs, but genuine text of law j 
Nor urge thofe crimes upon religion's (core, 
Themfelves fo much in Jebufites abhor. 
Whom laws convift, and only they, fliall bleed -, 
Nor Pharifees by Fharifees be freed. 
Impartial juftice from oufrthrone fliall fhow'r; 
All Ihall have right, and we our fov'reign pow'r, 
Ke faid : th' attendants heard with awful joy, 
A-nd glad prefages their iix'd thoughts employ ; 
From Hebron now the-fuffering heir return'd, 
A realm that long v/ith civil difcord mcurn'd j 
Till Ms approach, like fome arriving God, 
Compos'd and heal'd the place of his abode} 
The deluge check'd that to Jucea ipread. 
And ftopp'd fedrtion at the fountain's head. 
Thus in^ forgiving Dax'id's paths he drives. 
And, c^as'dfrom Ifrael, Ifi'aers peace contrives. 
The field confefs'd his pow'r in arms before, 
And feas proclaim'd Ids trinnVphs to the fiiore •, 
As iiobly has his fway in Hebron fhewn. 
How fit t' inherit godlike David's throne, 
llirougl: Sion's ftreets his glad arri voi's fpread. 
And coni^us faction fhrinks her inaky head j 
His train their fufferings tliink o'erpaid, to fee 
The crowd's applaufe with virtue once agree. 
Succefs charms all, but zeal for worth difl:refl: 
A virtue proper to the brave and htil j 
'Mongft whom was Joihran, Jothran always bent 
To fcrve the crown, and loyel by defcent ; 
Whofe ccnftancy fo firm, and conduft juii, 
Deferv'd at once two royal mailer's truft j 
Who Tyre's proud arm.s had manfully withfl:ocd 
On feas, and gather'd laurels from the flood j 
Of learning yet no portion was denied. 
Friend to the IMuies, and the Mufes' pride. 
Nor can Benaiah's worth forgotten lie, 
Of fteady foul v,^hen public llorms were high ; 
Whofeconda61:,whiletheMoorfierce onfets made, 
Secur'd at once our honour and our trade. 
Such were the chiefs who moll his fufterings 

raourn'd. 
And v'ew'd with filent joy the prince return'd ; 
While thofe that fought his abfence to betray, 
,Prefs fii-Q: tlieir naufeous falfe rel;«e(5ls to pay ; 
' Kim 



Book ir. D I D A C T I C, D E S C R I P T I V E, &rc. 309 

A prince {o form'd with earth's and heaven's 



Him iKill th' oiScious hypocrites moleft, 
And with maiicivous daty break his reft. 

Whili- real traniports thus his friends employ, 
And foes are loud in their dilfembled joy, 
His triumphs, fo refbunded far and near, 
Mils'd not his young- ambitious rival's ear;^ 
And as when joyfi.il huiUer's clamorous train 
Some llambering lion wakes in Moah's plain, 
Who oft hv.d forc'd the bold ailailants yield, 
And fcatter'd his purfui;rs throucrh tl'.e rield, 



appjaide 
Totriumpho'ercrown'd-headsin David'scaufei 
Or, grant him vitlor, Oiil his hopes muft fail, 
Who conquering would not forhimfelf prevail j 
The fa(ilion whom he trnfls for future Iway, 
riim aiid the public would alike betny ; 
Amongft them'elves divide the captive ftate. 
And found their hydra-empire in his fate ! 
Thus haviug beat the clouds witli painful flighf, 



Dildaining, furls his mane and tears the ground. I i he pitied youth, with fceptres in his fight. 

His eyes inflaming all the delert round, i So have thear cruel politics decreed, 

With roar of leas~dire6ts his chafers' \vn.y. \ Muft, by that crew that made him guilty bleed ! 

Provokes from far, and dares them to the fray ;j For could their pride brook any prince's fway, 

Such rageftorm'd nowin Abfdom's tierce breaft,i Whombutmild David would rheychoofe t'obey? 

Such indignation his firM eyes confefs'd ; j Who once at fuch a gentle reign repine. 

Where now was the inltruftor of his pride ? The fall of monarchy itfeif delignj 

Slepc the old pilot in fo rough a tide ? ' Fi'om hate to that their reformations fpring, 

Whofe wiles had from the happy (bore betray 'd,' And David not their grievance, but the kin^, 

Andthusonfiielvesthecredulousyouthc^nvey'd! Seiz'd now with panic fear the faiSlion lies, 

In deep revolving thought he weighs his ftate, .Left this clear truth ftrike Abialom's chaim'd 

Secure of cirdt, nor doubts to baffle fAte ; ! eyes, 

At leait, if his llorm'd l)ark muft go adrift, | Left he perceive, from long enchantment free. 

To baulk his charee, and for himfelf to fnift, ! ^Vhat all bsilde the ftatter'd youth muft fee. 

But whate'er doubts his troubled bofom fwell, 
Fair carriage ftill became Achitophel j 
V/h® now an envious feftival enftals. 
And fo furvey their ftrength the fa6fion calls. 
Perceives the crowd's unftabje zeal decay, ! Which fraud, religious worfliip too muft gild j 

Left their recanting chief the caufe betray; J But oh how weakly does fedition build 1 
Who on a fiiiher''s grace his hopes may ground,' For, lo ! tlie royal mandate ilfues forth, 
And for his pardon with their heads compound.; Daihiiig at once their treafon, zeal, and mir-th I 
Him therefore, ere his fortune ftip her time, } So have I Ceen difaftrous chance invade, 
The ftatefman plots t' engage in forae bold crime, I Where careful emmiets had their forage laid, 



In which his dext'rous wit had oft been (liev.n 
And in the wreck of kingdoms fav'd his own. 
But now, with more than common danger prell 
Of various refolutions ftands polleft, 

1-1 



Paft pardon, whether to attbmpt his bed 
Or threat with open arms the royal head. 
Or other daring method, and uninft, 
That may confirm him in the people's truft. 
But failing thus t' enfnnre him, nor fecure 
How long his foil'd ambition may endure. 
Plots next to lay him by, as paft Lis date, 
And try fome new pretender's luckier fate ; 
Whofe hopes with equal toil lie would purfue, 
Norcares what claimer'scrown'd except the true, 
Wake, Abfalom, approaching ruin fnun, 
And lee, ch fee. forv^hom thou art undone ! 
How are thy honours and thy fame betray 'd. 
The property of defperate villains made ! 
Loft pow'r and conicious fears their crimes create. 
And guilt in them was little lefs than fate : 
But why ftiouldft thou, from ev'ry grievance 

free, 
Forfake thy vineyards for their ftormy fea ? 
For thee did Canaan's miik and honey flow; 
Love drefsM thy bow'rs, and laurels fought thy 

brov;^ ; 
PrefeiTnent, wealth, and pow'r, thy valTals were. 
And of a monarch ail things but the care. 
Oh lliouidour crijuesagainthat curfedrawdown, 
And rebel-arms, once more attempt the crown, 
Sure ruin waits unhappy. Abfalom, 
Alike by conquell or defeat undone ; 
Who could relentlefs fee fuch youth and charms 
^.xpire with wretched fate in impious aliens ? 



i Whether iierce Vulcan's rage the furzy plain 
j Had felz'd, engender'd by fome carelefs fwain; 
j Or fweiling Neptune lawlefs inroads made, 
I And to their cell of ftore his flood convey'd j 
I The comm.onwealth broke up, diftra6led go, 
' And in wild hafte their loaded mates o'erthrow i 
Ev'n fo our liratter'd guefts confus'dly meet. 
With boil'd, bake, roalt,all juftlinginthe fti-eetj 
Dejeft ing all, and ruefully difmay'd. 
For fliekel without treat or treafon paid. 

Sedition's dark eclipfe now fainter fliews. 
More bright each hour the royal planet grows. 
Of force the clouds of envy to difperfe, 
In kind conjunction of afhfting ftars. 
Here, lab'ring Mufe, thofe glorious chiefs relate. 
That turn'd the doubtful fcale of David's fate 5 
The reft of that illuitrious band rehearfe, 
Immortaliz'd in laurel'd Afaph's verle: 
Hard talk 1 yet will not I thy flight recall ; 
View heaven, and then enjoy thy glorious fall, 

Firft write Bezaliel, whole iliuftdous name 
Foreftals our praife, and gives his poet fame. 
The Kenites' rocky province his command, 
A barren limb of fertile Canaan's land ; 
Which for its generous natives yet could be 
Held worthy fuch a prefident as he ! 
Bezaliel with each grace and virtue fraught. 
Serene his looks, ferene his life and thought j 
On whom fo largely nature heap'd her ftore, 
There fcarce remain'd for arts to give hira more ! 



,io 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IL 



I Our lift of nobles next let Amrl grace, 
j Whofe merits claim'd the Abethciin's high place j 
j Who, with a loyalty that did excel, 
I Brought all th' endowmeiUs of Achitophel. 
Sincere was Amri, and not only knew. 



To aid the crown and ftate h'n greateit zeal. 

His fecond care that Isrvice to goiKeal : 

Of dues obfervant, firm to ev'ry truft, 

And to the needy always more than juft: 

VV^ho truth from fpeclous falfehood can divide, 

Has all the g-ownfmen's Ikill without their pride; iBut Ifrael 's fanftions into pratStice drew 

Thus crown'd witii worth from heights of ho- jOur laws, that did a boundleis ocean feem, 

nour won, j Were coafted all, and fathomed all by him. 

See all his glories copied in his fon, ! Xo rabbin fpeaks like him their myltic fenfe, 

Whofe forward fame Ihould ev'ry Mufe engage, ' So juft, and with Inch charms of eloquence ; 
Whofe youth boalts ikill denied to others age. ^ To whom the double bleifing does belong, 
Men, m:uiners, language, books of nobleft kind, i With Mofes' infpiration, Aaron's tongue. 
Already are the conqueft of his mind ; iThen Sheva none more loyal zeal have fhewn, 

Whofe loyalty before its date was prime, I Wakeful as Judah's lion for the crown, 

Kor waited the dull courfe of rolling time: j Who for that caufe ftill combats in his age. 
The monfter Faftion early he difma)^'d. For which his youth with danger did eng:^ge. 

And David's caufe long fmce confefs'd his aid. I In vain our fa6lious priefts the cant revive j 
Brave Abdael o'er the prophet's fchool was (In vain i'editious fcribes with libel ftrive 

plac'd ; j T' inflame the crowd ; while he with watchful eye 

Abdael with all his father's virtue grac'd ; ; Obferves, and ilioots their treafons as they fly j 

A hero, who,vvhile liars look'd wondering down,] Their weekly frauds his keen replies detect ] 
"Without one Hebrew's blood reftor'd thecrov>'n, j He undeceives more faft than they infeft. 
That praife was his ; what therefore did remain ; So Mofes, when the pelt on legions prey'd, 
For following chiefs, but boldly to maintain Advanc'd his fignal, and the plague wasftay'd. 
That crown reftor'd r and in this rank of fame. Once more,my fainting Mufe, thypinions try. 
Brave Abdael with the firft a place muft claim. And Itrength's exhaufted ftore let love fupply, 
Proceed, illiutrious, happy chief! proceed, I What tribute, Afaph, Ihall we render thee ? 
Forefeize the garlands for thy brow decreed, j We'll crown thee with a wreath from thy own 
While th'infpir'd tribe attend with nobleft ftrain I Thy laurel grove no envy's flafli can blaft ; [tree ! 
To regifter the glories thou Ihalt gain : i The fong of Afaph ftiall for ever laft. 

For fure the dew fha'.l Giiboah's hills forliike, JAVith wonder late pofterity Ihall dwell 
Aud Jordan mix h's ftream with Sodom's lake 
Or feas retir'd their fecret ftores difclofe. 



And to the fun their fcnly brood expoie ; 
Or iweil 'd above the clifts their billows raife. 
Before tho Mufes leave their patron's praiie. 
Eliab onr next labour dees invite, 
A,nd hard the talk to do Eliab right: 
Long with the royal wanderer he rov'd. 
Ami firm iri all the turns of fortune prov'd ! 
Such ancient fervice, and deiert fb large, 
^Vell claim'd the royal houiehold for his charge 
His age with only one mild heirefs bleft. 
In all the bloom of fmiling nature dreft, 
And bleft ?o;a!n to fee his iiow'r allied 
ToDavid'sirock,andmade)'oungOthniers bride 
The biight reftorer of his father's youth. 
Devoted to a fou's aud fubjeft's truth : 
Keiclv'd to bear that prize of duty home. 
So bravely fought, while fo\ight by Abfalom. 
Ah Diince ! th' illuftrious planet of thy birth, 



On Abfalom and falfe Achitophel 

Thyftrainftiall be ourftumb'ring prophet'sdream. 

And when our Sion virgins fmg their theme, 

Our jubilees ftiali with thy verfe be grac'd ; 

The fon^ of Alaph Ihall for ever laft. [tame ! 
How fierce his fatire loos'd ! reftrain'd, how 

How tender of th' oftending young man's faijie ! 

How well his worth and brave adventures ft)'rd! 

Juft to his virtues, to his error mild. 

No page of thine, th:;t fears the ftrifteft view, 
' But teems with juir reproof, or praife as true, 
■ Not Eden could a fairer pi-ofped: yield ; 
: Ail paradiie withoiit one barren field : 
i Whofe wit the cenfure of his foes has paft, 
I The fong of Aiaph iliall for ever hft. 
I What pj-aife for fuch rich ftrains Ihall we allow? 
j What juit rewards the grateful crown beftoAv ? 
I While bees hi tlovv'rs rejoice, and flow'rs in dew. 

While ftars and fountains totheircourfe are true; 

While Judaiis throne and Sion's rock ftand faft. 



And thy more powerful virtue, guard thyworth ! : The fong of Afaph and the fame ftiall laft. 



T:.ar no Achitophel thy ruin boaU ! 
Ifrael too much in one fuch wreck has loft. 

E'en envy Uiuft confent to H^lon's worth, 
\Vhofe foul, though Egypt glories in his birth, 
Could for our captive ark its zeal retain. 
And Pharaoh's alfars in their pomp difdain: 
To (light his gods was fmull; with nobler pride. 
He all th' allure:nents of his court defied. 
Whom profit nor examyjle couid betray, 
But Ifrael 's friend, and true to David's fway. 
Wh.it acts of favour in his province fall. 
On merit he confers, and freely all. 



Still Hebron's honour'd happy foil retains 
Our roya! hero's beauteous dear remains ; 
Who now iails off with winds nor wifties flack. 
To bring h\i fuft''rings' bright companion back. 
But ereVuch tranfport can our fenle employ, 
A bitter grief m.uft poifon half our joy; 
Nor can our coafts reftor'd thofe bleihngs fee 
Without a bribe to envious deftiny ! 
Curs'd Sodom's doom for ever fix the tide 
Where, by iiiglorious chance, the valiant died * 
Give not infuiting Af^alon to know. 
Nor let Oath's daughters triumph iji our woe ! 



Book: II. 



DIDACTIC, D E S C R I P T I V K, Sci 



511 



No f:rAor with the news fwtll Egypt's pride, 
hy what inglorious fate our valiant died ! 
AV^eep Anion 1 Jordan, weep thy fountains dry, 
Wliile Sioii's rock dlil'oWes for a liipply. 

Calm were the elements, nis^ht's filence deep. 
The waves f'carce murmuring, and the vv'inds 
Yet fiite for ruin takes ih Itillan hour, [aileep; 
And treacherous fluids the princely hark devour; 
Then death unworthy feiz'd a generous race, 
To virtue's fcandal, and the Itars dilgrace ! 
Oh ! had the indulgent pou''rs vouchllifd to 
Inilead of faithlefs fhelyesj a Tuled field ; [yield, 
A iiiled field of Heaven's and David's foes, 
Fierce as the troops that did his youth oppofe ; 
Each life had on his ilaugi;ter"d heap retir'd. 
Not tajuely and unconquerlng thus expir'd : 
But defliny is now their only foe. 
And dyinge'eno'erthattheytriumphtoo; [plaud, 
Witli lou'd Jalt hreaths their mailer's 'fcape aji- 
Of whom kind force could fearce the fatesdefraud; 
\yho for Inch followers loll, O matchleis mind ! 
At his own /afety novvalmoll repin'd ! 
S:iy^ royal Sir, by all your fame In arms, 
Your praiie in peace, and by Urania's charms, 
If all your fulf 'rings paft fo nearly prefs'd, 
Or pierc'd with half ih painful grief, your breaft ? 
Tlius fbme diviner Mufe her hero forms, 
Not footh'dwith foftdelights,buttofs'd informs; 
Nor ftretch'd on rofes in the myrtle grove, 
Nor crowns his days witl> mirth, his nights with 

love ; 
But far remov'd in thund'riiig camps is found. 
His numbers Ihort, his bed tlje herblefs ground : 
In talks of danger always ieen the firll. 
Feeds from the hedge, and (lal^esvyith ice histhirfl. 
Longmuliihis patience (Irive with fortune's rage, 
And long oppofmg gods themfelves engage: 
Mult fee his country flame, his fViends dellroy'd, 
Before the promis'd empire be enjoyed : 
Such toils of fate mult build a man of fame, 
And fuch to Ifrael 's crown, the gcKilike Pavid 
came. 

What fudden beams difpel the clouds fo faft, 
Whofedrenchingrainslaidallourvineyardswafle! 
The fpring ib far behind her courfe delayed. 
On tlr inltant is in all her bloom array'd ; 
The winds breathe low, the element ferene ; 
Yet mark what motion in the waves is {een ! 
Thronging and bufy as Hyblaen fwarnis. 
Or itruggled foldiers fummon'd to their arms. 
See where the princely bark in loofelt pride. 
With all her guardian fleet, adorns the tide 1 
High on her deck the royal lovers Hand, 
Our crimes to pardon ere he touch'd our land. 
Welcome to Ilrael and to David 's breait ! 
Here all your toils, here all your fuff 'rings reft. 

This year did Ziloah rule Jerufalem, 
And boldly all Sedition's fyrtes Item. 
Howe'er encumbered with a viler pair 
Than Ziph or Shimei to aflilt the chair ; 
Yet Ziloah's loyal labours fb prevail'd, 
That faftion at the next election fail 'd ; , 

When ev'n the common cry did jullice found, I 
And mer^t by the multitude was crown 'd : | 



With David then was Ifrael "s peace reftor'd j 
Crowds mourn'dtheirerror, and obey'dthtirlord. 

Key to Abfalotn and AchtiopheL 

5 General Monk, Duke, of 
i Albemarle. 
^The name given thro' this 
\ poem to a Lord Chanr 
' ciilor in general. 
Duke of Monmouth, 
The Earl of Shafteibury. 
Earl of Mulgrave. 
Sii- Edmundbury Godfrey. 
) Mr. Seymour, Speaker of 
i the Koui'e of Commons. 
<Sir Heneage Finch, Eari 
j of Wmchelfea, and Lord 
» Chancellor. 



AbJael, — 

I AhttbJhty — 

I Abfalom, — 

\ Acbhol'bel, — 

\ Adrid, -^ 

\Aoag, -^ 

! Amid, -T- 

! 

1 Amriy — 



' Annabely 


— . 


liurhefs of Monmouth. 


^Arod, 

i 


— 


Sir William Waller. 
£ A Character drawji by 
-J Tate for Dryden, in the 
L fecond part of his poem. 


Afapb, 


— 






Balaamt 


— 


Earl of Huntingdon. 


Balaak, 


> 


Barnet. 


Barzillaiy 


— 


Duke of Ormond. 


Batbjbebay 


_-. 


Duchefs of Portfmouth, 


Benaiah, 


.«- 


General Sackville. 


Ben jochcman^ 


Rev. Mr. Sam. Johnfou. 


Bezaliel, 


—7- 


Duke of Beaufort. 


Caleb, 


— 


Lord Grey. 


Corab, 


— 


Dr. a^tes. 


David, 


— 


Charles IL 


Docg, 


__ 


Elkannh Settle. 


Egypt, 


— 


France. 


Eliab, 




5 Sir Hen. Bennet, Earl of. 




t Arlington. 


Ethnic Pla. 


} "" 


The Popilh-Plot. 
rThe Land of Exile, more 


Gatky 




J particularly Bruflcls, 




i ^yhere King Charles II. 






t, long refided. 


Hebron, 


»_ 


Scotland. 


Hebr£--w^ Friejis, 


The Ch. of Engl. Clergy, 


Melon, 


__ 


Earl of Feverfiram. 


Hujhai, 


— . 


Hyde, Earl of Rocheiter. 


Jebu/ites, 


— 


Papilts. ' 


Jerufalem^ 


~~ 


London. 


Je^vs, 


— 


Englifh." 


Jonas., 


— r 


Sir William Jones. 


Jordan, 





Dover. 


Jotham, 





Marquis of Hallifax, 


Jothran, 


_ 


Lord Darmouth. 


IJliboJheth, 


— r 


Richard Cromw:el!,. 


Ifrael, 


— r 


England. 


ijfachar. 


— r 


Thonias Thynne, Efq. 


Judas, 


— 


S Mr. Ferg ilon, a cantiog 
\ Teaclicr. 


IJlihan, - 


... 


Sir Robert Clayton. 


MepbiboJIieth, 


Pord ige. 


Mi.:hal, 


— . 


Queen Catharine. 


Nadab, 


Tf 


Lord Howard of Efcilgk. 


Og. 


— 


bhtdwell, 



PbaUv 



Forbes. 



3^^ 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IL 



Pharaoh, — King of France. 
Rabjbeka, — Sir Thomas Player. 
Saganofjerufalem, Dr. Compton, Bp. of Lon. 



Sanhcdnvii 





Parliament. 


Saul, 


__ 


Oliver CromwcU. 


Shimet, 


— 


Sheriff Bethel. 


Ske-va, 


— 


Sir Roger Leflrange. 


Solymeaft Rent, 


London Rebels. 


^yre. 





Kolland. 


l/iSz;^, 


— 


Jack Hall. 


tadoc. 


— 


) Sancroft, Archbifnop of 
i Canterbury. 


Zaken, 


— 


i A Member of the Houfe 
\ of Commons. 


Zimri, 


— 


Villiers, D, of Buckingham. 


Ziloah, 


— 


Sir John Moor. 



§ 28. 



Palamon and Arcite : or the Knight ' 
Tale. Dryden. 



BOOK I. 

In days of old, there liv'd of mighty fame, 
A vaUant prince, and Thefeus was his name 
A chief who more in feats of arms exccll 'd 
The rifnig nor the fetting fun beheld. 
Of Athens he was lord; much land he won, 
And added foreis^n countries to his crown. 



In Scythia wii:h the warrior queen he ftrove. 

Whom fiift by force he conquered, then by love 

He brought in trhimpli back the beauteous dame,! And Jong have waited in the temple nigh 



At his approach they rais'd a r\\t^\\\ cry, [high 
And beat their brealts, and held their hands on 
Crespmg and crying/tiil they feiz'd at laft 
His couner's bridle^, and his feet embracM. 
Teii mcj laid Theieusj what and whence you 
are, 
And why this fun'ral pageant you prepare : 
Is this the welcome of ray worthy deeds, 
To meet my triumph in lU-omenM weeds ? 
Or envy you my praife, and would deilroy 
With grief my pleafures, and pollute my joy ? 
Or are you injur'd, and demand rehef ? 
Name your requeft, and I will eafft your grief. 
The moll in years of all the mourning train 
Began (but Ivvooncd firft away for pain) j 
Then fcarce recovered liDoke : Nor envy we 
Thy great renown, nor grudge thy vi6t:ory : 
'Tis thine, O king, th' afflifted to redrefs, 
And fame has liil M the world with thy fuccefs : 
We wi-etche.t women fue for that alone. 
Which of thy goodnefs is refus'd to none ; 
Let fall fome drops of pity on our grief, 
If \vhat we beg be juft, and we deferve relief: 
For none of us, who now thy grace implore, 
But held the rank of fov'reign queen before 5 
Till, thanks to giddy chance, which never bears 
That mortid blifs faould laft for length of years, 
I^'he caft us headlong from our high ellate ; 
And here in hope of thy return we wait 



With whom her fiiLtr, fair Emiha, came. 
With honour to his home let Thefeus ride, ^ 
With love to friend, and fortune for his guide, ^ 
And his viilorious army at his fide. > 

I pafs their warlike pomp, their proud array, 
Their fhouts, their fongs, their welcome on the 

way : 
But, were it not too long, I Vvould recite 
The fear of Amazons, the fatal fight 



Betwixt the hardy queen and hero knight ; J 

The town belieg'd, and iiow mucli blood it coft! The Thehan city, and ufurps the lands, 

The female army and th' Athenian hofl; I Denies the rites of fun'ral fires to thofe 



Built to the gracious goddefs Clemency, [bears. 
But rev'rence thou the pow'r whofe" name it 
Relieve th' opprell, and wipe the widow's tears. 
T, Avretched I, have oth^r fortune feen. 
The wife of Capancus, and once a queen : 
At Thebes he fell ; curft be the fatal day ! 
j And all the reft thou feefl in this array. 
To make their rrrcan, their lords in battle loft 
! Before that townbefieg'd byour confederate holt: 
, But Creon, old and impious, who commands 



The fpoufals of Kippolita the queen , 
What tilts and tourneys at the feaft were feen ; 
The ftorm at their return, the ladies' fear : 
But thefe and other things, I mull forbear. 
The field is fpacious I delign to fow, 
With oxen far unfit to draw the plough j 
The remmant of my tale is of a lengtl 



Vv'hofe breathlefs bodies yet he calls his foes. 
Unburn'd, unburied, on a heap they lie ; 
Such is their fate, and fuch his tyranny ; 
No friend has leave to bear away the dead, 
But with their lifelefs limbs his hounds are fed. 
At this fhe foriek'd aloud; the mournful train 
Echoed her grief, and grov'ling on the plain. 



To tire your patience, and to wafte my flrength ; ' With groans, and hands irpheld, to 



And trivial accidents fnall be forborne, 
Tiiat others may have time to take rh..;lr turn ; 
As was at firil enjoin'd us by mine hofl, 1 
That he whofe tale is bell, and plcafes mofl, ? 
Should win his flipper at our common cofr. J 
And therefore where I left I will purliie . 1 
This ancient flory, whether falfe or true, ? 
In hope it m:'v be'mended with a new. 3 

The prince I niention'd, full of high renown. 
In this array drew near the Athenian town ; 
When in his pomp and utmoil of his pride, 
M.irchlng he chanc'd to call: his eye afide. 
And law a choir of mourning dames, who lay 
By two and two acrots the comoaon way: 



his 
Beiought his pity to their helplefs kind ! [mind, 

j The prlncewas touch'd.his tears began to flow, 

I And, as his tender heart Avould break in two. 

I He figh'd: and could nctbnt their fate deplore. 
So wretched now, fb fortunate before. 

I Then lightly from his lofty lleed he fiew. 
And railing one by one the fuppliant crew, 
To comfort each, full fclemnly he fvvore. 
That by the faith which knights to knighthood 

bore, 
'^nd whate'cr elfe to chivalry belongs, 
lie would not ceafe, till he reveng'd their wrongs: 
That Greece Ihould fee performM what he de- 
And cruel Creon find his juit reward. [clar\l ; 

He 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE. 



315 



He faid no more, but, fhiinnlng all delay, 
Kode on, nor enteral Athens on his way: 
But left his fifter and his queen behind. 
And vvav'd his royal banner in the wind : 
Where in an argent field the god of war 
Was drawa triumphant on his iron car: 
Ked v.'as his fword, and fliield, and whole attire ; 
And all the godht^ad feein'd to glow with fire: 
E'en the ground glitterMwhere the ftandard flew. 
And the green grafs was dy'd to fanguine hue. 
Pligh on his pointed lance his pennon bore 
His Cretan fight, the conquered Minotaiir^ 
The foldiers ihout around with gen'rous rage, 
And in that viftory their own prelage. 
He pnis'd their ardour, inly pleas'd to fee 
His hoft the flow'r of Grecian chivalry. 
All day he march'd, and all th' enfuing night ; 
And faw the city with returning- light. 
The procefs of the war I need not tell, 
How Thefeus conquered, and how Creon fell ; 
Or after, how by itorm the walls were won, 
Or how the vlftor iack'dand burn'd tiie town ; 
How to the ladies l.e reftored again 
The bodies of their lords in battle flain ; 
And with what ancient rites they were interr'd : 
All thefe to fitter times Ihall be deferred. 
I fpare the widows"" tears, their woeful cries. 
And howling at their huibands' obfequies j 
How Thefeus at thefe fun'rals did aflilt, 
AndwithwhatgiftsthwrnourningdamesdifmifsM. 
Thus, when the vidlor chief had Creon flain, 
And con quer'dThebes, he pitched upon the plain 
His mighty camp, and, when the day returned. 
The country wailed, and the hamlets burn'd; 
And left the pillagers to rapine bred. 
Without controul to ftrip and fpoil the dead. 

There, in a heap of flain, among the rell. 
Two youthful knights they found, beneath a load 

oppreft 
Of flaughter'd foes, whom firft to death they fent, 
Thetrophiesoftheftrength,abloodymonument, 
Both fair, and both of royal blood they feem'd, 
Whorakin'fmen to the crovvn the heralds deem'd : 
That day in equal arms they fought for f:ime : 
Their fwords, their fhields, their lurcouts, weie 

the lame. 
Clofeby each other laid, they prefsM the ground, 
Their manly bofoms pierc'd with many a grizzly 

wound 5 
Nor well alive, nor wholly dead, they were. 
But fome faint figns of feeble life appear: 
The wandVing breath was on the v/ing to part, 
Weak v/as the pulfe, and hardly heav'd the heart, 
Thefe two were filler's fons j and Arcite one. 
Much fam'd in fields, with valiant Palamon. 
From thefe their coftly arms the fpoilers rent; 
And foftiy both conveyed to Thefeus' tent : 
Whom known of Creon's iine,andcu r'd with care, 
He to his city fent as prisoners of the war, 
Hopelefs of ranfom, and condemned to lie 
In durance, doom'd a lingering death to die. 
This done, he march'daway withv^^arlike found,-) 
And to his Athens turn'd with laurels crown'd, ( 
Where happy long he liv'd, much lov'd and^ 

more reuown'd« / 



But in the tow'r, and never to be loosed. 
The woeful captive kinfmen are inclos'd. 

Thus year by year they pafp, and day by day. 
Till once, 'twas on the morn of cheerful May, 
The young Emilia, fairer to be I'een 
Than the fair lily on the fiow'ry green, 
More frefli than May herfeif in bloiroms new. 
For with the rofy colour llrove her hue, 
Wak'd, as Ker cuilom was, before the day 
To do th' obfervance due to fprightly May: 
For fprightly May commands our youth to keep 
The vigils qj^ her night, and breaks their iluggard 

fleep ; 
Each gentle breaft withkindlywarmth fliemoves; 
Infpires new flames, revives extinguifli'd loves* 
In this rem.embrance Emily ere day 
Arofe, and drefs'd herfeif in rich array; 
Frefli as the month, and as the morning fair, 
A-down her fhoulders fell her length of hair: 
A ribband did the braided treffes bind. 
The reft v/as loofe, and wanton'd in the wind s 
Auroi'a iiad but ntwly chas'd the night, 
And purpled o'er the tky with blufliing light. 
When to the garden walk flie took her way, V 
To fport and trip along in cool of day, ^ 

And offer maiden vows in honour of the May.^ 

At ev'ry turn flie made a little ftand. 
And thruft am.ong the thorns her lily hand 
To draw the rofe ; and ev'ry rofe fliedrew, 
She fliook the ftaik, and brufli'd away the dew. 
Then party-colour'd flow'rs of white and red 
She wove, to make a garland for her head: 
This done, (he lung and carol'd out fo clear. 
That men and angels might rejoice to hear: 
Ev'n wond'ring Philomel forgot to fing ; 
And learn 'd from her to welcome -in the fpring* 
The tow'r, of which before was mention made. 
Within whole keep the captive knights were 

laid, 
Built of a large extent and ftrong withal. 
Was one partition of the palace wall : 
The garden was inclos'd within the fqUare, 
Where young Emilia took the morning air. 

It happen'd Palamon, the pris'ner knight, 
Reitlefs for woe, arofe JDefore the light, 
And, with his jailor's leave, defir'd to breathe 
An air more wholefome than the damps beneath. 
This granted, to the tow'r he took his way, 
Cheer'd with the promife of a glorious day: 
Then cait a languillii ng regard around, 
And law with hateful eyes the temples crown 'd 
With golden fpires, and all thehoftile ground. 
He figh'd, and turn'd his eyes, becaufe he knew 
'Twas but a larger gaol he had in view : 
Then look'd below, and from the caftle's height 
Beheld a nearer and more pleafing fight 
The garden, vi.'hich before he had not feen, 
In fpring's nev/ liv'ry clad of white and gn 
Frefli flow'rs in wide parterres, and 

walks between. 
This view'd, but not enjoy'd, with arms acrofsji 
He fl:ood, reflefting on his countiy's lofs; | 

Himlelf an obje6l'of the public fcorn, 
And often wifn'd he never had been born. 

At' 



en, •^ 

jreenjf 
Ihady/ 



5»4 



ELEGANT EXT U ACTS. 



B O G iC If. 



At hll, for ft-) his deftiny reqiiir'd. 
With walking gi'-idy, and with thinking tir^d, 
He through a httle window caft his fight, 
Though thick of bars, that gave a fcauty light : 
But ev'n that glimm'ring ferv'd him to de(cry 
Th' inevitable charms of Emily. [fmart, 

Scarce had he {ten, but feiz'd wdth fudden 
Stung to the quick, he felt it at his heart 5 
Struck blind M'ith overpow'ring light he Itood, 
Then itarted back amaz'd, and cried aloud. 

Young Arcite heard j and up lie ranwith hafte. 
To help his friend, aud in his arms e^ibrac'd ; 
And alk'd him why lie look'd fo deadly wan,. 
And whenceand how his change of cheer began r 
Or who had done th' offence ? But if, laid he, 
Vour grief alone is hnrd captivity,, 
For love of heaven, with patience undergo 
A curelefs ill, lince fate will have it fo: 
So Hood our horofcope in chains to lie, 
And Saturn in the dungeon of the (ky. 
Or other baleful afpeft, rul'd our birth, 
V/hen ail the friendly llai's were under earth; 
Whate'er betides, by defciny ""tia done 5 
And better bear, like men, than vainly feek to 

Nor of my bonds, laid Palamon again, [Ihiin. 
Nor of unhapp)^ planets, I complain : 
But when my mortal anguilh caus'd my cry, 
That moment I was hurt through either eye j 
Pierc'd wieh a random fnaft, I faint away, 
And perifli with infenfible decay: 
Aglanceof fome new goddefs gave the wound, 
Whom, like Afteon, imaware I found. 
Look how flie walks along yon fiiady fnace, "> 
Not Juno moves with more majeitic grace j ^ 
And all the Cyprian queen is in her face. y 
If thou art Venus (for thy charms confefs 
That face was form'd in heaven, or art thou lefs; 
Difguis'd in habit, undifguis'd in fliape) 
O help us captives from our chains to Mtape ; 
But if our doom be pafs\l in bonds to lie 
For life, and in a loathfome dungeon die. 
Then be thy wrath appeas'd with our dilgrace, 
And fhew companion to the Theban race,? 
Opprefs'd by tyrant pow'r ! While yet he Ipoke, 
Arcite on Emily had fix'd his look ; 
The fatal dart a ready palfage found, 
And deep wltiiin his heart inlix'd tlie wound : 
So that if Palamon w^ere wounded lore, 
Arcite was hurt as much as he, or moie : 
Then from his inmoft foul he ligh'd, and faid. 
The beauty I beheld has ftruck me dead : 
Unknowingly fhe lb-ikes, and kills by chance; 
Poilbn is in her eyes, and death in ev'ry glance. 
O, I muft afk ; nor a(k alone, but move 
Jier mind to mercy, or mull die for love. 

Thus Arcite : and thus Palamon replies 
^Eager his tone, and ardent were his eyes): 
Speak'It thou in earneft, or in jelling vain? ^ 
Jelling, faid Arcite, fuits but ill with pain, f 
It fuits far worte (faid Palamon again, ' 

And.benthisbi-ows),xvith raenwho honourweigh, 
Their foith to break, their friendlhip to betray; 
"But word with thee of noble lineage born, 
My klntiuan, and in arms my brother fworn, 
7 



Have we not plighted each our holy oath, 
That one Ihould be the comn-.on good of both : 
One foul fhould both infpire, and neither prove 
His fellow's hindrance in purfuit of love ? 
To this before the gods we gave our hands. 
And nothing butour death can break the bands. 
This binds thee, then, to further my defgn, 
As I am bound by vow to furtiier thine : 
Nor canll, nor dar'il thou, traitor, on the plain 
Approach my honour, or thine own maintain, 
Since thou art of my council, and the friend 
Whofe faith I trufl, and on whofe care depend : 
And wouid'lt thou court my lady's love, which I 
Much rather than reieai'e would chool'e to die ^ 
But thou, lalfe Arcite, never fnalt obtain 
Thy bad pretence :I told thee fipft my pain ; 
For ih-il my love began ere thine was born : 
Thou, as my counlel and my brother iWornj 
Art bound t' alTdi my elder'faip of right, 
Or juflly to be deem'd a perjur'd knight. 

Thus Palamon ; but Arcite with difdain,. 
In haughty language, thus replied again : 
Forfworn thylelf ; the traitor's odious name 
I fir/l return, and then dil'prove thy claim. 
If iove be paffion, and that pallion nurs'd 
With drong defires, I lovM the lady firft, 
Canlt thou pretend delire, whom zeal inflam'd 
To worlliip, and a pow'r celeftial nam'd r 
Thine was devotion to the bleft above j 
I faw the woman, and defir'd her love; 
Firft own'd my paOion, and to thee commend 
Th' important fecret, as niy chofen friend. 
Suppofe (wdiich yet I grant not) thy defire 
A moment elder than my rival fire: 
Can chance of feeing fidl thy title prove ? 
And know'ft thou not, no law is made for love? 
Law is to things which to free choice relate j 
Love is not in our choice, but in our fate ; 
Laws are but poiitive ; love's pow'r we fee 
Is nature's lanflion, and her firll decree. 
Each day we break the bond of human laws 
For love, and vindicate the common caufe. 
Laws for defence of civil rights are plac'd ; 
Love throws the fences down, and makes a 

giin'nd wafte ; 
Maids, widows, wives,withoutdiftin6tionfall;[all. 
The fweeping deluge, Love, comes on,and covers 
If then the laws of friendfhip I tranfgrefs, 
I keep the greater, while I break the leli 
And both are madalike,fmceneit]ier can polfefs 
Both hopelefs to be mnfom'd, never more 
To fee the fun, but as he palfes o'er. 

Like ^fop^s hounds contending for the bone, 
Each pleaded right, and would b.e lord ulone; 
The fruitlefs fight continued aU the day ; 
A cur came by, and fnatch'd the prize away. 
As courtiers therefore juftle for a grant, [want. 
And when theybreak their fi-iend(hip plead their 
So thou, if fortune will thy fuit advance, 
Love on, nor envy me my equal chance : 
For I muft love, and am relblv'd to try 
My fate, or, failing in th' adventure, die. 

Greatwasthelrftrife,which hourly wasrenew'd, 
'Till each with moj-tal hate his rival view'd : 



Ifefs.y 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



3^ 



Now friends no more, nor walking hand in hand, 
But when they met they made a lurly ibndj 
And ghir'd like angty lions as they paiVd, 
And wiihM that ev'ry look might he their lad. 

It ch;mc'd at length, I'irithous came t' attend 
Thia worthy Thefeus, his familiar friend j 
Their love in early infancy began. 
And roli2 as childhood ripen'd into man. 
Companions of the war j and lov'd fo well, "i 
That when one died, as ancient Itories tell, ;• 
His fellow to redeem him went to hell. ) 

But to purl'ue my tale 4 to -welcome home 
His wa;like brother is Pirithous come : 



Then farewell youth, and all the Joys that dwell 
With youth and life, and life itfelf farewell. 

But why, alas ! do mortal men in vain 
Of fortune, fate, or providence complain ? 
God gives us what he knows our wants require. 
And better things than thole wh?ch we deiire. 
Some pray for riches, riches they obtain 5 
But,watch'd byrobbers, for theirwealrh are flain j 
Some pray from prifbn to be freed ; and come. 
When guilty of their vows, to fall at home; 
Murdered by thole they trufted with their Itfe, 
A favoured fervant, or a bofom Vv'ii'e. 
iSuch dear-bought blelTings happen ev''ry day. 



Arciteof Thebes was known inarms longfmce,! Becaufe we know not for what things to pray. 

And honoured by this young TheflaliaM prince 

Theieus, to gratify his friend and guell. 

Who made our Arcite's freedom his rcqueft, 

Keftor'd to liberty the captive knight, 

But on thefe hard conditions I recite 5 

That if hereafter Arcite fhould be found 

Within the conipals of Athenian ground,' 

By day or night, or on whatever pretence. 

His head Ihould pay the forfeit of th' olfence. 

To this Pirithous for his friend agreed, 

And on his promiie was the pi'is'ner freed. 

Unpleas'dand penfive hence he takes liisway 
At his own peril"; for his life muft pay. 
Who now but Arcite mourns his bitter fate. 
Finds his dear purchale, and repents too late? 
What have 1 gain'd, he laid, in prifon pent, 
If I but change my bonds for banifhment ? 
And, banilh'd from her fight, I furfer more 
In freedom, than I felt in bomls before ; 
Forc'd from her prefence,and condemned to love ; 
Unwelcome freedom, and unthank'd reprieve ! 
Heaven is not but where Emily abides ; 
And where flie's abfent all is hell belides. , 
Next to my day of birth was that accursed. 
Which bound my friendlhip to Pirithous firfl ; 
Had I not known that Prince, I ftill had been 
In bondage, and had ftill Emilia feen : 
For though I never can her grace deferve, 
'Tis recompence enough to lee and ierve. 

Palamon, my kinlman and my friend. 
How much moi-e happy fotes thy love attend ! 
Thine is th' adventure, thine the victory; 
Well has thy fortune turn'd the dice for tliee : 
Thoa ou that angePs face mayll feed thine eyes^ 
In prifon — no — but blifsful paradife ! 
Thou daily keii that fun of beauty ihine. 
And lev 'It at leall in love's extremell line. 

1 mourn in abfence, love's eternal night, "^ 
And who can tell but, lince thou haft her light, ^ 
And art a comely, young, and valiant knight,) 
F.ortune (a various pow'r) may ceafe to frown, 
And by feme ways unknown thy wilhescrown ? 
But I, the molt forlorn of human kind. 
Nor help can hope, nor remedy can find ; 
But dooni'd to drag my loathlonie life in care, 
Frtr my reward, muft end it in defpair. 
Fire, water, air, and earth, and force of fates 
That governs all, and Heaven that all creates. 
Nor art, nor natu^«'s hand, can eafe m^ grief j 
Nothing but death, the wretch's laft relief j 



Like drunken lots about the Itreet we roam : 
Well knows the lot he has a certain home ^ 
Yet knows not how to find th' uncertain place. 
And blunders on, and ftaggers ev'ry pace. 
Thus all leek happine/s, but few can find : 
For far the greater part of men are blind. 
This is my cafe, who thought our utmoft good 
Was in oi^e word of freedom underftood : 
rhe fatal blelling came : from prifon free, 
1 itarve abroad, and lofe the fight of Emily. 

Thus Arcite : but if Arcite thus deplore 
His fuff 'rings, Palamon yet fulfers more. 
For when he knew his rival freed and gone. 
He fwellswith wrath, he makes outrageous moaii-s 
He fretSjlie fumes,he liares,he ftamps the ground; 
The hollow tow'r with clamours rings around s 
With briny tears he bath'd his fetter'd feet, 
And dropp'd all o'er with agony of fweat. 
xAlas ! he cried, I wretch in prilon pine, 
Too happy rival, while the fruit is thine : 
Thou liv'il at lai-ge, thou draw'ft thy native air, 
Pleas'd with thy freedom, proud of my defpair : 
Thou raay'ft, fince thou haft youth and courage 
A fvveet behaviour, and a folid mind, [join'd, 
Aftemble ours and all the Theban race. 
To vindicate on Athens thy difgrace ; 
And after, by fome treaty made, poflefs 
Fair Emily, the pledge of lafting peace. 
So thine lliall be the beauteous prize, while I 
Muft languilh in defpair, in prifon die. 
Thus all th' advantage of the ftrife is thine 5 
Thyportiondoi'blc joys.and doubleforrowsmine. 

The rage of Jealoufy then fir'd his lb\i}. 
And his face kindled like a burning coal : 
Nov^' cold Defpair, fucceeding in her ftead, 
To livid palenefs turns the glowing red. 
His blood, fcarce liquid, creeps within his veins. 
Like water which the freezing wind conftrains. 
Then thus lie laid : Eternal Deities, 
Who rule the world with abfblute decrees, 
And write whatever time Ihall bring to pafs. 
With pens of adamant, on plates of brafs ; 
What, is the race of human kind your care 
Beyond what ail his fellow-creatures a;e ? 
He with the reft is liable to pain 5 
And like the fneep, his brother-beaft, i.> (hviu 
Cold, hunger, priibns, ills without a cure, 
All thefe he muir, and guiltlefs oft, endur' ; 
Or does your juftice, pow'r, or preicience 1 
When the good fulier, and the bad prev; : 



316 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



What worfe to wretched virtue could befal, 
If late, or giddy fortune, govern''d all ? , 
Nay, worie than other bealts is oar eftate : 
Them to purfue their pleailires you create ; 
W(.^, bound by harder laws, mull curb our will, 
And your coran'/ands, not our defires fulfil ; 
Tb.en when the creature is unjuftly ilain. 
Yet after death at Icaft he feels no pain : 
But man, in life furcharg'd with woe before, 
l^Jot freed when dead, is doomed to fuffer more. 
A (ierpent fliopts his fting at unaware j 
An anibufh'd thief forelays a traveller : 
The mrai lies murder-'d ; while the thiefand fhake. 
One gains the thickets, and one thrids th§ brake. 
This let divines decide ; but well I know, 
Juil or unjuft, I have my fliare of woe ; 
Through Saturn feated in a lucklefs place. 
And Juno's wrath, that perfecutes my race j 
Or Mars and Venus, in a quartil, move 
My pangs of jealoufy for Arcite's love. 

I^et Falamon opprefs'd in bondage mourn, 
While to his exiPd rival we return. 
By this, the fun, declining from his height, 
The day had ftiorten'd, to prolong the night: 
The lengthen'd night gave length of mifery 
Both to the captive lover and the free j 
For Palamon in endlefs prilbn mourns, 
And Arcite forfeits life if he returns : 
The banifh'd never hopes his love to fee, 
T^or hopes the captive lord his liberty. 
^Tis hard to fay who fuffers greater pains : 
One fees his love, but cannot break his chains; 
One free, and all his motions uncontroui 'd. 
Beholds whatever he would, but what he would 

behold. 
Judge as you pleafe, for I will halle to tell 
What fortune to the banifh'd knight befel. 
When Arcite was to Thebes returned again, 
The lofs of her he lov'd renew'd his pain ; 
What could be worfe, than never more to fee 
His life, his' foul, his charming Emily ? 
He rav'd with all the madnefs of delpair. 
He roar'd, he beat his breaft, he tore his hair. 
Dry forrow in his Itupid eyes appears; 
For, wanting nourifnment, he wanted tears : 
His eye-balls in their hollaw fockets link ; 
Bereft of fleep, he loaths his meat and drink. 
He withers at his heart, and looks as wan 
As the pale fpe£lre of a murder'd man : 
That pale turns yellow, and his face receives 
The faded huQ of faplefs boxen leaves : 
In folitaiy groves he makes his moan, 
Walks early out, and ever is alone : 
Nor, raix'd in mirth, in youthfal pleafares fliares. 
But fighs when fongs and inilruments he hears. 
His fpirits are fo low, his voice is drown' d, \ 
lie hear.^ as from afar, or in a fwoon, S 

Like the deaf murmurs of a diifant found : J 
Uncomb'd his locks, and fqualid his attire, 
Unlike the trim of love and gay defire : 
But full of mufeful mopings, which prefage 
The lofs of reafon, and conclude in rage. 
This whtn he had endur'd a year and more, 
Now v^holly chang'd from what he was bcfol'e, 



It happen'd once, that, ilumbVing as he lay. 
He dream'd (his dream began at break of day) 
That Hermes o'er his head in air appear'd, 
And with fofr words his drooping fpirits cheer'd : 
His hat, adorn'd with wings, disclos'd the God, 
And in his hand he bore the fleep- compelling rod: 
Such as he feem'd, when, at his fire's command. 
On Argus' head he laid the fnaky wind. 
Arife, he faid, to conqu'ring Arli^ns go ; 
There fate appoints an end to all thy v/oe. 
The fright awaken'd Arcite with a ftar: ; 
Againlf his bofom bounc'd nis heaving heart; 
But foon he laid, with fcarce-recover'd breath, 
And thither udil I go to meet my death, 
Sure to be {lain ; but de.'^tlr is my denre. 
Since in Emilia's fight I ihaii exV-ire. 
By chance he Ijiied a mirror while he fpoke. 
And gazing there, beheld his riiterM look; 
Wond'ring he faw his features and hisime 
Som uchwerechang'd, that fcarcehirafelf he knew. 
A fudden thought then ftarting in his mind, 
Since I in Arcite cannot Arcice find, 
The world may fearch in vain whh all their eyes, 
But never penetrate through this difguife 
Thanks to the change which grief and licknefs 
In low eftate I may fecurely live, [g've. 

And fee, unknown, m)^ miltrefs day by day. 
He laid ; and cloath'd himxieif in coa ie arra)^, 
A labVing hind in fhew; then forth he went. 
And to th' Athenian tow'rs his journey bent ; 
One 'fquire attended in the fame diiguife. 
Made confcious of his mafler's enterprife. 
Arriv'd at Athens, foon he came to court, 
Unknown, unqueition'd, in that thick refbrt : 
Pro if 'ring for hire his fej-vice at the gate, 
To drudge, draw water, and to run or wait. 

So far befel him, that for little gain 
He ferv'd at nrft Emilia's chamberlain ; 
And, watchful all advantages to fp}, 
Was ilill at hand, and in his maker's eye; 
And as his bones were big, and Jinews ftrong, 
Refus'd no toil that could to fiaves belong ! 
But from deep wells Viith engines water drew, 
And us'd his noble hands the wood to hew. 
He pafs'd a year at leail attending thus 
On Emily, and call'd Philoftratus. 
But never was there man of his degree 
So much eiteera'd, fo well belov'd as he, 
Sj gentle of condition was he known, 
That thro' the court his courtefy was blown: 
All think him worthy of a greater place. 
And recommend him to the royal grace; 
That, exercis'd within a higher fphere. 
His virtues more confpicucus might appear. 
Thus by the gen'ral voice was Arcite prais'd. 
And by great Theleus to high favour rais'd ; 
Among his menial fervants'firft enroU'd, 
And largely entertain'd with fums of gold ; 
Bef^deswhat fecretly from Thebes was lent. 
Of his own income, and his annual rent : 
Thisv/ellemploy 'd,hepurchas'd friends and fame, 
But cautioufly conceal'd from whence it came. 
Thus for three years he liv'd with large increafe. 
In arms of honour, and efteem in peace ; 

T» 



D i P x^ C T I C, . D E S C R I P T I V E, &c. 



To Thereus"* perfon he was ever near ; 
A:ul Theieus, for his viitues, held him dear. 

BOOK II. 

While Arcite lives in blifsjthe fl-ory turns 
Where hopolefi^ Palamon in prifon moiirns. 
For lix long 3tars immur'd, the captive knij^ht 



317 

As thou (halt guide my wandVin.? feet to find 
The fragrant greftns i itek, my brows to bind- 
His vows addrefs'd, within the grove he 
ftray'd, 
Till fate, or fortune, near the place convey'd 
His ileps where fecret Palamoii was i^id. 
Full little thougkt of him the gentle knight, 



Had drugWlm^chains,andiCarcelyfeen the light ilVVhoi^.ying death i.ad there conceal'c^^^^ 



Loft liberty and love at once he bore : 
His prilbn painM him mucii, his pafiicn more: 
Nor dares he hope his fetters to remove, 
Nor ever v/ifhes to be free from love. 

But when the fiXth revolving year was run, 
And Mxiy within the Twins received the fun. 
Were it by chance, or forceful dciliny. 
Which forms in caufts firfl whatever thali be, 
Aiiiiied by a friend, one moonieis night. 
This P.'ilamon from prifon took his fiight: 
A pleafant bev'rage he prepared before 
Of wine and honey, raixM with added ftore 
Of opium ; to his keeper this he brought. 
Who fvvallow'd unaware the (leepy draught. 
And fnor'd fccure till morn, his lenfes bound 
In /lumber, and in long oblivion drown'd. 
Stiort was the night, and carefal Paiamon 
Sought the next covert ere the riling fun. 
A thick-fpread forell near the city lay, 1 

To this with lengthenM llrides be took his way ^ 
(For far he could not fly, and fear'd the day). 3 
Safe from purfuit, he meant to iliun the light, > 
Till the brown ihadows of the friendly night J 
To Thebes might favour his intended iiight. S 
When to his countiy come, bis next dcligii 
Was all the Theban race in arms to join. 
And war on Thefeus, till he Icii: his life, 
Or won the beauteous Em.iiy to wife. 
Thusvvhile his thoughtsthe lingering daybeguile, 
To gentle Arcite let us turn our llyle 5 
"Who little dream Vi how nigh he v/as to care, 
Till treacherous fortune caught him inth.e fnare. 
The morning-lark, themeflengerof day, 
Saluted in her fong the morning grey; 
And foon the fun arofe with beams io bright, 
Thatalltlie horizonlaugh'd to feethe joyous light; 
He with his teuid rays the rofe renews. 
And licks thedroopingleaveSjHnd dries the dews ; 
When Arcite Ith his^bed, rdblv'd to pay 
Obfervance to tiie month of merry May : 
Forth on his fiery ftced betimes he rode. 
That fcarcely prints the turf on which he trod : 
At eafe he leem'd, and, prancing o'er the plains^ 
Turn'd only to the grove his horfe's reins. 
The grove I iiiirnM before ; and, lighted there, 
A woodbine garland foV)_ght to crown his hair ; 
Then turn'd his f<,ceagainlt the rihng day. 
And rais'd his voice to welcome in the May. 

For thse.ivveetmonthjthe groves green liveries 
If not the iint, the faireft of ihe year: [wear. 
For thee the Graces lead the dancing hours. 
And Nature's ready pencil paints the flow'rs: 
Wlien thy fhort reign is paft, the feverifti fun 
The fuitry tropic fears, and n^sovesmoie ilowlyon: 
So may thy tender bloflbms fear no blight. 
Nor goats with venoiii'd teeth thy tendrils bite, 'But 



I 



In brakes and brambles hid, and fnunning mor- 
tal light ; 
And iefs he knew him for his hated foe. 
But fear'd him as a man he did not know. 
But as it has been faid of ancient years. 
That fields are lull of eyes, and woods have ears j 
For this tlie wife are ever on their guard ^ 
For unforefeen, they fay, is yn prepared. 
TJncautious Arcite thought himfelf alone. 
And lei's than all fufpe6led Paiamon, 
Who lift'ning heard him, while he learch'd the 
And loudly iung his roundelay of love ; (grove. 
But on the i'addtn. ftopp'd, a'nd filent ftood. 
As lovers often mule, and chauge their mood ; 
Now high as heaven, and then as low as hell j 
Now up, now down, as buckets in a well ; 
For Venus, like her day, will change her cheer. 
And leidom fnall we fee a Friday clear. 
Thus, Arcite, having fung, with alter'd-hue 
Sunk on the ground, and from his bofom drew 
A dtrjp'rate ligh, accufmg Heaven and Fate, 
And angry Juno's unrelenting hate. 
Curs'd be the day when firft I did appear ! "^ 
Let it be blorted from the calendar, [y-ar, |^ 
Le;t it pollute the inonth, and poifbn all thtj 
Still w^ill the jealous Queen purfue our race ? 
Cadmus is dead, the Theban ciry Avas : 
Yet ceafes not her hate j for all who come 
From Cadmus are involv'd in Cadmus' doom. 
I fuixer for my blood: unjult decree ! 
That puniuies another's crime on me. 
In mean efcate I llrve my mortal foe. 
The m.an who caus'd my country's overthrow 
This is not all j for Juno, to my 1/iame, 
Has forc'd me to forfake my former name j 
Arcite I was, Philofiratus I am. 
That fide of heaven is all my enemy ; 
Mars ruin'd Thebes, his mother riiin'd me. 
Of all the royal race i-emains but one 
Befides mylc-if, th' unhappy Paiamon, 
Whom Theieus holds in bends, and will not freej 
Without a crime, except his kin to me. 
Yet thefe,andall the reft, [ could endure j 
But Love's a malady without a curej 
Fierce Love has pierc'd me with his fiery dart ; 
He fires within, and hiiTes at ray heart. 
Your eyes, fair Emily, my fate purfue } 
I fufier,for the reft, I die for you. 
Of fuch a Goddefs no time leaves record. 
Who burn'd the temple where flie was ador'd: 
And let it b^irn, I never will complain i 
Pleas'd with my fuff'rings, if you knew ray pain. 

At this a fickiy qualm, his heart afiail 'd, 
I His ears ring inward, and his ienfcs fiil'd. 
I No word mifs'd Paiamon of all he fpoke. 



] 



foon to deadly pale he ghaiig'd his look 



He 



ELEGANt UtrkAtTS, 



Book IT. 



He trembled every limb, and felt a fmart. 
As if cold fteel had glided through his heart; 
No longer llaid ; but, Itarting from his place, 
Difcover'd ftood, and IhewM his hollile face. 
Falie traitor, Arcite, traitor to thy blood. 
Bound by thy facred oath to ieek my good, 
Nov/ art thou found forfworn lor Emily, 
And darMl attempt her love for whom I die. 
Jso hall thou cheated Thcfeus with a wile, 
Againft thy vow, returning to beguile 
Under a borrowed name 5 as faife to me, 
So falfe thou art to him who fet thee free : 
But reil ailur'd that either thou flialt die. 
Or elfe renounce thy claim in Emily : 
For though unarm'd I am, and (freed by chance) 
xVm here without my fword or pointed lance, 
Hope not, bafe man, unqueftion'd hence to go ; 
For I am Palamon, thy mortal foe. 

Arcite, who heard his tale, and knew the man, 
His fword unfheath'd, and fiercely thus began -. 
Now by the Gods who govern heaven above, 
V/ert thou not weak with hunger, mad with 

love. 
That word had been thy lait, or in this grove 
This hand (hould force thee to renounce thylove, 
The furety which I gave thee, I defy: 
Fool, not to know that love endures no tie j 
And Jove but laughs at lovers' perjuiy. 
Know, I will ferve the fair in thy defpite; 
But iince thou art my kinfman and a knight, 
Here, have my faith, to-morrow in this grove 
Our arms fliall plead the titles of our love : 
And Heaven fo help my right, as I alone 
Will come, and keep the caufeand quarrel both 

unknown, 
With arms of proof both formyfclf and thee; 
Choofe thou the beft, and leave the worft to me. 
And, that a better cafe thou mayii abide, 
Bedclingand clothes I will this night provide, 
And needful fullenance, that thou mayil be 
A conqueft better won, and worthy me. 
His promife Palamon accepts ; but pray'd 
To k«ep it better than the firft he made. 
Thus fiir they parted till the morrow's dawn ; 
For each had laid his plighted faith to pawn. 
Oh Love ! thou (ternly dolt thy powV maintain, \ 
And wilt not bear a rival in thy reign ; ^ 

Tyrants and thou all fellowlhip diidain. j 

This was in Arcite prov'd, and Palamon ; 
Both in defpair, yet each would love alone. 
Arciie returned, and, as ih honour tied. 
His foe with bedding and with food fupplied ; 
Then, ere the day, two fuits of armour fought, 
Which borne before him on his lit- ed he brought : 
Both were of ihining fteel, and wrought ih pure, 
As might the llrokes of two fuch arms endure. 
Now at the time, and in th' appointed place. 
The challenger and chaileng'd, face to face, 
A-pproach ; each other from afar tliey knew, 
And from afar their hatred chang'd their hue. 
So Ihuids the Thracian herdfman with his fpear 
Full in the gap, and hopes the hunted bear; 
And hears him rullling in the wood, and fees 
itis courfe at dillance by the bending trees j 



And thinks, here comes my mortal enemy. 
And either he mull fall in fight, or I : 
This while he thinks", he lifts aloft his dart ; y 
A gen'rous" chilnefs feizes ev'ry part; [heart./ 
The veins pour back the blood, and fortify thej^ 
Thus pale theymeet, their eyeswith fury burn; 
None greets, for none the greetuig will return j 
But in dumb furlinefs each arm'd with care 
His foe profell, as brother of the Avarr 
Then both, no moment loft, at once advance 
Againft each other, arm'd with fwoidand lance; 
They lalh, they foin, they pafs, they ftrive to bore 
Their corllets, and the thinneft parts explore. 
Thus two long hours in equal arms they ftood. 
And v.'ounded, wound ; till both were bath'd in 
And not a foot of ground had either got, [blood j 
As if the world depended on the fpot. 
Fell Arcite like an angry tiger far'd. 
And like a lion Palamon appear'd : 
Or as two boars whom love to battle draws. 
With rifmg briftles, and with frothy jaws. 
Their adverfe brealts with tulks oblique they 

wound, 
i With grants and groans the foreft rings around. 
jSo fought the knights, and fighting mult abide, 
jTillfatean umpire lends their dift"'rencetodecide. 
{The pow'r that minillers to God's decrees. 
And executes on earth what Heaven forefees, 
Caird providence, or chance, or fatal fway, 
Comeswith refiltlefs force, and finds ormakes her 
Nor kings, nor nations, nor united pow'r, [way. 
One moment can retard th' appointed hour. 
And fome one day fome wond'rous chance ap, 

pears, 
Which happened not in centuries of years ; 
For fure whatever we mortals hate, or love. 
Or hope, or fear, depends on pow 'rs above : 
They move our appetites to good or ill, 
And by forefight necelVitate the will. 
In Thel'ens this appears, whole youthful joy 
Was bealts of chace in forefts to deftroy ; 
This gentle knight, infpif'd by jolly May, v 
Forfook his eafy couch at early da}', S- 

And to the wood and wilds purfued his way. j 
Befide him rode Hippolita the queen, 
And Emily attir'd in lively green, 
With horn's, and hounds, and all the tuneful cry. 
To hunt a royal hart within the covert nigh ; 
And as he follow'd Mars before, ib now 
He ferves the goddeis of the filver bow. 
The way that Theleus took was to the wood 
V/here the two knights in cruel battle ftood : 
The lawn on which they fought, th' appointed 

place 
In which the uncoupled hounds began the chace. 
Thither forth -right he rode to roule the prey. 
That fhaded by the fern in harbour lay ; 
And, thence dillodgM, was wont to leave the 

wood 
For open fields, and crofs the cryftal flood, 
Approach'd, and looking underneath the lun. 
He law proud Arcite and fierce Palamon 
In mortal battle doabiing blow on blow. 
Like lightning flam'd their faukhions to and fro« 

And 



Boor. II. 



DIDACTIC, D E S C R I I^ T I V £, Sec. 



31^ 



And Ihot a dreadful gjeam 5 i'o llrong they Itruck, 
There icem'd lels force requir'd to fell an oak: 
ile gazM with wonder on their equal might, 
LookVl eager on, but knew not either knight : 
Kefolv'd to learn, he Ipurr'd his fiery lleed 
With goring rowels to provoke his I'peed. 
Tlie minute f-.nded that began the race, 
So Iboa he was betwixt them on the place; 
And with his Iword unflieath'd, on pain of lift, 
Commands both combatants to ceaie their itrife • 
Tlien with imperious tone purfues his threat — ' 
What are you ? why in arms together met ? 
How dares yo^ir pride prefume againft my laws, 
As in a lifted tield, to tight your caufe ? 
Unalk^d the royal grants no marfnal by, 
As knightly rites require, nor judge to try ! 
Then Palamon, with Icarce recovered breath, 
Thus halfy Ipoke : We both deferve the death. 
And both would die; for look the world around, 
A pair lb wretched is not to be found : 
Oar life 's a lovad y encumbered with the charge, 
We long to fetth' imprifon'd foul at large. 
Now as thou art a fov'reign judge, decree ^ 
The rightful doom of death to him and me ; > 
Let neieher find thy grace, for grace is cruelty.3 
Me firft, oh kill me firft, and cure my woe ; 
Then fheath the fword of jullice on my foe : 
Or kill him firft : for when his name is heard. 
He foremoft will receive his due reward. 
Arclte of Thebes is he, thy mortal foe. 
On whom thy grace did liberty beltow; 
But firft contrafted, that if ever found 
JBy day or night upon th' i^thenian ground. 
His head Ihouldpay the forfeit ; fee returned 
The perjured knight,hisoath and honour fcorn'd. 
For this is he who, with a borrowed name 
And p.'oiier'd fervice, to thy palace came, 
I^ow caird Philoftratus ; retained by thee, ^ 
A traitor trufted, and in high degree, > 

Afpiring to the bed of beauteous Emily. 3 

My part remains ; from Thebes my birth I own. 
And call myfelf th' unhappy Paiamon. 
Think me not like that man ; lince no difgrace 
Call force me to renounce the honour of my 

race. 
■Know me for what I am : I broke my chain, 
Nor promis'd I thy prisoner to remain : 
The love of liberty with life is given ; 
And life itfelf th' inferior gift of Heaven, 
Thus witiiout crime I lied ; but farther know, 
I with this Arcite am thy mortal foe : 
Then give me death, fince I thy life purfue; 
For fafeguard of tnyfelf, death ],s my due. 
More wouldil thou know ? I love bright Emily, 
And for her fake and in her fight will die : 
But kill my rival too ; for he no lefs ■> 

Deferves ; <ind I thy righteous doom will blefs, ^ 
Airur'd that what I lofe he never lliall j^ofiefs. ; 
To thi;5 replied the ftern Athenian prince, 
And Ibiirly fmird— In owning your olfence, 
You judge yourfeif ; and I but keep 7-ecord 
In pluce of law, while ycu pronounce the word. 
Take your defert, the death yon have decreed ; 
I leal your doom, and ratify the deed : 



By Mars, the patron of my arms, you die. 
He laid.- dumb forrow feiz'd the Itanders-by, 
The queen above tlie re It, by nature good 
(The pattern form\l of perfcft womanh.ood), 
; For tender pity wept: when fhe began, 
jThro' tlie bright quire th' iufeftious virtue ran. 
iAll dropp'd their tears, ev'n the contended 
j maid ; 

I And thus among themfelves they foftly friid : 
What eyes can fulferthis unworthy light: 
I Two youths of royal blood, renown'd in fight, 
jThe maCierfhip of heaven in face and mind, 
I And lovers far beyond their faithlefs kind : 
!See their wide llreaming wounds ; they neither 
I came 

I For pride of empire, nordeflre of fame. 
! Kings fight for kingdoms, madmen for app'aufe : 
i But love for love alone ; that crowns the lover's 
i caufe. 

JThis thought, which ever bribes the beauteous 
! Such pity wrought in ev'ry lady's mind, [kind, 
JThey left their lteeds,and, proltrate on the place, 
i From thefterceking im^plorYl theoffenders'grace. 

He paus'd awhile, ftood lilcnt in his mood 
(For yet his rage was boiling in his blood) ; 
But foon his tender mind th' imprefTion felt, 
(As fbfteft metals are not How to melt, 
And pity fovoneft runs in fofteft minds) : 
Then reafons with hirafelf ; and firil he finds 
His paflion calt a mift before his fenfe, 
} And either made or magnified th"" offence, 
j Offence r of what? to whom? who judgVl the 
1 caufe ? 

jThe prisoner freed himfelf by nal urea's laws: 
' Born free, he fought his right : the man he freed 
Was perjur'd ; but his love excused the deed: 
Thus pond'ring, he Jook'd under with his eyes. 
And law the women's tears, and heard their 

cries, 
i Which mov'd compafTion more: he lliook his 
I And, ibftly lighing, to himfelf he faid : [head, 
i Curfe on th' unpardoning prince, whom tears 
I can draw 

'To no remorle, who rules by lions' law; 
And deaf to prayers, by no fubmifBon bowM, 
Rends all alike, the penitent and proud i 
At this with look lerene, he rais\l h.is head; 
Reafoi\ refum'd her place, and paflion ^.ed : 
Then thus aloud he fpoke: The pow'r of love. 
In earths, and leas, and air, and heaven above. 
Rules, unrefifted, with an awful nod; 
By daily miracles declar'd a God t 
JHe blinds the wiie, gives eye-fight to the blind j 
'' And moulds and Itamps anew the lover's mind. 
Behold that Arcite, and this Palamon, 
Freed from my fetters, and in fafety gone, 
! What hinder'd either in their native Jbil 
; At eaie to rea]? the harveft of their toil ; 
j But Love, their lord, did otherwife ordain, 
,\nd brought them in their own defpife again, 
I To fiiiier death dv'rlerv'd ; for well they kr:ow 
j "Tis in my pow'r, and I their dea<ily foe j 
The proverb holds, that to be wiic :ir * .'.:'-, 
Is hardly granted to the Godi abo\ .. 



320 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



See how the madmen bleed : behold the gains 
With which their mafter, Love, rewards their 
For {even longyear^jOii duty ev'ry day, [pains; 
Lo their obedience, and their monarch's pay: 
Yet, as in duty bound, they ferve him ouj 
And, alk the fools, they think it wifely done j 
Kor eafe, nor wealth, nor life itfelf regard. 
For 'tis their maxim, love is -love's reward. 
This is not all 5 the fair for whom they ftrove 
Nor knew before, nor could fufpeft, their love; 
Nor thought, whenflie beheld the fight from far, 
Her beauty was the occafion of tlie war. 
Bat fure a gen'rai doom on man is pair, 
And all are fools and lovers firftor laft: 
This both by others and myfelf I know, 
For I have ferv'd their fovVeign long ago; . 
Oft have been caught within the winding train \ 
Of female fnares, and felt the lover's pain, { 
And learn'd how far the God can human hearts i 

conftrain. 3 

To this remembrance, and the pray'rs of thofe 
Who for th' offending warriors interpofe, 
I give their forfeit lives ; on this accord, 
To do me homage as their fov'reign lord; 
And as my vaffals, to their utmoil might, 
Ailift my perfon, and aflert my right. 
Thisfreelylworn,theknights their grace obtain'd, 
Then thus thekinghis fecret thoughts explain 'd: 
If Vv'eaUh, or honour, or a royal race. 
Or each, or all, may win a lady's grace, 
Then either of you knights may well deferve 
A princefs born ; and fuch is ihe you ferve: 
For Emily is filter to the crown, 
And but too well to both her beauty known: 
But (hould you combat till you both were dead, 
Two lovers cannot fhare a lingle bed: 
As th.erefore both are equal in degree. 
The lot of both be left to defliny. 
Now hear the award, and happy may it prove 
To her, and him who beft deferves her love ! 
Depart from hence in peace, and i'ree as air 
Search the wide v.-orld, and where you pleafe 

repair ; 
But on the day v/hen this returning fun 
To the fame point through ev'ry fign has run. 
Then each ofyou his hundred knights (hall bring, 
In royal lifts, to fight before the king; 
And then the knight whom fate or happy chance 
Shall with his friends to viftoiy advance. 
And grace his arms fo far in equal fight 
From out the bars to force his oppofite, 
Or kill, or make him recreant on the plain. 
The prize of valour and of love fliall gain; 
The vanquifh'd party fliall their claim releafe, 
And the long jars conclude in Jailing peace. 
T'ne charge be mine t' adorn the chofen ground. 
The theatre of war, for champions fo renownM, 
And take the patron's place of either knight, > 
With eyes impartial to behold the fight : ^ 

And heaven ofmefojudge as I (hall judge aright! ) 
I"' both are flntisfied with this accord, 
S vvear by the laws of knighthood on my fword. 
Who now but Palamoh exults with joy ? 
And ravifb'd Arcite feems to touch the ficy ; 



The whole affembled troop was pleas 'd as well ; 
Extol th' award, and on their knees they fell 
To blefs the gracious king. The knights v/ith 
leave [c^eive ; 

Departing from the place, his laft commands re- 
On Emily with equal ardour look. 
And from her eyes their infpiration took: 
From thence toThebes'oldwalls purfae theirway, 
Each to provide his champions for the day. 

It might be deera'd, on our hiftorian's part, 
Or too m.uch negligence, or want of art, 
If he forgot the vail magnificence 
Of royal Thefeus, and his large expence. 
He firll inclos'd for lifts a level ground, 
The whole circumference a mile around ; 
The form was circular; and all without 
A trench was funk, to moat the place about, 
VVithin an amphitheatre appear'd, 
Rais'd in degrees, to fixty paces rear'd : 
That, when a man was plac'd in one degree, 
Height was allow' d for him above to fee. 

Eaitward was built a gate of marble white; 
The like adorn'd the weftern oppofite. 
A nobler obje6l than this fabric was 
Rome never law, nor of fo vaft a fpace : 
For, rich with fpoils of many a conquered land. 
All arts and artifts Thefeus could command : 
Who fold for hii'e, or wrought for better fame. 
The mafter-painters and the carvers came. 
So rofe within the compafs of the year 
An age's vvork, a glorious theatre. 
Then o'er its eaftern gate was rais'd above 
A temple, facred to the queen of love ; 
An altar flood below : on either la id [wand. 
A prieit Avith rofes crownM, vt-ho held a myrtle 

The dome of Mars was on the gate oppos'd. 
And on the north a turret was inclos'd. 
Within the wail of alabafter white, "^ 

And crimfoii coral for the queen of nigiit, ^- 
Who takes in iylvan fports her chafte delight.^ 

Within theie oratories might yoii fee 
Rich carvings, portraitures, and imageiy : 
Where e'ery figui'e to the life expreis'd 
The godhead's pow'r to whom it was addrefs'd. 
In Venus' temple, on the fides were [eea 
The broken flumbers of enamour'd men, 
Pray'rs that e'en fpoke, and pity feem'd to call, 
And'illuing iighs that fmok'd along the wall. 
Complaints, and hot defires, the lover's hell. 
And fcalding tears that v»'ore a channelwherethey 

fell: 
And all around were nuptial bonds, the ties '\ 
Of love's aflurance, and a train of lies, > 

That,, made in luft, conclude in perjuries. J 
Beauty, and youth, and wealth, and luxury, 
And Iprightty hope, and fiiort-enduring joy j 
And Ibrceries to raife th' infernal pow'rs. 
And figils fram'd in planetary hours: 
Expence, and after-thought, and idle care. 
And doubts of motley hue, and dark defpair; 
Sufpicions, and fantaftical faniiife, 
And jeaioufy fufi us'd with jaundice in her eyes, 
Difcoiouring all fhe view'd, in tawny drell; 
pown-lcok'd, and with a cuckow on her fill. 

O^^pos'd 



Book IT. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



•?2f 



Oppos'd to her, on t' other fide advance 
The coftly fea(i, the carol, and the dance, 
Minftrels and mulic, poetry and play, 
And balls by night, and tournaments by day. 
All thefe were painted on the wall, and more j 
With acts and monuments of times before: 
And others added by prophetic doom. 
And lovers yet unborn, and loves to come; 
For there th' Idnlian mount and Citheron, 
The court cf Venus was in colours drawn: 
Before the palace gate, in carelefs drefs, 
And loofe array, lat portrefs Idlenefs: 
There, by the fount, Narciifus pin'd alone ; " 
There Sampfon was, with wifer Solomon, 
And all the mighty names by Love undone. , 
Medea's charms were there, Circean feafts, 



Thence ilTued fuch a blall and hollow roar, 
As threatened from the hinge to heave the door. 
In through that door a northern light there flionc; 
'Twas all it had, for windows there were none. 
Tl;e gate was adamant ; eternal frame ! 
Which, hewM by Mars hinifelf, from IndiSa 

quarries came. 
The labour of a God ; and all along 
Tough iron plates were clench'd to make it 
A tun about was evVy pillar there: [Itrong. 
A pohfhM mirror fhone not half fo clear. 
There ikw^ I how the fecret felon wrought, "\ 
And treafon laboring in the traitor's thought ; f 
And midwife Time the ripeii'dplot to murder^ 



brought. 
j There the red anger dar'd the pallid fear ; 






Wirhbovvlsthatturn'denamour'dyoutlistobeafts. Next ftood hypocrify with holy leer. 



Here might be feen, that beauty, wealth, and wit, 
And prowefs, to the pow'r of love fubmit : 
The rereading Jbare for all mankind is laid; 
And lovers all betray, and are betray'd. 
The Goddefs' ft'if (bme noble hand had wrought; 



Soft frailing, and demurely looking down. 
But hid the dagger underneath the gown : 
Th' aflalllnating wife, the houfehold fiend ; 
And, far the blackeit there, the traitor friend. 
On t' other iide, there flood deftruclion bare. 



Smiling: ihe feem'd, and full of pleafing thought: l^^wpunifli'd rapine, and a wafle of war 



Fro:r- Ocean as flie firll began to rife, 
Andfinootirdthe rufHed leasand clear'dthe fkies ; 
She trod the brine all bare above the breafl. 
And the green waves but ill conceal'd the reft j 
A lute.fhe held ; and on her head was fe^n 
A wreath of roles red, and myrtles green } 
Her turtles fann'd the buxom air above, 
And, bv his mother, flood an infant Love. 
With wings unfledg'd, his eyes were banded -\ 
His hands a bow, his back aquiver bore, [o'erjf 
Supplied with arrow s bright and keen, adeadiy( 
floi^. ) 

But in the dome of mighty Mars the red 
With different figures all the fides were fpreadj 
This temple, lefs in form, with equal grace. 
Was imitative of the firfl in Thrace : 
For that cold region was the lov'd abode, 
And fbvVeign manlion, of the warrior god. 
The lajidfcape was a forefl wide and bare, 
Where neither beall nor human kind repair j 
The fowl, that fcent afar, the borders fly. 
And !hun tliebitte:blait,andvvheel about thelky. 
A cake of f'curf lies baking on tl»e ground ; 
And prickly ftubs inilead of trees are found ; 



Conteft.with fharpen'd knives, in cloiflers drawn, 
And all with blood befpread the holy lawn. 
Loud menaces were heard, and foul difgrace, ■\ 
And bawling infamy, in language bafe j ^ 

Till fenfe was lofl in found, and filence fled^ 
the place. ./ 

The flayer of himfelf yet faw I there. 
The gore congeal'd was clotted in his hair ? 
With eyes halfclos'd and gaping niouth he lay. 
And grim as when he breath 'd his fuUen foul 
In raidll of all the dome misfortune fat, [away. 
An 1 gloomy difcontent, and fell ciebate, 
And madnefs laughing in his ireful mood; 
And arm'd complaint onthcft, and cries of blood. 
There was the murder'd corpfe, in covert laid. 
And violent death in thouland fhapesdifplay'd; 
The city to the foldier's rage refign'd ; 
Succefsiefs wars, and povert}^ behind : 
Ships bunit in fight, or forc'd on rocky fhores. 
And the rafh hunter ftrangled by the boars: 
The new-born babe, by nurfes overlaid ] [made. 
And the cook caught within the raging fire h 
All ills of Mars's nature, tiame and free! j 
The g^afpinsj charioteer beneath the wheel 



Or woods with knots and knares deform'd and lOf his own car : the ruin'd houfe that falls, 
old. And intercepts her lord betw ixt the walls i 

The whole divifion that to Mars pertains j 
All trades of death that deal in fleel for gains 
Were there : the butcher, armourer, and fmith. 
Who forges fharpen'd faulchions, or the fcythe. 
The fcarlet conqueil on a tow'^r was plac'd. 
With fhouts and foldiers' acclamations grac'd: 
A pointed fword hung threatening o'er his head 
Suftain'd but by a flender twine of thread. 
There faw I Mars's ides, the capitol. 
The feer in vain foretelling Cssfar's fall ; 
The laft triumvirs, and the wars they move, 
And Anthony, who lofl the world for love. 
Thefe, and a thoufand more, the fane adorn ; 
Their fates were painted ere the men were 
Wn, 

Y AU 



Headlefs the molt, and hideous to behold: 

A rattling tem.pell through the branches went, 

That flripp'd them bare, and one Ible way tliey 

bent, 
Heaven froze above fevere, the clouds congeal, 
.And through the cryltal vault appear'd- the 

ftanding hail ; 
Such was the face without : a mountain flood 
Threat'ning from high, and overlooked thewood. 
Beneath the lowering brow, and on a bent, 
The temple flood of Mars armi potent : 
The frame of burnifh'd fleel, that cafl a glare 
From far, and feem'd to thaw the freezing air. 
A ftraightlong entry to the temple led. 
Blind with high walls, and horr<w over head : 



142 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



All cojpled from the heavens, and ruling force 
Of the red itar, in his revolving courfe. 
The form of Mars high on a chariot Hood, 
All Iheath'd in arms, and gruffly lookM the God: 



Two geomantic figures were difplay'd i 

Above his head, a warrior and a maid ; ^ 

One when direft, and one when retrograde. J 

Tir'd Avith deformities of death, I halfe 
To the third temple of Diana chalie. 
A fylvan fcene with various greens was drawn, 
Shades on the fides and on the midlt a lawn : 
The filver Cynthia, with her nymphs around, 
Parfued the flying deer, the woods with horns 
Calilto there ftood manifell of fliame, [refound : 
And, turnM a bear, the northern ftar became : 
Her fon was next, and by peculiar grace 
In the cold circle held the fecond place : 
The ftag A6feon in the ft ream had I'picd 
The naked huntrefs, and, for feeing, died : 
His hounds, unknowing of his change, purfue . A hundred knights widi Palainon th 



For now the rivals round the world had fought. 
And each his number, well appointed, brougJ^t. 
The nations far and near contend in choice. 
And fend the flow''r of war by public voice j 
That after, or before, were never known 
Such chiefs, as each an army feem'd alone: 
Belide the champions, all of high degree. 
Who knighthood lov'd and deeds of chivalry, 
Throng'd to the lifts, and envied to behold 
The names of others, not their ov/n, enroll'd. 
Nor feems it ftrange j for ev'iy noble knight \ 
Who loves the fair, and is endued with might, 5' 
In fuch a quarrel would he proud to fight. j 
\ There breathes not fcarce aman onBritiih ground 
i (An ifle for love and arms of old renowned) 
j But would have fold his life to purchale fame, 
j To Palamon or Arcite fent his name; 
i And had the land fclefted of the beft, [the reft. 
i Half had come hence, and let the world provide 



The chace, and their miftaken mafter Hew. 
Peneian Daphne too was there to fee, 
Apollo's love before, and now his tree : 
Th'adjoiningfaneth'aflembled G reeks exprefs'd. 
And hunting of the Caledonian beaft. 
Oenides"" valour, and his envied prize j 
The fatal pow*r of Atalanta's eyes } 
Diana"'s vengeance on the viftor fliewn, 
The murd'refs mother, and confuming fon 5 
The Volfcian queen extended on the plain j 
The treafon punifli-d, and the traitor flain. 
The reft were various huntings, well delign'd. 
And favage beafls deftroy'd, of ev'ry kind. 
The graceful goddefs was array 'd in greeny ■^ 
About her feet were little beagles feen, f 

That watchM with upward eyes the motions^ 
of their queen. 3 

Her legs were buikin'd, and the left before, 1 j 
In a6l to (hoot ; a filver bow fhe bore, \ i 

And at her back a painted quiver wore. J 

She trod a waxing moon, that foon would wane, 
And. drinking borrowed light, be fill'd again j 
V.lth dov;ncaft eyes, as feeining to furvey 
The dark dominions, her alternate fWay. 
Before her flood a woman in her throes, 
Andcaird Lucina'said, her burden to difclofe. 
All thefe the painter drew with fuch command, 
That Nature fnatch'd the pencil from his hand, 
Afham'd and angiy that his art could feign 
And mend the tortures of a mother's pain. 
Thefeus beheld the fanes of ev'ry God, 
And thought his mighty cofl was well beftowM. 
So princes now their poets fliould regard ; 
But few can write, and fewer can reward. 
The theatre thus rais'd, the lift* incloscl. 
And all with vaft magnificence disposed, 
We leave the monarch pleas'd, and hafte to bring 
The knio-hts to combat, and their amis to ang. 



I Approved in Hght, and men ot mighty name 5 
j Their arms were lev'ral, as their nations were, 
I But furnilh'd all alike with fword and Ipear. 
' Some wore coat-armour imitating fcale ; 
Andnext theirfkins wereftubborn fhirtsofmail j 
Some wore a breafl-plate and a light juppoii. 
Their horfes cloth'd with rich caparifon ; 
Some for defence would leatliern bucklers ufe 



One hung a pole-ax at his faddle-bow. 
And one a heavy mace to ftun the foe ; 
One. for his legs and knees provided well, 
With jambeauxarm'd, and double platesoffteel: 

JThis on his helmet wore a lad)''s glove, 
And that a fleeve embroider a by his love. 
With Palamon, above the reft in pl3.ce, \ 

i Lycurgus came, tlie furly king of Thrace ; .• 
Black was his beard, and manly was his face 9 > 

(The balls of his broad eyes roU'd in his head. 
And glar'd betwixt a yellow and a red : 
He look'd a Hon with a gloomy ftare. 
And o'er his eye-brows hung his matted hair : 
Big-bon'd, andlarge of limbs, with finews itrong, 
Broad-flioulder'd, and his arms were round and 

Four milk-white culls (theThracian ufe of old) 
Were yok'd to draw his car of barnilh'd gold. 
UprightJie ftood, and bore aloft his fhield, 
Confpicuous from afar, and overlooked the fielal. 
His furcoat was a bear-fkin on his back ; 
His hairhung long behindhand gloffy raven black. 
His ample forehead bore a coronet 
With fparkling diamonds and with rubies fet : 
Ten brace,and more, of greyhounds, fnowyfair 
And tall as fta^^s, ran loofe, and cours' 

his chair, 
A match for pards in flight, in grappling for thf 
With golden muzzlcsalltheirmonthswerebound, 
And collars of the fame tlieir necks furround. 



fnowyfair I 

'd around f 

[bear:( 

no- for the' 



BOOK. III. Thus thro"' the field Lycurgus took his way 5 

I His hundred knigh.ts attend in pomp and proud 
The day approach'd w'nen Fortune fhouldj array. 

decide _ ^ j To match this monarch,with ftrong Arcite came 

Th' i-mportant enterprjfe, and give the bride ; E mti'iusj king of Inde, a mighty name, 

J . On 



BboK ih 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



S23 



On a bay courfer, goodly to behold, [gold. 
The trappi ngs of his horfe adorn'd with barb'rous 
Not Mars bellrode a Iteed with greater grace ; 
His fiircoat o'er his arms was cioth of Thrace, 
Ador-n'd with pearls, all orient, round, and great ; 
His liiddle was of gold, with emeralds fet. 
His ihoulders lai'ge a mantle did attire. 
With rubies thick, and Iparkllng as the fire : 
His ainber-colour'd locks in ringlets run, [fun. 
With graceful negligence, and (hone againlt the 
His nofe was aquiline, his eyes were blue, 
Ruddy his lips, and fre(h and fair his hue : 
Some i'piinkled freckles on his face were feen, 
Whofe diifk fet off the whitenefs of the ikinj 
His awful prefence did the crowd furprife, 
Nor durft the ralh fpec^tator meet his eyes j 
Eyes that confefs'd him born for kingly fway. 
So fierce, they flafh'd intolerable day. 
His age in nature's yoachfui prime appeared. 
And juft began to bloom his yellow beard. 
Whene'er he fpoke, his voice was heard around, 
Loud as a trumpet, with a filver found. 
A laurel wreath 'd his temples, fre(h and green ; 
And myrtle fprigs, the marks of love, we re mixM 
Upon his fift he bore, for his delight, [between. 
An eagle well reclaimed, and lily white. 

His hundred knights atlend him to the war. 
All arm'd for battle, fave their heads were bare. 
Words and devices blaz'd on ev'ry fhield. 
And pleafing was the terror of the field. 
For kings.and dukes, and barons.ycu might fee, ^ 
Like fparkilng ilars,though diit'rent ia deg;-. ce, ^ 
All forth' incieafe of a- msjand love of chivalry. ; 
Before the king tame leonards led the way. 
And ti'oops of lions innocently play. 
So Bacchus thro' the conq^ier'd Indies rodCf 
Andbealtsing:\mbolsfri(k'dbeforethehoneilgod. 

In this prra.y the war of either fide 
Through Athens pals^l witli military pride. 
At prime, they er.ter'd on the Sunday morn ; 
Richtap'ftry fpreidthe llreets,andRow'rsthcpoits 
The town was all a jubilee of fea.fts 5 [adorn. 
So Thefeus wiii'd.in honour of his gueils; 
Himfelf with open arms the king embraced, ' 
Then all the rell in their degrees were grac'd. 
No harbinger was needful for a night, 
For evVy houfewas proud to lodge a knight. 

I pafs the royal treat, nor mufi: relate 
The gifts beltow'd, nor how the champions fit : 
Who firft or laft, prhovf the knights addrefs'd 
Their vows, or who was faireft at the feait : 
Whofe voice,whofe graceful dance did moit fur- 
prife ; 
Soft am'rous fighs, and fdent love of eyes. 
The rivals call my Mufe .another way, . 
To fmg their vigils for th' enfuing day. 
Twas ebbing darknefs, palt the noon of night ; 
And Phofpher on the confines of the light, 
Promis'd the fun, ere day began to fpring ; ^ 
The tuneful lark already ftrctch'd {ler wi^ig, ( 
And, flick'ring on herneft, made fliort eflays( 
to fmg J 3 

When \vakeful Palamon, preventing day, > 
Took to the royal lifts his early way, [pray. > 
To Venui at her fanf, in lier own hou^ to5. 



There, falling on his knees before her {hrlne. 
He thus implor'd with pray'rs her pow'r divine. 
Creator Venus, genial pow'r of love. 
The blifs of men below, and gods above ! 
Beneath the Aiding fun, thou runn'fl thy race. 
Doit fairell fhine, and belt become thy place. 
For thee the winds their ealtern blafls forbear. 
Thy month reveals the fpring, and opens all tlie 

year. 
Thee, Goddefs, thee the ftorms of winter fly, -\ 
Earth f miles with dow'rs renewing, laughs thef 

fky, [-P?ly- i 

And birds to lays of love their tunef^il notes/ 
For thee the lion loaths the taite of blood, 
And I'oaring hunts his female thro' the wood : 
For thee the bulls re-bellow t'.iro' the groves, 
And tempt the ftream, and fnufF their abfent 

Joves. 
"Tis thine, w hate'er is pleafant, good or fair: j 
All nature is thy province, life thy care : > 

Thou mad'il thevvorld,anddofltheworldrepair. J 
Thou gladder of the mount of Cytheron, 
Increafc of Jove, companion of the fun ; 
li' e'er Adonis toucird thy tender heart. 
Have pity, Goddefs, for thou know' (l the fmart. 
Alas ! I have not words to teii my gfief 5 
To vent ray fbrrow would be forae relief; 
Light faff 'rings give as leifure to complain; 
We groan, but cannot fptak, in greater pain. 
O Goddeis, tell thyfelf what I would ^ay, 
Thou know'it it, and I feel too much to pray. 
So grant my fuit, as I enforce my might. 
In love to be thy champion and thy knight j 
A fervant to thy fex, a ilave to thee, 
A foe profell: to barren chalt:it3% 
Nor a(k I fame or honour of the field, 
Nor choofe I more to vanquilh than to yield: 
In my divine Eniilia make me bleft, 
Let fate, or partial chance, difpofe the reft : 
Kind thou the manner, and the means prepare 5 
PoileMion, more than conquell, is my care. 
Mars is the warrior's god; in him'it lies. 
On whom he favpurs to confer the prize j 
With liniling afpe6l you ferenely move 
In your fifth orb, and rule the realm of love. 
The fates but only fpin the coarfer clue. 
The fineft of the wool is left for you. 
Spare me but one fmall portion of the twine. 
And let the nfters cut below yoiir line: 
Fhe refl aniong the rubbifh may they Aveep, 
Or add it to the yarn of fome old miier's heap. 
But if you this ambitious prayY deny 
(A wifh, I grant, beyond mortality). 
Then let me fink beneath proud Arcite's arms. 
And I, once dead, let him poffefs her charms. 
Thus ended he 5 then with obfervance due. 
The facred incehfe on her altar threw : 
The curling fmoke mounts heavy from the fires ^ 
At length it catches liame, andin a blaze expires j 
At once the gracious Goddefs gave the fign. 
Her itatue (hook, and trembled all the fiirine ; 
Pleas'd Palamon the tardy omen took j 
For, fince the flames p'M'fued the trailing fmok'?, 
Heknewh isboon was gr ui te d ; b ut t he day [ . • t ] ^'. 
To dillancje driven, mi J joy adjcurrrd vv-ih long 
Y i Nsvv 



3H 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



Now morn with rofy ligkthadftreak'd the flcy^ 
Up rofe the Inn, and up rofe Emily ; 
AddrefsM her early fteps to Cynthia's fane, 
In Hate attended by her maiden train, 
Who bore the vefts that holy rites require, 
Jncenfe, and od'rous gums, and cover'd iire. 
The plenteous horns with plealant mead they 

crown. 
Nor wanted aught befides in honour of the moon. 
Nowwhile the temple fmok'd with hallow'd fleam 
They walh the virgin in a living ftream j 
The fecret ceremonies I conceal, 
Uncouth, perhaps unlawful, to reveal, 
But fuch fhey were as Pagan ufe requJr'd, 
Performed by women when the men retir'd, 
Whofe eyes profane their chaile myllerious rites 
Might turn to fcandal, or obfcene delights. 
Well-meaners think no harm ; but for the reft, 
Things facred theypervert,and filence is the beft. 
Her ihining hair, uncombM, was loofely fpread. 
A crown of maftlefs oak adcrn'd her head : 
When to the flirineapproacird, the fpotlefs maid 
Had kindling iires on either altar laid 
(The rites were fuch as were obferv'd of old. 
By Statius in his Theban ftory told) -, 
Then kneeling with her hands ricrofs her breaft; 
Thus lowly llie preferred her chafte reqnell : 
O Goddefs, hunter of the woodland green, 
To whom both heaven, and earth, and feas,art 

feen j 
Queen of the nether fkies, where half the year 
Thy filver beams defcend, and light the gloomy 

fphere j 
Goddefs of maids, and confcious of our hearts. 
So keep me from the vengeance of thy darts, 
Which Niche's devoted ilfue felt, 
Whenhilfingthroughthefkiesthefeather'ddeathf 
As I defire to live a virgin life, [were dealt 
Nor know -the name of mother or of wife. 
Thy votrels from my tender years I am. 
And love, like thee, the woods and fyivan game 
Like death, thou know 'ft, I loath the nuptial j 
And man, the tyrant of our fex, I hare, [flate, J 
A lowly fervant, but a lofty mate; ) 

Where love is duty on the female fide ; 
On theirs mere lenf ual guft, and ibughtwith furly 
Now by thy triple fliape, as thou art ieen [pride 
In heaven, earth, hell, and ev'ry where a queen. 
Grant this my lirft defire; let difcord ceafe, 
And make betwixt the rivals lafting peace : 
Quench their hot fire, or far from m.e remove 
Tlie fiame, and turn it on Ibme other love : 
Or, if my frowning flars have fo decreed. 
That one mufl be reje6led, one fucceed, 
Make him my lord, within whofe fafthful breaft 
Is fix'd my image, and who loves mt beft. 
But, oh ! even that avert ! I choofe it not. 
But t'.ke it as the leaft unhappy lot. 
A maid I am, and of thy virgin train ; • 
Oh let me ftill that fpotlefs name retain ! 
Frequent the forefts, thy chafte will obey, . 
And only make the beafts of chafe my prey ! 

The fiames afcendon either altar clear, [pray'r. 
While thus the blamelefs maid uddrels'd hei 



When, lo ! the burning fire that (hone fo bright. 
Flew off, all fudden, with extinguilh'd light, 
And left one altar dark, a little fpace j [blaze^. 
Which turn'd felf-kindled, and renew'd the 
The other viftor flame a moment ftood, 
Then fell, and lifelefs left the extinguilh'dwoodi 
For ever loft, th' irrevocable light 
Forfook the black'ning coals, and funk to night : 
At either end it whiltled as it flew, [dew ; \ 
And as the brands were green, fo dropp'd the ^ 
Infeded as it fell with fweat of fanguine hue. J 
The maid from that ill omen turn'd her eyes, 
\ndwith loudflirieksand clamours rent thefkies, 
Nior knew what figniried the boding fign, 
i3ut found the pow'rs difpleas'd, and fear'd the 
wrath divine. 
Then ftiook the facred fhrine, and fudden light 
Spmng through the vaulted roof, and made the 
temple bright. 
The pow'r, behold ! the pow'r in glory flione, 
By her bent bow and her keen arrows known j 
The reit, a huntrefs ifluing from the wood. 
Reclining on her cornel fpear (he ftood. 
Then gracious thus began : Difmifs thy fear, 
And Heaven's unchang'd decrees attentive hear: 
Vlore pow'rful Gods have torn thee from my fide, 
'Jnwilling to refign, and doom'd a bride : 
The two contending knightsare weighed above ; 
One Mars protefts, and one the Qneen of Love .- 
But which the man, is in theThund'rer's breaft ; 
This he pronounced, 'tis he who loves thee beft. 
The fire that once extinft reviv'd again, 
Foreihews the love allotted to remain : 
Farewell ! fhe faid, and vanifli'd from the place; 
Thefheaf of arrows fhook, and rattled in the cafe. 
Aghaft at this the royal virgin ftood, 
Difclaim'd, and now nomoreafifterofthewood: 
But to the parting Goddefs thus flic pray'd : ^ 
Propitious ftill be prefent to my aid, '- 

Nor quite abandon your once favour'd maid, j 
Then fighing fhe retum'd; but fmil'd betwixt, 
With hopes and fears,and joyswith forrows mixf. 

The next returning planetary hour 
Of Mars, who (har'd the heptarchy of pow'r, 
His fteps bold Arcite to the temple bent, 
T' adore with Pagan rites the pow'rarraipotent : 
Then proftrate low before his altar lay, [pray .- 
And rais'il his manly voice, and thus began to 
Strong God of arms, whofe iron fceptre fways 
The freezing North, and Hyperborean feas. 
And Scythian colds, and Thracia's winter coaft. 
Where ftand thy fleeds, and thou art honour'd 
moft : [known. 

There moft; but ev'iy where thy pow'r is 
The fortune of the fight is all thy own : 
Terror is thine, and wild amazement, flung 
From out thy chariot, withers even the ftrong; 
And difarray and fham.eful rout enfue. 
And force is added to the fainting crew. 
Icknowledg'd as thou art, accept my pray'r, 
ff aught I have achieved delerve thy care : 
If to ray utraoft pow'r wirh fwcrd and fliield "^ 
I dar'd the death, unknowing how to yield, > 
And, falling in my rank, ftill kej^t the field : y 

Theii 



Book IT. 



DIDACTIC, D E S C R I P T I V E, &c. 



325 



Then let my arms prevail, by thee fuilain'd, 
That Emily by conquell may be gained. 
Have pity on my pains j nor thafc unknown 
To Mars, which, when a lover, were his own. 
Venus, the public care of all above. 
Thy llubborn heart has Ibften'd into love : 
Now by herblandifhments and powVKul charms, 
When. yielded fhe lay curling in thy arms, 
Ev'n by thy Ihame, if (hame it may be calPd, 
When Vulcan had thee in his net enthrall'd ; 

envied ignominy, I'weet difgrace. 

When ev'ry God that law thee wifh'd thy place ! 
By thole dear plealures, aid my arms in fight, 
And make me conquer in my patron's right: 
For I am young, a novice in the trade. 
The fool of love, unprH<StIs'd to perfuade, 
And want the Toothing arts that catch the fair ; 
But, caught myl'clf, lie itruggiing in the fnare; 
And (he I love, or laughs at all my pain, 
Or knows her worth too well, and pays me with 

difdain. 
For fure I am, unlefs I win in arms, 
To ftand excluded from Emilia's channs : 
Nor can my ftrength avail, unlefs by thee 
Endued by force, I gain the viftory ; 
Then for the fire which warm'd Ihy gen'rous 
Pity thy fubjeft's pains and equal fmart. [heart, 
So be the morrow's fweat and labour mine, 
The palm and honour of the conqiieft thine: 
Then Ihall the war, and ftern debate, and itrife 
Immortal, be the bufinefs of my life ; 
And in thy tane, the dufty fpoils among, [hung j 
High on the burnifli'd roof my banner Ihall be 
Rank'd with my champion's buckler, and below, 
With arms revers'd,th' achievements of my foe: 
And while thefe limbs the vital fpirit feeds, 
While day to night, and night to day fucceeds, 
Thy fmoking altar (hall be fat with food 
Of incenfe, and the grateful iteam of blood ; 
Burnt off 'rings morn and evening (hall be thine, 
And fires eternal in thy temple fhine. 
The bufh of yellow beard, this length of hair, 
Which from my birth inviolate I bear, 
Guiltlefs of fteel, and from the razor free. 
Shall fall a plenteous crop, referv'd for thee ; 
So may my arms with viftory be blelt : 

1 afk no more : let fate difpofe the reft, [clofe 
The champion ceas'd j there foilow'd in the 

A hollow groan : a murmuring wind arofs ; 
The rings of iron, that on the doors were Inmg, 
Sent out a jarring found, and harlhly rung ; 
The bolted gates flew open at the blaft } 
The Itorm rulh'd in, and Arcite Hood aghaft : 
The flames were blown afide, yet flione they 

bright, 
Fann'd by the wind, and gave a ruffled light. 
' Then from the ground a fcent began to rife, 
Sweet-fmelling as ticcepted Cicrifice : 
This omen pleas'd, and as the flames afpire 
With odorous incenfe Arcite heaps the fire : 
Nor wanted hymns to Mars, or heathen charms : 
At length the nodding llatue .clalh'd his arms, 
And with a fulle.n found and feeble cry [viftory. 
Half funk, and half pronounc'd, the word of 



For this, with foul devout, he thank'd the God j 
And, of fuccefs fecure, return 'd to his :ibode. 
Thele vows thus gnmted rais'd a itrife abov« 
Retwixt the (.rod of War and Queen of Love. 
She granting firlt had right of time to plead j 
Bur lie had granted too, nor would recede. 
Jove was for Venus j but he fear'd his wife j 
I And ieem'd unwilling to decide the ftrife j 
Till S:iturn fro.-n his leaden throne arofe. 
And found a way the ditf 'rence to compofe: 
I Though fparing of his grace, to mifchief bent. 
He leldom docs a good with good intent- 
Wayward, but wile; by long experience taught. 
To {iJeafe both parties, for ill ends, he fought; 
For this advantage age from youth has won, 
As not to he outridden, though outrun : 
By fortune he was novv' to Venus trin'd, 
And with ftern Mars in Capricorn was joln'd: 
Of him difpoling in his own abode. 
He IbotU'd the Goddefsjwhile he gull'd the God : 
Ceafe, daughter, to complain, and ftint the ftrife'; 
Thy Palamon Ihall have his promis'd wife: 
And Mars, the lord of conqueft, in the fight 
With palm and laurel (hall adorn his knight. 
Wide is my, covirfe, nor turn I to my place. 
Till length of time, and move with tardy pace, 
Man feels nie, when I prefs th' ethereal plains j 
My hand is heavy, and the wound remains. 
Mine is the (liipwreck, in a wat'ry fign ; 
And, in an earthy, the dark dungeon mine. 
Cold fliivering agues, melancholy care, ■^' 

And bitter blading winds, and poifon'd air, ^ 
Are mine, and wilful death, refultinTg from{ 

defpair. J 

The throtling quinfey 'tis my ftar appoints. 
And rheumatilins afcend to rack the joints : 
When churls rebel againlt their native prince; 
I arm their hands and furnifii the pretence ; 
And, houfing in the lion's hateful figiiy 
Bought fenates, and deferting troops are mine. 
Mine is the privy pois'ning ; I command 
Unkindl;y- feafons, and ungrateful land. 
By me kings' palaces are pufti'd to ground, 
Andminerscrufh'dbeneaththeirminesare found. 
'Twas I flew Sampfon,. when the pillar'd hall 
Fell down, and crufh'd the many with the fall. 
My looking is the fire of peltiience. 
That (weeps at once the people and the prince. 
Now weep no more, but truft thy grandlire's art. 
Mars (hall be pleas'd, and thou perform thy part. 
'Tis ill, though di(f 'rent your complexions arCj 
The family of Heaven for men (liould war. 
Th' expedient pleas'd, where neither loft hi^ 

right ; 
Mars had the day, and Venus had the night. 
The management they left to Chronos' care j 
Now turn we to th' effe6f, and fing the war- 
In Athens all was pleafure, mirth, and piay. 
All proper to the fpring, and fprightly May : 
Which ev'ry foul infpir'd with fuch delight, 
'Twas jefting all the day, and love at night. 
Heaven fmil'd, and gladded was the heart or 

man 5 
And Venus had the world as vs^hen it firft began. 
Y 3 V/lt 



326 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II- 



At length in fleep their bodies they compofe, 
And dreamt the future tight, and early rcie. 

Now ("carce the dawning day began to ipring. 
As at a lignal given the ftreetswith clamours ri i!g, 
At once the crowd arofe j confused and hi 



jSilence is thrice enjoin'dj then thus aloud 
The king at arms btipeai.s the knights, and 
t liirning crowd, 

I Onr ibv'reign lord has ponder'd in his mir d 



ligh \ \ The means to ipare the blood of gentle kind j 
Even from theHeaven was heard a fhoutiny; cry ;^ And of his grace, and inborn clemency, 



For Mars was early up, and rous'd the Iky. j 
The Gods came downward tc behold the wars 
Sharp'ningtheiriight3,andIeaningfrom their flar;- 
The neighing of the gen'rous horfe was lieafd, 
For battle by the buly groom prepared. 
Ruftling of harnefs, rattling of the fliield, 
Clattering of armour furhilh'd for the field- 
Crowds to the caftle mounted i:p the ftrtet, 
Battering rhe pavement with their coiirfers' feet 
The greedy light might there devour the gold 
Of glittering arms, too dazzling to behold : 
And poiifh'd fteel that caft the view a(ide, 
And crelted morions, with their plumy pride. 
Knights, with a long retinue of their Tquires, 
In gaudy liveries march, and quaint attires. 
One lacM the helm, another held the lance : 
A third the fnining buckler did advance 



He modifies his iirll fevere decree _ 
l"he keener edge of battle to rebate, 
I'he troops for honour fighting, not for hate. 
He wills ncr death (hould terminate their llrife ; 
And wounds, if wounds eniue, be Ihort of life : 
Butifiues, ere the fight, his dread command, 
riiat flings afar, and poaiards hand to h.?nd. 
Be banilh d from the field; that none ihail dare 
With fl:orten'd fword to Itab in clofer war; 
But in fair (Combat ■fight with manly (Irength, 
Ncr pufli wiih biting point, but ftrike at length. 
The tourney is allow'd but one career 
Cf the tough, afli, with the fharp grinded fpear : 
But knights unhors'd may riie from off the plain. 
And fight on foot their honour to regain ; 
Nor, if at mif'cliief taken, en the ground 
Be flain, but priioners to tiie pillar bound, 



"■5 



He freed, or arnTd anew the nght invade. 
T he chief of either fide, berett of life. 
Or yielded to his foe, concludes the ftrife. 
Thus dooms the lord: nov/ valiant knights and 



The ccarfer paw'd the ground with reltlefs feet; \ At cither barrier plac'd ; nor, captives made, 
Andihoitingfoam'd,andchamp'(Jthe golden bit ' 
The fmirhs and armourers on palfreys ride, -^ 
Files in their hands, and hammei^sat their fide, ( 
And nails for loofen'd fpears, and thongs fc 

fhields provide. 
The yeomen guard the ftreets in feemly band.s : 
And clowns come crowding on, with cudgels in 
their hands. 
The trumpf.ti-, next the gate, in order plac'd, 
Attend the fign to found the martial blalt ; 
The palace-yard is fill'd with floating tides, 
And the laft comers bear the former to the f des. 
The throng is in the midit: the common crew 
Shut out, the hall admits the better few; 
In knots they fcand, or in a rank they walk. 
Serious in afpec^, earnell in their talk: 
FacVious, and favouring this or t' other fide, 
As their ffrong fancy or v/eak reafon guide : 
Their wagers back their wifhes : numbers hold 
"With the fair freckled king, and beard of gold : 
So vigorous are his eyes, fuch rays they caft. 
So prominent his eagle's beak is plac'd 
But moft their looks on the black nipna 
His riling mufcles and his brawn commend j 
His double-biting axe and beamy fpear. 
Each afking a gi.^,antic force to rear. 
All fpoke as partial favour mov'd the mind 
And, fafe themfelves, at others coil divinM. 

Wak'd by the cries, th' Athenian chief arofe,! And 
The knightly forms of combat to difpofe ; { 
And pafiing thro' th' obiC(iu:ous guards, he fat: Th' 
Confpicuous on a throne, fublime in flare 5 
TiiCre for the two contending knights l;e ih^z: 
Arm'd cap-a-oee, withrtv'rcnpt low cl-xy beat. 
lie ^niil'd en both, nnd w ith fuperior look 
Alil:e i;h;:^lr jffer'd auoratiou took. 
The Tjcopie preis on ev'ry fide, to fee 
Th'.ir awful prince, and hear his high decre--'. 
Then figning to their heralds with his har.d. 
They gave his orders from thiir lofty fland. 



young, 
Fight each his fill with fv/ords and maces long. 

The herald ends: the vaulted firmament 
^N ith i(;ud acclaims and vaflapplaufc is rent: 
Heaven guard a prince fb gracious and io good, 
:^'. jult, and yet fo provident of blood ! 
T his was the gen'ral cry. The trumpets found. 
And warlike lyrnphony is heard around. 
T he inarching troops thro' Athens take theirway, 
I he great eari-marfhal orders their array. 
The fair from high the pafTing pomp behold ; 
A rain of fiow'rs is from the windows roU'd, 
rhe caft-ments are with golden tiifue fpread, 
And horfes hoofs, for earth, on filken tapeflry 

tread : 
The king goes midm.ofl, and the rivals ride 
In equal rank, and cloie his either fide. 
Next after them there rode the royal wife, 
k'nipnarch bend,! With Fmily, ^he caufe and the reward of ftrife. 
The foilov.ing cavalcade, by three and three, 
Proceed by titles marfhall'd in degree. 
Th us thro' the Ibuthern gate they take their v.'3y. 
And at the lill arrive ere prime of day. 

ere, parting from the king, the chiefs divide, 
wh^-eiing eait and weii, before their many 

ride. L^-'gi^j 

Athenian monarch mcrunts his throne cri 
And after him the queen and Emily : 
Next thefe the kindred of the crown are grac'd 
With nearer feats, and lords by ladies plac'd. 
Scarce were thty fcattd,vvhen with clamours Icuc^ 
In riifh'd at once a rude prcmifcuous crowd : 
The guards, and then t; cli other overbear, 
And in a moment throng rhe fpacious theatre. 
Now chang'd the jarring noife to whifpers low^ 
As winds forlaking feas more foftly blow ; 

Whei| 



Book IT. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE. &c. 



327 



When at the weftern gnte, on which the car 
Is plac'd aloft, that bears the God of war,^ 
Proud Arcite ent'ring arm'd before his train, 
Stops at the barrier and divides the plain. 
Red was his banner, and difplay'd abroad 
The bloody colours of his patron God. 

At that felf moment enters Palamon 
The p^ate of Venus, and the rifing fim ; 
WavM by the wanton winds, his banner flies, 
All maiden white, and ihares the people's eyes. 
From eall to well, look all the world around. 
Two troops fo match'd were never to be found : 
Such bodies built for ftrength, of equal age, 
In iLature fizVl j fo proud an equipage: 
The nicelt eye could no diflinctio;; make 
Where lay th"" advantage, or what ilde to take. 

Thus rangM, the herald for the laif proclaims 
A lilence, w'hile they anfwer'd to their nances : 
For fo the king decreed, .to iliun the care, [war. 
The fraud of mullers falfe, the common bane of 
The tale was jull, and then the gates were clos'd, 
And chief to chief, and troop to troop opposM. 
The heralds laft retir'd, and loudly cried, 
The fortune of the field be fairly tried. 

At this, the challenger with fierce defy ■^ 
His trumpet founds,the challenged makes reply. ( 
With clangour rings the field, rcfounds the^ 
vaiilted fky- ^ 

Their vizors clos'd, their lances in the reft. 
Or at the helmet pointed, or the creft; 
They vanifh from the barrier, fpeed the race, 
And fpurring lee decreafe the middle fpace. 
A cloud of fmoke envelops either hoft. 
And all at once the combatants are loft: 
Darkling they join adverfe, and fliock unfeen, 
Couriers with courfers jullling, men with »ien : 
As laboring in eclipfe, av.-hiie they ftay. 
Till the next blall of wind reftores the day. 
They look anew : the beauteous form of fight 
Is changed, and war appears a grizly fight. 
Two troops in fair array one moment fhew'd, 
The next, a field with fallen bodies ftrew'd : 
Not half the number in their feats are found; 
But men and fteeds lie grov'ling on the ground. 
The points of fpears are ftruck within the lliield, 
The fteeds vi'ithout their riders Icour the field. 
The knights unhors'd on foot renew the fight; 
The glitt'ring faulchions call a gleaming light : 
Hauberksand helms arehew'dwithmanyavvound: 
Out fpins the ftreaming blood, and dyes the 

ground. 
The mighty maces with fuch hafte defcend. 
They brerlk the boaes, and make the folid ar- 
mour bend. 
This thrults amid the throng with furious force; 
Down goes at once, the horfeman and the horfe: 
That courfer ftumbles on the fallen fteed. 
And floundering throws the rider o'er his head. 
One rolls along a foot-ball to his foes ; 
One with a broken truncheon deals his blows. 
This halting, this diikbled with his wound, 
In triumph led, is to the pillar bound ; 
Where by the king's award he muft abide : 
There goes a capUve led on t' other fide. 



By fits they ceafe ; and, leaning on the lance. 
Take breath awhile, and to new fight advance. 

Full qft the rivals met, 3nd neither fpar'd 
His utmoft force, and each forgot to ward. 
The head of this was to the faddle bent, 
The other backward to the crupper fent : 
Both were by turns unhors'd ; the jealous blows 
Fall thick and heavy, when on foot they clofe. 
So deep their faulchions bite, that ev'ry ftroke 
Pierc'd to the quick; and equal wounds they 

gave and took. 
Borne far afiinder by the tides of men. 
Like adamant and fteel they meet again. 

So when a tiger fucks the bullock's blood, \ 
A famifti'd lion ilfuing from the wood > 

Roars lordly fierce, and challenges the food, j 
Each claim;; pofleiTion, neither will obey, 
But both their paws are faften'd on the prey ; 
They bite, theytear,and while in vain theyftrivc. 
The fvvains come arm'd between, and both to 

dittance drive. 
At length, as fate foredoom'd, and all things 

tend 
By courfe of time to their appointed end, 
So when the fun to weft was far declin'd. 
And both afrefh in mortal battle join'd. 
The ftrong Emetrius came in Arcite's aid. 
And Palamon with odds was overlaid : 
For, turning fliort, he ftruck with all his might 
Full on the helmet of the unwary knight. 
Deep was the wound } he ftagger'd with the 

blow, 
And turn'd him to his uaexpefted foe : 
Whom with fuch force he ftruck, he fell'd him 

down, 
And cleft the circle of his golden crown. 
But Arcite's men, who now prevail'd in fighn 
Twice ten at once furround the fingle knight : 
O'erpower'il at length, they force him to the 

ground 
Unyielded as he was, and to the pillar bound; 
And king Lycurgus, while he fought in vain 
His friend to free, Avas tumbled on the pl-ain. 
Who now laments but Palamon, compell'd 
No more to try the fortune of the field ! 
And, worfe than death, to view with liateful eyes 
His rival's conqueft, and renounce tlie prize 1 

The royal judge on his tribunal plac'd, 
Who had beheld the fight from firir to laft, 
Bade ceafe the wars: pronouncing from onhigh, 
Arcite of Thebes had won the beauteous Emily, 
The found of trumpets to the voice replied, 
And round the royal lifts the heralds cried, 
Atciteof Thebes has won the beauteous bride. 

The people rend the ikies with vaft apptaufe j 
All own the chief, when fortune owns tl>e caule. 
Ai'cite is own'd ev'n by the gods above, 
And conqu'ring Mars m fults the Queen of Love. 
So laugh'd he, when the rigi.tful Titan fail'd. 
And Jove's ufurping arm sm heaven prevail'd 
Laugh'd all the pow'rs who favour tyranny j 
And all the ftanding army ot the iky. 
But Venus with deje^^ted cj es appears. 
And weeping on the lifts diftills her tears ; 

Y4 H 



ride.3 



32S 

Her will refiisVi, which grieves a woman moil. 
And, in herchiamDJon foird, the caufe of Love is 
Till, Saturn laid. Fair daughter, now be ftill, [loft. 
The bluft'ring fool has fitisfied his will ; 
Plis boon is given; his knight has gain'd the day. 
But loft the prize ; th' arrears are yet to pay. 
Thy hour is come, and mine the care (hall be 
To pleafe thy knight, and fet thy promife free. 

Now while the heralds run the lifts around, 
And Arcite, Arcite, heaven and earth refound j 
A miracle (nor lefs it could be call'd) 
Their joy with unexpected forrow pall'd. 
The victor knight had laid his helm afide. 
Part for his eafe, the greater Dart for pride : 
Bare-headed, popularly low he bovv'd. 
And paid the falutations to the crowd. 
Then fpurring at full fpeeci, ran headlong on 
Where Thefeus fat on his imperial throne j 
yurious he drove, and upward caft his eye, 
Where, next the queen, was plac'd his Emily j 
Then paffmg to the faddle-bov»^ he bent : 
A fweet regard the gracious virgin lent. 
(For woman, to the brave an eafy prey, 
Still follow fortune where (he leads the way.) 
Juft then from earth fprungout a flafhing tire, 
By Pluto fent, at Saturn's bad defire : 
The ftartling fteed was feiz'd with fudden fright, 
And, bounding, o'er the pommel caft the knight: 
Forward he flew, and, pitching on his head. 
He quiver'd with his feet, and lay for dead. 
Black was his countenance in a little fpace ; 
For all thebloodwas gathered in his face, [ground, 
Kelp was at hand: they rearM him from the 
And from hiscurabrousarms hislimbsunbound: 
Thenlanc'da vein.andwatch'd returning breathy 
It came,but clogg'd with iyniptoms of his death. 
The faddle-bow the noble parts had preft, 
All bruis'd and mortified his manly breaft. 
Him Itill entranced, and in a litter laid 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



They bore from lielc 



to his bed convey'd. 



At length he wak'd, and, with a feeble cry. 
The word he firft pronouuc'd was Emily- 
Meantime the king, though inwardly he 

mcurn'd. 
In pomp triumphant to the town returned, 
Attended by the chiefs who fought the field 
(Nowfriendlymix'd,andinone troop compeird). 
Composed his looks to counterfeited cheer, 
And bade them not for Arcite's life to fear. 
But that which gladded all the warrior-train. 
Though moft were forely wounded none were 

fiain. 
Thefurgeons foon defpoil'd them of their arms, 
And fome with falves they cure, and fome with 

charms ; 
Foment the bruifes, and the pains afluage. 
And heal their inward hurts with fov'reign 

draughts of fage. 
The king in perfon vifits all around ; 
Comforts the fick, congratulates the found,- 
Honours the princely chiets, rewards the reft. 
And holds for thrice three days a royal feaft. 
None was diigrac'd ; for failing is no fh:une. 
And cowardice alone is lofs of fame. 
5 ' . 



The vent'rous knigirf is'ti^in the faddle thrown j 
But 'tis the fault of fortune, not his own. 
If crow.ns and palms the conqu'ring fide adorn, 
jThe victor under better ftars was born : 
The brave man feeks not popular applaufe, 
[Nor overpoiver'd with arms deferts his caule ; 
jUnfham'd, tho' foil'd, he does the beft he can ; 
Force is of brutes, but honour is of man. 
I Thus Thelcus fmii'd on all with equal grace. 
And each was fet according to his place. 
With eafe were reconciled the d!ft"'ring parts. 
For envy never dwells in noble hearts. 
At length they took their leave, the time expir'd. 
Well pleas'd, and to their feveral homes retir'd. 
Meanwhile the health of Arcite ftill impairs j 
From bad proceeds to worfe, and mocks the 

leeches cares ; 
Swoln is his breaft, his inward pains increafe; 
All means are us'd, and all without fuccefs. 
The clotted blood lies heavy on his heart. 
Corrupts, and there remains in fpite of art : 
Nor breathing veins, nor cupping, will prevail ; 
All outward remedies and inward fail : 
The mould of nature's fabric is deftroy'd ; 
Her veffels dilcompos'd, her virtue void : 
The bellows of his lungs begin to fweli : ^ 
Ail out of frame is ev'ry fecret cell, ^ 

Nor can the good receive, nor bad expel. j 
Thofe breathing organs thus within opprefs'd. 
With venom foon diftend tlie finewsof his breaft. 
Nought profits him to lave abandon'd life, 
Norvonuts upward aid, nor downward lax.ative. 
The midmoft region batter'd and deftroy'd. 
When nature cannot work, th' eftedl of art is 

v3id. 
For phytic can but mend our crazy ftate, 
Patch an old building, not a new create. 
Arcite is doom'd to die in all his pride, "a 

Muft leave his youth^ and yield h.s beauteous f 

bride, { 

Gain'd hardly, againft right, and unenjoy'd. J 
When 'twas declar'd all hope of life was palt "j 
Confcience (that of all phytic works' the laft) > 
Caus'd him to fend for Emily in halte. 3 

With her, at his defire, came Palamon ; 



pillow rais'd, he thus begun 



Then o 

No language can exprels the fmallelt part 
Of what I feel, and i'viU'tr ia my heart. 
For you, whom belt I love and value mof^ ; 
But to your fei-vice I btqueavh my gholt j 
Which fron-j this mortal body when untied, 
Un'een, unheard, fliall hover at your tide ; 
Nor fright you waking, nor your fieep oftend. 
But wait oilicions, and your fteps attend. 
Kow I have lov'd, excufe my falt'ring tongue. 
My fpirits feeble, and my pains are ftrong : 
This I may lay, [ only grieve to die, 
Became I loi'e my charming Emily : 
To die, when Heaven hadputyouin ray pow'r, 
F:ite could nor choofe a more malicious hour ! 
What greater curfe could envious fortune give, 
Than juft to die when I began to live ! 
Vain men, how vanifhing a blifs we crave, 
Now warm in love, now with 'ring in the grave ! 

Never 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



3^9 



Never, O never more to lee the fun ! 
Srill dark, in a danvp vault, and ftill alone ! 
This fate is common ; but I lofe my breath. 
Near blifs, and yet not blefs'd before my death. 
Farewell ; but take me dying in your arms, 
' ris all I can enjoy of all your charms : 
Tills hand I cannot but in death refi?:n ; 
Ah ! could I live ! but while I live 'tis mine. 
I feel my end approach, and thus embraced. 
Am pleas'd to die ; but hear me fpeak my laft : 
Ah ! my fvi'eet foe, for you, and you alone, 
I broke my faith with injur'd Palamon. 
But love the fenfe of right and wrong confounds, 
Strong love and proud ambition have no bounds: 
And much I doubt, (hould Heaven my life pro- 
long, 
I (liould return to juftify my wrong. 
For, while my former flames remain within, 
Repentance is but want of pow'r to fni. 
With mortal hatred I purfued his life; _ 
Nor he, nor you, were guilty of the ftrife : 
Nor I, but as I lovM ; yet all combined, 
Your beauty, and my impotence of mind, 
And his concurrent flame, that blew my fire ; 
For ftill our kindred fouls had onedefire. 
He had a moment's right in point of -time ; 
Had I feen firft, then his had been the crime. 
Fate made it mine, and juftified his right ; 
Nor holds this earth a more defervuig knight 
For virtue, valour, and for noble blood. 
Truth, honour, all that is comprised in goodj 
So help me Heaven, in all the world is none 
So worthy to be lov'd as Palamon. 
He loves you too with iiich an holy fire 
As will not, cannot, but with life expire : 
Our vow'd aifeftions both have often tried. 
Nor any love but yours could ours divide. 
Then, by my love's inviolable band. 
By my long fuff 'ring, and my fhort command, 
If e'er you plight your vows when I am gone, 
Have pity on the faithful Palamon. 

This was his laft ; for death came on amain, 
And exercised bejow his iron reign j 
Then upward to the feat of life he goes: 
Senfe fled before him, what he touch'd he froze. 
Yet could he not his doling eyes withdraw. 
Though lefs and lefs of Emily he law j 
So, Ipeechlefs, for a little fpace he lay ^ 
Then grafp'd the hand he held, and ligh'd his 
foul away. 

Bat whither went his foul, let fuch relate 
Who fearch the fecfets of the future ftate : 
Divines can lay but what themfelves believe; 
Strong proofs they have, but not demonftrative : 
For were all plain, then all fides mull agree. 
And faith itfelf be loft in certainty. 
To live uprightly then is lure the beft ; 
To fave ourl^Jves, and not to damn the reft. 
The foul of Arcite went where heathens go, 
Who better live than we, though lefs they know. 

In Palamon a manly grief appears ; 
Silent he wept, alliam'd to (liew his tears : 
Emilia Ihriek'd but once, and t^en opprefs'd 
With forrow, funk upon her love's breaft : 



J 



Till Thefeus in his arms convey 'd with care. 
Far from fo fad a light, the fwooning fair. 
'Twere lofs of time her lorrow to relate ; 
TU bear" the lex a youthful lover's fate, 
When juft approaching to the nuptial ftate 
But, like a low -hung cloud, it rains lo faft. 
That all at once it falls, and cannot laft. 
The face of things is chang'd, and Athens now. 
That laugh'd fo late, becomes the Icene of woe j 
Matrons and maids, both fexes, ev'ry ftate. 
With tears lament the knight's untimely fate. 
Nor greater grief in falling Troy was feen 
For Heftor's death ; but He61or was not then. 
Old men with duft deform'd their hoary hair ; 
The women beiit their breafts, their cheeks they 

tear. 
Why wouldft thou go, with one confent they cry. 
When thou hadft gold enough, and Emily ? 
Thefeus himfelf, who fhould have cheer'd the 

grief 
Of others, wanted new the fame relief. 
Old Egeus only could revive his fon. 
Who various changes of the world had known ; 
And ftrange vicilfitudes of human fate. 
Still alt'ring, never in a fteady ftate; 
Good after ill, and after pain delight ; 
Alternate like the fcenes of day and night: 
Since ev'ry man who lives is born to dit. 
And none can boaft fincere felicity. 
With equal mind what happens let us bear. 
Nor joy nor grieve too much for things beyond 

our care. 
Like pilgrims to th' appointed place we tend; 
The world's an inn, and death the journey's end. 
Even kings but play; and when their part is done. 
Some other, worfe or better, mount the throne. 
With words like thefe the crowd was fatisfied : 
And fo they would have been had Thefeus died. 
But he, their king, was lab'ring in his mind 
A fitting place for fun'ral pomps to find. 
Which were in honour of the dead delign'd 
And, after long debate, at laft he found 
(As love itfelf had mark'd the fpot of ground) 
That grove for ever green, that confcious land. 
Where he with Palamon fought hand to hand : 
That where he fed his amorous delires 
With foft complaints, and felt his hotteft fires. 
There other flames might wafte his earthly part. 
And burn his limbs, where love had burn'd his 

heart. 
This once refolv'd, the peafants were cnjoin'd 
Sere-wood, and firs, and dodder'd oaks to find. 
With founding axes to the grove they go, 
Fell, Iplit, and lay the fuel on a row, 
Vulcanian food : a bier is next prepar'd. 
On which the lifelefs body ftiould be rear'd, 
Cover'd with cloth of gold, on which was laid 
The corpfe of Arcite, in like robes array'd. 
White gloves were on his hands, and on his head 
A wreath of laurel, mix'd with myrtle, fpread. 
A fword keen-edg'd within his right he held. 
The warlike emblem of the conquer 'd field: 
Bare was his manly vifage on the bier: 
Menac'd his count'naiice j even in death fcvere. 

Theft 



330 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Booic IL 



Then to the palace-hall they bore the knight, 
To lie in Ibiemn itate, a public light. 
Groans, cries and howlin^s,fill the crowded place, 
And un:iite61ed ibrrow iat on ev'ry face. 
Sad Palamon above the relt j^ppear^:, 
In fable garments, dew'd with gafning tears : 
His auburn locks on either flioulder flowM, 
Which to the fiin'ral of his friend he vow'd: 
But Emily, as chief, was next his fide, 
A virgin-widow, and a mourning bride. 
And, that the princely ohfequies might be 
Performed according to his high degree. 
The fceed that bore him living to the iighf ^ 
Wastrapp'dwithpolifh'diieeljalKliiningbright, 2 
Andcover'dwithth'achievementsof the knight. 3 
The riders rode abreaft, and one his fhield, 
His lance of cornel-wood another held ; 
The third his bow, and, glorious to behold. 
The coiliy quiver, all of burnilh'd gold. 
The noblell of the Grecians next appear. 
And, weeping, on their ihoulders bore the bier; 
With fober pace they raarcli'd, and often fiaid. 
And thro' the mailer-ftreet the corpfc convey'd. 
The houfes to their tops wirh black were fpread, 
And even the pavementswcrewithmouriung hid. 
The right fide of the pall old Egeus kept, 
And on the left the i-oyai Thefeus wept-, 
Each b.Te a golden bowl of wovk divine, 
With honey tillM, and milk, and mix'd with 

ruddy wine. 
Then Palamon, the kinfinan of the flain, 
And after him appeared th^ iPiulb-ious train. 
To grace the pomp, Canie Emily the bright, 
■With coverM fire, the funVal pile to light. 
With high devotion was the lervice made, 
And all the rites of Pagan honour paid ; 
So lofty v.as the pile, a Parthian bow, 
With vigour drawn, mutl lend the fhaft below. 
The bottom v.^as fall twenty fithem broad. 
With crackling ilraw beneath in due proportion 

jtrevvM. 
The fabric feera'd a wood of rifing green. 
With fuiphurand bitumen cafl between, 
To {ttd. the flames r the trees were unftuous fir,"^ 
And mountain afli, the mother of the fpear : ^ 
The mourner-yew and builder-oak were there :.) 
The beech, the Avimming alder, and the plane, a 
Hard box, and linden of a fofter grain, C 

And laarels, which the Gods for conquering ^ 

chiefs ordain. ^ 

How they were i-ank'd fhall reft untold by me, 
With namelels nymphs thatliv'd in ev'rytree: 
ISior how the dryads, or the woodland train, 
Difherited, ran h.')v./ling o'er the plain: 
Kor how the birds to foreign feats repair'd. 
Or beails, that bolted ouf, and faw the foreft 

bar'd : 
Kor how the ground, now ciear'd, with ghaftly 

fright, 
Beheld the fudden fun, a ftranger to the light. 

The ftraw, as firll I faid, was laid belovv' : 
6>f chips and fere-wood was the fccond row ; 
The third of greens, and timber newly feli'd } 
The fourth high ftage the fragrant odours held. 



Wei 
And 



-e pour'd upon the pile of burning wood,( 
1 hilling frames receive, and, hungry, lick( 



:} 



And pearls, and precious flones, and rich array ; 
In midlt of which, embalmed, the body lay. 
The fervice fung, the maid with mourning eyes 
The ilubble fir'd j the fmould'ring flames arife: 
This oihce done, fhe funk upon the ground j 
But what (he fpoke, recover'd from her fwoou, 
I want tlie wit in moving words to drefs ; 
But by themfelves the tender fex may guefs. 
While the devouring fire was burning fall. 
Rich jev/els in the flame the wealthy cafl: ; 
And forae their ftiields, and {osit their lances 

threw, 
And gave their warrior's ghoft a warrior's due. 
Full bowls of wine, of honey, milk, and blood, 

the food. " J 

Then thrice the mounted fquadrons ride around 
The fire, and Arcite's name they thrice refound j 
Hail, and farewell, they fliouted thrice amain ; 
Thrice facing to the left, and thrice they turn'd 

again : 
Stillastheyturn'd.theybcattheirclatt'ringfliields; 
The women mix their cries j and clamour fills^ 

the fields. 
The warlike wakes continu'd aH the night. 
And fun'ral games were play'd at new returning 

light." 
Wlio naked wreilled l>eft, befmear'd with oil. 
Or who with gauntlets gave or took the foil, 
I will not tell you, nor would you attend j 
But briefly ha^e to my long ftory's end. 

I pafs the reft j the year was fully mournM, 
And Palamon long fince to Thebes return'd : 
When, by the Crrecians general conlent. 
At Athens Thefeus held his parliam.ent i. 
Among the laws that pafs'd, it was decreed. 
That conquer'd Thebes from bondage fliould be 

freed j 
Referving homage to th"" Athenian throne, 
To vv'hich the fcvereign fummon'd Palamon. 
Unknowing of the caufe, he took his way, 
Mournful in mind, and ftill in black array. 
The monarch mounts the tiirone, and, plac'd 

on high, 
Commands into the court the beauteous Emily : 
So caird, file cam.e j the fenate rofe, and paid 
Becoming rev'rence to the royal maid. 
And firft Toft whifpers through th' affemblywenti 
With filent wonder then they watch M the event: 
All hufh'd, the king arofe with awful grace : 
Deep thought was in his breaft, and coimfel ia 

' his face. 
At length he fighed ; and, having firft prepar'd 
Th' attentive audience, thus his will declar'd: 
The caufe and fpring of motion, from above. 
Hung down on eaith the golden chain of love; 
Great was th' effecl, and high wa5 his intent, 
When peace among the jarring feeds he fent. 
Fire,flo0d, and earth, and air, by this were bound. 
And Love, the common link, the new creation 

crown'd. 
The chain ftill holds,for, though the forms decay, 
EterAal matter never we^s away ; 

The 



Book II. DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE. &c. 

The fame firft Mover certain bounds has plac'd 
How Ions: tbofe perifhable forms (hall lait : 



331 



Nor can ihey lall beyond the time alFign d 
By that all-!eping and all-makinaj min<l : 
Shorten their houis they may ; for will is free ; 
But never pafs th' aopointed deltiny. _ . 
So men opDrefsM, when weary of their breath, 
Thrjw o'.f" the burden, -^nd fuborn their death. 
Tlien, fince thofe forms begin, and have their 

end, 
On (onie uaalterM caufe they fure depend : 
Parts of the whole are we ; . but God the whole, 
Who gives us life and Aninating ibul : 
For nature cannot from a part derive 
That being, wai(h the whole can wnly give: 
He perfe6f. ftable , but imperfeft we, 
Subje6l to change, and diff Yent in degree ; 
Plants, bealts, and man ; and, as our organs are, 
We more or lefs of his perfection ihare. 
But by a long defcent th' ethereal iire 
Corrupts ; and fonn«:, the mortal part, expire: 
As he withdraws his virtue^ i'o they pafs ; 
And the fame matter makes another raafs. 
This lawth'Omnifcient Pow'rwas pleas'dtogive, 
That evVy kind Pnoald by fuccefllon live: 
That individuals die hisw'll ordi-.ins ; 
The propagated fpecies ilill remains. 
The monarch cak, the patriarch of the trees, 
Shoots rifmg up, and fpreads by flow degiees ; 
Three centuries he grovv^s, and three he ifays. 
Supreme in itate, and in thiee more decays j 
So wears the paving pebble in the ftreet, I 

And towns and tow'rs their flital periods meet : 
So rivers^ rapid once, now naked lie, 
Foriakeu of their fp rings, and leave their chan- 
nels dry. 
So man, at firft a drop, dilates with heat, 
1'hen, formM, the little heart begins to beat ; 
Secret he feeds unknowing in the cell j 
At length, for hatching ripe, he breaks the fhell, 
And ilruggles into breath, and cries for aid j 
Then, helplefs, in his mother's lap is laid. 
He creeps, he walks, and, illuing into man. 
Grudges their life from whence his own began : 
Reckjefs of laws, alteCts to rule alr-ne. 
Anxious to reign, and reliefs on rhe throne : 
Firil vegctive, then feel:?, and reafons laft; • 
Klch of three fouls, and lives all. three to wafte. 
Some thus ; but thoulands more in iiow'r of age : 
For few arrive to run the latter flage. 
Sunk HI the firll, in battle Ibrae are flain, 
And others whelnrd beneath the fhormy main. 
What makes all this, but Jupiter the king. 
At vvhofe command we perifh and we fpring ? 
Then 'tis our belt, iince thus ordain'd to die, 
To make a virtue of necefiity. 
Take what he gives, fnice to rebel is vain ; 
The bad grows better, which we well fullain ; 
And could we choole the time, and choofe aright, 
'Tis beft to die, our honour at the height. 
Vv'hen we Lave done our anceftors no fhame, 
But ferv'd our friends, and wellfecur'dour fame: 
7 hen fhould we wiih our happy hfe to clofe, 
And leave no more for fortune to difuol'e : 



] 



So ftjould we make our death a glad relief 
From future lhame,from ficknefs,and from grief: 
Enjoying while we live the prcfent hour. 
And dying in cur excellence and flow'r. [run. 
Then round our death- bed ev'ry friend (hould 
And joyous of our conquelt early won : 
While the malicious world with envious tears 
Sliould grudge our happy end, and wiih it theirs. 
Since then our Arcite is with honour dead, 
Why Ihould we mourn, thathe fo (bon is freed 
Or call untimely what the Gods decreed ? 
With grief as jult a friend may be deplor'd. 
From a foul prifon to free air reftor'd. 
Ought he to thank his kinlmen or his wife. 
Could tears recal him into wretched life ? 
Their forrow hurts themfelves ; on him is loftj 
And, worfe than both, otfends his happy ghoft. 
What then remains, but, after pail annoy. 
To take the good viciflltude of joy ? 
To thank the gracious Gods for what they give, 
PofTefs our fonls, and, while wc live, to live? 
>rdain we then two forrows to con)bine, 
And in one point th' extremes of grief to join j 
i'hat thence refulting joy may be rcnew'dj 
As jari-ing notes in harmony conclude. 
Then I propofe that Palamon fhali be 
In marriage join'd with beauteous Eraily ; 
For which already I have gain'd th' aRent 
Of my free people in full parliament. 
Long love to her has borne the faithful knight. 
And well deferv'd, had fortune done him right i 
'Tis time to mend her fault ; fuice Emily 
By Arcite's death from former vows is free: 
If you, fair filter, ratify th' accord. 
And take him for your hufband and your lord, 
' ris no difnonour to confer your grace 
On one deii:ended from a royal race: 
And were he lefs, yet years of fervice pall 
From grateful ibuls exact revvard at laft. 
Pity is Heaven's and yours: nor can flie find 
A throne fo foft as in a woman's m'md. 
Ke faid ; fhe biufh'd; and, as o'eraw'd by might, 
Seem'd to give Thefcus what flie gave the knight. 
Then, turning to the Theban, thus he faid ; 
Small arguments are needful to perfuade 
Your temper to comply with my command ; 
And, fpeakingthus, he gave Emilia's hand. 
Smil'd Venus, to behold her own t^-ue knight -\ 
Obtain the conqueft, tho' he lofc the fight ; ^ 
And blefs'd with nuptial blifs the fweet iabo-^ 

rious night. » J 

Eros and Anteios on either fide, 
One fir'd the bridegroom, and one warm'd the 

bride ; 
And long-attending Kyraen from above 
Shower'd on the bed the whole Idalian grove. 
All of a tenor was their afterlife, 
No day difcolour'd with domeitic ftrifej 
No jeaioufy, but mutual truth belic.-'d, 
Secure repofe, and klndnefs undcceiv'd. 
ThusHeaven, beyond the Cvompafsof his thoug' i\ 
Sent him the bleffing he fo dearly bou^^ht. 

So may the Queen of Love long dufy blcfc. 
And all true lovers find the iame fuccefs. 

§ 29. 



53^ 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book If. 



§ 29. Religio Laid. Drydcn. 

AN EPISTLE. 



Dim as the borrowed beams of moon and ftars 
To lonely, weary, wandering travellers. 
Is realbn to the Ibul : and as on high 
Thofe rolling fires difcover but the Iky, 
Nor light us here ; fo reafon's glimrn'ring ray") 
Was lent not to alTure our doubtful way, [ 
But guide us upward to a iietter da)^ j 

And as thofe nightly tapers difappear 
When day's bright lord afcends our hemifphere; 
So pale grows reafon at religion's "fight \ 
So dies, and fo diflblves in fupernat'ral light. 
Somefew,whofelamp fhone bTighter,have beenled 
From caufe to caufe, to nature's fecret head j 
And found that one firft principle mull: be : 
iiut what, or who, that univerial He 5 
Whether fome foul encompaffing this ball, 
Unmade, unmov'd 5 yet making, moving all j 
Cr various atoms, interfering dance, 
Leap'dinto form, the noble work of chance j 
Or this great all was from eternity; ") 

Not e'en the Stagirite himfelf could fee, > 

And Epicurus guefs'd as well as he; j 

As blindly grop'd they for a future ftate j 
As rafnly judg'd of providence and fate : 
But leaft of all could their endeavours find 
W^hat moll concern'dthe good of human kind : 
For happinefs was never to be found, 
But vanifh'd from them like enchanted ground. 
One thought content the good to be enjoy'd; 
This every little accident dellroy'd : 
The wifer madmen did for virtue toil ; 
A thorny, or at beft a barren foil : 



leaky 



keep. 



Thus manbyhis own flrength toHeaven would 
And would not beoblig'd to God formore. [ibarj 
Vain wretched creature ! how art thou milled, 
To think thy wit thefe godlike notions bred ! 
Thefe truths are not the produft of thy mind. 
But dropt from heaven, and of a nobler kind. 
Reveal'd religion firft inform'd thy fight, 
And reafon faw not till faitti fprung the light. 
Hence all thy nat'ral w^orfhip takes the fource; 
'Tis revelation, what thou think'ft difcourfe. 
Elfe how comcft thou to fee thefe truths Ho clear. 
Which fo obfcure to heathens did appear ? 
Not Plato thefe, nor Anftotle found'; 
Nor he whofe wifdom oracles renown'd. 
Haft thou a wit fb deep, or fb fublime. 
Or can ft thou lower dive, or higher climb ? 
Canft thou by reafon more of godhead know 
Than Plutarch, Seneca, or Cicero ? 
Thofe giant wits in happier ages born. 
When arms and arts did Greece andRome adorn. 
Knew no fuch fyftera ; no luch piles could raife 
Of nat'ral worfhip built on prayer and praife 
To one fole God. 

Nor did remorfe to expiate fin prefcribe ; 
But flew their fellow-creatures for a bribe: 
The guiltlefs victim groan'd for their offence; 
And cruelty and blood were penitence. 
If fheep and oxen could atone for men. 
Ah ! at how cheap a rate the rich might fin ! 
And great opprelfors might Heaven's wrath be- 
By off 'ring his own creatures for a fpoil ! [guile, 

Dar'ft thou, poor worm, offend Infinity ? 
And muft the terms of peace be given by thee ? 
Then thou art Juftice in the laft appeal 3 
Thy eafy God inftrufts thee to rebel ; 
And like a king, remote and weak, mufl take 
What fatisfaftion thou art pleas'd to make. 

But if there l)e a pow'r too jult and ftrong 



Thus anxious thoughts in endlefs circles roll, «To wink at crimes, and bearunpimifh'd wrong, 
V,1ithout a centre where to fix the foul : j Look humbly upward, fee his will difclofe 

In this wild maze their vain endeavours end : 1 The forfeit firft, and then the fine impole j 



How can the lefs the greater comprehend ? 

Or finite reafon reach Infinity ? 

For what could fathom God were more than He. 

The Deift thinks he fiands on firmer ground; 

Cries aTpiXtt. the mighty fecret's found : 

God is that fpring of good ; fupreme, and beft ; 

We made to ferve, and in that fervice bleft. 

If fo, fome rules of worftiip muft be given, 

Diftributed alike to all by Heaven : 

Elfe God were partial, and to fome denied 

The menns his juftice fliould for all provide. 

This general worfliip is to praife and pray; 

One part to lx)rro\v bleffmgs, one to pay : 

And when frail nature ftides into oftence. 

The facrifice for crimes is penitence. 

Yet, fince th' effects of Providence, we find, 

Are varioufly difpens'd to human kind; 

That vice triumphs, and virtue fufters here, 

A brand that fbv'reign juftice cannot bear j 

Our reafon prompts us to a future ftate, 

j"ne laft appeal from fortune and from fate ; 

Where God'sall-righteous ways will bedeclar'd; 

The bad met-t punifliment, the gocni reward. 



A mul6t thy poverty could never pay 
Had not eternal wifdom found the way, 
And with celeftial wealth fupplied thy ftore ; 
His juftice makesthe fine,his mercyquitsthcfcore. 
See God defcending in thy human frame; 
Th' offended fuftering in th' offender's name; 
All thy mifdeeds to him imputed fee. 
And all his righteoufncfs devoiv'd on thee. 

For, granting we have finn'd, and that th'of- 
Of man is made againlt Omnipotence, [fence 
Some price that bears proportion muft be paid ; 
And infinite with infinite be weigh'd. 
See then the Deift loft ; remorfe for vice. 
Not paid ; or, paid, inadequate in price: 
What farther means can reafon now dire(5t. 
Or what relief from human wit expeft ? 
That fliews us fick ; and fadly are we fure 
Still to be fick, till Heaven reveal the cure: 
If then Heaven's will muft needs be underftood. 
Which muft, if we want cure,andHeavenbegood, 
Let all records of will reveal'd be fhewn j "^ 
With fcripture all in equal balance thrown, ^ 
And our one facred book will be that oae. y 
I Froof 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



333 



Proof needs not here : for whether we compare 
Thut impious idle fuperllitious ware 
Of rites, hiltrations, otfVings, which before, 
In various ages, various countries bore. 
With chriltian faith and virtues; we fliall find 
None anfw'ring the great ends of human kind, 
But this one rule of life, that Ihews us beft 
How God may be appeasM, and mortals bleit. 
Whether from length of time its worth we draw, 
The word is fcarce more antient than the law j 
Heavetrs early care prefcrib'd for ev'ry age j 
Firft in thp foul, and after in the page. 
Or whether more abftradledly we look. 
Or on the writers, or the written book, 
Whence, but from Heaven, could men unfkill'd 

in arts, 
In fev'ral ages born, in fev'ral parts. 
Weave fuch agreeing truths? or how, or why, 
^Should all conlpire to cheat us with a lye? 
Unalk'd their pains, ungratefuj their advice, 
Starving their gain, and martyrdom their price. 

If on the book itfelf we caft our view, 
Concurrent heathens prove the ftory true ; 
The doctrine, miracles ; which mult convince, 
For heaven in them appeals to human lenfe j 
And tho"" they prove not^ they confirm thecaule, 
When what is taught agrees with nature's laws. 

Then for the ftyle, majeftic and divine. 
It fpeaks no lefs than God in evVy line; 
Commanding woids ; wiiofe forceis Itill the fame 
As the firll fiat that produced our frame. 
All faiths befide or did by arms al'cend, 
Oi-fince indulged has made mankind their friend. 
This only, doctrine does our lufts oppofe. 
Unfed by nature's foil, in which it grows ; 
Croisto our int'refts, curbing fenfe and fin : 
Opprefs'd without, and undci-min'd within. 
It thrives thro' pain; its own tormentors tires; 
Ajid with a ftubborn patience ftill afpires. 
To what can reafon fuch eiifc<5ts aflign 
Tranfcending nature, but to laws divine; 
Which in that facred voiunie are contain'd ; 
Suflrcient, clear, and for that ule ordain'd ? 

But ftay : the Deift here will urge anew. 
No fupernat'ral worlhin can be true ; 
Becaufe a gen'ral law is that alone 
Which muft to all, andcv'ry where, be known : 
A Ityle fo large as not this book can claim. 
Nor aught that bears reveal'd religion's name. 
'Tis laid, the found of a Meffiah's birth 
Is gone thro' all the the habitable earth; 
But Itill that text muft be confin'd alone 
To what was then inhabited and known : 
And what provifions could from thence accrue 
To Indian fouls, and worlds difcover'd new ? 
In other parts it helps, that ages palt. 
The fcriptures there were known, and were 

embrac'd 
Till fin fpread once again the (hades of night : 
What's that to thefe, who never faw the light ? 

Of all objections this indeed is chief 
Tof ftartle reafon, ftagger frail belief: 
Wegrantj'tis true,that Heaven from human fenfe 
Has hid the lecret paths of Providence i 



But boundlefs wifdom, boundlefs mercy, may 
Find, ev'n for thofe bewilder'd fouls, a way j 
If from his nature foes may pity claim, 
Much more may ftrangers who ne'er heard his 

name. 
And though no name be for falvation known. 
But that of his eternal Son's alone ; 
Who knows how far tranfcending goodnefs can 
Extend the merits of that Son to man ? 
Who knows what reafon s may his mercy leadj 
Or ignorance invincible may plead ? 
Not only charity bids hope the beft. 
But more the great apoftle has exprefs'd : 
"That if the Gentiles, whom no law infpir'd. 
By nature did what was by law requir'd. 
They, who the written rule had never known. 
Were to themfelves both rule and law alone : 
To nature's plain indidtment they fhall plead; 
And by theirconfcience be condemn 'd or freed." 
'Moft righteous doom ! becaufe a rule reveal'd 
Is none to thofe from whom it was conceal'd. 
Then thofe who follow 'd reafon's dictates right 
Liv'd up, and lifted high their nat'ral light; 
With Socrates may fee their Maker's face, 
While thoufand rubric-martyrs want a place. 

Nor does it baulk my charity, to find 
Th' Egyptian biftiop of another mind ; 
For though his creed eternal truth contains, 
'Tis hard for man to doom to endJefs pains 
} All who believ'd not all his zeal requir'd j 
Unlefs he firft could prove he Wvis inlbir'd. 
Then let us either think he meant to fay, 
This faith, where publilh'd, was the only wavj 
Or elfe conclude that, Arius to confute, 
The good old man, t»o eager in difpute. 
Flew high ; and as his chriltian fury rofe 
Damn'd all for heretics who durft oppofe. 
Thus far my charity this, path has tried; 
A much uni'Kilful, but well-meaning guide: 
Yet what they are, e'en theie crude thoughts 

were bred, 
By reading that which better thou had read. 
Thy matchlefs author's work ; which thou my 

friend. 
By well tranflating better doft comrqend ; 
Thofe youthful hours which of thy equals raoft 
In toys have fquander'd, or in vice have loft ; 
Thofe hours haft thou to nobler ufe eniploy'd^ 
And the fevere delights of truth enjoy 'd. 
Witnefs this weighty book, in which appears 
The crabbed toil of many thoughtful years. 
Spent by thy author, <in the fifring care 
Of rabbins old fophifticat(^ ware 
From gold divine ; which he who well can fort 
May afterwards make algebra a iport. 
A treafure, which if country curates buy, 
They Junius andTremellius may defy ; 
Save pains in various readings and tranflationsj 
And without Hebrew make moft learn'd quo- 
tations. 
A work io full with various learning fraught. 
So nicely ponder'd, yet fo ftrongly wrought, 
As nature's height and art s laft hand requir'd 
As much as man could compafs^ uninfpir'd : 

Where 



334 



Where we may fee what errors have been made 
Both in the copyer's and tranflator's trade ; 
How Jewilh, Popifh, infrefts have prevaiPd, 
And where infallibility has fail'd. 

For fome,who have his fecret meaning guefs'd, 
Have found our author not too much a priefc: 
For falhion's fake he feems to have recourfe 
To pope, and councils, and tradition's force : 
But he that old traditions could fubdue, 
Could not but find the weaknefs of the new : 
If fcripture, tho' deriv'd from heavenly birth, 
Has been but carelefsly preferv\l on earth j 
If God's own people, who of God before 
Knew what we know, and had been promised 

more 
In fuller terms of Iieaven's afiifting care, 
And who did neither time nor ftudy fpare. 
To keep this book untainted, unperplex'd, 
Let in grofs errors to corrupt the text. 
Omitted paragraphs, embroil'd the fenfe, 
With vain traditions ftopt the gaping fence. 
Which ev'ry common hand pull'd up with eafe, 
What faf ety from fuch brufh- wood- helps asthefe? 
If written words from time are not fecur'd, 
How can we think have oral founds endur'd ? 
Which thus tranfmitted, if one mouth hasfail'd, 
Immortal lyes on ages are entail'd : 
And that fome fuch have been,Is provM too plain, 
If we confider int'reft, church, and gain. 

O but, fays one, tradition, fet afide, 
Where can we hope for an unerring guide ? 
For fince th' original fcripture has been loft, 
All copies difagreeing, maim'd the moft, 
Or chriftian faith can have no certain ground. 
Or truth in church-tradition muft be found. 

Such anomnifcient church we wifh indeed 5 
'Twere worth both Tellaments; caft in the creed: 
But if this mother be a guide fo fuce 
As can all doubts refolvc, and truth fecure, 
Then her infallibility, as well 
Wl\ere copies are corrupt or lame, can tell ; 
Keftore loft canons with as little pains. 
As truly explicate what ftill remains : 
Which yet no council dare pretend to do ; "\ 
Unlefs, like Efdras, they could v.rite it new: - 
Strange confidence ftill to interpret true, J 
Yet not be fure that all they have explained 
Is in the bleft original contiiin'd. 
More fafe, and much more modeft, 'tis to fay, 
God vvould not leave mankind without a way: 
And that the fcriptures, tho' not everywhere 
Free from corruption, or entire, or clear. 
Are uncorrupt, fufficient, clear, entire, 
In all things which our needful faith require. 
If others in the fame glafs better fee, 
'Tis for themfelves they look, but not for me : 
For my falvation muft its doom receive, 
Not from what others, but what I believe. 

Muft all tradition then be fet afide ? 
This to affirm, were ignorance and pride. 
Ate there not many points, fome needful fure 
I'o faving faith, that fcripture leaves obfcure r 
Which cv\y feft will wreft a fev'ral way ; 
For ^vhat one fe6l interprets; all iedls may: 



ELEGANT EJ^TRACTS, 



Book II. 



We hold, and fay we prove from fcripture plain, ^ 
That Chrift is God ; the bold Socinian ^ 

From the fame fcripture urges he's but man. j 
Now what appeal can end th' impcrttant fuit ? 
Both parts talk loudly, but the rule is mute. 

Shall I fpeak plain, and in a nation free 
Aflume an honelt layman's liberty ? 
I think, according to my little IkilV, 
To my own mother-church fubmitting ftill, 
That many have been fav'd, and many may. 
Who nevei' heard this queftion brought in play. 
Th' unlettered Chriftian, who believes in grols, 
Plods oir to heaven, and ne'er is at a lofs : 
For the ftrait gate would be made ftraiter yet> 
Were none admitted there but men of vv'it. 
The few by nature form'd^with learning fraught, 
Bor\: to inftru6^, as others to be taught, 
Muil ftudy well the ficred pagej and fee 
Which doftrine, this or that, does beft agree 
With the whole tenet of the work divine, 
And plai»lieii ptiintstoHeaven'sreveal'ddefign? 
Which expofition flows from genuine fenfe^ 
And which is-forc'd by wit and eloquence. 
Not that tradition's paits are ufelefs here j 
When gen'ral, old, difint'refted, and clear j 
That ancient fathers thus expound the page. 
Gives truth the reverend majefty of age i 
Confirms its force by 'biding ev'ry teft j 
For beft authorities next rules are beft; 
And ftill the nearer to the fpring we go, 
More Jimpid, more unfoil'd, the w^crs flow. 
Thus firft traditions were a proof alone ^ 
Could we be certain, fuch they were, fo known> 
But fince fome flaws in long defcent may be. 
They make not truth, hut probability. 
E'en Arius arid Pelagius durft provoke 
To what the centuries preceeding fpoke. 
Such ditt^'rence is tiiere in an oft-told tale : 
But truth by its own finews will prevail. 
Tradition written therefore more commerids 
Authority, than what from voice defcends : 
And this, as perfeft as its kind can be, 
Rolls down to us the facred hiftory: 
Which, from the univerfal church receiv'dj 
Is tried, and r.fter for itfelf beiiev'd. 

The partial Papifts would infer from hence 
Their church, in laft refort, fliould judge the 

fenfe. 
But firft they would afRime with wondrous art 
Themfelves to be the v/hoJe, who are but part 
Of that vaft frame the church ^yet grant they were 
The handers-down, caii they from thence infer 
A right t' interpret r or would they alone, _ 
Who brought the prefent, claim it for their own? 
The book's a common largefs to mankind j 
Not more for them than ev'ry man defigu'd : 
The welcome news is in the letter found; 
The carrier's not commiliion'd to expound. 
It fpeaks itfelf, and what it does contain 
In all things needful to be known is piain. 

In times o'ergrown with raft and ignorance, 
A. gainfultrade their clergy did advance; 
When want of learning kept the hymen low. 
And none but priefts were auchofiz'd to know r 

Wnea 



Book TI, 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



355 



When what fmall knowledge was in them did 

dwell} 
And he a god who could but read and fpellj 
The mother-church diil mightily prevail j 
She pai-cePd out the bible by retail : 
li'it ftill expounded what -(lie fold or gave, 
To keep it in her power to damn or lave. 
Scripture was Icarce, and, as the market went, 
Poor laymen took falvation on content y 
As needy men take money good or bad: [had. 
God's word they had not', hut the priell's they 
Yet whate'er falle conveyances they made, 
The lawyer ftill was certain to be paid. 
In thofe dark times they leam'd their knack To 
That by long ufe they grew infallible. fwell, 
At lalt a knowing age be^an t' enquire 
If they the book, or that did them infpire: [late, 
And making narrower fearch they found, tho' 
That what they thought the prieit's was their 

eftate : 
Taught by the will producM, the written word, 
How long they had been cheated on record. 
Then ev'ry man who faw the title fair, 
ClaimM a child's part, and put in for a (hare; 
Confulted foberly his private good. 
And lav'd himfelf as cheap as eer he could. 

■"Tis true, my friend, and far be flatt'ry hence, 
This good had full as bad a confequence: 
The book ihus put in ev^'ry vulgar hand. 
Which each prefum'd he beft could underibnd. 
The common rule was made the common prey. 
And at the mercy of the rabble lay. 
The tender page with horny fills was galPd: 
And he was gifted moft that loudeft bawPd j 
The fpirit gave the doftoral degree : "^ 

And ev'ry member of a company ^ 

Was of his trade and of the Bible free. j 

Plain truths enough for needful ufe they found j 
But men would Itill be itching to expound: 
Each was ambitious of th' obicureft place, 
No meafure ta'cn from knowledge,all from grace. 
Study and pains were now no more their care ; 
Texts v/ere explained by falting and by pray'r : 
This was the fruit the private fpirit brought ; 
Ck-cafion'd by great zeal and little thought; 
While crowds unlearn M, with rude devotion 

warm, 
About the facred viands buz and fwarm. 
The fly-blo\vn text creates a crawling brood ; 
And turns to maggots what was meant for food. 
A thoufand daily led:s rife up and die ; 
A thoufand more theperilh'd race fupply : 
So all we make of Heaven's difcover'd will, 
Is not to have it, or to ufe it ill- 
The danger's much the fame; on fev'ral (helves 
If others wreck us, or we v/reck ourfelves. 

What then remains, but waving each extreme. 
The tides of ignorance and pride to ilem? 
Neither fo rich a treafure to forego ; 
Nor proudly feek beyond our pow'r to know : 
Faith is not built -on difqnifitions vain ; 
The things we mufl believe are few and plain. 
But fince men will believe more than they need. 
And ev'ry man will make himfelf a creed. 



In doubtful queftions 'tis the fafeft w^ay 
To learn what unfufpefted ancients fay : 
For 'tis not likely we (hould higher foar 
In fearch of heaven than all the church beforci 
Nor can we be deceiv'd, unleis we fee 
The fcripture and the fatliers di(rigree. 
If after all they (land fufpefted itill, 
Foi- no man's faith depends upon his will ; 
'Tis fome relief, that points not clearly knowa 
Without much hazard may be let alone: 
And, after hearing v/hat our church can fay. 
If ftill our rea(bn runs another way, 
That private reafon 'tis more juft to curb, 
Than by difputes the public peace difturb ; 
For points oblcure are of fmall ufe to learn ; 
But common quiet is mankind's concern. 

Thus have I made my own opinions clear ; 
Yet neither praifc expeiSl:, nor cenfure fear: 
And this unpolifli'd rugged vcrfe I chofe. 
As fittelt for difcourfe, and neareft profe : 
For while from facred truth I do not fwerve, 
Tom Sternhold's or Tom Shadwell's rhyme* 

will ferve. 



§ 30. Mac Flecknoe* Dryden. 

All human thingsare fubjeft to decay. 
And when Fate fummons, raonarchs mult obey. 
This Flecknoe found, who like Auguftus, young 
Was call'd to empire, and had govern'd long : 
In profe and verfe was ownM without difpute. 
Thro' all the realms of Nonfenfe abfolute. 
This aged prince, now flourilliing in peace. 
And blefs'd with ilTue of a large increafe ; 
Worn out with bufmefs, did at length debate 
To fettle the fucceflion of the ihte : 
And pond'ring which, of all his fons, was fit 
To reign, and wage immortal war with Wit^ 
Cried, 'Tis refolv'd ; for Nature pleads that he 
Should only rule who moft refembles me. 

Sh , alone, my perfeft image bears, 

Mature in dullnefs from his tender years: 

Sh , alone, of all my fons, is he. 

Who ftands confirm'd in full ftupidity. 

The reft to fome faint meaning make pretence 5 

But Sh never deviates into fenfe. 

Some beams of wit on other fouls may fall. 
Strike thro\ and make a lucid interval ; 

But Sh 's genuine night admits no ray j 

His rifing fogs prevail upon the day, 
Befides, his goodly fabric fills the eye. 
And feems delign'd for thoughtlefs majefty: 
Thoughtlefs as monarch oaks thatlhadetheplain, 
And Ipread infolemnftate, fupinely reign. 
Hey wood and Shirley were but types of thee. 
Thou lalt great prophet of Tautology^ 
Ev'n I, a dunce of more renown than they, 
Was lent before but to prepare thy way ; 
And, coarfely clad in Norwich drugffet, came 
To teach the nations in thy greater name. 
My warbling lute, the lute I whilom ftrung. 
When to king John of Portugal I fung, 
Was but the prelude of that glorious day. 
When thou on Over Thames didft cut tliv war. 

' With 



2qO 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS. 



Book If. 



With wen-tim"'d oars, before the royal barge, 
Swell 'd with the pride of thy celeftial charge j 
And, big with hymn, commander of an hoft, 
The like was ne'er in Epfom blankets tofs'd. 
Methinks I fee the new Arion fail, 
The lute ftill trembling underneath thy nail. 



Much Heywood, Shirley, Ogleby, there lay ; 

But loads of Sh almoft choak'd the way.- 

Bilk'd llationers for yeomen ftood prepared. 
And H — n was captain of the guard. 
The hoary prince in majelty appear 'd, 
High on a throne of his own labours rear'd. 



At thy well (hapenM thumb, from fhore to ihore i At his right hand our young Afcanius fat, 

Thetrebles fqueak for fear, the bailes roar : '" ' ' — ' — ' "•" i- -'— ^i---- 

Echoes from Pifling- Alley Sh call, 

And Sh they refound from Aflon-Hall. 

About thy boat the little fifties throng. 

As at the morning toalt that floats along. 

Sometimes, as prince of thy harmonious band 

Thou wield'ft thy papers in thy threftiing hand. | That he, till death, true dulnefs would maintain ; 



Rome's other hope, and pillar of the Itate. 
I His brows, thick fogs, inllead of glories, gmce, 
I And lambent Dulnefs play'd around his face. 

As Hannibal did to the altars come, 
I Sworn by his fire a mortal foe to Rome ; 

So Sh fwore, nor (hould his vow be vain. 



St. Andre's feet ne'er kept more equal time. 
Not e'en the feet of thy own P/yche's rhyme : 
Though they in number as in fenfe excel } 
So juft, fo like Tautology they fell. 
That, pale with envy, Singleton forfwore 
The lute and fword which he in triumph bore, , 
And vow'dhe ne'er would aft Villerius more.) 
Here ftopt the good old fire, and wept for joy, 
In filent raptures of the hopeful boy. 
All arguments, but moft his plays, perfuade. 
That for anointed dulnefs he w^as made. 
Clofeto the walls which foir Augulta bind 
(The fair Augufta, much co fears inclined) 
An ancient fabric, rais'd t' inform the fight, 
There ftood of yore and. Barbican it hight : 
A watch-tow'r once : but now, lb fate ordains, 
Of all the pile an empty name remains : 
From its old ruins brothel-houfcs rife, 



And, in his father's right, and realm's defence, 
j Ne'er to have peace with wit,nor truce with fenle. 
The king himlelf the lacred unftion made, 
I As king by office, and as prieft by trade. 
■^ ' In his iinilter hand, inllead of ball, 
' { He plac'd a mighty mug of potent ale j 
Love's kingdom to his right he did convey, 
At once his fceptre, and his rule of fway ; 
Whofe rig.hteous lore the prince had practis'd 

young. 
And from whofe loins recorded Pfyche fprung 5 
His temples hit with poppies were o'erfpread. 
That, nodding, feem'd to confecrate his head. 
Juft at the pomt of time, if fame not lye. 
On Iiis right hand twelve rev'rend owls did fly» 
So Romulus, 'tis fung, by Tiber's brook, 
Prefage of fway from twice fix vultiu-es took. 
Th' admiring throng loud acclamations m:ike» 
I And omens of his future -empire take. 



Scenes of lewd loves, and of poUuteii joys, 

Where their vail courts the mother-ftrumpets j The lire then fliook the honours of his head, 
keep. And from his broWs damps of oblivion Ihed 

And undifturb'd by watch, in filence fleep. Full on the filial dulnefs ; long he Hood, "S 

Nearthefeanurfery erefts its head, [bred : | Repelling from his breaftthe raging god; ^ 

Where queens are form-'d, and future heroes j At length burii: out in this prophetic mood. * 
"" n , , , o 1 .1 , 7 'Heavens blefs my Ion, from Ireland let hinr> 



Where unfledg'd aftors learn to laugh and cry,^ 
Where infant punks their tender voices try, J 
And little Maximinsthe gods defy. j 

Great Fletcher never treads the bulkins here, 
Nor greater Johnfon dares in focks appear j 
But gentle Simpkin juft reception finds 
Amidft this monument of vanifti'd minds : 
Pure clinches the fuburbian mufe affords, 
And Panton waging harmlefs war with words. 
Here Flecknoe, as a place to fame well known, 

Ambitloufly deiign'd his Sh '5 throne ; 

For ancient Decker prophefied, long fince, ^ 
That in this pile (lioidd reign a mighty prince, > 
Born for a fcourge of wit; and flail of fenfe : J 
To whom true dulnefs (hould IbmePiyche'sowe, 
But worlds of Mifers from h.is pen ftiould flow; 
Huraorifts and Hypocrites it fhould produce, 
Whole Raymond families, and tribes of Bruce. 
Now empiefs Fame had publifh'd the renown 



To far Barbadoes on the weftern main ; [reign 
Of his dominion may no end be known. 
And greater than his father's be his throne; 
Beyond Love's kingdom let him ftretch his pen.* 
He paus'd, and all the people cried, Amen. 
Then thus continued he : * My fon, advance 
Still in new impudence, new ignorance. 
Succefs let others teach ; learn thou, from me, 
Pangs without birth, and fruitlefs induftry. 
Let Virtnolbs in five years be writ ; 
Yet not one thought accufe thy toil of wit. 
Let gentle George in triumph tread the ftage 5 
Make Dorimant betray, and Loveit rage ; 
Let Cully Cockwood, Fopling, charm the pit, 
And, in their folly, (hew the writer's wit. 
Yet ftill thy fools ftiall ftand in thy defence. 
And juftify their author's want of fenfe. 
I Let 'em be all by thy own model made 
j Of didnefs, and defire no foreign aid ; 



Of Sh 's coronation thro' the town. 

Kous'd by report of Fame, the nations meet, j That they to future ages may be known. 
From near Bun-hill, and diftant Watling-ftreet; : Not copies tlravvn, but ilfue of thy own. 



No Perfian carpets fpread th' imperial way. 
But fcatter'dlii lbs of mangled poets lay : 
From dufty fliops negle61ed authors come, 
Martyrs of pyes,. and relics of the bum. 



Nay, let tliy men of wit too be the iame, 
All full of thee, and dift^'ring but in name. 
But let no alien S — dl — y interpofe. 
To lard with wit thy hungry Epfom profe. 



.And 



Book JI. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



337 



And.whenfalfe fiowVsofRhetoricthou wouldft 
Truft Nature, do not labour to be dull : [cull. 
But write thy belt, and top j and, in each line, 
Sir FormaPs oratory will be thine : 
Sir Formal, tho' unfought, attends thy quill, 
And cioes thy Northern Dedications fill. 
Nor let falfe friends feduce thy mind to fame. 
By arrogating Jonfon's hoftile name. 
^Let father Frecknoe fire thy mind with praife. 
And uncle Og:Ieby thy envy raife. 
Thou art my blood, where Jon fort has no part. 
What (hare have we in nature or in art ? 
Where did his wit on Learning fix a brand, 
And rail at arts he did not underftand ? 
Where made he love in Prince Nicander's vein, 
Or fwept the dull in Pfcyhe's humble flrain ? 
WL-cJre fold he bargains,whip-ftitch, kifs ray arfe: 
Promis'd a play, and dwindled to a farce ? 
When did his mufe from Fletcher fcenes purloin. 
As thou whole Eth'ridge doll transfule to thine ? 
But fo transfusM, as oil and water flow ; 
His ahvavs floats atove, thine flnks below. 
Th's is thy province, this thy wond'rous way, 
Nevy ftumours to invent for each new play; 
This is that boafled bias of thy mind, 
By which, one way,^to dulnefs 'tis inclin'd : 
Which makes thy writings lean on one fide fl:ill, 
And, in all changes, that way bends thy will, 
Nor let thy nijoun tain-belly make pretence 
Of likenefs; Rhine's a tympany of fenfe. 
A tun of man in thy large bulk is writ ; 
But fure thou 'n but a kilderkin of wit. 
Like mine, thy gentle numbers feebly creep; 
Thy tragic mufe gives frailes 5 thy comic, fleep. 
•With whate'er gall thou iett'il: thyfelf to write, 
Thy inoftenfive fatires never bite. 
In thy felonious heart though venom lies 
It does but touch thy Irifli pen, and dies. 
Thy genius calls thee not to purchafe fame 
In keen Iambics, but mild Anagram 



Poets alone found the delightful way, 
Myflerious morals i^cntly to convey 
in charming numbers; fo that, as men grev/ 
Pleas'd with their poems, they grew wifer too. 
Satire has always flione among the reft, 
And is the bpldeft way, if not the bei^. 
To tell men freely of their foulcft faults ; 
To laugh at their vain deeds,and vainer thoughts. 
In iliuvt too the wife took different ways. 
To each deferving its peculiar praife. 
Some did all folly with jult fiiarpnefs blame, 
Whilfl others laugb'd, and fcorn'd them into 

fhame. 
But of thefe tv;o, the laft fucceeded heft. 
As men aim righted when they flioot in jell. 
Yet if we may prefume to blame our guides. 
And cenfure thofe who cenfure all belides. 
In other things they jufiiy are preferred ; 
In this alone methinks the ancients err'd: 
Againft the groflell: follies they declaim ; 
Hard they purfue, but hunt ignoble game. 
Nothing is eafier than fuch blots to hit, 
And 'tis the talent of each vulgar wit : 
Befides, 'tis labour lofl:; for who would preach 
Morals to Armflrong, or dull Ailon teach ? 
'Tis being devout at play, wife at a ball. 
Or bringing wit and friendihip to Whitehall. 
But witii fliai-p eyes thole nicer faults to find. 
Which lie obfcurely in the wifeft mind ; 
That little fpeck which all the refl does fpoil, 
To wafh oIt that, would be a noble toil ; 
Beyond the loole-writ libels of this age, 
Or the forc'd fcenes of our declining itage; 
Above all cenfure too, each little wit 
Will be foglad to fee the greater hit ; 
Who judging better, though concern'd the raoft. 
Of luck correflion v-ill have caufe to boalt. 
In fuch a fatire all v/ould feek a fliare. 
And ev'ry fool will f^ncy he k there. 
Old flory-tellers too muft pin€ and die. 



Leavewritingplavs,andclioofe for thy command! To fee their anriquated wit laid by ; 
Some peaceful province in Acroftic land. 
There thoumayfl: wings difplay, and altars raife 
And torture one poor word ten thoufand ways 
Or, if thou ^vouldfl thy difl^ 'rent talents fuit. 
Set thy own fongs, and ling them to thy lute. 
He fald ; but his laft words were fcarcely^ 
heard ; ' ( 

For Bruce and Longvll had a trap prepar'd, i 
And down they fent the yet declaiming bard,) 
Sinking, he left his drugget robe behind. 
Borne upwards by a fubt^erranean wind. 
The mantle fell to the young prophet's part, 
With double portion of his "father's art. 



^§31. An EJJ'ay upon Satire. 

Dry den atid Buckingham. 
How dull and how infenfible a beaft 
Is man, who yet would lord it o'er the reft ! 
Philofophers and poets vainly ft rove 
In ev'ry age the lumpifli mafs to move : [thefe. 
But thofe were pedants, when compar'd with 
Who know not only to inftruft h\it pleafe. 



Like her, who mifs 'd her name in a lampoon 
And griev'd to find herfeif decay'd fo foon. 
No comanon coxcomb muft be m'ention'd here ; 
Not the dull train of dancing fparks appear; 
Nor fiutt'ring ofncers who never fight: 
Of fuch a wretched rabble v/ho would write ? 
Much iefs half wits : that's more again ft our rules., 
For they are fops, the other are but fools. 
Who would not be *s filly as Dunbar ? 



The cunning courtier fhould be flighted too. 
Who with dull knav'ry makes fo much adoj 
Till the fhrewd fool, by thriving too, too ialt, 
Like ^fop's fox, becomes a prey at lift. 
Nor fhall the royal miftrefles be nam'd. 
Too ugly, or too eafy, to be blam'd ; 
With whom each rhyming fool Jceeps fuch 9. 

pother. 
They are as common that way as the other: 
Yet faunt'ring Charles, between his beaiily\ 

brace, ^ {^ 

Meets v/ith diflfembling ftill in either place, ^ 

Afte<$led humour, Qr ^ paii^ted face. ) 

Z In 



t^^ 



ELEGANT E X T R A CT S, 



Book II. 



In Ioy:il llHds we Iihvc often told him 
How one Ins jilted him, tke other Ibid him ; 
How that aliefti to laugh, how this to weep : 
But who can mil (b long as he can fleep ? 
Was ever prince b'f two at once milled, 
Falte, foolifh,old, ill-nstur'd, and ill-bred ? 
Earnely and Aylelbuiy, with all thiit race 
Of billy bfockheads, fhail have here no place ; 
At council fat as foils on Dorfet's fcore, 
To make that great falfe jewel ihine the more ; 
Who all that while was thought exceeding wife, 
Only for taking pains and telling lies. 
But there'snomeddlingwith fnch nanfeonsmen j 
Their very names have tir'd my lazy pen : 
'Tis time to quit their company, and choofe 
Some fitter fubjefl- for a {harper Mu(e. 

Fii-(l: let's behold the merriell man alive 
Againft his carelefs genius vainly llrive; 
Quit his dear eaie, lome deep dcf»gn to lay, I 
'Gainit a fet time; and ttien forget the day. I 
Yet he will laugh at his belt friends ; and be 
Jvdt as good C(^mpany as Nokes and Lee, 
But when he aims at reafon or at rule, 
He turns himfelf the be(t to ridiciile. 
Let him at bus'nefs ne'er fo earnelt fit, 
Shew him butmirth,and baittbat mirthwithwlt^ 
That fliadow of a jeft fiudl be enjoy 'd, 
Though he left all mankind to be deilroy'd. 
So cat transformed fat gravely and demure, 
Till )nou(e appeared, and thought himfeiffecure; 
But fooii the lady had liim in her eye, 
And from her friend did y.iil as oddly fiy. 
Reaching above our nature does no good ; 
We mull fall back to our old {iefi\ and blood : 
As, by our little Machiavel, we lind 
That nimblelt creature of the bufy kind, 
His limbs ar^ crippled, and Iiis body fhakes ; '> 
Yet his hard mind, which all this bullle makes, . 
K;> pity of its poor compaiiion takes. 3 

What gravity can hold from laughing out, 
To fee him dng his feeble legs about, 
Like hounds ill-coupled ? Jowler lugs him ftill 
Thro' hedges, ditches, and thro' all tiiat's ill. 
"Tvvere crime in any man but him alone, 
To ule a body lb, tho' 'tis one's own : 
Yet tivls f dfe comfort never gives him o'er, 
lliatwhilfthccreepshi.^vig'rousthoughtscanfoan 
Alas ! that foaring, to thofe few that know, 
Is but a bufygrov'ling here below. 
So men in rapture think they mount the fi^y, y 
AVhilftontliegroundth'entrancedwretcheslie: ^ 
So modern fops have fancied they could fiy. ) 
As the new earl with parts deferving praife, 
A.nd wit enough to laugh at his own ways; 
Yet lofes all foft da)'s and fenfual nights, 
Kinil naturechecks, and kinder fortune llights; 
St-:-ivi:ig againil his .■.■liet all he can, 
l-orths fi<Ae notion of a bufy man. 
And what is that, at bell, but one whofe mind 
Js n-:ade to tire hinileif and all mankind ? 
For Ireh nd lie would go; 'faith, let him reign j 
For if feme odd fantaflic lord would fain 
Carry in iru ^ks, and all my drudg'ry do, 
I'll not only puy him, but admire him too. 
3 



But is there any other beaft that lives, 
who his own harm 16 wittingly contrives ? 
Will any dog, that has his teeth and llones, 
Refin'dly leave his bitches and his bones 
To turn awheel ? and bark to be employ'd, 
While Venus is by rival dogs enjoy'd ? . 
Yet this fond man, to get a Itatefman's name. 
Forfeits his friends, his freedom, and his fame. 
Though liitire nicely writ no humour ftings 
But thole who merit praife in other things: 
Yet we mull needs this one exception make. 
And break our rules for folly Tropos lake, 
Who was too much defpis'd to be accus'd. 
And therefore fcarce deferves to be abus'd j 
Rais'd only by his mercenary tongue. 
For railing fmoothly, and for reasoning wrong. 
As boys on holidays let loofe to play, 
Lay waggilh traps for girls that pafs that way, 
Then Ihout to fee in dirt and" deep dillrefs 
Some lilly cit in her flowered foolifb drefs ; 
So have I mighty fatisfaction found. 
To fee his tinfel reafon on the ground : 
To lee the florid fool defpis'd, and know it, [it : 
By fome who fcarce have words enough to (hew 
For i'enk lits filent, and condemns for weaker 
The finer, nay Ibmetimes the wittiell fpeaker: 
But 'tis prodigious fo m.uch eloquence 
Shp'.dd be acquired by fuch little i'enk 5 
For words and wit did anciently agree; 
And Tully was no fool, though this man be: 
At bar abufive, on the bench unable. 
Knave on the vvooHack, fop at council-table. 
Thefe are the grievances of fuch fools as would 
Be rather wife than honelt, great than good. 

Some other kind of wits mull be made known, 
Whofe harmlefs eiTors hurt themfelves alone i 
Excels of luxuiy they think can pleaie, 
And lazinefs call loving of their eale ; 
To live dilfolv'd in pleafure Hill they feign, 
rhoui;h their whole life's but intermitting pain : 
So much of furfeits, head-achs, claps, are feen. 
We (carce perceive the little time between ; 
Well-meaning men who make thisgrofs miitake, 
And pleafure lofe only for pleafure's lake; 
Each pleafure has its price ; and v.'hen we pay 
Too much of pain, we fquander life away. 

Thus Dorfet, piu-ringlike a thoughtful cat. 
Married ; but wifpr puis ne'er thought of that ; 
And iirll he worried lier with railing rhyme. 
Like Pembroke's nulliffs at his kindeft time ; 
I'hen for one night fold all his ilavilh life, 
A teen^ing widow, but a barren wife ; 
SwelFd by contact of fuch a fullbme toad,' 
He liigg'd about the matrimonial load ; 
riii fortune, blLndiy kind as \vell as he. 
Has ill rellor'd him to l.ii liberty ! 
Which he would ufe in his old fneaking way, 
Drinking ail night, and dozing all the day ; 
Dull as Ned Howard, whom his brifker times 
Had fam'd for duinefs in malicious rhymes. 

Ivlulgrave had much ado to 'fcape the fnare, 
Tho' learn'd in all thole arts that cheat the fair; 
For, after all his vulgar marriage-mocks, 
With be ;ury dazzled, Numps w;is :n the flocks; 

Peludcd 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, kc. 



33? 



Dehided parents dried their weeping eyes, 

To fee him catch a tartar for his prize ; 

Th' impatienttovvn waited the wilh.'d-forchange 

And cuckolds fmird in hopes of fweet re vengej 

Till Petworth plot made us with forrow fee, 

As his eltate, his perfon too was free : 

Kim no foft thoughts, no gratitude could move; 

To gold he fled from beaut)^ and from love ; 

Yet failing there he keeps his freedom ftill. 

Forced to live happil)'^ againit his will : 

'Tis not his fault, if too much wealth and pow'r 

Break not his boafted quiet evVy hour. 

And little Sid, for fimile renown'd, 
Pleafure has always fought, but never found: 
Though all his thoughts on wine and women 
His are fo bad, fure he ne'er thinks at all. [fall, 
The flefti he lives upon is rank and llrongj 
His meat and miftrefles are kept too long. 
But fure we all m.iftake this pious man. 
Who mortifies his perfon all he can : 
What we uncharitably take for fm. 
Are only rules of this odd capuchin : 
For never hermit, under grave pretence, 
Has liv'd more contrary to common {enCc ; 
And 'tis a miracle, we may fuppofe. 
No naftinefs offends his fkiiful nofe ; 
Which from all ftink can with peculiar art 
Extraft perfume, and eflence from a f — t : 
Expelling fupper is his great delight ; 
He toils all day but to be drunk at night: 
Then o'er his cups this night-bird chirping dts. 
Till he takes H^Vi'it and Jack Hall for wits. 

Rochefter I defpife for want of wit. 
Though thought to have a tail and cloven feet j 
For, while he mifchief means to all mankind, 
Himfelf alone the ill effe6ls doth find: 
And fo like witches juftly fulfer Ihame, 
Whofe harmlefs malice is fo much the fame. 
Falfe are his words, affected is his wit ; 
So often he does aim, fo feldom hit: 
To ev'ry face he cringes while he fpeaks. 
But when the backis turn'dthe head he breaks : 
Mean in each aftion, lewd in ev'ry limb, 
Manners themfelves are mifchievous in him : 
A proof that chance alone makes ev'ry creature 
A very Killigrew, without good nature. 
For what a Beflus has he always liv'd. 
And his own kickings notably contriv'd ! 
For there's the folly that's ftill mix'd with fear. 
Cowards more blows than any hero bear ; 
Of fighting fparks forae may their pleafures fay 
But 'tis a bolder thing to run av/ay : 
The world may well foi-givfe him all his ill, 
For ev'ry fault does prove his penance iVill : 
Faifely he falls into fome daiig^-ous noofe, 
And then as meanly labours to get losfe : 
A life fo infamous is better quitting, 
Spent in bafe injury and low fubmitting. 
I'd like to have left out his pietry; 
Forgot by all almoft as well as me. 
Sometimes he has fome huir.oui", never wit: 
And if it rarely, very rarely, bit, 
'Tii under fo much nafty rubbiih laid, 
To had it out's the cinderworaar/s trade ; ' 



Who, for the wretched remnants of a fire. 
Mull toil all day in a(hes and in mire. 
So lewdly didl his idle works appear, . 
The wretched texts deferve no comments here; 
Where one poor thought fometimes,left all alone, 
For a whole page of dnlnefs muft atone. 

How vain a thing is man, and how unwife ; 
Ev'n he who would himfelf the moil dcfpile ! 
I, who fo wife and humble feem to be, 
Now my own vanity and pride can't fee. 
While the world's nonfenfe is fo (l>arply fhewB, 
We pull down others but to raife our own •. 
That we may angels feem, we paint them elves^ 
And are but fatires to fet up ourfelves. 
I (who have all this while been finding fault, 
Ev'n with my mafter, who firlt fatire taught j 
And did by that defcribe the tafk fo hard. 
It feem'd ftupendous and above reward) 
Now labour with unequal force to climb 
That lofty, hill, unreach'd by former time ; 
'Tis juft that I fhould to the bottom fall ; 
Leam to write well, or not to write at all. 



§ 32. Cymon andlplnifenia. Dryden. 
I'oeta loquitur. 

Old as T am, for ladies' love unfir, ^ 

The pow'r of beauty I remember yet, i 

Which once infiam'd my foul, and fcill infpires ^ 
my wit. y 

If love be folly, the fevere divine 
Has felt that folly, though he cenfures mine ; 
Pollutes the pleafures of a chaile embrace, ^ 
Adls what I v.'rite, and propagates in grace, ^ 
With riotous excels, a prieftly race. '' S 

Suppofe him free, and that I iorgt th' offence, 
He fliew'd the way, perverting firft my fenfe j 
In m.alice witty, and with venom f;-a ugh t, 
He makes me fpeak the things I never thought, 
Compute the gains of his ungovern'd zeal j 
III fuits his cloth the praife of railing well. 
The world will think that what we loofely write, 
Though now arrang'd,he read with fome delight; 
Becaufe he feems to chew die cud again, 
When his broad comment makes the text too 

plain : 
And teaching more in one explaining page 
Than all the double-meanings of ihe Itage. 

Wiiat needs he paraph rafe on wln\t Ave mean ^ 
We v;ere at worlt but wanton j he's obfcene. 
I not my fellows nor myfelf excuie; 
But love's the fubje6l oi' the comic Mufe j 
Nor can we write without it, nor would you 
A tale of only <\\'Y inftrudlion view; 
Nor love is always of a vicious kind, 
But oft to virtuous a61:s inflames the mind 5 
Aw:ikes the flcepy vigour of the foul, 
j And, brufiiing-o'er, adds motion to the pool. 
Love, ftudious how to pltafe, improves our parts 
"With polifh'd rrianners, and adorns wirh art?. 
Love firft invented verfe, and form'd the rhym?, 
The motion meafur'd, harmcniz'd the chime i 
To lib'ral afts enhrg'd the narrow foul'd, 
Soften'd the fierce, and made the coward bold ; 
7.2 Th^ 



ELEGANT EXTRACT S, 



3+^ 

The world, when wafte, bepeopled with increafe, 
And waning nations reconcil'd in peace. 
Onnond, the firft, and all the f:iir m.i\- Und, •^ 
In this one legend, to their fame defign'd', ' 
When beauty fires the blood, how love exalts { 
the mind. ) 

In that fweet ille whereVcnus keeps her covirtj 
And ev'iy grace, and al\ the loves, relbrt j 
^Vhere either fex is form'd of" fbfter earth, 
And takes the bent of pleafnre from therr birth : 
1 here liv'd a Cyprian lord, above the red: 
AVife, wealth)'', with a numerous ifme bleft : 
JDur, as B.O gift of fortune is iin-cer«^ 
Was only wanting in a worthy heir. 
His eldett born, a goodly youth to viev?r, 
Exceird tl\e reil in fliape and outward Ihew ; 
Fair, tall, his limbs with due proportion join'"d,. 
But of a heavy, dull, degenerate mind- 
Mis foul belied the features of his face j 
Beauty was there, but beauty in difgrace r. 
A clownifh mien, a voice with rullic found, , 
And Itupid eyes that ever lov'd the ground. I 
He look'd like nature's error: as the mind 
And body were not of apiecedeiignYi, [join'd 

in one 



Book II. 



Than by the charming features of her face. 

And ev'n in Himiber a uiperior grace: 

Her comely limbs compos'd with decent care,> 

Her body Ihaded with a flight cyniarr j ' t 

Her bofom to the rrew was only bare r j 

Where two beginning paps were fcarcely fpiedy 

For yet tlieir places were4)ut fignfied : 

The fanning wind upon her boTbm blows, "\ 

To meet tli-e fanning wind the bofowq roler ( 

The fanning wind, and pnrling feream?, ccn-|^ 

trnnc herrepofe. ' 

The fcoi of nature llood with flupid eyes^ 
And gaping nuTUtPj that teftitied furprrfe, 
Fix'd on h.er face, nor could remove bis fight, 
New as he was to love, and novice to delight :-- 
Long mute he ftoodi, and, leanmg on his iLiflv 
His wonder witneis^i witli an idiot laugh; 
Th'cn would have fpoke, but by his glimm'ring- 

ienfe 
Firfl: found his want of words, and fear'd offence- 
Doubted for vvha* he was he flioulki be known, 
By his cloven accent, and his country tone. 
Thro' the rude chaos th'js the running light 



I ; Shot the fkil ray that pierc'd the native light : 
:Bat made fbr two, and by milb.ke in one'were^ 'I}^'' ^^'^Y ^"4 darkn^fs in the mafs were mix'd. 

The ruling rod, the Other's forming care, iJ^'J gatherM m a glooe the beams were hx'd: 

Were exercis'd in vain on wit^s defpair; \^^ Inone the lun, wfio, radiant m his fpher^,^ 

The more informed, the lefs he underftood j I J^iojnin'd heaven and earth, and rolFd arovind 

And deeper funk by floimd'rinL' in th.; mud. '^^ ^^^'O" ^" ^.^^s brutal foul began, [tne year. 



Now fcorn'd of alt, and growa tlic public fhame. 
The people from Galefus changed his name. 
And Cynion call'd, which fignifies a brute j 
So v.-ell his name did with his nature fuit. 

His father, when heibnnd his labour loft, 
An:l care employed that anfwer'd not th.e coft, 
Chofe an ungriatefiil obje»?j to lemove. 
And loatlfd to fee what nature inadehim love 5 
So to his country farm the fool GonfinW: 
Sude work well fuited with a rullic mind. 
Thus to the wilds tlhe fturdy Cymon went, 
A ^Iquire among the fwains, and plcas'd with 

banifinnentr. 
His corn and cattle were his^ only care, 
And his fupreme delight a country fair. 

It happened on a fummer\s holiday, -^ 

That to thegreen- wood (hade he took lus way ^ ( 
For Cymon fliunn'd the church,, and us'ii noti 
much to pr'riy. )' 

Mi^ quarter-ftaff, which he could ne'er fprfiike, 
Hung half before, and half behind his bick. 
Hetrudg'd along, unknowing what he fought, 
And whiltied as he went for want of thought. 

By chance conducted, or by thirft conftrain'd, 
The'deep- receiles of the grove he gam'd j 
Where, in a plain defended by the wooti, "^ 
Crept thro' the matted graf^ a cryllat flood, J 
By which an alabafter fountain ftood': ^ 5 

And on the margin of the fount was laid 
(Attended by her flaves). a flcspi-ng maid-. 
Like Dian and her nymphs, when, tir*"d with 

• fport. 
To reft by cool Enrotas they refort : 
The dame herfelf the goddefs well exprefs'd. 
Not more diftinguifh'U by hfr ptirple-veft. 



I Love m.ade him firfl: fufpc<rt he was a m.an 
1 Love made him dotibthis broad barbarian found} 
! By love his want of words and wit he found ; 
jThat fenie of want prepared the future way 
JTo know]ede:e,anddift:ios"dthepromi-!eof a day. 
i What not his father's enre, nor tutor's art, 
•Could plant with pains in his unpolifh'd heart, 
i The beil: inflructor. love,, at once infpir'd, 
As barren grounds to fruitfulnefs are fir'd : 
Love taught him ihame j, and fliame, with love at 
Soon taught the fwcet civilities oi life ; [itrife^ 
His grofs material foul at once could find 
Somewhat h\ her excelling all her kind ; 
Exciting a dtfire till then unknowji ; 
Somewhat unfound, or found in her alone : 
rhis made the firlt imprefRon on his mind, - 
Above, but jiift above, the brutal kind. 
For beafts can like, hut not dilHn-guifh too. 
Nor their own liking by refle^iioiv know 5 
Nor why they like or this or t'other face, 
Or judge of this- or that peculiar grace j 
But love in grofs, and (lupidly admire : 
As flies ailur'd by light approach the fire. 
I'hus our man-beall, advancing by degrees, 
Firft likes the whole, then feparates what helees : 
On fev'ial parts a fev'ral praife beftows : 
The ruby lips, the well- proportioned nolc. 
The fnowy fkin, and raven-glofiy hair, ^ '\ 
The dim.pled cheek, and forehead rilmg fair, > 
And ev'ii in lleep itfelfy a fmiling air. 3 

From thence his eyes defcending vievv'd the reft. 
Her plump round arms, whit-e hands, and heav- 

. ing breafl. 
Long on the laft he dwelt, though every part 
A pointed arrow fped to pierce his heart. 

Thu? 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



343 



Thus in a trice a judge of beauty grovi'n 
{A judge erefted from a countiy clown) 
He long'd to fee her eyes, in (lumber hid, 
And wifh'd his own could pierce within the lid: 
He would have wak'd her, but rellrain'd his 
tho\ight, [taught. 

And love new-born the firft good manners 
And awful fear his ardent with withftood, 
Nor durll diflurb the goddefs of the wood. 
For fuch (lie fcem\i by her celeftial face. 
Excelling all the red of human race. 
And thing* divine, by common ienk he knew,j 
Mult be devoutly leen, at dillant view : 
So checking his defire, with trembling heart, 
Gazing lie Ytood, nor would nor could depart ; 
Fix'd as a pilgrim wildtr'd in his way, ^. 

Who dares not flir by night, for fear to ftray, f 
But Itands with awful eyes to watch the dawn^i 
of day. J\ 

At length avvak,ing, Iphigene the fair 
(So was the beauty call'd who caus'd his care) 
UnclosM her eyes, and double day reveai'd, 
While thofe of all her flaves in ileep were leal'd. 

The flavoring curden, proppM upon his Ihiff, 
Stood read3'^ gaping, with a grinning laugh, 
To welcome her awake ; nor durfl begin 
To fpeak, but wifely kept the fool within. 
Then (he: What makes you, Cymon,here alone? 
(For Cymon's name v/as round the country 
Becaufe defcended of a noble race, [knowu, 
And for a foul ill forted with his face). 

But full the fot flood filentwith furprife. 
With fix'd regard on her new-openM ej'^es, 
And in his brealt received th' envenom'd dart, 
A tickling pain that pleased amid the fmart. 
35ut confcious of her form, with quick diftrufl: 
She faw his fparkling eyes, and fear'd his brutal 
This to prevent, fhe wak'd herikepy crew, [luft: 
And, rifing hafty, took a Ihort adieu. 

Th.en Cymon firit his ruftic voice eflay'd. 
With profferVi lervice to the partiHg maid, 
To lee her fafe ; his hand fhe long denied, 
But took at length, afham'd of fuch a guide. 
So Cymon led her home, and leaving there. 
No more would to his country clovms repair ; 
JBut fought his father's houfe with better mind, 
Ilefufing in the farm to be confin'd. 

The father wonder'd at the fon's return, 
And knew not whether to rejoice or mourn; 
But doubtfully received, expe6ling flill 
To learn the fecret caufes of his altered will. , 
Nor was he long delay 'd: the firii requefl > 
He made, was like his brothers to be drefs'd, ^ 
And, as his birth required, above the refl. 3 

With eafe his fuit was granted by his fire, 
PiftinguiQiing his jheir by rich attire : 
His body thus adorn'd, he next defign'd 
With libVal arts to cultivate the mind ; 
He fought a tutor of his own accord, 
And ftudied leflbns he before abhorr'd. 

Thus the man-child advanced and learn 'd fo 
That irr fhort time his equals he furpafsM ; [faft, 
His bmtal manners from his breafl exil'd. 
His mien he fafliion'd, and his tongue he fii\l j 



In ev'ry exercife of all admirM, 
He feem'd, nor only feem'd, but was infpirM : 
Infpir'd by love, whofe bufinefs is to pleafe ; 
He rode, he fencM, he mov'd with graceful eafe ; 
More fam'd for fenfe, for courtly carriage more , 
Than for his brutal folly known before. 

What then of alter'd Cymon fliall we fay, 
But that the lire which chok'd in alhes lay, 
A load too heavy for his foul to move. 
Was upward blown below, and brufh'd away by 

love? 
Love made an aflive progrefs thro' his mind. 
The duflcy parts he clear' d, the grofs refin'd, 
The drowfy wak'd j and, as he went, imprefs'd 
The maker's image on the human breafl. 
Thus was the man amended by defire ; 
And tho' he lov'd perhaps with too much fire. 
His father all his faults with reafon fcann'd. 
And lik'dan error of the better hand : 
Excus'dthe excefs of pafTion in his mind, 
By flames too fierce, perhaps too much refin'd : 
So Cymon, fince his fire indulg'd his will, 
Impetuous lovM, and would be Cymon ftill j 
Galefus he difbwn'd, and chofe to bear 
The name of foolj confirm''d, and bifliop'd by 
the fair. 

To Cipfeus by his friends his fuit he mov'd> 
Cipfeus the father of the fair he lov'd : 
But he was pre-engag'd by former ties, 
While Cymon was endeavouring to be wife : 
And Iphigene, oblig'd by former vows. 
Had given her faith to wed a foreign fpoufe : 
Her fire and fhe to Rhodian Palimond, 
Though both repenting, were by promife bound, 
Norcoiild retract; and thus, as fate decreed. 
Though better lov'd, he f'poke too late to fpeed. 

The d0oni was paft, the fhip already fent 
Did all his tardy diligence prevent : 
Sigh'd to herfelf the fair unhappy maid, 
While llormy Cymon thus in fecret laid: 
The time is come for Iphigene to find 
The rRiracle fhe wa'ought upon my mind : 
Her charms have made me man, her ravifh'dlovc 
In rank fhall place me with the bl-eft above. 
For mine by love, by force fhe fliall be mine. 
Or death, if force fhould fail, fhall linifh my 

deflgn. 
Refolv\i he faid; and rigged wnth fpeedy care 
A veffd flrong, and well equipped for war. 
The fecret fliip with chofen friends he flor'd ; 
And, bent to die or conquer, went aboard. 
Ambulh'd he lay behind the Cyprian fliore. 
Waiting the fail that all his wiflies bore; 
Nor long expected, for the following tide 
Sent out the hollile fliip and beauteous bride. 

To Rhodes the rival barkdireitly fleer'd. 
When Cymon fudden at her back appeared, 
And ftopt her flight; then,ftandingon his prow, 
In haughty terms he thus defied the foe : 
Or flrike your fails at fummons, or prepare 
To prove the laft: extremities of war. 
Thus warn'd,the Rhodians forthefightprovide;"^ 
Already were the veffels fide by fide ; [bride, ^- 
Thefe obHinate to fave, and thofe to feize the* 
Z 3 But 



;4- 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



But C5'nion foon his crooked grapples call, "^ 
Which with teiiacions hold his foes embraced, ( 
And, arm'd with fword and fhield, amid the^ 
prei's he pafs'd. ^ 

Fierce was the fight; but, haft'rsing to his prey, 
By force the furious lover freed liis way : 
Himfelf alone difpers'd the Rhodian crew, 
The weak difdainM, the valiant overthrew. 
Cheap conqueft forhisfoUowingfriendsremain-dj 
He reap'd the field, and they but only glean'd. 

His viftory confels'd, the foes retreat. 
And call the weapons at the victor's feet. 
Whom thus he cheer'd : O Rhodian youth, I 

fought 
For love alone, nor other beauty fought : 
Your lives are liife ; your veffel I refign •, 
Yours be your own, reltoring what is mine : 
In Iphigene I claim my rightful due, 
Robb'd'by my rival, and detain'd by you. 
Your Pafimond a lawlefs bargain drove, 
The parent could not fell the daughter's love j 
Or, if he could, my love difdciins the laws, 
j\nd, like a king, by Conqueft gains his caufe; 
Where arms take place, all other pleas are vairi ; 
Love taught me force,andforccihalllovemaintain; 
You, what by fcren i-ith youcouldnotkeep, releafe, 
And at an ealy ranibm buy your peace. 

Fear ontl!econquev'dfidefoonrign''dth' accord; 
And Iphigene to Cy.iion was rellorM : 
While'to his arms the blufning bride he took, 
To feeming fadnefs fhe composM her look ; 
As if by force fubjedted to his will, 
Tho' pleas'd dilfembling, and a woman ftill. 
And (for fhe wept) "he wip'd her falling tear^. 
And pray'd her to-difmifs her empty fears ] 
For yours I am, he faid, and have deferv'd 
Your love much better whom fo long I ferv'd. 
Than he to whom your formal father tied 
Your vows, and fold a flave, not fent a bride. 
Thus while he fpoke, he feiz'd the willing prey. 
As Paris bore the Spartan Ipoufe away. 
Faintly (he fcream'd,andev'nher eyes confefs'd 
She rather would bethought, thvin was, diftrefsM 
Who now exults but Cymon in his mind ? ^ 
Vain hopes and empty joys of human kind, J 
Proud of the prefent, to the future blind ! j 
Secure of fate, while Cymon ploughs the fea, 
And Iteers to Candy with his conquer'd prey. 
Scarce the third glafsof meafar'd hours was run, 
When, like a fiery meteor, funk the fun, 
The promife of a ftorm ; the fhifting gales 
Forfake by fits, and fill the flagging fails ; 
Hcarfe murmurs ofthe main from far wereheard. 
And night came on, not by degrees prepar'd, 
But all at once; at once the winds arii'e, 
The thunders roll, the forky lightning flies. 
In vain the mafter iliues out commnnds, 
In vain the trembling failorsply their hands : 
The temped: unforefeen prevents their care, 
And from the firit they labour in defpair. 
The giddy (hip, betwixt the winds and tides, 
Forc'd back, and forwards, in a circle rides, 
Sti:nn'dwiththediff'rentblows:thenfliootiamain, 
Till, countc.-bulf 'd, flie flops, and flteps again. 



Not more aghaft the proud archangel fell, 
Plung'd from the heightof heaven to deepeft hell, 
Than flood the lover of his love pofTeft, 
Now curs'd the more, the more he had been 

bleft; 
More anxious for her danger than his own. 
Death he defies, but would be loft alone. 

Sad Iphigene to v.^omanifli complaints 
Adds pious prayers, and wearies all the faints; 
Ev'n if fhe could, her love fhe would repent ; 
But, fince fhe cannot, dreads the puniftiment: 
Her forfeit faith, and Pafunond betrayed, 
Are ever prefent, and her crime upbraid; 
She blames herfelf, nor blames her lover lefs. 
Augments her anger as her fears increafe; 
From her own back the burden would remove, 
And lays the load on his ungovern'd love. 
Which interpofing durft, in Heaven's defpite. 
Invade and violate another's right : 
The pov/'rs incens'd awhile deferr'd his pain, 
And made him niafter of his vows in vain : 
But foon they puniflrd hisprefumptuouspride ;"^ 
That for his daring enterprife flie died, ^ 

Who rather not relilled than complied. 3 

Then, impotent of mind, with altered fenfe 
She hugg'd th' ofi^ender, and forgavethe offence. 
Sex to the laft: meantime, with fails declin'd, 
The wandering veiiel drove before the wind : 
Tofs'd and reroli-'d, aloft, and then below, \ 
Nor port they feek, nor certain courfetheyknow, > 
But every moment wait the coming blow. j 
Thus blindly driven, by breakingdaytheyview'd 
The lands before them, and their fears renew'd ; 
The land was welcome, but the tempeft bore 
The threaten'd fhip againft a rocky fhore. 

A winding hay was near } to this they bent, 
And juft efcap'd ; their force already fpent : 
Secure frorh ftorrns, and oanting from the fea, 
The land unknown at leiflire they furvey j 
And (kvv (but foon their fickly fight withdrew) 
The rifing tow'rs of Rhodes at diltant view : 
And curs'd thehoftile Ihore of Pafimond, 
SaV'd from the feas, and fhipwreck'd on the 
ground. 

The frighted failors tried their ftrength in vain 
To turn the ftern, and tempt the frormy main : 
But the ftiff wind withftood the laboring oar, - 
And forc'd them forward on the fatal fhore ! 
The crooked keel now bites theRhodianftrand, 
And the fhipmoor'd conftrains tke crew to land. 
Yet ftill they might be fafe, becauie unknown i 
Bat, as ill fortune feidom comes alone, 
The veifel they difmils'd was driven before. 
Already fnelter'd on their native fhore ; 
FInowneach, they know, but each with change 

of cheer; 
The vanquifli'dfide exult?, the viclors fear: 
Not them but theirs,made pris'ners ere tbey nght, 
Defpairing conqUefr, and depriv"d of flight. 

The countiy rings ajound with loud alarms, 
And raw in fields the rude militia "fvvarms ; 
Mouths without hands, maintain'd at vail ex- 
pence, 
In peace a charge, in w ai' a weak defence 



Stout 



Book If. 



DIDACTIC, D E S C R I P T 1 V"E, &c. 



?4T 



Stout cnce amonththeymarch,abhift''ringb3nd; 
And ever, but in times of need, at hand ; 
This was the morn when, illuing on the guard, 
Drawn up in rank and file they Itood prepared 
OF I'eeming arms to make a fhort elVay, 
Then hallen to be drunk, the bullnels of the 
day. 

The cowards would have fled, but tliat they 
knew 
Themfelves fo many, and their foes fo few : 
But, crowding on, the lail the firlt impel j 
Till overborne with weight the Cyprians fell. 
Cymon enilav'd, who firll the war began ; 
And Iphigene once more is loll and won. 

Deep in a dungeon was the captive rait, 
Deprived of day, and held in fetters fall j 
His life was only fpar'd at their requeft. 
Whom taken he fo nobly had releas'd ; 
But Iphigenia was the ladies' care, y 

Each in their turn addrefs'd to treat the fiiir ; |- 
VVhilePafimond and histhenuptial feaitprepare. ) 

Her fecret foul to Cymon wa^ inclined, "i 
But Ihe mult fuffer what her fates affign'd j J 
So pafTive is the church of womankind. } 

What worfe to Cymon could his fortune deal, 
Roird to the lowelt fpuke of al! her wheel ? 
It reited to difmifs the downward weight, 
Or raife him upward to his former height j 
Thelatterpleas'd} and love (concerned the moft) 
Prepared th' amends for what by love he loit. 

The fire of Pafimond had left a fon, 
Though younger, yet for courage early known, 
Ormilda call'd, to whom, by promife tied, 
A Rhodian beauty was the deftinM bride j 
Caifandi-a was her name, above the rell 
Rencwn'd for birth, with fortune amply blell. 
Lyfimachus, who rul'd the Rhodian Itate, 
Was then by choice their annual magillrate j 
He lov'd Catfandra too with equal fire. 
But fortune had not favoured his defire ; 
Crofs'd by her friends, by her not difapprov'd, 
Nor yet preferred, or like Ormi'da lov'd: 
So itood th' aiiair; fome little hope remained. 
That, fhould his rival chance to lofe, he gained. 

Mean time young Pafimond his marriage 
prefs'd, 
Ordain'd the nuptial day, prepai-'d the feali j 
And frugally refolv'd (the charge to iliun \ 
Whicli would be double fhould he wed alone) v 
To join his brother's bridal with his own. ) 

Lyfimachus, opprefs'd with mortal grief, 
Receiv'd the news, and Iludied quick relief; 
The fatal day approach'd ; if force were us'd. 
The magiitrate his public trull abus'd j 
To jullice liable, as law required j 
Per, when his office ceas'd, his pow'r expir'd : 
While pow'r remain'd, the means were in his 

hand, 
By force to feize, and then forfake the land • 
Betwixt extremes he knew not how to move; 
A llave to tame, but more a fiivc to love : 
l^eltraining others, yet himfelf not free, 
Made impotent by pow'r, debas'd by dignity. 



It he finds, ^ 
ff'rent minds, > 
[fe he blinds. V 



Both fides he weigh 'd ; but, after much debate,' 
The man prevailed above the magiitrate. 

Lofe never fails to mafter what he finds, 
But works a dilf 'rent way in dirt" 
The fool enlightens, and the wii 
This youth propofing to poileis and 'fcape. 
Began in murder, to conclude in rape: 
Unprais'd byme,tho'Hc-aven fometime^mayblefs 
An impious adt with unde.'erv'd fuccels ; 
The great, it i'eems, are privileg'd alone 
To punidi all injuihce but their own. 
But here I (lop, not daring to proceed, "^ 

Yet bluih to, Hatter an unrighteous deed; ^' 
For crimes are but permitted, not decreed. J 

Refolv'd on force, his wit the prsetor bent 
To find the means that might fecure th' event j 
Nor long he labour'd, for his lucky thought 
In captive Cymon found the friend he fought; 
Th'examplepleas'di the caufe and crime thelamej 
An injur'd lover, and a ravifh'd dame. 
How much he durit he knew by what hedar'd,-\ 
The lefs he had to lol'e, the lei's he car'd, ( 

To manage loathfome life when love was the^ 
reward. / 

This ponder'.d well, and fix'd on his intent. 
In depth of night he for the pris'ner lent; 
In fecret fent, the public view to fliun ; 
Then, with a fober fmile, he thus begim : 
The pow'rs above, who bounteoufly bellow 
Their gifts and graces on mankind below, 
Yet prove our meiit firll, nor blindly give 
To fuch as are not worthy to receive ; 
For valour and for virtue they provide 
Their due reward, but firll they mull be- tried : 
Thefe fruitful feeds within your mind they 

fow'd ; 
'Twas yours t' improve the talent they bellow'd; 
They gave you to be born of noble kind, 
They gave you love to lighten up your mind. 
And purge the grofler parts; they gave you care 
To pleafe, and courage to delerve the fair. 

Thus far they tried you, and by proof they 
found 
The grain entrufted in a grateful ground ; 
But itill the great experiment remain'd, 
They fuiter'd you to lofe the prize you gain'd. 
That you might learn the gift v^'s theirs alone - 
And, when reilor'd, to them the blefiing own. 
Rellor'd it foon will be; the means prepar'd. 
The difticulty fmooth'd, the- danger Ihar'd; 
Be but ycurfelf, the care to me refign. 
Then Iphigene is yours, Callandra mine. 
Your rival Pafimond purfues your life; 
Impatient to vevcn9;e his ravilh'd wife. 
Bat yet not his ; to-morrow is behind. 
And love our fortunes in oiie bimd has join'd j 
Two brothers are our foes ; Oimiida mine. 
As much deciar'd as Palimond is thine; 
To-morrow mufttlieir common vows be tied ;% 
With love to friend, and fortune for our gu-de, [• 
Let both refolve to die, or each redeem a bride, f 

Right I have none, nor hail thou muchtoplead; 
'Tis force, when done, mull juili fy the dcccl ; 
Z ^ Oar 



ELEGANT EXT^kACTS, 



544 

Our taflc perform'd, we next prepare for flight j 
And Jet the lolers talk in vain of right : 
We with the fair will fail before the wind; 
If they are griev'd, I leave the laws behind. 
Speak thy refolves ; if now thy courage droop, 
Defpair in prifon, and abandon hope : 
But if thou dar'ft in arms thy love regain 
(For liberty without thy love were vain) 
Then fecond my defign to feize the prey, 
Or lead to fecond rape, for well thou know'ft the 

way. 
Said Cymon, overjoy'd, Do thou propofe 
"iThe means to fight, and only fliew the foes : 
For from tlie firfl:, when love had firM my raind, 
RefblvM I left the care of life behind. 

To this the bold Lyfimachus replied : 
Let heaven be neuter, and the fword decide ; 
The fpoufals are preparM, already play 
The minftrels, and provoke the tardy day: 
By this the brides are wak'd, their grooms are^ 

drefs'd j ( 

All Rhodes is fummohM to. the nuptial feaft, ( 
All but myfclf, the fole unbidden gucft. } 

Unbidden though I am, I will be there j ^ 
And, join'd by thee, intend to joy the fair. 

JMowhear the reft j when day reiigns the light, 
And cheerful torches gild the joily night, 
Be ready at my call 5 my chofen few 
With arms adminifler'd fnali aid thy crew. 
Then, ent'ring unexpefted, wiH we feize 
Our defiin'd prey, from men din'olv'd in eife, 
By wine difabled, unprepared for fight j 
And, hafteningto the leas, fuborn our flight: 
The feas are ours, for I command the fort ; 
A fhip v/ell-mann'd expefVs us in the port. 
If they, or if thei- friends, the prize conteft. 
Death (hall attend the man who dares refift. 

It pleas'd : the prifoner to his hold rerir'd 5 ^ 
His troop with equal emulation fir'd, [quir'd. > 
AH fix'd to fight, and all their wonted work re- ) 
The fun arofe; theftreets were throng'd around. 
The palace open'd, and the pofls v/ere crovvn'd. 
The double bridegroom at the door attends 
Th' expected fpoule, and entertains the friends ; 
They meet, they lead to church, the priefts invoke 
The pow'rs, and feed the flames with fragrant 

fmoke. ^ 
This done, they feafl, and at the clofe of nights 
By kindled torches vary their delight; ( 

Thefe lead the lively dance, and thofe the^ 

brimming bowls invite. ) 

Now at th' appointed place and hour afTign'd, 
With fouls refolv'd the ravifhers were join'd : 
Three bauds are form'd j the firft is fent before 
To favour the retreat, and guard the fhore j 
The fecond at the palace gate is plac'd. 
And un the lofty ftairs afcend the laft i 
A peaceful troop they feem with fhining vefts. 
But routs of mail beneath fecure their breafls. 
Dauntief? they enter, Cymon at their head. 
And find the feafl renewed, the table fpread; 
S'.^'eet voices, mix'd with inftrumental founds, 
Arcendthevaittltedroofjthevaultedroofrebounds. 



Book If. 

When, like the harpies rufhing through the hall^ 
The fudden troop appears, the tables fall, 
Their fmoking load is on the pavement thrown j 
Each ravifher prepares to feize his own j 
The brides, invaded with a nide embrace, 
Shriek out for aid, confullon fills the place. 
Quick to redeem the prey their plighted lords 
Advance, the palace gleams with fhiningfwords. 

But late is aU defence, and fuccour vain ; 
The rape is made, the ravifhers remain j 
Two flurdy ilaves were only fent before 
To bear the purchased prize in fafety to the fhore : 
The troop retires, the lovers clofe the rear, 
With forward faces not confefiing fear ; 
Backwardtheymove,butfcorn their pacetomend; 
Then feekthe ftairs, and v/ith flow hafte defcend. 

Fierce Pafimond, their palTage to preventj^ "1 
Thrufl full on Cymon's back in his defcent j f 
The blade returned unbath'd, and to the han-i 
die bent. I 

Stout Cymon foon remounts, and cleft in two 
His rival's head with one dfJcending blow j 
Ajid as the next in rank Ormifda flood, -\ 
HeturnM the point; thelword,inur'd to blood, f 
Bor'd his unguarded breaft, which pour'd a^ 
purple flood. ^ 

Withvow'dre\'enge,thegath'ringcrowdpurfues, 
The ravifhers turn head, the fight renews ; 
The hall is heaped with corps ; the fprinkled gore 
Befraears the walls, and floats the marble fioor. 
Difpers'd at length the drunken fquadron flies, j 
The victors to thei r velfel bear the prize; [cries. > 
And hear behind loud groans and lameJitable3 
Thecrew with merry fliouts their anchors vi'eigh,^ 
Then ply their oars, and brufh the buxom fea,f 
While troops of gathered Rhodians crowd the/ 
key. J 

What fhould the people do when left alone : 
The governor and government are gone : 
The public wealth to foreign parts convey 'd j 
Some troops difbanded, and the refl unpaid. 
Rhodes is the fcvereign of the fea no more ; 
Their fhips unri gg'd, and fpent their naval (tore ; 
They neither could defend, nor c:m purfue. 
But grinn'd their teeth, and caft a helpleis viev/: 
In vain with darts a diftant war they try. 
Short, and more fhort, the mifiive weapons fly. 
Meanwhile the ravifhers their crimes enjoy. 
And flying fails and fweeping oars employ : 
The cliffs of Rhodes in little fpace are [ok ; 
Jove's ifle they feek, nor Jove denies his coafl. 

In fafety landed on the Candian fhore. 
With gen'rous wines their fpirits they reftore ; 
There Cymon with his Rhodian friends reftdes. 
Both court and wed at oncetlie willing brides. 
A war enfues, tl.e Cretans own their caufe. 
Stiff to defend their hofpitable laws; 
Both parties lofe by turno, and neither wins. 
Till peace propounded by a truce begins. 
The kindred of the fliin forgive the deed. 
But a fhcrt exile mult for fhow proceed ; 
The term expir'd, from Caudia they remove j 
And happy each at home enioys his love. 

§ 3i. 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, Src. 



345 



§ 33. 'Theodore and Honor ia. 
A Tranflation from Boccace. Drjden, 

Of all the cities in Romanian lands, 
The chief, and moft renowned, Ravenna (lands, 
Adorn'd in ancient times with arms and arts, 
And rich inhabitants with genVous hearts. 
But Theodore the brave, above the reft, 
With gifts of fortune and of nature blefl, 
Thfi foremoft place for v.ealth anci honour held, 
And all in feats of chivalry excell'd. 

This noble youth to madnefs lov'd a dame 
OF high degree ; Honoria was her name 5 
Fair as the f'aireft, but of haughty mind, 
And fiercer than became lb Ibi't a kind ; 
Pro'.Kl of her birth (for equal Ihe had none) 
The reft fhe fcorn'd, but haied him alone ;" 
His gifts, his conitant courtlhip, nothing gain'd; 
For ihe, the more he lov^d, the more diltlain'd. 
He Uv\i v.ith ail the pomp he could devife, "^ 
At tilts and tournaments obtainM the prize j J- 
But found no favour in his lady's eyes : 3 

Relentlefs as a rock, the lofty maid 
TurnM all to poifon, that he did or fald: 
Nor prayers, nor tears, noroffer'd vows, could ■\ 
movcj j [ftrove( 

Tiie work went backward: and the mpre he/ 
T' advance his fuit, the farther from her love.3 

Wearied, ai length, and wanting remedy. 
He doubted oft, and oft refolv'd to die. 
But pride ftood ready to prevent the blow, 
For who would die to gratify a foe } 
His generous mind difdain'd {o mean a fate ! 
That pals'd, his next endeavour was to hate. 
But vainer that relijf than all the reft, ~\ 

The lefs he bop'd, with more defue pofiefsM j ' 
Love ftood the fiege, and would not yield his^ 
breaft. 3 

Change was the next, but change deceivM his 

care 5 
He fought a fairer, but found none fo fair. 
He Tvould have worn her out by ilow degrees,^ 
y\ s jucn by faftlng ftarve th' uuta-n'd dileafe: J 
But ij'f.'ent iove required a prelent eale. j 

Lorkir.g he feeds alone his famifa'd eyes, 
J eeds ImgYing death, but looking not he dies. 
Y'X ttvll he chofe the longeft way to fate, 
VV;iiling at once his life, and his eftate. 

His friends beheld, nnd pity'd him in vain, 
For what advice can eafe a lover's pain ! 
/ibfence, the beft expedient they could nnd, 
Mi;=;htfave the fortune, if not cure the mind : 



To ChafTis' pleafmg plains 1^ took his way. 
There pitch'd his tents, and there relblv'd to Itay. 
The fpring was in the prime j the neighbour- 
ing grove 
SupplyM with birds, the chorifters of love: 
Mulic unbought, that minifter'd delight 
To morning walks, and luU'd his cares by night: 
There he difcharg'd his friends j but not th* 

expence 
Of frequent treats, and proud magnificence. 
He liv'd as kings retire, tho' m»oi-e at large 
From public bufinefs, yet with equal charge; 
With houfe and heart llill open to receive ; 
As well content as love would give him leave i 
He would have liv'd more free 5 but many a gueft, 
Who could forfake the friend, purfu'd thefeafl. 

It happ'd one morning as his fancy led. 
Before his ufual hour he left his bed j 
To walk within a lonely lavrn that ftood 
On every fide furrounded by a wood : 
Alone, he walk'd to pleafe his penfive mind. 
And fought the deepeft folitude to find : 
'Twas in agroveoffpreading pines heftiray'd; '\ 
The winds within thequi v'ringbranchesplay 'd, > 
And dancing trees a mournful mufic made, j 
The place itielf was fuiting to his care. 
Uncouth and favage, as the cruel fair. 
He wander'd on, unknowing wheie he went. 
Loft in the wood, and all on love intent: 
The day already halt hi . race had run, "^ 

And fummon'd him to due repaft at noon, ^ 
But love' could feel no hunger but his own. j 
Whilelill'ningtothemurm'ring leaves heftood. 
More than a mile immersM within the wood, 
Atoncethewind was laid ; the whifp'ring found- 
Was dumbj a rifing eai thquakerock'dthegrcundj 
Wjth deeper brown the grove was overfpread 5") 
A fudden horror feiz'd his giddy head, 
And his ears tingled, and his colour fled ; 
Nature was in alarm j fome danger nigh 
Seem'd threaten'd, the' unieen to morfal eye. 
Unus'd to fear, he fummon'd all his foul, 
And ftood collected in himfell', ind v»'hole ; 
Not long: for loon a whirlwind rofe around. 
Arid from afar he heard a fcrcaming found, 
As of a dame diftrefs'd, who cried for aid. 
And riil'd with loud laments the fecret fhade. 
A thicket clofa befide the grove there ftood 
With briers and brambles choak'd, and dwarfifh 

wood : 
From thence thenoife, which now approaching 

near, 
With more diftinguifh'd notes invades his ear 



1 



This means th.-^y long propos'd, but little gain'd, JHe rals'd his head, and faw a beauteous maid, 
Yet, after much purfuit, at length obtain'd. j With hair dilheveird, iffuing through the fhade. 
Hard you may think it was to give confent, iStripp'd of her clothes, and ev'n thofe parts re- 



But flruggling with his ttwn defires he went. 
With large expence, and with a pompous train 
Provided as to vifit France and Spain, 
Or for fome diftant voyage o'er th.e main. 
But love hadclipp'd his wings and cut himfliort, 
ConfinM within the purlieus of the court. 
Thr<.e miles he went, nor farther could retreat: 
His t:aY?l3 siidcd at his couutry -feai ; 



veai'd, 

Which modeft nature keeps frcm fight conceal'd. 
Her face, her hands, her nak;d limbs were torn, 
Wi'.ii paffingthro' the brakes, and prickly thorn, 
Two maftiffs gaunt and grim her fiight pv;rfu'd. 
And oft their faften'd fangs in blood en-.brn'd- 
Oft they came up, and pinch'd Iier ten'der fiiU^ r 



\ Mcrcv, G mercv Hoav?n ' ih 



an. and cry'd ; 
Wheij 



;46 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book H. 



When Heav'n was nam'd, they loosM their hold 

. ag-ain, 
Then fprung fhe forth, they followed her amain 

Not far behind, a knight oFfwarthy face, 
High on a coal-black fteed purfu'd the chace ; 
With liafhing flames his ardent eyes were iilPd, 
And in his hand a naked fword he held : 
He cheer\l the dogs to follow her who fled, 
Airn vow'd revenge on her devoted head. 

As Theodore was born of noble kind. 
The brina) aftion roiis'd his nianiy mind ; 
Mov'dwith unworthy ufage of the maid. 
He, tho' unarmed, relblv'd to give her aid. 
A faplin pine he wrench'd from out the ground, 
The readiell w-eapon that his fury found. 
Thus furnilh'd for oflence, he crofs'd the wa)'' i 
Betwixt the gracelefs villain and his prey. [atar. I 

The knight came thundering on, but, from! 
Thus, in imperious tone, forbad the war : ; 

Ceafe, Theodore, to proffer vain relief, I 

Nor flop the vengeance of fo jull a grief; j 

But give me leave to feize my deilin'd prey, i 
And Itt eternal juftice take the way : ! 

1 but revenge ray fate, difdain'd, betray'd, \ 

And fuff 'ring death for this ungrateful maid. | 

He laid, at once difmounting from the fteed ; 
For now the hell-hounds, with fuperior fpeed, i 
Had reach'd the dame, and, falVningon her flde,| 
The ground with ifluing fl:reams of purple dy'd; ! 
Stood Theodore furpriz'd in deadly fright, { 
With chattering teeth, and briftling hairuprighti j 
Yet arm'd with inborn worth. Whatever, iaid he, ; 
Thou art, who know'ftme better than I thee ; 
Or prove thy rightful caufe, or be defied: 
The fpeftre, fiercely Itaring, thus reply'd. 

Know, Theodore, thy anceftry I claim, 
And Guido Cavidcanti was my name : 
One common fire our fathers did beget, 
My name and ftory fome remember yet: 
Thee, then a boy, within my arms I laid, 
When for my fins I lov'd this haughty maid ; 
Not lefs ador'd in life, nor for v\l by me, 
Than proud Honoria ngw is lov'd by thee. 
What did I not her Ihibborn heart to gain ? "1 
But all my vows were anfwer'd with difdain : ^ 
IShe fcorn'd my forrows, and defpis'd my pain.) 
Long time I dragged my days in fruitlefs care \ 
Then, loathing life, and pluny'd in deepdefpair, 
To finhh my unhappy life, 1 fell 
On this fliarp fword, and now am damn'd in hell 

Short was her joyifor iboa the infultlng maid 
By heaven's decree in this cold grave was laid : 
And as in un repented fin Ihe dy'd, 
DoomM to the fame badphice is punifli'd for her 

pride i 
Becaufe Ihe deem'd I well deferv'd to die. 
And made a merit of her cruelty. 
There, then, we met; both try 'd, and both were 

caft, 
And this irrevocable fehtence paTs'd ; 
That fhe, whom I fo long purlu\l in vain. 
Should iiifi'er from my hands a lingering pain ! 
Renew'd to life, that (he might daily die, 
I daily doom'd to follow, fhe to fly: 



Mo more a lover, but a mortal foe, 

I li^ek her life (for love is none below): 

As often as my dogs with better fpeed 

Arreft her flight, is flie to death decreed : 

Then with this fatal fword, on which 1 dy'd 

I pierce her open back, or tender fide. 

And tear that harden'd heart from out her 

brealt. 
Which, with her entrails, makes my hungry 

hounds a fealt. 
Nor lies flie long, but, as the fates ordain,- "l 
Springo up to life, and, fi'efh to fecond pain, > 
Is lav'd to-day, to-morrow to be fiain. j 

This, vers'd in death, th' infernal knight re- 
lates. 
And then for proof fulfilTd the common fates; 
Her heart and bowels thro' her back he drew. 
And fed the hounds that help'd him to purfue. 
Stern look'd the fiend, as fruft:rate of his will. 
Not half fuffic'd, and greedy yet to kill. 
And now the foul, expiring through the wound. 
Had left the body breathlefs on the ground. 
When thus the grifly fpeftre fpoke again : 
Behold the fruit of ill-rewarded pain : 
As many months as I lullain'd her hate, 
tSo many years is (he condenm'd by fate 
To daily death ; and ev'iy feVeral place, 
Confcious of her difdain and my dilgrace, 
Muft witnels her jull punilhment 5 and be 
A fcene of triumph and revenge to me ! 
As in this grove 1 took m.ylalt farewell. 
As on this very fpot of earth I fell. 
As Friday law me die, fo fhe my prey 
Becomes ev'n l^ere, on this revolving day. 
Thus while he fpoke the virgin from the 

ground 
Upftarted i'vtih, already clos'd the wound. 
And, unconcern'd for all flie felt before. 
Precipitates her fl-ght along the fl^.ore: 
The hell-ho\uids,~'as ungorgM with flefli and 

blood, 
Purfue their prey, and feek their wonted food : 
The fiend remounts his courier, mends his pace. 
And ail the vifion vaniih'd from the place. 
Long Itood the noble youth oppref'i'd with awe, ■^ 
And itupid at the wond'rous things he faw, (^ 
Surpafling conuuon iaith, tranfgrellingnature's i 

law : ^ 

He would have been afleep, and wifii'd to wake, 
But dreams, he knew, no long impreflion make, 
Th.ough llrong ar firft ; if vifion, to what end, "^ 
But fuch as muit his future ftate portend ? > 
His love the damfcl, and him.felf the fiend. 3 
But j'et, refieding that it could not be 
From heaven, which cannot impiousafts decree, 
Refolv'd within himfejf to Ihun the fnare. 
Which hell for his dellruc^ion did prepare; 
And as his better genius fliould direct, 
From an ill caufe to draw a good efledl.n' 
Infpir'd from heaven he homeward took his 

way. 
Nor paiTcl his new defign with long delay : 
But of his train a truity leivaiit l_..i. 
To call his friends to^.t'ier at h.^ unr. 

They 



Book II, 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



347 



They came, and, ufual falutations paid, 1 

With wosds premeditated, thus he faid ; 
What you have often counfell'd, to remove I 
My vain purfuit of unregarded love^5 
By thrift my fniking fortune to repair, 
Tho' Jate, yet is at laft became my cars : 
My heart (hall be my own j my vaft expence 
ReducM to bounds, by timely providence ; 
This only I require ; invite for me 
Honoria, with her father's family, 
Her friends and mine ; the caufe I ihall difplay. 
On Friday next-, for that's the appointed day. 
Well pleas'd were all his friends, the tafk was 

light, 
The father, mother, daughter, they invite j 
Hardly the dame was drawn to this repail j 
But yet refolv'd, becaufe it was the laft. 
The day was come, the guefts invited came, 
And, with the reft, th' inexorable dame : 
A feaft prepared with riotous expence. 
Much coft, more care, and moH magnificence. 
The place ordain'd was in that haunted grove, 
Where the revenging ghoft purfu'd his love. 
The tables in a proud pavillion fpread. 
With flowers below, and tilTue overhead : 
The reft in rank, Honoria chief in place, "J 
*Was artfully contrived to fet her face > 

To front the thicket, and behold the chace. 3 
The feaft was ferv'd, the time fo well forecaft, 
That juft when the defiertand fruits wereplac'd, 
The fiend's alarm began j the hollow found ^ 
Sung in the leaves, the foreft fhook around, (^ 
Air blacken'd, roll'd the thunder, groan'd^ 

the ground. 3 

Nor long before the loud laments arife 
Of one diftrefs'd, and maftifts' mingled cries ; 
And firlt the dame came rufhing thro'the wood,A 
And next the familh'd hounds that foughttheir ( 

food, [in blood. ^ 

And grip'd her flanks, and oft eflay'd their jaws3 
Laft came the felon, on his fable fteed, 
Arm'd with his naked fword, and urg'd his dogs 

to fpeed. 
She ran, and cry'd, her flight direflly bent ~\ 
(A gueft unbidden) to the fatal tent, ( 

The fcene of death, and place deiign'd for pu-^ 

niftiment. 3 

Loud was the noife, aghaft was ev'ry gueft. 
The women ftiriek'd, the men forfook the feaft ; 
The hounds at nearer diftancehoarfely bay'd j "\ 
The hunter clofe purfu'd the vifionary maid. \ 
She rent the heav'n with loud laments, implor- i 

ring aid. J 

The gallants, to proteft the lady"'s right, > 
Theirfaulchions brandifh'd at thegriflyfpright; > 
High on hisftirrups he provok'd the fight, j 
Then on the crowd he caft a furious look, 
And wither'd all their ftrength before he fpoke : 
Back, on your lives j let be, laid he, my prey. 
And let my vengeance take the deftin'd way ; 
Vain are your arms, and vainer your defence, 
Againft th' eternal doom of Providence : 
Mine is th' ungrateful maid by heaven defignM, 
Mercy (he would not givc,n or mercy ihall (hefind. 



'■} 



At this the former tale again he told, 

With thund'ring tone, and dreadful to behold: 

Sunk were their hearts with horror of the drime. 

Nor needed to be warn'd a fecond time. 

But bore each other back: fome knew the face, 

And all had heard the much lamented cafe 

Ot him who fell for love, and this the fatal place 

And now th' infernal minifter advanc'd, 
Seiz'd the due vi6lim and with fury lanc'd 
Her back, and piercing through her inmoftheart. 
Drew backward, as before, th' offending part. 
The reeking entrails next he tore away, 
And to his meagre maftiffs made a prey. 
The pale afF.ftants on each other ftar'd, 
With gaping mouths for ifluing words prepar'dj 
The ftill-born founds upon the palate hung, 
And dy'd imperfeft on the falt'ring tongue. 
The flight v/as gen'ral ; but the female band 
(A helplefs train) in more confufion fland: 
With horror ftmdd'ring, on a heap they run,-\ 
Sick at the fight of hateful juftice done j f 
For confcience rung the alarm, and made the^ 

cafe their own. J 

So fpread upon a lake, with upward eye, 
A plump of fowl behold their foe on high j 
They clofe their trembling troop, and all attend 
On whom the fowfing eagle will defcend. 

But moft the proud Honoria fear'd th' event. 
And thought to her alone the vifion fent. 
Her guilt prefents to her diftradled mind "^ 
Heaven's juftice, Theodore's revengeful kind,> 
And the fame fate to the fame fin afilgn'd: J 
Already fees herfelf the monfter's prey, 
And feels her heart and entrails torn away. 
'Twas a mute fcene of forrow, mix'd with fear : 
Still on the table lay th' unfinifli'd cheer : 
The knight and hungry maftiffs ftood around, 
j The mangled dame lay breathlefs on the grouncj 
When On a fudden, re-infpir'd with breath, 
Again ftie rofe, again to fuffer death j 
Nor ftaid the hell-hounds nor the hunter ftaid. 
But follow'd, as before, the flying maid: 
Th' avenger took from earth th' avenging fword, 
And mounting light as air his fable fteed he 

fpurr'd : 
The clouds difpell'd, the Iky refum'd the light. 
And nature ftood recover'd of her fright. 
But fear, the laft of ills, remained behind. 
And horror heavy fat on ev'ry mind. 
Nor Theodore encourag'd more the feaft, 
But fternly look'd as hatching in his breaft 
Soipe deep defignsj which when Honoria viewed. 
The frefii impulfe her former fright renew'd; 
She thoughtherfelf the trembling dame who fled, 
And him the grifiy ghoft that fpurr'd th' infernal 

fteed : 
The moredifmay'd, for when the guefts with 

drew 
Their courteous hoft, faluting all the crew, i 
Regardlefs pafs'd her o''er; norgrac'd wit 3 

kind adieu. 
That ftiug infix'd within her haughty mind, ~) 
The downfall of her empire (lie divin'd ; J- 

And her proud heart with fecret forrow pin'd. > 

Horns 



^ 



348 



E L E G A NT EXTRACTS, 



Booj: If. 



Hpme as tliey went, the fad (iifcourfe renewed > jWith fatiits confefs'd commifTiOn'd her to ro. 
Of the relentleis dame lo death puriuM, J | If pity yet had place, and reconcile her foe: 

And of the fight obfcene fo lately view'd. 3 ! The welcome mellage made, was foon receivM ; 
None^durfl arraign the righteous doom fhe bore, ! 'Twasto bewi(lrd,andhop'd, butfcarcebeiiev'di 
Ev\n they who pity'd moit, yet blam'd her "more: j Fate feemM a fair occafioa to prefent j 
The parallel they needed not to name, ' ^^^ ''-— ^.i,^/:.,.. — i i-_..„-.j /v. ■ i . 



But in the dead they damnM the living dame 

Atev'ry little noife fhe look'd behind, 
For Itill the knight was prefent to her mind : 
And anxious oft fhe flarted on the way. 
And tliought the horfeman-ghofl came thun- 
dering for his prey. 
Keturn'd, fhe took her bed with little reft, 
But in fhort fiumhers dreamt the funVal feafl : 
Awak'd, flietun/d her fide, and flept asrain ; 



.^ 



jlie knew the lex, and fear'd Qi'e might'repent, f 
' Should he delay the moment of confent. > 

Tkere yet remained to gain her friends (a care 
The mudeity of maidens well might fpare :) 
But flie with fuch a zeal the caufe embraced, 
(As women, where they will, are all in hafie) 
The father, mother, and the kin befide, 
Were overborne by fuiy of the tide ; 
With full confent of all flie chang'd her fcate j 
Refiftk-ls in her love, as in her hate. 



The fame black vapours mounted in her brain, f I By her example warned, the reft bewarej 
And the^ lame dreams returned with double^ iMore eafy, lefs imperious, were the fair; 

3 :An ■ " 



d that one hunting, which the devil deflgn'd 
For one fair female, loft him half the kindr* 



pain. 
Now forc'd to wake, becaufe afraid to fleep, 

Ker blood all i'cvef^, with a furious leap, 

She fprang from bed, diftraded in her mind, 

Andjfear'd at every ftep, a' twitching fp right be- 
hind. 

Darkling and defperate, with ftagg'ring pace, 

Of death afraid, and confcious of difgrace : 

Fear, pride, remorfe, at once her heart affail'd, 

Pride put remorfe to flight, but fear prevaiTd. 

Friday, the fatal day, when next it came, , numoiy to court rnc ravour or nis iriencs 

Her foul foi-ethought the fiend would change his j For pity's fake tells undeferv'd milhap< 

game, [And, their applaufe to gain, recounts his claps 

And her purfue, or Theodore be flair?, jThus the vicforious chiefs of ancient Rome, 

Andt'^ro ghofl-s join their packs to hunt her o'er ! To win the mob, a fuppliant's form affume, 



§ 34. The Rofciad. Churchill. 

Roscius deceased, each high afpiring play'r 
Pufh'd all his int'reft for the vacant chair. 
The bufkinM heroes of the mimic ftage 
No longer whine in love, and rant in rage; 
The monarch quits his throne, and condefceniS^ 
! Humbly to court the favour of his friends 



In pompous ftraiuiight o'er th' extinguifh'dwar, 
And fhew where honour bled in ev'ry fear. 
But though bare merit might in Rome appear 
The ftrongeft plea for favour, 'tis not here j 
We form our judgment in another way; 



the plain. 
This dreadful image fo pcfiefs'd her mind, 
T^hat, defperate any fuccour elfe to fi)id, 
She ceas'd all farther hope ; and now began 
To make refie6tion on th' unhappy man. 

.TUch,brave,andy6ungjWhopaftexpreiTionlov'd, 'And they will beft fucceed, who beft can pay: 
Proof to dildain, and not to he remov'd : lThcfe,who would gain the votes of Britifli tribes, 

Of all the men refpefted aiid admir'd, j Mali add to force of merit force of bribes. 

Of all the dame?, except herfeif, deiir-d: ) What cr^n an affor give ? in ev'ry age 

Why not of her ? preferr'd abcA-e the reft, s ' Cai'h hath been rudely banifli'd from the ftage j 
By him with knightly deeds, and open love f Monr.rchs thcmfeLves, to grief of ev*ry pk^.y'r 

profefs'dr [drefs'd.4 Appear as often as their image there.: 

So had another been, w^here he his vows ad-5 iThcy can.'t, like candidate for other feat. 
This queird herpiide,yet other doubts remained, iPour feas of wine, and mountains raife of meat. 
That, once difdaining, ihe might be difdain'd. } Wine ! they could bribe you with the world as 
The fearwas juft, but greater fear prevail'd, j fboji. 

Fear of her life by hellifti hounds alfail'd : {And of roaft beef, they only know the tune : 

He took a lowering leave 5 but who can tell ' But what they have thty give ; could Clive do 
Wluit outward jiate might inward love cooceal ? 1 more, , [four ? 

Her fex's arts Oie knew ; and wliy not, then, j Though for each million he had brought home 
Klight deep diffembling have a place in men ? ' Shuter keeps open houfe at South wark fi^ir, 
Here hope began to dav/n 5 refolv'd to try,^ ^ ! And hopes the friends of humour will betherej 
She nx'd on this her utmcft remedy : J-!ln Smithfield, Yates prepares the rival treat 

Death was behind, but hard it was to die. 3 jFor thofe who laughter love initead of meat j 
""Twas time enough at laft on death to call, \ iFoote, at Old Houfe, for even Foote will be. 
The precipice in light : a flirub was all, [fall. ^ \ In felf-conceit, an aftor, bribes with tea ; 
That kindly ftood betwixt to break the fatal) Which Wilkinfbn at fecond -hand receives, 
One maid flie had, belov'd above the reft : And at the New, pours water on the leaves. 
Secure of her, the fecret fhe confefs'd ; The town divided, each runs fev'ral ways. 

And now the cheerful light her fears difpell'd,^ As pafTion, humour, int'relt, party fways. 
She with no winding turns the truth conceal'd,; j Things of no moment, colour of the hair, 
But put the woman oft", and ftood reveard : ) Shape of a leg, complexion brown or fair, 

I A dref* 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



Book II. 

A drefs well chcfen, or a patch mifpl.ic'd, 
Conciliate favour, or create d ilia tie. 

Fi-om galleries loud peals of laughter roll, 
And thunder Shuter's praifes — he's ib droll. 
Ejnbox'dy the ladies mulk have foin^thing fmart, 
Palmer 1 Oh! Palmer tops the janty part. 
Seated in pit, the dwarf, with aching eyes, 
Looks Tip, and vows that Bany's out of fize; 
Wiiilll to lix ftet the vigorous llriplinij grown, 
Declares that G^trrick is another Coan. 

When place of judgment is by whim ITipply'd, 
And our opinions have their rife in pride j 
V/hcn, in difcourfing on each mimic elf. 
We prarie and cenfure with an eye to felf ; 
All mud meet friends, and Ackraan bids as fair 
\n fucb a court, as Garrick, for the chair. 

At length agreed, all fquabbles to decide, 
By fome one judge rhe caufe was to be tryM -} 
3^ut this their fquabbJes did afrefli renew, 
Who (hould be judge in fach a trial: — VVho ? 

For Johufon fome, but Johnfon, it was fear'd, 
Would be too grave ; and Sterne toogay appeared: i 
Others for Francklin voted ; but 'tv/as known^ 
He lickcia'd at'all triumphs but his own ; 
For Colman many, but the peevifn tongue 
Of prudent Age found out that he v.'as young: 
For Murphy fome few pilf ring Avits declared, 
Wlulft Folly clapped her hands, ;md Wifdura 
ftar'd. [Avomb, 

To mifthief train'd, e'en from his mother's 
Grown old in fraud,tho' yet in manhood's bloom. 
Adopting arts, by which gay villains rife. 
And reach the heights which honeft men defpife; 
"vlute at the bar, and in the fenate foud, 
Doll 'mongft the dullelt, proudeftof the proud; 
A pert, prim prater of the northern race, 
Guilt in his heart, and famine in his face, 
Stood forthi — and thrice he wav'd hislily hand— 
And thrice he twirl'd his tye — thrice ftrok'd his 
band — [aim, 

" At friendihip's call (thus oft with trait Vous 
ivien void of faith- ufurp faith's facred name) 
•' At Friendlhip's call I come, by Murphy fent, 
Who thus by me develops his intent. 
But left, transfus'd, the fpirit fhould be loft, 
That fpirit which in ftorms of Rhet'ric toft, 
Bounces about, and flies like bottled beer. 
In his own words his own intentions hear. 
■ " Thanks to my friends — But to vile fortunes 
born, 
No robes of fur thefe fhoulders muft adorn. 
Vain your applaufe, no aid from thence I draw 5 
VdJn all my wit, for what is wit in law ? 
Twice (curs'd remembrance !) twice I ftrove to 

gain 
Admittance 'mongfl the law-inftrufted train, 
Who, in the Temple and Gray's Inn, prepare 
For clients' wretched feet the legal fnaret 
Dead to thofe arts, which polifh and refine, 
Deaf to all worth, becaufe that worth was mine, 



349 



Twice did thofc bJockheatIs ftartlc at my name. 
And foul rejeclion gave nie up to ihame. 
To law and lawyers then I bade adieu, 
And plans of far more lib'ral note purfue. 
Who will i;:ay be a judge — my kindling breaft 
Burns for thatchair whichRofciu: once polfefs'd. 
Here give your votes, your intref: here exert. 
And let fuccefs for once attend deiert." 

With (leek appearance,and with ambling pace, 
K\\(\, type of vacant head, v/ith vacant t;ice. 
The Proteus Hill put in his modeit: plea. — 
" Let favour fpeak for others, worth for me." — 
For who, like him, his various powers could call 
Into \^o many Ihapes, and fliine in all.? 
Who could \'o wobiy grace the motley Hit, 
Ac^or, infpeftor, doclor, botaniit ? 
Knov^-3 any one fo well — fure no one knov/s,-— 
At once to play,prefcribe, compoiind, coinpoie? 
Wlio can — But Woodward camej-^-Hill iiiop'd 

away, 
Melting, like ghofts, before the rifingday. 

* With tiiat low cunning, wliich in fools fup- 
And ampty too, the place of being wife, [piics. 
Which Nature, kind, indulgent parent, gave 
To qualify the blockhead for a knave ; 
With that linooth falfehood, whoie appearance 

charms. 
And reafon of each wholefome doubt difarms. 
Which to the loweft depths of guile defcends, ' 
By vileil means purfues the vileftends. 
Wears friendlhip's rnaik for purpofes of fpite. 
Fawns in the day, and butchers in the nighty 
With that malignant envy, v/hich turns pale^ 
And iickens, even if a friend prevail, 
Which merit and fnccefs purine? with hate,. 
And damns the Vv'orth it cannot imitate j 
With the cold caution of a coward's i'pleen, 
Which fears not guik, but always fecks a fcreera;. 
Which keeps this maxim ever in her view — 
What's baiely done, fhould be done iafely too j 
With that dull, rooted, calLnus im.pudence, 
Which, dead to fname, and tY")y nicer fenfe, 
Ne'er blufh'd, unlefs, in fpreading Vice's fnare3> 
She blunder'd on fome virtue unawares ; 
With all thefe blelnngs, which we feldom find 
Lavifh'd by Nature on one happy mind, 
A motley figure, of the Fribble tribe, 
Which heart can fcarce conceive, or pen defcribe^ 
Camefimp'ringoni to afecrtain whofe fex 
Twelve fage impanell'd matroiis would perplex. 
Nor male, nor female ; neither, and yet both 5 
Of neuter gender, tho' of Irifh growth ; 
A f:x-tbot fuckling, mincing in its gait j 
Aftecled, peevifh, prim, and delicate; 
Fearful it feem'd, tho' of athletic make, 
Left brutal breezes fhould too roughly fhake 
Its tender form, and favage motion fpread, 
0''er its pale cheeks, the horrid manly red. 

Much did it talk, in its own pretty phrafe. 
Of genius and oi tafte, of players and plays ; 

Much 



* This fevere charaftor was intended for Mr. Fitzpatiick, a perfon who had rendered himfelf remark- 
sble by his afliviry in the playhoufc riots of 1763, relaiive to the taking half prices. He was the hero 
^f G;irrick.'s Fribbleriad* 



150 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



Xluch too of wrlrings, which itfelf had wrote, 
Oi ipecial merit, tho' of Jittle note ; 
For Fate, in a ftrange humour, had decreed 
That vvhat it wrote, none but itfelf (hoiild read 5 
Much too it chatter'd of dramatic lav s, 
Misjudging critics, and milp]ac\i applaiifej 
Then, with a felf- complacent jutting air. 
It fmil'd, it fmirk"d, it wriggled to the chair 5 
And, with an awkw;ird brii'knefs not its own, 
Looking around, and perking on the throne. 
Triumphant {eein'd, when that iirange lavage 

dame, 
Known but to few, or only known by name, 
Plain Common Senfe appeared, by Nature there 
Appointed, with plain truth, to guard the chair. 
The pageant faw, and blailed with her frown, 
To its firit ftate of nothing melted down. 

Nor fhail the rnufe (for even there the pride 
Of this vain nothing Ihall be mortified) 
Nor fhall themufe(fhoa]dfate ordain herrhymes, 
Fond,pleafing thought ! to live in after-times) 
With luch a trifier's name her pages blot j 
Known be the characlei-, the thmg forgot 5 
Let it, to dilappoint each future aim, 
Live without fcx, and die without a name ! 

Cold-blooded critics, by enervate iires 
Scarce hammer'd out, when nature's feeble fires 
Glimmer'd their laft; whofe fluggifh blood, half 
froze, [glows 

Creeps laboring thro' the veins; whofe heartn e'er 
With fancy-kindled heat; — a fervile race, 
Who in mere w-ant of fault, all merit place ; 
Who blind obedience pay to ancient fchools, 
Bigots to Greece, and flaves to muily rules; 
With folemn confeqaence declared that none 
Could judge that caufe but Sophocles alone. 
Dupes to their fancied excellence, the crowd, 
Obfequious to the facred diftate, bow'd. [forth, 

When, from amidft the throng, a yo.ith ftood 
Unknown his perfon, not unknown his worth; 
His look befpoke applaufe ; alone he Itood, 
Alone he ftemm'd the mighty critic flood. 
He talk'd of ancients, as vhe man became 
Who priz'd our own, but envied not their fame; 
With noble rev'rence fpoke of Greceand Rome, 
And fcorn'd to tear the laurel from the tomb. 

•'But more than juiltoothercountries grown, 
Muft we turn bafe apoftatcs to our own ? 
Where do thefc words of Greece and Rome excel, 
That England may not pleafe the ear as well ? 
V/hat mighty magic's in the place or air. 
That all perfedtion needs muft center there? 
In ftates, let Ilrangers blindly be preferred; 
In ftate of letters, merit ftiould be heard. 
Genius is of no counrry, her pure ray 
Spreads all abroad, as gen'ral as tlie day ; 
Foe to reftraint, from i>lace to place ftie flies. 
And may hereafter e'en in Holland riie. 
May not (to give a pleafing fancy Hope 
And cheer a patriot heart with patriot hope) 
May not fome gi-eat extenfive Genlws raife 
Vhe name of Britain 'hove Athenian -pi-aife ; 



And, whilft brave thirftof fame his bofom warms 
Make England great in letters as in arms ? 
There may — there hath — andShakefpear's mufe 

afpires 
Beyond the reach of Greece : with native fires 
Mounring aloft, he wings his daring flight. 
While Sophocles below ftands trembling at his 
height. 

Why fliould we then abroad forjudges roam, 
When abler judges we may find at home? 
Happ^y^ in tragic and in comic pow'rs^ 
Have we not Shakfpeare ? — Isnot Jonfonours ? 
For them, your iiatYal judges, Britons, vote ; 
They'll judge like Britons, who like Britons 
wrote. [f"'ay, 

He faid, and conquer'd — Senfe refum'd her 
And difappointed pedants ftalk'd away. 
Shakfpeare and Jonlbn, with deferv'd applaufe. 
Joint judges were ordain'd to try the caufe. 
iVIean time the ftranger ev'ry voice employ'd. 
To aflc or tell his name — Who is it ? — Lloyd. 

Thu's,whentlie aged friends of Job ftood mute, 
And tamely prudent, gave up the difpute, 
Elihu, with the decent warmth of youth. 
Boldly ftood forth the advocate of truth ; 
Confuted falfehood, and difabled pride, 
W"hiht baffled age itood fnarling at his fide. 

The day of trial's fix'd, nor any fear 
Left day of trial fliould be put oft here. 
Caufes but feldom for delay can call 
In courts where forms are few, fees none at all. 

The morning came, nor find I that the fun. 
As he on other great events hath done, 
Put on a brighter robe than what he wore 
To go his journey in the day before. 

Full in the centerof a fpacious plain, 
On plan entirely new, where nothing vain, 
Nothing magnificent appear'd, but Art 
With decent modefty perform'd her paif, 
Rofe a tribunal : from no other court 
It borrow'd omament, or fought fupport: 
No juries here were pack'd to kill or clear. 
No bribes were taken, nor oaths broken here ; 
No gounfmen, partial to a client's caufe. 
To their own purpofe turn'd the pliant laws. 
Each Judge was true and fteady to his truft, 
As Mansfield wife, and as old Fofter* juft. 

In thefirft feat, in robes of various dyes, 
A noble wildnefs flafliing from his eyes, 
Sat Shakfpeare — in one hand a wand he bore. 
For mighty wonders fam'd in days of yore ; 
The other held a globe, which to his will 
Obedient turn'd, and own'd the mafter's flcill : 
Things of the nobieft kind his genius drew, 
And look'd thro' nature at a Angle viewj 
A loofe be gave f o his Ujiboanded foul ; 
And taught new lands to rife, new ilas to roll 3 
Call'd into being icenes unknown before, 
A]id, pafiing nature's bounds, was Ibmething 
more. 

Next Jonfbn fat, in ancient learning train'd, 
His rigid judgment f^mcy's flights reftrain'd, 

Correc'tiv 



» Sir M;ch:.cl FoHer, one of ihe judges of tlie King's Ber.ch. 



Book II. DIDACTIC, t) 

Corre£i:ly prunM each wild luxuriant thought, 
Mark'd oui her courre,nor fpar'd a glorious fault. 
The book of man he read with nicelt art, 
And ranfack'd all the lecrets of the heart j 
Exerted penetration's utmoll force, 
And trac'd each paffion to its proper fource ; 
Then ftrongly mark'd, in liveliell colours drew, 
And brought each foible forth to public view. 
The coxcomb felt a ladi in ev'17 word, 
And fools, hung out, theirbrorher fools detcrr'd. 
His comic humour kept the world in awe. 
And laughter frightened folly more than law. 

But, hark! — The trumpet founds, the crowd 
give way, 
And the proceflion comes in juft army. 

Now ftiould I, in fome fweet poetic line. 
Offer up incenfe at Apollo's (lirine ; 
Invoke the mule to quit her calm abode, 
And waken mem'ry with a flfcping ode. 
For how fhould mortal man, in mortal verfe. 
Their titles, merits, or their names rehearfe ? 
But give, kind dulnefs, memory and rhyme, 
We'll put off genius till another time. 

Firil, order came, — with folemnltep, and flow, 
In meafur'd time his feet were taught to go. 
Behind, from time to time, he €;all his eye, 
Left this (hould quit his place, that ftep awry. 
Appearances to fave his only care j 
So things feem right, no matter what. they ai"e. 
In him his parents faw themfelves renew'd, 
Begotten by Sir Critic on Saint Prude. 

Then came drum, trumpet, hautboy, fiddle, 
flute i 
Next fnufJer, fweeper, fhifter, foldier, mute j 
Legions of angels all in white ^vance j 
Furies, all fire, come forward in a dance ; 
Pantomime figures then are brought to view, 
Fools hand in hand with fools go two by two. 
Next ca!ue the treafurer of either houfe ; 
One with full purfe, t' other with not a Ibus. 
Behind, a groupe of figures awe create. 
Set off with all th' impertinence of ftate ; 
By lace and feather conl'ecrate to fame. 
Expletive kings, and queens without a name. 

Here Havard, all ferene, in the lame ftrains. 
Loves, hates and rages, triumphs, and complains: 
His eafy vacant face proclaim'd a heart 
Which could not feel emotions, nor impart. 
With him came mighty Davies. On my life, 
That D.ivies hath a very pretty wife : — 
Statefman all over ! — In plots iamous grown !— 
He mouths a fentence, as curs mouth a bone. 

Next Holland came. — WJih truly tragic ftalk, 
He creeps, he flies — A hero ihouid not walk. 
As if with heav'n he v/arrM. liis eager eyes 
Planted tiieir batteries againii the ikies ; 
Altitude, adion, air, pa\ile, itart, figh, groan,' 
He borrow'd, and made uie of as his own. 
By fortune thrown on any other ftage, 
^e might, ptrhaps^ have pleas'd an ealy age j 
3ut now appears a copy, and no more, 
OF fomefhing better we have feen before. 
The tidorvvho would build a folid fame, 
Aluil imitation's fervile arts dixlaim ; 



ESCRIPTI VE, &c. 351 

Aft from himfelf, on his own bottom fl:;md j 
I hate e'en Garrick thu>? at iecond-hand. 

Behind came King. — Bred up in modeftlore, 
Bafhful and young he fought Hibernia's fhore j. 
Hibernia, fam'd, 'bove ev'ry other grace, 
For matchlefs intrepidity of face. 
PVom her his featui-es caught tht: gen'rous fiarae. 
And bid defiance to all fenfe of (hame. 
Tutor'd by her all rivals to furpals, [brafs. 

'Mongll Drury's fons he com.es, and fiiines in 

Lo Vates ! — Without the leall rinefie of art 
He gets applaufe — I wifh he'd get his part. 
When hot impatience is in full career, 
How vilely "Hark'e ! Hark'e!" grates the ear ! 
When aftive fancy from the brain is lent. 
And itands on tip-toe for fome wifti'd event, 
I hate fhofe carelefs blunders which recall 
Sufpended fenfe, and prove it fidlionall. 

In charafters of low and vulgar mould. 
Where Nature's coarfeft features we behold. 
Where, deftitute of ev'ry decent grace, 
Unmanner'd jells are blurted in your face. 
There Yates with juftice ftridl attention draws, 
A6ls truly from himfelf, ami gains appiaufe. 
But when, to pleafe himielf or charm'his wife. 
He aims at fomething in politer life, 
When, blindly thwarting nature's ftubbornplan. 
He treads the ilage, by way of gentleman, 
Theclown, who no one touch of breeding-knows. 
Looks like Tom Errand drels'd in Clincher's 

clothes. 
Fond of his drefs, fond of his per-fon grown, 
Laugh'd at by all, and to hi.Tiielf unknown. 
From fide to fide heflruts, he fmiles, he prates. 
And feemsto wonder what's become of Yates. 

Wood ward,endow'd withvarioustricks oi'facr. 
Great mailer in the fcience of grimace, 
From Ireland ventures, fav'rite of the town, 
Lur"d by the pleafing profpeft of renown j 
A ipeaking Harlequin, made up of whim. 
He twifts, he twines, he tortures ev'ry limb. 
Plays to the eye with a mere monkey's art, 
And leaves to {'Qx\(e the conqueltof the heart. 
We laugh indeed, but, on refledion's birth, 
Wq wonder at ourfelves, and curie our mirth. 
His walk oi parts he fatally mifplac'd, 
And inclination fondly took for tafte j 
Hence hath the town ib often feen difplay'd 
Beau in burlefque, high life in malquerade. 

But when bold vvits,not fuchasnatch up plays. 
Cold and correft, in thefe inlipid days, 
Som.e comic character, ftrong featur'd, urge 
To probability's extremeft verge. 
Where modelt judgment her decree fufpends. 
And, for a time, nor cenfares nor commends, 
Where critics can't determine on the fpot, 
Whether it is in nature found or not. 
There Woodward lafely Ihall his pow'rs exert. 
Nor fail of favour v/here he fhews defert. 
Hence he in Eobadil fuch praifes bore. 
Such worthy praifes, Kitely fcarce had more. 

By turns transform'd into all kinds of fliapes, 
Ccnllant to none, Foote laughs, cries, flruts and 
fcrapes : 

Now 



55- 



E LEG ANT EXTRACT 



Book tl. 



Kow in the center, now in van or rear. 
The Proteus fhifts, bawd, parfon, au6Hpneer. 
His ftrokes of humour, and his burfb of fport. 
Are all contain d in this one word, Diftort. 

Doth a m-^n flutter, look a-fquint, or halt? 
Mimics draw humour out of nature's fault, 
With perfonal defe6ts their mirth adorn, 
And hang misfortunes out to public fcorn. 
E'en I, whom nature caft in hideous mould. 
Whom, having made, fhe trembled to behold, 
Beneath the load of mimicry may groan, 
And find that nature's errors are my own. 

Shadows behind of Foote andWoodwardcamej 
Wilkinfbn this, Obrien was that name. 
Strange to relate, but wonderfully true. 
That "even (hadows have their ihadows too ! 
With not a lingle comic powV endu'd, 
The iirft a mere mere mim.ic's mimic flood ; 
The lail, by nature form'd to pleafe, who fliows, 
In Jonfon's Stephen, which way Genius grows; 
Self quite put otr, affefts, with too much arr, 
To put on Woodward in each mangled part, 
Adopts his fnrug, bis v.-ink, his ftare; nay, more, 
His voice, and croaks ; for Woodward croak d 
When a dull copier fimple grace neglefts, [before. 
And reils his imitation in defeats, 
We readily forgive ; but fuch vile art 3 
Are double guilt in men of real parts. 

By nature formM in her perverfelfc mood, 
With no one requisite otartendu'd, 
Next Jackfon came. — Obfervethat fettled glare, 
Which better fpeaks a puppet than a player ; 
Lift to that voice — did ever X>ircord hear 
Sounds fo well fitted to her untunM ear? 
When, to enforce fome very tender part. 
The right-hand fleeps by inilinft on the heart, 
His foul, of every other thought bereft. 
Is anxious only where to place the left; 
He fobs and pants to footh his weeping fpoufe, 
To fcotli his weeping mother, turns and bows. To anu fitiric truth againft a player 



If in thcfe hallowed times, when fwber, Cdd, 

All gentlemen are melancholy mad, 

When 'tis not dee«i'd fo great a crime by half 

To violate a vefral, as to laugh. 

Rude mirth raay hope prefumptuous to engage 

An a6l of toleration for the flage. 

All courtiers will, like rcafonable creatures, 

Sufpend vain fafhion,and unfcrewtheir features; 

Old Falflaff, play'd by Love, Ihdl pleafe once 

more. 
And humour fet the audience in a roar. 

A6lors I've feen, and of no vulgar name, 
Who, being from one part polTefs'd of fame, 
Whether they are to laugh, cry, whine, or bawl, 
Still introduce that fav'rite part in all. 
Here, Love, be cautious — ne'er he thou betray'd 
To call in that wag Falflaff 's dnng'i^us aid j 
Like Goths of old, howe'er he feems a friend, 
He'll fei7e that throne you wifh him to defend, 
la a peculiar mould by humour caft, 
For Falflaff fram'd— himfelf, the firft and laft,— 
He ftnnds aloof from all — maintains his ftate. 
And fcorns, like Scotfinen, to afTnnilate. 
V;tin alldifguife — too plain we feek the trick, 
Tho' the knight wears the weed? of Dominic, 
And Bonifuce, dij'grac'd, betrays the fmack, 
In Anno Domini, of Faiflafl's fack. 

Arms crofs'd, brows bent, ^es fix'd, fett 
marchi-ng flow, 
A band of malecontents with fpleen o'erflow ; 
Wrapt in conceit's impenetrable fog, 
Which pride, like Phoebus,draws from ev'ry bog, 
They curfe the managers, and curfe the town, 
Whofe partial favour keeps fuch merit down. 

But if fome man more hardy than the reft, 
Should dare attack thefe gnatlings in their neftj 
At once they rife with impottnce of rage. 
Whet their fmall ftings,andbu/z about the flage, 

'Tis breach of privilege! — Shall any dare 



Awkward, embarrafs'd, fliff, without the fkill 
Of moving gracefully, or ftanding flill, 
One leg, as if fufpicious of his brother, 
Defirous feems to run away from t' other. 

Some errors, handed down from age to age, 
Plead cuftoni's force, and ftil] poffefs the ftage. 
That's vile — (hould we a parent's faults adore. 
And err, becaufe our fathers err'd before ? 
If, inattentive to the author's m.ind, 
Some aclors made the jeft they could not find. 
If by low tricks they marr'd fair nature's mien, 
Andblurr'd the graces of the umple fcene. 
Shall we, if reafon rightly is employ'd. 
Not fee theii- foults, or feeing not avoid ? 
When Falftaft' flands detecled in a lie. 
Why, without meaning, rolls Love's glaffy eye ? 
Why ? — There's no caufe — at leaft no caufe we 
It was the fafhion twenty years ago : [kno\v — 
Fafnion, a word which knaves and fools may ult 
Their knavery and folly to excufe. 
To copy beauties, forfeits all pretence 
To fame — to copy fmlts, is want of i'enCe. 

Yet (tho' in fome particulars he fails. 
Some few parliculars, where mode prevails) 



Prcibriptwe rigltts we plead time out of mind ; 
A'5i:ors,unlaflrd themfelves, may lafh mankind." 

Vv'hat! fhall opinion then, of nature free 
AjuMJb'ral as the vagrant air, agree 
To ruit in chains like thefe, impos'd by things 
Which, lefsthan nothing,ape the pride of kings? 
Nc — though half-poets with half-plaj^ers join 
To curfe the freedlim of each honeft line ; 
Though rage and malice dim their faded cheek; 
What the mufe freely thinks, flie'll freely fpeak. 
With jufl: difdain of ev*ry paltry fneer. 
Stranger alike to flattery and fear, 
In purpofe fix'd, and to herfelf a rule. 
Public contempt fhall wait the public fool. 

Auftin would always gliften in French filks, 
Ackman would Norris be, and Packer Wilks. 
For who, like Ackman, can with humour pleafe? 
Who can like Packer, charm with fprightly cafe ? 
Higher than all th.e refl, fee Branfby ftrut : 
A jnighty Gulliver in Lilliput! 
Ludicrous Nature! which at once could (hew 
A man fo very high, fb very low. 

If I forget thee, B lakes, or if I fay 
Aught hurtful, may I never fee tliee play t 

Let 



Book H. 



DIDACTIC, D 



Let critics, with a fupercilious air, 

Decry thy various merit, and declare 

Frenchman is ftill at top i~but fcorn that ra*e 

Which, in attacking thee, attacks the age. 

Fit-nch follies, univerlally embrac'd. 

At once provoke our mirth, and form our tafte. 

Long, irom a nition ever hardly us'd, 
At random cen(iir\], w;!ntonly abut^d, 
H.'.ve Britonsdrawn their iport, with pa:ti:d view 
ForinM general notions from the raical few 5 
Condemn \1 a people, :?s for vices known, 
Vv'luch, from their country baniih'dj leek our 

own. 
At length, howe'er, the flavifli chain is broke, 
And lerife, awaken'd, fcorns her ancient yoke : 
Ta\ight by thee, Moody, we now learn to rai(e 
Mirtli from tlieir foibles ; from their virtues, 
praife. 

Next came the legion,which om\' Sii7nmer Bayes 
From alleys, here and there, contriv'd toraiie, 
Fiufli'd with vaft hopes, and certain to fucceed 
WithWits whocannot v/rite,and fcarce can read. 
Vet'rans no more fupportthe rotten cauie, 
No moi-e from Elliot's worth they reap applaufe 5 
E:ich on himfelf determines to rely, 
Be Yates di (banded, and let Elliot fly. 
Never did play'rs fo well an author fit, 
To nature dead, and foes declarM to wit. 
So loud each tongue, fo empty was each head. 
So much they talk'd, fo very little fiid, _ , 
So wondrous dull, and yet lb wondrous vain, 
At once fo v/illing, and unfit to reign, 
'that reafon fwore, nor would the oath recall, 
TiYeir mighty mafter's foul informed them all. 

As one with various difappointments fad, 
Whom dulnefs only kept from being mad, 
Apart from all the reft great Murphy came — 
Common to fools and wits, the rage of fame. 
What tho' the fons of nonfenfe hail him fire. 
Auditor, author, manager, and fquire. 
His reftlefs foul's ambition Itops not there — 
'To niake his triumphs perfect, dub him player. 

In perfon tall, a figure form'd to pleafe, 
If fymmetry could charm, depriv'd of cafe j 
When motionlefs hg itands, we all approve ; 
What pity 'tis the thing was made to move ! 

His voice, in one dull, deep, unvaried found, 
Seems to breakforth from caverns underground. 
From hollow chefV the low fepulchral note 
Unwilling heaves, and ftruggles in his throat. 

Could authors butchered give an aftor grace, 
All mult to him refign the foremoft place. 
When he attempts, in fome one fav'rite part. 
To ape the feelings of a manly heart, 
His honeft features the difguife defy, 
And his face loudly gives his tongiie the lye. 

Still in extremes, he knows no happy mean, 
Or raving mad, or ftupidly ferene. 
In cold-wrought fcenes the lifelefs aftor flags, 
In paHion, tears the paffion into rags. 
Can none remember ?- — Yes— I know ail muft— 
When in the Moor he ground his teeth to duft. 



FiS cm PTI VE, c^cc 353 

When o'er the ftage he folly's flandard bore, 
Whilit common f^nfe flood trembling atthedocr. 

How few are fcjund with real lalenfs blefs'dl 
Fewer with nature's gifts contented lelt. 
Man from his ipliere eccentric fl:arts ailray; 
All hunt for fame; but molt milkke the v/ay. 
Bred at St. Omer's to the Ihuffling trade, 
rhe liopefnl youth a jefuit might liave made. 
With various readings ftor'd his empty fkull, 
Learn'd without fenle, and venerably dull. 
Or, at fbme banker's defk, like many more. 
Content to tell that two and two make four. 
His name had Hood in city's annals fair, 
And prudent dulnefs mark'd him for a mayor. 

What then could tempt thee, in a critic age. 
Such blooming hopes to forfeit on a ftage ? 
Could it be v./orth thy v/ondrous walte of pains 
To publiih to the world thy lack of brains ? 
Or might not reafon e'en to thee have fhewn 
Thy greatefl praife had been to live unknownj 
Yet let not vanity, like thine, defpair: 
Fortune makes folly her peculiar care. 

A v:;cant throne high plac'd in Smith field view. 
To faci-ed dulnefs and her firil-born due j 
Thither with hafte in happy hour repair, 
Tliy birth-right claim, nor fear a rival there. 
Shuter himfelf fliall own thy juiler claim. 
And venal Ledgers puff their Murphy's name, 
Whilit Vaughan* or Dapper, call him which you. 

will. 
Shall blow the trumpet, and gire out the bill. 

There rule fecure from critics and from fenfe^ 
Nor once fhall genius rife to give offence ; 
Eternal peace itiall blefs the happy fliore. 
And little faftions break thy reft no more. 

From Covent -Garden crowds promifcuous go. 
Whom, the mufe 'Knows not, nor defires to knoWj^ 
Vet"rans tliey feem'd, but knew of arms no m.ore: 
Than if, till that time, arms they never bore ; 
Like Weflminfter militia train'd to fight. 
They fcarcely knew the left hand from the right, 
Afham'd among fiich troops to fhew the head, 
Their chiefs were fcatter'd, and their heroes fled* 

Sparks at his giafs fat c jmfortabiy down 
To fep'rate frown from fmile> and fmile from 

frov/n : 
Smith, the genteel, the airy and th^ fmart, 
Smith was jufl gone to fchool to fay his part t 
Rofs (a misfortune which we often meet) 
Was fait aP.eep at dear Statira's feet j 
Statira, with her hero to agree. 
Stood on her feet as fall afleep as he : 
Macklin,who largely deals in half- form'd foundsj 
Who Avantonly tranfgr'effes nature's bounds, 
Whofe afting's hard, affe6led,and conftrain'd, 
Whofe features, as each other they difdain'd. 
At variance fet, infiexlbkand coarfe. 
Ne'er know tlie workings of united force. 
Ne'er kindly foften to each other's aid, 
Nor fliew the mingledpow'x'sof light and fhade* 
No longer for a thanklefs ftaee concei-n'd. 
To worthier-thoughts his mighty genius turn'd, 



* A gemliiir.en ftlllliving, who pubiiHiecl, at thisjunaore, a Poenn enticled '< Tha Retort." 

A a Kauanru'cJ, 



3.H 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book U. 



Harangu'd, gare lectures, made each fimple elf 
Almolt as good a Tpeaker as hlmfelf ; 
"^Vhllit the whole town, mad with n)jftaken zeal, 
An awkward rage for elocution feel ; 
Dull cits and grave divines his praife proclaim. 
And join with Sheridan's their Macklin's name: 
Shuter, who never car'd a fingle pin 
Whether he left out nonfenfe, or put in, 
Who aim'd at wit, tho\ levell'd in the dark, 
The random arrow feldom hit the mark, 
At Iflington, all by the placid ft ream 
Where City fwains in lap of dulnefs dream, 
Where, quiet as her ftreams their ftrains do flow, 
That all the patron by the bards may know. 
Secret as night, with Rolt's experienc'd aid. 
The plan ol future operations laid. 
Projected fchemes the fummer months to cheer. 
And fpin out happy folly throurJi the year. 

But think not, though thefe daftard-chiefs 
are fled. 
That Covent-Garden troops iliall want a head : 
Harlequin comes their chief! — See from afar 
The hero feated in fantaftic car ! 
Wedded to novelty, his only arms [charms; 
Are wooden fvvords, wands, talifmans, and 
On one fide folly fits, by fome called fun, 
And on the other, his arch-patron, Lun. 
Behind, for liberty a-thiiil in vain, 
Senfe. helplefs captive, drags the galling chain. 
Six rude mif-fhapen beafts the chariot draw. 
Whom reafon loaths, and nature never faw ; 
Monfters with tails of ice, and heads of fire; 
Gorgons and hydras, and chimeras dire. 
Each wa5 beftrode by full as monftrous wight. 
Giant, dwarf, genius, elf, hermaphrodite. 
The town, as uiual, met him in full cry; 
The town, as ufual, knew no reafon why. 
But faftiion fo direds, and moderns raife 
On fafh ion's mould'ringbafetheir tranfientpraife. 

Next, to the field a band of females draw 
Their force ; for Britain owns no falique law : 
Juft to their worth, we female rites admit, 
Nor bar their claim to empire or to wit. 

Firft, giggling, plotting chambermaidsarrive. 
Hoydens and romps, led on by General Clive. 
In i'pite of outward blemifhcs, fhe flione 
!For humour fam'd, and humour all her own. 
Ealy, as if at home, the ftage fhe trod, 
Nor fought the critic's praife, nor fear'd his rod 
Originafin fpirit and in eafe. 
She pleas'd by hiding all attempts to pleafe. 
No comic aftrefs ever yet could raife. 
On humour's bafe, more merit or more praife. 

With all the native vigour of fixteen, 
Among the merry troop confpicuous feen, 
See lively Pope advance in gig and trip, 
Corinna, Cherry, Honeycomb, and Snip. 
Not without art, but yet to nature true, 
She charms the town with humour juft, yet new 
Cheer'd by her promife, we the lefs deplore 
The fatal time when Clive fliallbe no more. 

Lo! Vincent comes — with Ample grace ar- 
ray'd. 
She laughs at,paltry arts, and fcorns parade. 



Nature through her is by refieftion fhewn, 
VVhilft Gay once more knows Polly for his own. 

Talk not to me of diflidence and fear — 
I fee it all, but muft forgive it here. 
Defefbs like thefe, which modeft terrors caufe, 
From impudence itfelf extort applaufe. 
Candour and reafon ftill take virtue's part; 
We love e'en foibles in fo good a heart. 

Let Tommy Arne, with ufual pom.p of ftyle, 
Whofe chief, whofe only mierit's to compile. 
Who. meanly pilfering here and there a bit, 
Deals mufic out as Murphy deals out wit, 
Publifti propofals, laws fortafte prefcribe, 
And chant the praife of an Italian tribe: 
Let him reverfe kind nature's firft decrees, 
And teach e'en Brent a method not to pleafe ; 
But never Ihall a truly Britifli age 
Bear a vile race of eunuchs on the ftage. 
The boafted work's call'd National in vain, 
if one Italian voice pollutes the ftrain. 
Where tyrants rule, and flaves with joy obey, 
Let ilavifh minftrels pour th' enervate lay; 
Fo Britons far more noble pleafures fpring, 
h\ native notes while Beard and Vincent ling. 

Might figure give a title unto fame. 
What rival fhould with Yates difpute her claim ? 
But juftice may not partial trophies raife. 
Nor fink the a6lrefj in the woman's praife. 
Still hand in hand her words and aftions go, 
And the heart feels more than the features fnew : 
For, through the regions of that beauteous face. 
We no variety of paffions trace ; 
Dead to the foft em.otions of the heart, 
No kindred foftnels can thofe eyes impart; 
The brow, ftill fix'd in forrow's fullen frame, 
Void of diftin<5lion, marks ail parts the fame. 

What';^ a fine perfon, or a beauteous face, 
Unlefs deportment gives them decent grace ? 
Blefs'd with all other requifites to pleafe. 
Some want the ftriking elegance of eafe ; 
The curious eye their awkward movement tires ; 
They ieem like puppets led about by wires. 
Others, like ftatues, in one pofture ftill. 
Give great ideas of the workman's fkill ; 
Wond'ring, his art we praife the more we view, 
And only grieve he gave not motion too. 
Weak of therafeives are v» hat we beauties call ; 
It is the manner which gives ftrength to all. 
This teaches ev'ry beauty to unite, 
And brings them forward in the nobleft light. 
Happy in this, behold, amidft the throng, 
With tranfient gleam of grace, Hart fweeps along. 

If all the wonders of external gi^ace, 
A perfon finely turn'd, a mould of face 
Where, union rare, exprellion's lively force 
With beauty's fofteft magic holds difcourfe, 
AttracL the eye ; if feelings void of art 
Roufe the quick paliions, and enflam.e the heart; 
If mmfic, fweetly breathing from the tongue. 
Captives the ear. Bride muft not pafs uniung. 

When fear, which rank ill-nature terms conceit. 
By time and cuitom conquer'd, ftiall retreat; 
VVhen judgment, tutor'd by experience fage, 
Shall flioot abroad, and gather ftrength from age ; 

When 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, D E S C R I P T I V E, &c. 



3SS 



When heav'n in mercy fliall the ftage releafe 
From the dull llumbers of a Itill-lite piece; 
When fomc ftale flovv'r, dii'graceful to the walk, 
Which long hath hung,tho' withered on the ftalk, 
Shall kindly drop, theii Bride fliall make her way, 
And merit 'find a pallage to the day; 
Brought into ?.6lion, (he at once ihall raife 
Her own renown, and juftif'y our praile. 

Form'd for the tragic fcene, to grace the Itage 
With rival excellence of love and rage, 
Miftrefs of each foft art, with matchlefs (kill 
To turn and wind lie paffions as (lie will ; 
To melt the heait with fympathetic woe, 
Awake the (igh and teach the tear to flow ; 
To put on phrenfy's wild diftrafted glare. 
And freeze the foul wirh horror and defpair ; 
With jult defert enrolled in endlefs fame, 
Confcious of worth fuperior, Cibber came, 
WhenpoorAlicia'smad'ningbrains are raclfd, ! When the pure genuine flame, by nature taught. 



If in originals thefe things appear, 
Why fliould we bar them in the copy here ? 
The nice punftilio-mongers of this age. 
The grand minute reformers of the Itage, 
Slaves to propriety of ev'ry kind, 
Some ftandard-meafiu'e for each part fhould find. 
Which when the bellof aftors (hall exceed. 
Let it devolve to one of fmaller breed. 
All aftors too upon the back (hould bear 
Certificate of birth — time, when — place, where j 
For how can critics rightly fix their worth, 
Unlefs they know the minute of their birth ? 
An audience too, deceivM, may find too late 
7*hat they have clapp'd an aftor out of date. 

Figure, I own, at firfl may give offence, 
And harlhly ftrike the eye's too curious fenfe ; 
But when perfections of the mind break forth. 
Humour's chafte failles, judgment's folid worth; 



And llrongly imag'd griefs her mind diftra6l 
Struck witli her grief, I catch the madaefs too ! 
My brain turns round, the headlefs trunki view! 
The roof cracks, (hakes, and tails ! — newliorrors 

rife. 
And reaibn buried in the ruin lies. 

Nobly difdainful of each llavifli art, 
She makes her firft attack upon the heart, 
Pleas'd with the furnmons, it receives her laws, 
And all is (Hence, fympathy, applaufe. 

But when, by fondaml^ition drawn aiide, 
Giddy with praife, andpuii'd with female pride, 
She quits the tragic fcene, and, in pretence 
To comic merit, breaks down nature's fence; 
I fcarcely can believe my ears or eyes, 
Cr find out Cibber through the dark difguife. 

Pritchard, by nature for the fbge defign'd, 
In perlbn graceful, and in fenfe refin'd ; 
Her art as much as nature's friend became. 
Her voice as free from blerailh as her fame. 
Who knows (b well in majetty to pleafe, 
Attemper'd with the graceful charms of eafe ? 

When Congreve's fay our'dpantomimetograce, 
She comes a captive queen of Moorifh race; 
When love, hate, jealoufy, defpair and rage. 
With wildelt tum\ilts in her bread engage ; 
Still equal to herfelf is Zara feen ; 
Her pa(rions are the palhons of a queen. 

V/hen (he to murther whetsthetimoiousThane, 
I feel ambition rufli through ev'ry vein ; 
Perfuafion hangs upon her daring tongue. 
My heart grows flint, and ev'ry nerve's new 
fi:rung. 

In comedy — " Nay , there," cries critic, " hold, 
Pritchard's for comedy too fat ami old. 
Who can, with patience, bear the grey coquette. 
Or force a laugh with over-grown Julett ? 
Her fpeech, look, a6tion, humour, all are juft ; 
But then, her age and figure give difguft." 

Are foibles, then, and graces of the mind. 
In real life, to (ize or age confin'd? 
Do fpirits flow, and is good breeding plac'd 
In any fet circumference of waift: ? 
As we grow old, dolh afFeftation ceafe. 
Or gives not age new vigour to caprice ? 



Springs irito fenfe, and ev'ry section's tliought ; 
Before fuch merit all objections fly ; 
Pritchard's genteel, and Garrick's iix feet liigh. 

Oft have I, Pj-itchard, feen thy wondrous (kill, 
Confefs'd thee great, but find thee greater (till. 
That worth which (hone in fcattei\i rays before. 
Collected now, breaks foi-th with doublepow'r. 
The Jealous Wife ! on that thy trophies raife. 
Inferior only to the author's praife. 

From Dublin, fam'd in legions of romance 
For mighty magic of enchanted lance. 
With which her heroes arm'd victorious prove, 
And like a flood rufli o'er the land of love, 
Moflop and E-trry cam.e — names ne'er defign'd 
By fate in the fame fentence to be join'd. 
Rais'd by the breath oi' popular acclaim, 
They mounted to the pinnacle of fame ; [height. 
There the weak brain, made giddy with the 
Spurr'd on the rival chiefs to mortal fight. 
Thus fportive boys around fome bafon's brim 
Behold the pipe-drawn bladders circling fwim: 
But if, from lungs more potent, there arife 
Two bubbles of a more than common fize. 
Eager for honour they for fight prepare. 
Bubble m.eets bubble, and both fink to air. 

Moilbp, attach'd to military plan. 
Still kept his eye nx'd on his right-hand man. 
Wiiilft the mouth meafures words with feeming 

_ fkili, 
The right-hand labours, and the left li^s ftill j 
For he refolv'd on fcripture grounds to go, 
Wliat the right doth, the left-hand (hall not 

know. 
With flrudied im.propriety of fpeech. 
He foars beyond the hackney critic's reach j 
To epithets allots emphatic ftate, 
Whilit principals, ungrac'd, like lacqules wait ; 
In ways firft trodden by him lei f excels. 
And Itands alone in indeclinables ; 
Conjunction, prepoiition, adverb join, 
To Itamp new vigour on the nervous line : 
In monofyllables his tlmnders roll. — 
He, flie, it, and, we, yc, they, fright the fouL 

In perlbn taller than the c»,)mm6n fize, 
.Behold where Barry draws admiring eyes ! 
I A a 2 When 



356 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book It. 



When hbVing pafTions, in bis bofotn pent, 
Convulliverage, and llruggling heave tor vent, 
Speflators, with imagin'd terrors warm, 
Anxious expe6l the burlling of the ftorm : 
But, all unfit in fuch a pile to dwell, 
His voice comes forth like Echo from her cell ; 
To fwcll the tempeft needful aid denies. 
And all a-down the ftage in feeble murmurs dies. 

Whatman, like Barry, with fuch pains can 
In elocution, aflion, charafter ? [err 

What man could give, if BjLvry was not here. 
Such well applauded tendernefs to Lear ? 
Who elfe could fpeak fo veiy, very fine, 
That fenfe may kindly end with ev'iy line? 

Some dozen lines before the ghoft is there. 
Behold him for the folemn fcene prepare. 
See how he frames his eyes, poifes each limb, 
Puts the whole body into proper trim.. — [art. 
From whence we learn, with no great llretch of 
Five lines hence come? a gholl, and, ha ! a ftart. 

When he appears moft perfeft, ftill we find 
Something which jars upon, and hurts the mind. 
Whatever lights upon a part are thrown, 
We fee too plainly they are not his own. 
No flame from nature ever yet he caught ; 
Nor knew a feeling which he was not taught ; 
He rais'd his trophies on the bafe of art. 
And conned his palTions, as he conn'd his part. 

Quin, from afar lur'd by the fcent of fame, 
A ftage Leviathan, put in his claim. 
Pupil of Betterton and Booth. Alone, 
Sullen he wa]k'd,and deem'd the chair his own. 
For how fliould moderns, mufhrooms of the day, 
Who ne'er thofe matters knew,knowhow to play? 
Grey-bearded vet'rans, who, with partial tongue. 
Extol the times when they themfelves were 
Who, having loft all reiifti for the ftage, [young ; 
See not their own defefts, but lafti the age j 
Received with joyful murmurs of applaufe 
Their darling chief, and lin'd his favVIte caufe. 

Far be it from the candid mufe to tread 
Infulting o'er the afties of the dead, 
But, juft to living merit, flie maintains. 
And dares the teft,whilft Garrick's genius reigns; 
Ancients in vain endeavour to excel, 
Happily pnns'd, if they could aft as well. 
But though prefcription's force we difallow, 
Nor to antiquity fubmiiTive bow j 
Though we deny imaginary grace. 
Founded on accidents of time and place ; 
Yet real worth of evVy growth fhall bear 
Due praife, normuftwe, Quin, forget thee there. 

His words bore fterling weight, nervous and 
In manly tides of fenfe they roil'd along, [ftrong 
Happy in art, he chiefly had pretence 
To keep up numbers, yet not forfeit fenfe. 
No aftor ever greater heights could reach 
In all the labourM artifice ©f fpeech. 

Speech ! is that all ? — And fliall an aftor found 
An univerfal fame on partial ground ? 
Par ots themfelves fpeak properly by rote. 
And in fix months, my dog fliall howl by note. 
I lau -'^ p.t thofe, who, when the ftage they trea.% 
>:cglecl the heart, to compliment the head j 



With ftiicl propriety their card's confia'd 
To weigh out words, while pafiion halts behind. 
To fylhible-diffeftors they appeal, 
Allow them accent, cadence, — fools may feel ; 
But, fpite of all the criticifing elves, 
Thofe who would make us fee!, muft feel them- 
felves. 

His eyes, in gloomy focket taught to roll. 
Proclaim. M the lullen habit of his foul. 
Heavy and phlegmatic he trod the ft;'ge. 
Too proud for tendernefs, too dull for rage. 
When Hector's lovely widow Ihines in tears. 
Or Rowe's gay rake dependant viitue jeers. 
With the fame caft of features he is feen 
To chide the libertine, and court the queen. 
From the tame fcene,which without pafFionflows, 
With juft defert his reputation rofe 5 
Nor lefs^e pleas'd, when, on fome furly plan. 
He was, at once, the aftor and the man. 

In Brute he flione unequalPd: all agree 
Garrick's not half i'o great a brute as he. 
WhenCato's laboured fcenes are brought to view, 
With equal praife the aft or laboured too ; 
For ftill you'll find, trace paflicns to their root. 
Small diff 'rence 'twixt the Stoic and the Brute. 
In fancied fcenes, as in life's real plan. 
He could not for a moment fink the man. 
In whate'er caft his charafter was laid. 
Self ftill, like oil, upon the furface play'd. 
Nature, in fpite of all his fkill, crept in : 
Horatio, Dorax, Falftaft", — ftill 'twas Quin. 

Next follows Sheridan — a doubtful name, ^ 
As yet unfettled in the rank of fame. 
This, fondly lavifii in his praifes grown. 
Gives him all merit: That allows him none. 
Between them both we'll fteerthemiddlecourfe, 
Nor, loving praife, rob judgment of her force. 

Juft his conceptions, natural and great: 
His feelings ftrong, his words enforc'd with 

weight. 
Was fpeech-famMQuin himfelfto hear him fpeak. 
Envy would drive the colour from his cheek : 
But ftep-dame nature, niggard of her grace, 
Deny'd the fecial pow'rs of voice and face. 
Fix'd in one fram^eof features, glare of eye, 
PailioMS, like chaos, in confulion lie : 
In vain the wonders of his fkill are tiy'd 
To fonn diftinftions nature hath deny'd. 
His voice no touch of harmony admits. 
Irregularly deep and ftirlll by fits : 
The two extremes appear like man and wife. 
Coupled together for the fake of ftrife. [fuch 

His aftion's always ftrong, but fometimcs 
That candour muft declare he afts too much. 
Why muft impatience fall three paces backj 
Why paces three return to the attack ? 
Why is the right-leg too forbid to ftir, 
Unlefs in motion femicircular ? 
Why muft the hero with the Nailor vie, 
And hurl the clofe-clench'dfift at nofe or eye ? 
In royal John, with Philip angr}' grown, 
I thought he would have knock'd poor Davies 
Inhuman tyrant ! was it not a Ihame, [down. 
To fright a king fo harmltfs and fo tame > 

But 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, PESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



357 



But, fpite of all defects, his glories rife ; 
And art, by judgment form'd, with nature vies-. 
Behold him found the depth of Hubert's foul, 
Whilih in his own coni::nding pnfTions roll; 
View the whole fcenc, with critic judgmentfcan, 
And then deny him merit if you can. 
Where he falls fliort, 'tis nature'-: fault alone ; 
Where he fucceeds, the merit's all his own. 

LallGarrick crime. Behind him throng a train 
Of (iiarling ciitics, ignorant as vain. 

One finds out. — "He's of flature fomewhat 
low, — 
** Your hero always fhould be tall, you know. — 
"True natural gi-eatnefs all confilts in height " 
Produce your voucher, critic. — " Serjeant Kite.'"' 

Another can't forgive the paltry arts 
By which he makes his way to fhallow hearts ; 
Mere pieces of fineffe, traps for apnlaufe — 
" Avaunt, unnatural ftart, aiiefted paufe." 

Forme, by nature form'd to judge with phlegm, 
I can't acquit by wholefale, nor condemn. 
The bell things carried to excefs are wrong: • 
The ftart may be too frequent, paufe too long: 
But only us'd in proper time and place, 
Severeft judgment mull allow them grace. 

If bunglers, form'd on imitation's plan, 
Jufl in the way that monkies mimic man, 
Their copied I'cene with mangled arts difgrace, 
And paufe and Hart witli the fame vacant face; 
We join the critic laugh; thofe tricks we fcorn, 
Which fpoilthefcenes they mean them to adorn. 
But when,from nature's pure and genuine fource, 
Thefeftrokes of ailing flow with gen'rous force; 
When in the features all the foul's portray'd, ' 
And paffions, fuch as Garrick's, are difplay'd; 
To me they feem from quickeft feelings caught: 
Each ftart is nature ; and each paufe is thought. 

When reafon yields to palTion's wild alarms, 
And the whole flate of man is up in arms ; 
What but a critic could condemn the player, 
For paufmg here, when cool fenfe paufes there ? 
Whim, working from the heart, the fire I trace, 
And mark it ftrongly flaming to the face ; 
Whilft, in each found, I hear the very man; 
I can't catch words, and pity thofe who can. 

Let wits, likefpiders, from the tortur'd brain 
Fine-draw the critic web with curious pain ; 
The gods, — akindnefs I with thanks muftpay,— 
Have form'd me of a coarfer kind of clay; 
Nor ftung with envy, nor with fpleen difeas'd, 
A poor dull creature, ftill with nature pleas'd ; 
Hence to thy praifes, Garrick, I agree. 
And, pleas'd with nature, mult be pleas'd with 
thee. 

Now might I tell, how filence reign'd through-, 
out, 
And deep attention hufh'd the rabble rout: 
How ev'ry claimant, tortur'd with defire, 
Was pale as alhes, or as red as fire: 
But, loofe to fame, the Mufe m»ore fimply a6ls, 
Rejefts all flourifh, and relates mere fads. 

The judges, as the feveral parties came. 
With temperheard, with judgment weigh'd each 
claim. 



And, in tl>eir fentence happily agreed, 

In name of both, great Shakfpeare thus decreed: 

" If manly fenle; if nature linked with artj 
If thorough knowledge of the human heart j 
If pow'rs of a6ling valt and unconfin'd ; 
If feweft faults with greatell beauties join'd ; 
If ftrongexpreflion,and ll range pow'rs which lie 
Within the magic circle of the eye ; 
If feelings which few hearts like his can know. 
And which no face fo well as his can fhew ; 
Defervc the pref 'rence; — Garrick, take the chair j 
Nor quit it — till thou place an equal there." 



§ 35. The Pleafures of Imagination. Akenfide. 

BOOK I. 

With what attrailive charms this goodly 
fram.e 
Of nature touches the confenting hea.'-ts 
Of mortal men ; and what the pleafing itores 
Which beauteous imitation thence derives 
To deck the pott's, or the painter's toil ; 
My verfe unfolds. Attend, ye gentle powers 
Of mufical delight! and, while I fing 
Yourgifts.your honours, dance around myftrain. 
Thou, fmiling queen of ev'ry tuneful breall, 
Indulgent Fancy ! frona the fruitful banks 
Of Avon, whence thy rofy fingers cull 
Frelh flowers and dews to fprinkle on the turf 
Where Shakfpeare lies, be prefent: and with thee 
Let Fiction come, upon her vagrant -wings 
Wafting ten thoufand colours through the air, 
AVhich, by the glances of her magic eye. 
She blends and Ihifts at will, through countlefs 

forms, 
Her wild creation. Goddefs of the lyre 
Which rules the accents of the moving fphere, 
Wilt thou, eternal Harmony ! defcend 
And join this feitive train? for with thee comes 
The guide, the guardian of their lovely fports, 
Majeltic Truth: and where Truth deigns to come, 
Her filler Liberty will not be far, 
Be prefent, all ye Genii, who condu£t 
The wandering footlleps of the youthful bard. 
New to your fprings and fliades : who touch his 

ear 
With finer fountls : who heighten to his eye 
The bloom of nature, and before him turn 
The gayeft, happieft attitude of things. 

Oft have the laws of each poetic llrain 
The critic-verfe employ'd ; yet Hill unfung 
Lay this prime fubjeft, though importing moll 
A poet's name : for fruitlefs is the attempt. 
By dull obedience and by creeping toil 
Obfcure, to conquer the fevere alcent 
Of high Parnafl"us. Nature's kindling breath 
Muft fire the chofen genius ; nature's hand 
Muft ftring his nerves, and imp his eagle wings 
Impatient of the painful fteep, to foar 
High as the fummit, there to breathe at large 
.Ethereal air, with bards and lages old. 
Immortal fons of praife. Thele flattering fceties 
To this negle(51ed labour court my long ; 
Vet not unconicious what a doubtful talk 
Aa 3 



358 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



To pnint the fineft features of the mind, 
And to mofl: fubtile and myfterious things 
Give colour, ftrength, and motion. But the love 
Of nature and the mufes bids explore, 
Through fecret paths erewhile untrod by man, 
The fi^r poetic region, to deteft 
Untafted fprings, to drink infpiring drauj^hts, 
And fiiade my temples with unfading flowers 
Cull'd from the laureate vale's profound recefs. 
Where never poet gainM a wreath before. 
From heaven my ftrains begin: froni heaven 

defcends 
The flame of genius to the human breaft, 
And love and beauty, and poetic joy 
And infpiration. Ere the radiant fun 
Isprang from the eaft, or 'mid the vault of night 
The moon fufpended her ferener lamp j 
Ere mountains, woods, or ftreams adorn'd the 

globe, 
Or WiiGom taught the fons of men her lore; 
Thenliv'dthe Alm.ighty One: then, deep retir'd 
In his unfathom'd eflence, view'd the forms. 
The forms eternal of created things ; 
The radiant fun, the moon's no61:urnal lamp. 
The mountains, w'oods and ftreams, the rolling 

globe. 
And vvifdom's mien celeftial. From the firft 
Cf days, on them his love divine he fix'd, 
His admiration : till in time complete, 
"What he admir'd and lov'd, his vital fmile 
Unfolded into being. Hence the breath 
Of life informing each organic frame, 
Hencethegreen earth and wildrefoundingwaves, 
Hencelightand fliade alternate, warmth and cold, 
And clear autumnal (kies and vernal fhowers. 
And all the fair variety of things. 

But net alike to every mortal eye 
Is this great fcene unveil'd. Forfmcethe claims 
Of focial life to different labours urge 
The active powers of man ; with wife intent 
The hand of Nature on peculiar minds 
Imprints a different bias, and to each 
Decrees its province in the common toil. 
To lom.e fhe taught the fabric of the fphere. 
The changeful moon, the circuit of the ftars, 
The golden zones of heaven : to fome fhe gave 
To weigh the moment of eternal things, 
Of time, and fpace, and fate's unbroken chain. 
And will's quick impulfe; ethers by the hand 
She led o'er vales and mountains, to explore 
What healing virtue fwells the tender veins 
Of herbs and flowers ; or what the beams of morn 
Draw forth, diflilling from the clifted rind 
In balmy tears. But fome to higher hopes 
Were deftin'di fome within a finer mould 
She wrought, and tem.per'd with a purer flame. 
To thefe the Sire omnipotent unfolds 
The world's harmonious volume, there to read 
The tranfcript of himfelf. On every part 
They trace the briglit impreffions of his hand: 
In earth or air, the meadow's purple ftores. 
The moon's mild radiance, or the virgin's form 
Blooming with rofy imiles, they fee portray 'd 
That unci-eated beauty which delights 



The mind fupreme. They alfo feel her channs . 
Enamour'd, they partake the eternal joy. 

For as old Memnon's image, long renown'd 
By fabling Nilus, to the quivering touch 
Of Titan's ray, with each repulfive ftring 
Confenting, founded through the warbling air 
Unbidden ftrains ; even fodid Nature's hand 
To certain fpecies of external things 
Attune the finer organs of the mind ; 
So the glad impulle of congenial powers. 
Or of fwcet found, or fair proportion'd form. 
The grace of motion, or the bloom of light. 
Thrills through Imagination s tender frame. 
From nerve to nerve: all naked and alive 
They catch the fpreading rays: till now the foul 
At length difclofes every tuneful Ipring 
To that harmonious movement from without 
Refponfive. Then the inexprelTive ftrain 
Diffufes its enchantment: Fancy dreams 
Of facred fountains and Eiyfian groves. 
And vales of blifs : the intellectual power 
Bends from his awful throne a v. ondering ear. 
And fmiles: the paflions, gently footh'daway. 
Sink to divine repofe, and love and joy 
Alone are waking; love and joy, lerene 
As airs that fan the fummer. O ! attend, 
V/hoe'er thou ai t, whom thefe delights can touch, 
Whcfe candid bofom the refining love 
Of Nature warms, O ! liflen to my long ; 
And I will guide thee to her favourite walks. 
And teach thy folitude her voice to hear. 
And point her lovelieft features to thy view. 

Knowthen,"vhate'erofnature'spregnantftores, 
I Whate'er of mimic art's I'eliefted fcrm.s. 
With love and admiration thus inflame 
I The powers of fancy, her delighted Ions 
{To three iliuftrioiis orders have referr'd; 
1 Three fifter-graces, whom the painter's hand, 
The poet's tongue confeffes; the fublirae. 
The wond<;rful, the fair. I fee rhemx dawn! 
I fee the radiant vifions, where they rile. 
More lovely than when Lucifer difplays 
His beaming forehead through the gates of morn. 
To lead the train of Phoebus andlhe fpring. 

Say, why was man fo eminently rais'd 
Amxid the v:^ft creation ; why ordain'd 
Through life and death to dart his piercing eye. 
With thoughts beyond the limit of his frame ; 
But that the Omnipotent might fend him forth 
In fight of mortal and immortal powers, 
As on a boimdlefs theatre, to run 
The great career of juftice; to exalt 
His generous aim to all diviner deeds; 
To chafe each partial purpofe from, his breaft ; 
And through the mifts of paiTion and of fenfe, 
And through the toflmg tide of chance and pain, 
To hold his courfe unfaltering, while the voice 
Of truth and virtue, up the fteep afcent 
Of nature, calls him to his high reward, 
The applauding fmile of heaven ? Elfe where- 
fore burns 
In mortal bofoms this unquenched hope, 
That breathes from day to day fublimer things. 
And mocks pofTeflTion? wherefore darts the mind 

With 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, 



With fuch reiilWeCs ardour, to embrace 
Majeltic forms; impatient to be free, 
Spurning the grofs controul of wilful night ; 
Proud of the ilrong contention of her toils i 
Frond to be daring ? Who but rather turns 
'Jo heaven's broad fire his unconifrained view, 
Tiian to the glimmering of a waxen liame? 
Whothat,from Alpine heights,hislabounngeye 
Shoots rdund the wide horizon, to furvcy 
Nilus or Ganges rolling his bright wave 
Through mountains, plains, through empires 

black, with (hade. 
And continents of fand ; will turn his gaze 
To mark the windings of a fcanty rill 
That murmurs at his feet? The high-born foul 
Difdains to reft her heaven-alpiriivg wing 
beneath its native quarry. Tir'd of earth 
And this diurnal fcene, Ihe fprin.gs aloft 
Through fields of air j purfues the tiying Itorm ; 
Rides on the vollied lightning through the 



DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 359 

The obedient heart far otherwlfe incline : 
Witnefs the fprightly joy when aught unknown 
Strikes tlic quick fenle, and wakes each aditivs 



power 
To briiker meafures : witnefs the neglect 
Of all familiar profpefts, though beheld 
With tranfport once; the fond attentive gaze 
Of young aftonifhment; the iaber zeal 
Of age, commenting on prodigious things. 
For fuch tlie bounteous providence of iKiaven, 
In every breaft implanting this delire 
Of ohjefts new and Itrange, to urge 11s on 
With unremitted labour to purfue 
Thofe facred itores that wait the ripening fou., 
In Truth's exhauitlels bofom. What need words 
To paint its power? For this the daring youth 
Breaks frsm his weeping mother's anxious arms, 
In foreign climes to rove ; the penfive fage, 
Heedlefs of fleep, or midnight's harmful damp, 
Hangs o'er the fickly taper j and untir'd 
The virgin follows, with inchanted. Itep, 



heavens 
Or, yok'd with whirlwinds and the northern [The mazes of fome wild and wondrous tale, 

blaft, j From morn to eve, unmindful of her form. 

Sweeps the long trafl of day. Then high (lie foar? ' Unmindful of the happy drefs that Itole 
The blue profound, and hovering round the fun j The wiflies of the youth, when every maid 
Beholds him pouring the redundant ftream [With envy pin'd. Hence, finally, by night 
Of light; beholds his unrelenting fway jThe village-matron round the blazing hearth 



Bend the r^ludlant planets to abiblve 
The f;^ted rounds of time. Thence, far effus'd. 
She daits her fwiftnels up the long career 
Of devious comets; through its burning f:gns 
Exulting meafures the perennial wheel 
Of nature, and looks back on all the ftars, 
Whofe blended light, as with a milky zone, 
Inveils the orient. Now amaz'd (he vie'vs 
The empereal wafte, where happy fpirits hold, 
BeyoHd this concave heaven, their calm abode , 
And fields of radiance, whofe unfading light 
Has travelPd the profound (ix thoulaad years. 
Nor yet arrives in light of mortal things. 
Even on the barriers of the world, untir'd, 
She meditates th';? eternal depth below ; 
Till, half recoiling, down the headlong; deep 



jSufpends the infant-audience with her tales, 
I Breathing aitonilhment ! of witching rhimes, 
I And evil fpirits ; of the death-bed call 
jOf him who robb'd the widow, and devour'd 
The orphan's portion; of unquiet fouls 
Rifen from the grave to eafe the heavy guilt 
Of deeds in life conceal'd ; of fhapes that walk 
jAt dead of night, and clank their chains, and 

wave 
j The torch of hell around the murderer's bed. 
I At every folemn paule, the crowd recoil, 
j Gazing each other fpeechlefs, and congeal'd 
j With (liivering fighs ; till, eager for the event, 
j Around the beldame all ereft they hang, 
! Each trembling heart withgratefui terrorsqueH'v!, 
I But lo ! difclos'd in all her Imiling pomp. 



Sheplunges ; (bono'erwhelm'dand fwallow'd upl Where Beauty onward moving claims the verfe 



111 that iramenfe of being. There her hopes 
Reft at the fated goal. For from the birth 
Of mortal man, the (bv'reign maker ("aid, 
That not in humble nor in brief delight. 
Not in the fading echoes of renown, 
Power's purple robes, nor pleafure's flower}'- lap. 



Her charms infpire : the freely flowing veile 
In thy immortal praife, O form divine. 
Smooths her mellifluent ftream. Thee, Beauty, 

thee 
The regal dome, and thy enlivening ray 
The mofly roofs adore: thou better fun ! 



The foul fhould find enjoyment: but from thefe For ever beameit on the enchanted heart 



Turning difdainful to an equal good, 
Through all theafcent of things enlarge her view. 
Till every bound at length fhould difappear, 
And infinite perfeftion clofe the fcene. 



Love and harmonious wonder, and delight 
Poetic. Brighteft progeny of heaven ! 
jHow (hall I trace thy features ? where fele6l 
The rofeate hu£s to emulate thv bloom ? 



Call now to mind what high capacious powers iHafte then, my long, through nature's vail ex- 



Lie folded up in man : how far beyond 
The praife o{ mortals may the eternal growth 
Of nature to perfeftion half divine 
Expand the blooming (bul ! What nity then 
Should floth's unkindly fogs deprefs to earth 
Her tender blolfom^; choke the ftreams of life. 
And blaft her (pring ! Far otherwife oefign'd 
Ahuighty wildom; nature's happy cai-es 



panfe, 

Hafte then, and gather all her cornel ieft. wealth, 
VVhate'er bright Ipoils the florid earth contains, 
sVaice'er the waters, or the liquid air, 
To deck thy lovely labour. Wilt thou fly - 
Wic.i laughing Autumn to the Atlantic ifles, 
And nmpe withliim the HclpsrianfieU!, and fee 
Where'er his finders touch the fruitful siiovp, 

A A 4 " " The 



360 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IT. 



The branches fhoot with gold j where'er his ftep 
Marks the glad foil, the tender clufters grow 
"With purple ripenefs, and invefii each hill 
As with the blu(Vs£)rj5n evening fKy ? 
Or wilt thou rather Itoop thy vagrant plume, 
Where, gliding through his daughter's honour'd 

lliades, 
The fmooth Peneus from his glafTy flood 
liefieils purpureal Tempe's pleafant icene ? 
Fair Tempe ! haunt belov'd of fylvan powers. 
Of nymphs and fauns j wherein ihe golden age 
They play'd in fecret on the fhady brink 
With ancient Pan: while round their choral freps 
Young hoursand genial gales with conHant hand 
Shower'd blolToms, odours, fhower'd ambroiial 

dews. 
And Spring's Elyfian bloom. Her flowery ftore 
To thee nor Tempe fhall refafe; nor watch 
Of winged Hydra guard Hefperian fruits 
From thy free fpoil. O bear then, unreprov'd. 
Thy fmiling treafures to the green recefs 
Where young Dione fcays. With fweeteit airs 
Xntice her forth to lend her an gel -form 
For beauty's honour'd image. Hither turn 
Thy grateful footlteps; hither, gentle maid, 
Incline th)*- poliili'd forehead : let thy eyes 
Eifufe the mildnefs of their azure dawn j 
And may the fanning breezes waftafide 
Thy radiant locks, difclofing, as it bends 
With airy foftnefs from^the marble neck, . 
The cheek fair-blooming, and the rcfy lip, 
Where winning fmiles and pleafure Aveet as 

love, 
With fanftity and wlfdom, tempering blend 
Their foft allurement. Then the pleaung force 
Of nature, and her kind parental care, 
Worthier I'd iing -. thenall the enamour'd youth 
With each adm.iring virgin, to my lyre 
Should throng attentive, while I point on high 
V/here Beauty's living image, like the morn, 
That wakes in Zephyr's arms theblufhingMay, 
Moves onward 5 or as Venus, when (lie Itood 
Ttiulgrnt on the pearly car, and fmii'd, 
Frefli from the deep, and confcious of her form. 
To fee the Tritons tune their vocal fhells. 
And each ccerulean nfter of the flood ^ 

With loud acclaim attend her o'er the waves, ^ 
To feek the Idalian bower. Ye frniling band 
Of youths and virgins who through all thema?e 
.Of young delire with rival fteps purfue 
This charm of beauty ; if the pleafing toil 
Can yield a moment's refpite, hither turn 
Your favourable eai-, and truft my words. 
I do not mean to wake the gloomy form 
Of Superftition, drefs'd in Wifdom.'s garb. 
To dnmp your tender hopes ; I do not mean 
To bid the jealous thunderer fire the heavens, 
Or fin pes infernal rend the groaning earth. 
To fright you from your joys 5 my cheerful fong 
With b^etter omens calls you to the ilc'd, 
Pleas'd with your generous ardour in the chace, 
Ar)(i w;rm like you. Then tell me,forwe know, 
Foes IVautv ever de gn to cfvill where Health 
/ nd adtive ]J 3.r^ (ranger^ ? is her charm 



ConfefsM in aught, v^'hofe moft peculiar ends 
Are lame and fruitlefs? Or did Nature mean. 
This pleafing call the herald of a lie ; 
To hide the fliame of difcord and difeafe, 
And catch with fair hypocrify the heart 
Of idle Faith ? O no! with better cares 
The indulgent m.other, coni'cious how infirm 
Her offspring tread the paths of good and ill, 
j:5y this illuftrious image, in each kind 
Still more illuilrious where the objeCl holds 
Its native powers moft perfe61:, fbe by this 
illumes the lieadftrong impulfe of Defire, 
And fancf ifies his choice. The generous glebe 
Whofe bofom fmiles v.dth verdure, the cleartraft 
Of itreamiS delicious to the thirfty foul, 
The bloom of neclar'd fruitage ripe to fenfe. 
And every charm of animated things, 
Are only pledges of a fcate fincere, 
The integrity and order of their frame, 
When all is well within, and every end 

Acccmpliih'd. -Thus was Beauty fent from 

heav'n 5 
The lovely miniftrefs of Truth and Good 
In this dark v/orld : for Truth and Good areonej 
And Beauty dwells in them, and they in her, 
With like participation. Wherefore then, 
b fons of earth 1 Vvould ye diflolve the tie ? 
O vvherefove, with a rafli impetuous aim. 
Seek ye thofe flowery joys with which the hand 
Cf iavifli Fancy paints each flattering fcene 
Where Beauty feems to dwell, nor once inquire 
Whei-e is the fanclion of eternal Truth, 
Or where the feal of undeceitful Good, 
To fave your fearch from folly ! Wanting thefe, 
Lo! beauty withers in your void embrace i 
And with the glittering of an idiot's toy 
Did fancy mock your vows. Nor let the gleans 
Of youthful hope that fliines upon your hearts. 
Be chiird or clouded at this awful talk, 
To learn the lore of imdeceitful Good, 
And Truth eternal. Though the poifonous 

charms 
Of l>aleful Superftition guide the feet 
Of fervile numbers, through a dreary way 
To their abode, through deferts, thornsandmire. 
And leave the wretched pilgrim all forlorn 
To mufe at laft'amid the ghoftly gloom 
Of graves, and hoary vaults, and cloifter'd cells. 
To walk with fpeclres through the midnight 

ftiade, 
And to the fcreaming owl's accurfed fong 
Attune the dreadful workings of his heart ; 
Yet be not ye difmay'd. A gentler ftar 
Your lovely fearch illumines. From the grove 
Where wifdom talk'd with her Athenian fons. 
Could my ambitious hand entwine a wreath- 
Of Plato's olive with the ivlantuan bay. 
Then fhould my powerful verfe at oncedifpel 
Thofe monkifh horrors ; then in light divine 
Difclofe the Elyfean profpeil, where the fteps 
Of thcle whom nature charms, through bloom- 
ing walks. 
Through fragrant mountains and poetic ftreams. 
Amid tiie train of fagf s, heroes, bards, 

Led 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &< 



361 



Led by the winged genius and the choir 
Of laureird Science and harmonious Art, 
Proceed exulting to the eternal fhrine, 
Where Truth confpicuous with her filter-twins, 
The undivided partners of her fway, 
With Good and Beauty reigns. O let not us. 
Luird by luxurious Pleafurc's languid llrain, 
Or crouching to the frowns of Bigot rage, 
O let us not a moment paufe to join 
That godlike band. And if the gracious power 
Who rirft awaken'd my untutorM fong, 
Will to my invocation breathe anew 
The tuneful fpirit; then through all our paths 
Ne'er fliall the found of this devoted lyre 
Be wanting : whether on the rofy mead, 
When fummer fmiles, to warn the melting heart 
Of Luxury's allurement; whether firm 
Againlt the torrent and the llubborn hill 
To urge bold Virtue's unremitted nerve. 
And wake the ilrong divinity of foul 
That conquers chanceand fate; or whetherflruck 
For founds of triumph, to proclaim her toils 
Upon the lofty fummit, round her brow 
To twine the wreath of incorruptive praifc; 
To wi-ace her hallow'd light throughfutureworlds; 
And blejs heaven's image in the heart of man. 
Thus with a faithful aim have Vv'e prefum'd, 
Adve:oturous, to delineate Nature's form j 
Whether in valf , majeltic pomp array'd. 
Or drelt for pleaiing wonder, or ferene 
In beauty's rofy fmile. It now remains, 
Through various being's fair-proportion'd fcale. 
To trace the riiing luftre of hei' charms. 
From their firfc twilight, fhining forth at length 
To full meridian fplewdour. Of degree 
The leaft and lowlieft, in theeifufive warmth 
Of colours mingling with a random blaze, 
Doth Beauty dwell. TJien higher in the line 
And variation of determin'd iliape. 
Where Truth's eternal m.eafures mark the bound 
Of circle, cube, or fphere. The third afcent 
Unites this varied fymmetry of parts 
With colour's bland allurement ; as the pearl 
Shines in the concave of its azure bed. 
And painted fhells indent their fpeckled wreath,' 
Then more attractive rife the blooming forms j 
Through which the breath of Nature has infus'd 



By fteps conducting our enrapturM fearch 
To that ete'Tjal origin, whofe power, 
Through all the unboundedlymmetry of things. 
Like rays effulging f cm t-iie parent fun, 
This endlefs mixture of her charms diffiis'd. 
Mind, mind alone (bear witnefs, earth and 

heaven !) 
The living fountains in itfe'if contains 
Of beauteous and fublime : here hand in hand 
Sit paramount the Graces ; here enihron'd 
Coeieltial Veim--, with divineft airs, 
Invites the foul to never-t-ading joy. 
Look then abroad through nature, to the range 
Of planets, fans, arid adamantine fpheres 
Wheeling unihaken through the vojdimmenfe; 
And ipeak, O man ! does this capacious fcene 
With half that kindling majeity dilate 
Thy Ilrong conception, as when Brutus rofe 
Refulgent from, the ftroke of Csfar's fate. 
Amid the crowd of patriots; and his arm 
Aloft extending, like eternal Jove 
When guilt brings down thethunder,cairdaloud 
OnTully's name, and fliook his crimfon Heel, 
And bade the father of his country, hail ! 
For lo ! the tyrant profirate on the duft. 
And Rome again is free ! Is aught fo fair 
In all the dewy landfcapes of the fpring. 
In the bright eye of Hefner or the m.orn. 
In nature's fairelf forms, is aught fo fair 
As virtuotis friend Hiip ? as the candid bln(h 
Of him who ftrives with fortune to be julf? 
The graceful tear that Itreams for others' woes. 
Or the mild majeuy cf p'-ivate life, 
Where Peace with ever-blooming olive crowns 
The gate; Vvhere Honour's liberal hands effufe 
Unenvied treafures, r.nd the ihowy wings 
Of Innocence and Love proteft the li^ene ? 
Once more iearchjUndifmay'd.the dark profound 
Where Nature works in ftcnet ; view the beds 
Of mineral treafure, and the eternal vault 
That bounds the hoa y ocean : trac^*? the forms 
Of atoms moving v;ith incellant change 
Their elemental round ; behold the feeds 
Of beings, and the energy of life 
Kindling the maC vith ever-a6five fiam.e: 
Then to the fecrets of the working n)ind 
Attentive turn ; from dim oblivion call 



Her genial power, to draw with pregnant veins 
Nutritious moifture from the bounteous earth. 
In fruit and feed prolific : thus the flowers 
Their purple honours with the fpring refume ; 
And fach the llately tree which autumn bends 
With blufhing treafures. But more lovely ftill 
Is Nature's charm, where to the full confent 
Of complicated members, to the bloom 
Of colour, and the vital change of growth. 
Life's holy flame and piercing fenfe are given, 
And aftive motion fpeaks the ternper'd foul : 
So moves the bird of Juno : fo the fleet! 
With rival ardour beats the dufty plain, 
And faithful dogs v,^ith eager airs of joy 
Salute their fellows. Thus doth Beauty dwell 
There mod confpicuous, even in outward fliape. 
Where dawns the hi"-h exnreflion cf a mind : 



Her fleet, ideal band ; and bid them, go! 
Break through time's barrier, and o'ertake the 

hour 
That faw the heavens created ; then declare 
If aught were found in thofe external fcenes 
To move thy wonder now. For what are all 
The forms which brute, unconfcious matter 

wears, 
Greatnefs of bulk, or fymmetry of parts ? 
Not reaching to the heart, loon feeble grows 
The iuperfici:d impuliis; dull their charms. 
And f^tiate fbon, and pall the languid eve. 
Not fo the moral fpecies, nor the powers 
Of genius and defign ; the ambitions mind 
There fees herfelf: by thefe congenial forms 
Touch'd and awaken "d, with intenfer aft 
She bends each nerve, and meditates well ple^^'-' 

Her 



3^2 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book H. 



Her features Int the mirror. For of all 
The inhabitants of earth, to man aione 
Creaive Wifdorn gave to lift his eye 
To Truth's eternal meafures ; thence to frame 
The faci-ed laws of action and of will, 
Difcerning juliice from unequal deeds, 
And temperance from folly. But beyond 
This energy of truth, whofe diftates nind 
Aflenting reaion, the benignant fire. 
To deck the honourM paths of juft and good, 
Has added bright Imagination's ra^^s j 
Where V'irtue, rifing from the awful depth 
Of Truth's rayfterious bofom, doth forfake 
The unadorn'd condition of her birth ; 
And, drefs'd by fancy in ten tboufand hues, 
Aflumes a various feature, to attraft. 
With charms refponlive to each gazer's eye, 
The hearts of men. Amid his rural walk, 
The ingenuous youth, whom folitude infpires 
With pureft wifhes, from the penfive Ihade 
Beholds her moving, like a virgin-mufe 
That wakes her lyre to fome indulgent theme 
Of harmony and wonder: while among 
The herd of fervile m'inds, her ftrenuous form 
Indignant flafhes on the patriot's eye, 
And through the rolls of memory appeals 
To ancient honour; or in a61: ferene. 
Yet watchful, raifes the majeltic fword 
Of public power, from dark Ambition's reach, 
To guard the facred volume of the laws. 

Genius of ancient Greece ! whofe faithful fteps 
Well pleas'd I follow through the facred paths 
Of nature and of fcience ; nurfe divine 
Of all heroic deeds and fair defires ! 

! let the breath of thy extended praife 
Infpire my kindling bofom to the height 

Of this untempted theme. Nor be my thoughts 
Prefumptuous counted, if, amid the calm 
That fooths this vernal evening into fmiles, 

1 Ileal impatient from the fordid haunts 
Of Strife an^ low Ambition, to attend 
Thy facred prefence in the fylvan iliade. 
By their malignant footileps ne'er profan'd. 
Defcend, propitious ! to my favour'd eye ; 
Such in thy mien, thy warm, exalted air, 
As when the Perfian tyrant, foil'd and ilung 
With thame and defperation, gnafh'd his teeth 
To fee thee rend the pagents of his throne j 
And at the lightning of thy lifted fpear 
Crouch'd like allave. Bringall thy martialfpoils, 
Thy palms, thy laurels, thy triumphant fongs, 
Thy fmiling band of arts, thy godlike fires 

Of civil wildom, thy heroic youth 

Warm from the fchools of glory. Guide my way 

Through feir Lyceum's walk, the green retreats 

Of Academus, and the thymy vale, 

Where oft, enchanted with Socratic founds, 

Iliffus pure devolv'd his tuiieful ftream 

In gentler murmurs. From the blooming (lore 

Of thefe aufpicious fields, may I unblam'd 

Tranfplant fome living bloffoms to adorn 

My native clime: while, far above the flight 

Of Fancy's plume afpiring, I unlock 

The fprings of ancient wifdom 3 while I join 



Thy name, thrice honour'd ! with the immortal 

praife 
Of Nature ; while to my compatriot youth 
1 point the high example of thy fons, 
And tune to Attic themes the Britifh lyre. 



§ 3^' ^^y 



a Pafioral. Cunningham. 
carpe diem." hok. 



MORNING. 

In the barn the tenant Cock, - 

Clofe to Partlet perch'd on high, 
Briikly crows (the fhepherd's clock!) 

Jocund that the morning's nigli. 
Swiftly from |:he mountain's brow. 

Shadows, nurs'd by night, retire : 
And the peeping fun-beam, now. 

Paints with gold the village fpire. 
Philomel forfakes the thorn, 

Plaintive where flie prates at night j 
And the Lark, to meet the morn. 

Soars beyond the fhepherd's fight. 

From the low-roof 'd cottage ridge, 
See the chatt'ring Swallow fpring; 

Darting through the one-arch'd bridge. 
Quick file dips her dappled wing. 

Now the pine-tree's waving top 
Gently greets the morning gale ; 

Kidiings now begin to crop 
Daifies, in the dewy dale. 

From the balmy fv/eets, uncloy'd, 
(Reftlefs till her taHc be done) 

Now the bufy Bee 's employ'd. 
Sipping dew before the fun. 

Trickling through the crcvic'd rock, 

Where the limpid ftreaai diitils. 
Sweet refredmient waits the fiock 
, When 'tis fun-drove from the hills. 

Colin, for the promis'd corn 
(Ere the harveil hopes are ripe) 

Anxious, hears thehuntfraan's horn. 
Boldly founding, drown his pipe. 

Sweet, — O fweet, the warbling throng. 
On the white emblofix;m'd fpray ! 

Nature's univerfal fong 
Echoes to the rifing day. 

NOON. 

Fervid on the glitt'ring flood. 

Now the noon-tide radiavice glows : 
Drooping o'er its infant bud. 

Not a dew-drop's left the rofe. 
By the brook the fiiepherd dines ; 

From the fierce meridian heat 
Shelter'd by the branching pines, 

Pendent o'er his graily feat. 
Now the fiock forfid es the glade. 

Where, uncheck'd, the fun-beamf fall ; 
Sure to find a pleafing fhade 

"By the ivy'd abbey wall. 



r.hc 



Rook II. 



DIDACTIC, 



Echo in her airy round, 

O'er the river, rock and hill, 

Cannot catch a lingle found, 
Save the clack of yonder mill. 

Cattle court the zephyrs bland, 

Where the ftreamlec wanders cool ; 

Or with languid filence Hand 
Midway in the marftiy pool. 

But from mountain, dell, or ftream. 
Not a flutt'ring zephyr fpringsj 

Fearful lelt the noon -tide beam 
Scorch its foft, its filken wings. 

Not a leaf has leave to ftir. 

Nature's luU'd — ferene — and ftill ; 
Quiet e'en the fliepherd's cur. 

Sleeping on the heath-clad hill. 

Languid is the landfcape round. 
Till the frefh defcending fhower. 

Grateful to the thirlly ground, 
Raifes ev'ry fainting flower. 

Now the hill — the hedge — -is green, 
Now the warblers' throats in tunel 

Blithfome is the verdant fcene, 

Brighten'd by the beams of Noon ! 

EVENING. 

Cer the heath the heifer llrays 

Free; — (the furrow'd tafk is done) 

Now the village windoAvs blaze, 
Burnifh'd by the fetting fan. 

Now he hides behind the hill. 
Sinking from a golden (ky; 

Can the pencil's mimic fkill 
Copy the refulgent dye ? 

Trudging as the ploughmen go, 
(To the imoking hamlet bound) 

Giant-like their fliadows grow, 
Lengthen'd o'er the level grounds 

Where the rifmg foreft fpreads, 
Shelter for the lordly dome 1 

To their high-built airy beds 
See the rooks returning home I 

As the Lark, with vary'd tune, 
Carols to the evening loud ; 

Mark the mild.refplendent moon 
Breaking through a parted cloud ! 

Now the hermit Howlet peeps 

From the barn, or twilled brake ; 

And the blue mill ilowly creeps, 
Curling on the filver lake. 

As the Trout, in fpeckled pride. 
Playful from its bofom fpringsj 

To the banks a ruffled tide 
Verges in fuccefTive rings. 

Tripping through the filken grafs. 
O'er the path- divided dale, 

^Iark the rofe-complexion'd lafs, 
With her well-pois'd milking pail. 



DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 

Linnets, with unnumber'd notes. 
And the Cuckow bird with two, 

Tuning fweet their mellow throats, 
Bid the fetting fun adieu. 



36;$ 



§37. The Contemplatift 



Nox erat- 



a Night Piece. 

Cunningham. 



" Cum tacet omnis ager, peciKles,pitlje4ue volucres." 
The Queen of Contemplation, Night, 

Begins her balmy reign j 
Advancing in their varied light 

Her filver-veiled train. __ 

'Tis ftrange, the many marlhal'd ftaru, 

That ride yon facred round. 
Should keep, among their rapid cars, 

A f]lence fo profound ! 
A kind, a philofophic calm 

The cool creation wears ! 
And what day drank of dewy balm. 

The gentle Night repairs. 
Behind their leafy curtains hid. 

The feather'd race how ilill ! 
How quiet now the gamefome kid. 

That gamboPd round the hill! 
The fweets, that, bending o'er their banks* 

From fultry Day deciin'd. 
Revive in little velvet ranks, 

And fcent the wellern wind. 
The Moon, preceded by the breeze 

That bade the clouds retire. 
Appears among the tufted trees^ 

A Phoenix next on lire. 
But foft — the golden glow fublides ! 

Her chariot mounts on high ! 
And now, in filver'd pomp, flie rides 

Pale regent of the iky ! 
Where Time upon the wither'd tree 

Hath carv'd the moral chair, 
I fit, from bufy pal'iions free. 

And breathe the placid air. 

The wither'd tree was once in prime; 

Its branches brav'd the Iky 1 
Thus, at the touch of ruthlefs Time, 

Shall Youth and Vigour die. 
I'm lifted to the blue expanfe : 

It glows ferenely gay ! 
Come, Science, by my fide advance. 

We'll fearch the Milky Way. 
Let us defcend — The daring flight 

Fatigues my feeble mind j 
And Science, in the maze of light. 

Is impotent and blind. 
What are thofe wild, thofe wand'ring fires. 

That o'er the moorland ran ? 
Vapours. — How like the vague defires 

That cheat the heart of Man ! 

But there's a fifiendly guide ! — a flame. 

That, lambent o'er its bed. 
Enlivens, with a gladfome beam, 

The hermit's olier flied. 

Among 



364 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS. 



Book II. 



Among the ruITet Ihades of night, 

It glances from afar 1 
And darts alcyig the dufk j fo bright, 

It feems a filver fbr ! 

In coverts (where the few frequent) 

If Virtue deigns to dwell, 
*Tis thus the little lamp, Content, 

Gives lullre to her cell. 

How fmooth that rapid river Aides 

Progreffive to the deep I 
The poppies, pendent o'er its fides. 

Have charmM the waves to fleep. 

Pleafure's intoxicated fons ! 

Ye indolent ! ye gay ! 
Reflea— for, as the river runs. 

Life wings its tracklefs way. 

That branching grove of duflcy green 

Conceals the azure fky; 
Save where a ftarry fpace between 

Relieves the darken^ eye. 
Old Error, thus, with fliades impure. 

Throws facred Truth behind: 
Yet fometimes, through the deep obfcure, 

She burfts upon the mind. 

Sleep, and her filler Silence reign, 

They lock the fliepherd's fold ! 
But hark— I hear a lamb complain, 

'Tis loft upon the wold ! 
To favage herds, that hjint for prey, 

An unrefiiling prize ! 
For having trod a devious way, 

The little rambkr dies. 

As luckless is the Virgin's lot, 
Whom pleafure once mifguides : 

When hurried from the halcyon cot. 
Where Innocence prefides- 

The paiTions, a relentlefs train ! 

To tear the vi6tim, run: 
She feeks the paths of peace in vain, 

Is conquer'd and undone. 

How bright the little infefts blaze, 
Where willows iliade the way 5 

As proud as if their painted rays 
Could emulate the Day ! 

'Tis thus the pigm>^ fons of pow'r 

Advance their vain parade ! 
Thus glitter in the darkened hour, 

And like the glow-worms fade! 

The foft ferenity of night 

Ungentle clouds defoiTn ! 
The liiver holt tl at (hone fo bright. 

Is hid behind a ftorm ! 
The angry elements engage! 

An oak (an ivied bower!) 
Rep-ls the rough wind's noify rage. 

And fhields me from the fhower. 
The rancour, thus, of rufliing fate 

Ivc learnt to render vain : 



For, whilft Integrity's her feat. 
The foul will fit lerene. 

A raven, from fome greedy vault, 

Amidlt that cloiller'd gloom, 
Bids me, and 'tis a/foleinn thought ! 

Refleft upon the tomb. 

The tomb ! The confecrated dome I 

The temple rais'd to Peace ! 
The port, that to iis friendly home 

Compels the human race ! 

Yon village, to the moral mind, 

A folemn afpe^l wears 5 
Where fleep hath luU'd the labour'd hind. 

And kiil'd his daily cares : 

'Tis but the church-yard of the Night j 

An emblematic bed ! 
That offers to the mental fight 

The temporary dead. 

From hence, I'll penetrate, in thought. 
The grave's unineafur'd deep ; 

And tutor'd, hence, be timely taught 
To meet my final fleep. 

'Tis peace (The little chaos pafl:!) 

The gracious moon reflor'd ! 
A breeze fucceeds the frightful blaft. 

That through the Forell roar'd ! 

The Nightingale, a welcome gueft ! 

Renews her gentle flirains ; 
And Hope (jull wand'ring from my breafi:) 

Her wonted feat regains. 

Yes When yon lucid orb is dark. 

And darting from on high ; 
My foul, a more celeltial fpark. 

Shall keep her native Iky. 

Fann'd by the light, the lenient breeze. 

My limbs refreihment find j 
And moral rhaplodies, like tbefe. 

Give vigour to the mind. 



§38. 'The Vifiojis of Fa7icy. Langhorne. 

ELEGY I. 

Children of Fancy, whither are ye fled? 

Where have you borne thofe Hope-enliven 'd 
hours. 
That once with myrtle garlands bound my head, 

Thatoncc befl:re w'dmyvernalpath withflo wers r 

In yon fair vale, whereblooms the beechen grove. 
Where winds the flow wave thro' the flowery 
plain. 

To thefe fond arms you led the tyrant, Love, 
With Fear and Hope and Folly i»i his train. 

My lyre, that, left at carelefs diftance, hung 
Light on fome pale branch of the ofier fliade. 

To laj'^s of amorous blandilhment you ftrung. 
And o'er my fleep the lulling mufic play'd. 

" Refl:, gentle youth ! while on the quivering 
breeze 
Slides to thine ear this foftly breathing ftmin ; 

Sounds 



Book II. DIDACTIC, D 

Sounds that move fmootherthan tlie ileps of eafe, 
And pour oblivion in the ear of pain. 

In this fair vale eternal fpring fiiall fniile, 
AndTime nnenvious crown each rofeatehour ; 

Eternal joy fhall every care beguile, 

Breathe in each gale,aiid bloom in everyflower. 

This filver ftream, that down its cryftal way 
Fre<:]uent has led thy mufing fteps along, 

Shall, itiJl the /anie, in funny ma7,es play, 
And with its murmurs melodife thy long. 

Unfading green fliall thefe fair groves adbrn 5 
Thofe living- meads immortal flowers unfold ; 

In ro!y fmiles Ihall rife each blufhing morn, 
And every evening clofe in clouds of gold. 

The tender Loves that watch thy flumbering reft, 
And round thee flowers and balmy myrtles 
ftrcw, 

Shall charm, thro'alJ approaching life, thy breaft, 
With joys for ever pure, for ever new. 

The genial power that fpeeds the golden dart, 
, Ench charm of tender paflion fliall infpire ; 
With fond afl:e6Hon fill the mutual heart. 
And feed the flame of ever- young Deiire. 

Come,gentle Loves ! your myrtle garlands bring; 

Thefmiling bower with clufter'd rofes fpread; 
Come, gentle airs ! with incenfe-dropping wing 

The breathing fweets of vernal odour ftied. 

Hark, as the fl:rains of fwelling mulic rife, 
How the notes vibrate on the fav'ring gale ! 

Aufpicious glories beam along the flcies, 

And powers unfeen the happy moments hail 1 

Ecfl:atic hours ! fo every dilhmt day, 

Like this, ferene on downy wings fliall move ; 

Rifecrown'd with joys that triumph o''er decay, 
The faithful joys of Fancy and of Love." 

ELEGY II. 

And were they vain, thofe foothinglays ye fung? 

Children of Fancy ! yes, your fong was vain 5 
On each foft air though rapt Attention hung, 

And Silence liflien'd on the fleeping plain. 

The fl:rains yet vibrate on my ravifli'd ear. 
And fcill to fmile the mimic beauties feem, 

Though now the viflonary fcenes appear 
Like the faint traces of a vanifli'd drearo. 

Mirror of life ! the glories' thus impart 

Of all that Youth and Love and Fancy frame. 
When painful Anguifh fpeeds the piercing dart, 

OrEnvy blafts the blooming flowers of Fame. 
Nurfe of wild wiflies, and of fond defires. 

The prophetefs of Fortune, falfe and vain, 
To fcenes where Peace in Ruin's arms expires. 

Fallacious Hope deludes herhaplefs train. 
Go, Syren, go thy charms on others try; 

My beaten barkat length has reach'd thefliore j 
Yet on the rock my dropping garments lie ; 

And let me perifli, if I trufl: thee more. 
Come, gentle Quiet ! long-neglefted maid ! 

O come, and lead me to thy moiy cell ; 



ESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



iSi 



There, unregarded in the peaceful fliade. 
With calm Repofe and Silence let me dwell. 

Come, happier hours of fweet unanxious reft-. 
When all the ft:rugglingpaflions(hall fubflde; 

When Peace fliall clafp me to her plumy breaft:. 
And fhiooth my fllent minutes as they glide. 

But chief, thou goddefs of the thoughtlefs e^e. 
Whom never cares or paflfions difcompofe, 

O bleft Infenfibility, be nigh, 

And with thy Toothing hand my weary eyelids 
clofe. 

Then fhall the cares of love and glory ceafe. 
And all the fond anxieties of fame ; 

Alike regardlefs in the arms of Peace, 
If thefe extol, or thofe debafe a name. 

In Lyttelton though all the mufes praife, 
His generous praife fliall then delight no more. 

Nor the fweet magic of his tender lays 

Shall touch the bofom which itcharm'd before. 

Nor then, though Malice, with infidious guife 
Of friendfliip, ope the unfufpe6ling breaft: ; 

Northen,thoughEnvybroachherblackeninglies, 
Shall thefe deprive me of a moment's reft:. 

O ftate to be defir'd ! when hollile rage 

Prevails in human more than favage haunts; 

When man with man eternal war will wage. 
And never yield that mercy which he wants r; 

When dark defign invades the cheerful hour. 

And draws the heart with focialfreedomwarm^ 
Its cares, its wifhes, and its thoughts to pourj, 

Smiling infidious with the hopes of harm. 
Vain man, to others' failings flili fevere. 

Yet not one foible in himfelf can And ; 
Another's faults to Folly's eyes are clear. 

But to her own e'en Wifdom's felf is blind- 

O let me fl:ill, from thefe low follies free, 

This fordid malice, and inglorious ft:rife, 
Myfelf the fubjeft of my cenfure be, 

And teach my heart to comment on my life. 
With thee, Philofophy, flili let me dwell. 

My tutor'd mind from vulgar meannefs favej 
Bring Peace, bring Quiet to my humble cell, 

And bid them lay the green turf on my grave* 

ELEGY III. 

Bright o'er the green hills rofe the morn in gray, 

The wood-lark's fong refounded on the plain j 
Fair Nature felt the warm embrace of day. 

And fmil'd through all her animated re'ign. 
When young Delight, of Hope and Fancy born 

His head on tufted wild thyme haJf-reclin'd' 
Caught the gay colours of the orient morn. 

And thence of life this pifture vain defign 'd : 
« O born to thoughts, to pleafures more fublim^ 

Than beings of inferior nature prove ! 
To triumph in the golden hours of Time, 

And feel the charms of fancy and of love f 

*' High- 



366 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IL 



" High favoured man ! for him unfolding fair 
In orient light this native landfcape fmiles j 

For hitn fweet Hope difarms the hand of Care, 
Exalts his pleafnres, and his grief beguiles. 

" Blows not a bloflbm on the breaft of Spring, 
Breathes not a gale along the bending mead, 

Trills not a fongfter of the foaring wing. 
But fragrance, health and melody fucceed. 

** O let me ftill with fimple nature live, 
My lowly field-flowers on her altar lay, 

Enjoy the bleffings that {he meant to give, 
And calmly wafte ray inoffenfive day ! 

" No titled name, no envy-teafing dome, 

No glittering wealth my tutor'd wifhes crave ; 

So Health and Peace be near my humble home, 
A cool-ftream murmur, and a green tree wave. 

"So may the fweet Euterpe not difdain 

At Eve's chafte hour her filver lyre to bnng 5 

The mufe of pity wake her foothing ftrain. 
And tune to fympathy the trembling ftring. 

*' Thus glide the penfive moments o'er the vale 

While floating (hades of dufky night defcend: 
Kot left untold the lover's tender tale. 

Nor unenjoy'd the heart-enlarging friend. 
" To love and friend fliip flow the focial bowl ! 

To attic wit and elegance of mind ; 
To all the native beauties of the foul. 

The fimple charms of truth, and fenfe refin'd ! 
^ Then to explore whatever antient fage 

Studious from nature's early volume drew. 
To trace fweet Fiftion through her golden age, 

And mark how fair the fun- flower, Science, 
blew ! 
" Haply to catch fome fpark of eafcen Are, 

Hefperian fancy, or Aonian eafe \ 
Some melting note from Sappho's tender lyre, 

Some ftrain that Love and Phcebus taught to 
pleafe. 

*« When waves the grey light o'er the mountain's 
head. 

Then let me meetthe morn's firft beauteous ray : 
Carelefsly wander from my fylvan u.ed, 

And catch the fweet breath of the rifmg day. 
•* Nor feldom, loit'ring as I mufe along, 

Mark from, what flower the breeze its fweet- 
nefs bore } 
Or liften to the labour-foothing fong 

Of bees that range the thymy uplands o'er. 
"Slow let me climb the mountain's airy brow, 

The green height gain'd,in mufeful rapturelie. 
Sleep to the murmur of the woods below, 

Or look on nature with a lovei's eye. 
*' Deliglitful hours ! O, thus for ever flow ; 

Led by fair Fancy round the varied year: 
So ihall my breaft with native raptures glow, 

Nor feel one pang from folly, pride, or fear. 

«' Firm be my heart to Nature and to Truth, 
Nor vainly wander from their diftates fage 5 

So Toy fliall triumph on the brows of youth. 
So hope ihall Imooth the dreary paths of age," 



ELEGY IV. 



Oh ! yet, ye dear, deluding vifions, ftay ! 

Fond hopes, of Innocence and Fancy born ! 
For you I'll caft thefe waking thoughts away. 

For one wild dream of life's romantic morn. 
Ah ! no : the funftiine o'er each objeft fpread 

By flatteringHope, the flowers that blew fo fair j 
Like the gay gardens of Armida fled, 

And vanifti'd from the powerful rod of Care. 
So the poor pilgrim, who in rapturous thought 

Plans his dear journey to LorettQ''s fnrine, 
Seems on his way by guardian feraphs brought. 

Sees aiding angels favour his defign. 
Ambrofial bloflbms, fuch of old as blew 

By thofe frefli fonts on Eden's happy plain. 
And Sharon''^ rofes all his paflage ftrew: 

So Fancy dreams j but Fancy's dreamsar^vain. 

Wafted and weary on the mountain's fide, 
His way unknown, the haplefs pilgrim lies, 

Or takes fome ruthlefs robber for his guide, 
And prone beneath his cruel fabre dies. 

Life's morning landfcape gilt with orient light. 

Where Hope and Joy and Fancy hold their 

reign, 

The grove's green wave,the blue ftream fparkling 

bright, [wain : 

The blythe hours dancing round Hyperion's 

In radiant colours Youth's free hand portrays, 

Then holds the flattering tablet to his eye; 
Nor thinks how loon the vernal grove decays. 

Nor fees the dark cloud gathering o'er thefky. 
Hence Fancy, conquer'd by the dart of Pain, 

And wandering far from, her Platonic fhade. 
Mourns o'er the ruins of her tranfient reign. 

Nor unrepining fees her vifions fade. 

Their parent banifh'd, hence her children fly 
The fairy race that fiU'd her feftive train: 

Joy tears his wreath, and Hope inverts her eye. 
And Folly wonders that her dream was vain. 



§ 39. A Letter from Italy to the Right Honour- 
able Charles Lord Halifax. In the year 1 701 . 

Addifon. 
While you, my Lord, the rural fliades admire 
And from Britannia's public pofts retire. 
Nor longer, her ungrateful fons to pleafe. 
For their advantage facrifice your eafe ; 
Me into foreign realms my fate conveys, 
Through nations fruitful of immortal lays, 
Where^the foft feafon and inviting clime 
Confpire to trouble your repofe with rhyme. 

For wherefoe'er I turn my ravifn'd eyes. 
Gay gilded fcenes and fliining profpeits rife; 
Poetic field? encompafs me around. 
And ftill I feem to tread on clafTic ground ; 
For here the Mufe io oft her harp has ftrung, 
That not a mountain rears its head unfung 9 
Renown'd in verfe each fliady thicket grows. 
And Qv'ry ftream in heavenly numbers flows. 

How 



15ooK IT, 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &e. 



367 



How am I pleas'd to fearch the hills and woods 
For riling fprings and celebrated floods ! 
To view the Nar, tumultuous in his courfe, 
And trace the fmooth Clitumnus to his fource, 
To fee the Mincio draw his wat'ry ftorc 
Through the long windings of a fruitful fhore, 
And hoary Albula's infefted tide 
O'er the warm Led of (rnoking iulphur glide. 

Fir'd with a thouiand raptures I furvty 
Eridanivs throitgh flowVy meadows ftray, 
The king of tioods ! that rolling o'er the plains, 
Thetow'ring Alpsof half their moifluredrain"^, 
And, proudly fwoln with a whole winter's fnows, 
Dillributes wealth and plenty where he Hows. 

Sometimes, milguided by the tuneful throng, 
I look for llreams iminovtaliz'd in fong, 
That loft in filence and oblivion lie 
(Dumb are their fountains, and their channels 

d.y,) 
\ et ran for ever by the Mufe's fkiil, 
And in the fmooih deicription murmur ftill. 

Sometimes to gentle Tiber I retire. 
And the fam'd river's empty fliores admire, 
That, deftitute of Itrength, derives its courfe 
From thrifty urns and an unfruitful fource ; 
Yet, fung io often in poetic lays, 
With fcorn the Danube and the Nile furveys ; 
So high the deathlefs mufe exalts her theme 1 
Such was the Boyne, a poor inglorious ftream 
That in Hibernian vales obfcurely ftray'd, 
And unobferv'd in wild meanders play'd, 
Till, by your lines and Naffau's fword renov/n'd, 
Its rifing billows through the world refound; 
Where'er the hero's godlike afts can pierce, 
Or where the fame of an immortal verfe. 

Oh could the Mufe my ravifli'd breaft infpire 
With warmth like yours, and raife an equal fire. 
Unnumber'd beauties in my verfe ihouid Ihine. 
And Virgil's Italy fhould yield to mine ! 
See how the golden groves around me fmiie, 
That fhun the coaft of Britain's ftormy ifle, 
Or, when tranfplanted and preferv'd with care, 
Curfe the cold clime, and ftarve in northern air 
Here kindly warmth their mountain juice fer- 
ments 
To nobler taftes, and more exalted fcents •, 



Where the old Romans deathlefs afts difplay'd 
Their bafe degen'rate progeny upbraid ; 
Whole rivers here forf:^ke the fields below, 
And, wond'ring at their height, through airy 

channels flow. 
Still to new fcenesmy wand'ringMufe retires. 
And the dumb fliow ot breathing recks admires ; 
Where the fmooth chifel all its force has (hewn. 
And foften'd into flefh the rugged ftone. 
In folemn filence, a majeftic band, 
Heroes, and gods, and Roman confuls, fl'and j 
Stern tyrants, whom their cruelties renown, 
And emperors, in Parian marble liown ; 
While the bright dames, to whom they humbly 

fved, 
Still fhew tlie charms that their proud hearts 

fubdued. 
Fain would I Raphael's godlike art rehearfe. 
And fliew th' immbrtal labours in my verfe, 
W^here, from the mingled ilrength of fliade and 

light, 
A new creation rlfes to my fight ; 
Such heavenly figures from his pencil flow, 
So warm with life his blended colours glow, 
From theme to theme with fecret pleafures toft, 
Araidft the fort variety I'm loft. 
Here pleafing airs my ravifh'd foul confound 
With circling notes and labyrinths of found} 
Here domes and temples rife in diftant views^ 
And op'ning palaces invite my Mufe, 

How has kind Heaven adorn'd the happy land. 
And icatter'd blelfings w'ith a wafteful hand ! 
But Vv'hat avail her unexhaufted ftores. 
Her blooming mountains, and her funny fhores. 
With all the gifts that heaven and earth impart. 
The fmiles of nature and the charms of art, 
While proud Opprelfion in her valleys reigns. 
And Tyrajiny ufurps her happy plains ? 
i The poor inhabitant beholds in vain 
• The redd'ning orange and the fweiling graitt; 
j Joylefs he fees the growing oils and wines, 
'■ And in the myrtle's fragrant fiiade repines ; 
. Starves, in the midft of nature's bounty curft. 
And in the loaded vineyard dies for thirft. 
{Oh Liberty, thou goddefs heavenly bright, 
'Profuie of blifs, raid pregnant with delight I 



E'en the rough rocks with tender myrtle bloom., 'Eternal pleafiires in thy prelence reign 



And trodden v/eeds fend out a rich perrume. 
Bear me, fome God, to Baia's gentle feats; 
Or cover me in Umbria's green retreats ; 
Where weftem gales eternally refide. 
And all the feaions lavifh all their pride; 
Blolibms, and fruits, and ilow'rs together rife, 
And the whole year in gay confufion lies. 

Im.inortal glories in my mind revive, 
And in my Ibul a thoufand paflions ftrive. 
When Rome's exalted beauties I defcry 
Magnificent in piles of i-uin lie. 
An amphitheatre's amazing height 
Here fills my eye with terror and delight, 
Tnat on its public ftiows unpeopled Rome, 
And held uncrowded nations in its womb; 
He e pillars rough with fculpture pierce the fides; 
And here the proud triumphal arches rife, 



And fm.il ing Plenty leads the wanton train j 
i Eas'd of her load, Subjeftion grows more light, 
I And Poverty looks cheerful in thy fight ; 
Thou mak'ft the gloomy face of Nature gay, 
Giv'ft beauty to the Sun, and pleafure to the Day. 
Thee, goddefs, thee Britannia's ifle adores j 
How has Ihe oft exhaufted all her ftores. 
How oft, in fields of death, thyprefence fought, 
j Nor thinks the mighty prize too dearly bought! 
j On foreign mountains may the fun refine 
j The grape's foft juice, and mellow it to wine •, 
With citron groves adorn a diitant foil, 
I And the fat olive fwell with floods of oil j 
I We envy not the warmer clime, that lies 
In ten degrees of more indulgent Ikies ; 
Nor at the coarfenefs of cur heaven repine, 
Tho' o'er our beads the frozen Pleiads fliine: 

'Tis 



36S 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book U. 



*Tis Liberty that crowns Britannia's ifle, 
And makes her barren rocks and her bleak 
mountains fmile. 
Others with tow'ring piles may pleafe the fight, 
And in their prond afpiring domes delight; 
A nicer touch to the Itretch'd canvafs give, 
Or teach their animated rocks to livej 
""Tis Britain's care to watch o'er Europe's fate, 
And held in balance each contending itate; 
To threaten bold prefamptuous kings with warj 
And anfwer her aifli6led neighbour's pray'r. 



Aufonia's flates, the viftor to reftrain, 
Oppos'd their Alps and Appenines in vain, 
Nor found themlelves, with itrength of rocks 

immur'd, 
Behind their everlafting hills fecur'd ; 
The riling Danube its long race began. 
And half its courfe thro^ the new conquefts ranj 
Amaz'd, and anxious for herlbv'reigns' fates, 
Germania trembled through a hundred ftates ; 
Great Leopold himfelf was feiz'd with fear; 
He gaz'd around, but faw no fuccournear; 



The Dane and Swede, rous'd up by fierce alarms, |He gaz'd, and half abandon'd to defpa 

Blefs the wife conduft of her pious arms j } Hij^hopes on Heaven, and confidence in pray>, 



Soon as her fleets appear, their terrors ceafe. 
And all the northern world lies hulh'din peace 
Th'ambitious Gaul beholds,withfecret dread 
Her thunder aim'd at his afpiring head, 
And fain her godlike fons would difunite 
By foreign gold, or by domeflic fpite ; 
But Ilrives in vain to conquer or divide 



1 o Britain's queen the nations turn their eyes ; 
On her refblvcs the weflern world relies j 
Confiding ftill, amidll its dire alarms, 
In Anna's councils, apd in Churchill's arms. 
Thrice happy Britain, from the kingdoms rent. 
To fit the gua?xiian of the continent I 
That fees her bravefc fbn advanc'd fo his:h. 



Whom NafTau's arms defend and counfels guide.] And fluurifliing fb near her prince's eye; 



Fir'd with the name which I fo oft have found 
The diflant climes and difF'rent tongues refound, 
I bridle in my flrugglingMufe with pain. 
That longs to launch into a bolder flrain. 
But I've already troubled you too long. 
Nor dare attempt a more advent'rous fong. 
My humble verfe demands a fofter theme, 
A painted meadow, or a purling ftream ; 
Unfit for heroes ; whom immortal lays, 
And lines like Virgil's or like yours, fliouldpraife^ 



§ 40. The Campaign, Addifon. 
To his Grace the Duke of Marlborough. 1705. 

« Rheni pacator et Ifcd 

" Omnis in hoc uno variis dlfcordia ce/Tit 

*' Ordinibus; laetatur eques, plauditque fenator, 

" Votac^ue patncio certant plebeia favori,'' 

Claud, de Laud. Stilic. 
" ElTe ali^uam in tfrris gentem quae fua impanfa, fuo 



Thy fav'rites grow not up by fortune's fport. 

Or from the crimes or follies of a court 

On the firm bafis of defert they rife, 

From long tried faith, and friendship's holy ties ; 

Their fovereign's well-diltinguiilied fmiles they 

fhare ; 
Her ornam.ents in peace, her ftrength in war; 
The nation thanks them with a public voice ; 
By fhow'rs of bleiTmgs Heaven approves their 
Envy itfelf is dumb, in wonder loft, [choice j 
Andfaftions ftrive who fhall applaud themmolt. 

Soon as foft vernal breezes warm the fky j 
Britannia's colours in the zephyrs ^.y ; 
Her chief already has his march begun, 
Croffing the provinces himfelf had won, 
Till the Mofelle, appearing from afar, 
Retards the progrefs of the moving war. 
Delightful ftream, had nature bid her fall 
In diftant climes far from the perjur'd Gay! ; 
But now a purchafe to the fword flie lies; 



laboreac periculo, beila gerat pro libertate aiiorum. j Her harvefts for uncertain Owners rife, 

Nqc hoc finicimis, aur prcpinquje vicinitatis homi-jEach vineyard doubtful of its niafter grows^ 

nibus, aut terns conrinenti jundis praeftet. Maria | And to the viftor's bowl each vintap-e flows. 

traj- ■ —-- :-^- -•- I. 

per 



ijiciat: nequod totoorbeterramm injuftum im-, The difcontented fliades of flaus:hterM holts 
iumrir,et_ubi4uejus, fas,iex, pacenrlirimarmr." jxhat wander'd on the banks, her heroes ghofts, 
Liv. HtfT. lib. 33.jHop'd, Avhen they faw Britannia's arm:, appear, 



While crowds of princes your deferts pro- 
claim, 
Proud in their number to enrol your name ; 
While emperors to you commit their caufe. 
And Anna's praifes crown the vafl applaufe : 
Accept, great leader, what the mule recites, 
That in ambitious verfe attempts your fights. 
Fir'd and tranfported with a theme fo new, 
Tenthoufand wonders op'ning to my view 
Shine forth at once; fieges and itornis appear. 
And wars and conquefts fill the important year; 
Rivers of blood I fee, and hills of ilain. 
An lii'id riling out of one camp;uicn. 

The Iraughty Gaul beheld, with tow'ringpride, 
His ancient bounds enlarg'd on ev'iy fide; 
Pvrene's lofty barriers were fubdued, 
Aad in the midlt of his Vv^ide empire flood ; 



The vengeance due to their great death was near. 

Our Godlike leader, ere the ftream he ))afs'd, 
The mighty fcheme of all his labours caff. 
Forming the wondrous year within his thought. 
His bofbm glow'd with battles yet unfought. 
The long laborious march he firfl furveys, 
And joins the diflant Danube to the Maefe; 
Between whofe floods fuch pathlefs forefts grow. 
Such mountains rife, fo many rivers flow: 
The toil looks lovely in the hero's eyes, 
And danger ferves but to enhance the prize. 

Big Avith the fate of Europe, he renews 
His dreadful courfe, and the proud foe purfues' 
Infe6lcd by the burning jcoipion's hc?at, 
Thefultry gales round his chaf'd templesbeat. 
Till on the borders of the Maine he finds 
Pefeniive fhadows^ and refrelhing winds. 

Our 



^6oiciL b I b A c t i c, b e s c fe 1 1^ t i v e, &c- 



369 



Our Britifli youth, with iu-born freedom bcld, ! Thick"'nin{r their ranks, and vvedg'din firmarrs/ 
UnnumberVi icenes of lervitudv': behold, {The clofe compared Britons win their way 5 

Nations of /laves, with tyranny deb:is'd, i In va?Ji the cannon their thrcn g'd vVandefacM 

(Their Maker's image more than halt defacM) With tracks of death, and Jaid the battle wafte: 



Hourly inflru6led, as they urge their toil 

To prize their Queen, and loVetheirnative foil. 

Still to the riiing fun they take their way 
Thro' clouds of dult, and gain lipon the ch.y. 
When now the Neckar on its friendly coalt 
With cooiing ftreams revives the fainting hoIV, 
That chcet^fuUy his labours pall forgets, 
The mid-night watches, an.d the noon-dfij" heats. 

O'er proftrate towns and palaces they pn(s 
^Now coverM o'er with woods, and hid in gnifs) 
Breaching revenge ; whilft anger and difdain 
t'ire ev'iy breaft, und boil in ev'ry vein. 
Here fhatter'd walls, like bwken rocks, from far 
JRife up in hideous view, the guilt of war ; 
Whiht here the vine o'er hills of ritins climbs, 
Indiiftrious to conceal great Bourbon's crhnes. 

At length the fame of England's hero drew^ 
Eugenio to tlie glorious interyi.iw. 
Great fouls by inilincl to each other turn, 
Demand alliance, and in fricndHnp burn : I rays 
A futldcn fiiendlhip, v\'hile with ilrctch-d-out 
They meet each other,mingling blaze with blaze. 
Polifh'd in courts, and hardened in the iieJd, 
Reftotvn'd for conquell, awd in couilcil f^iird, 
Their courage dwells not in a troubled iiood 
Of mounting fpirits, and fermenting blood j 
Lodg'd in the foul, with virtue over-rui'd, 
fnflam'd by reafon, and by rcafon cool'vl, 
In hours of peace content to be unknown, 
And only in the field of battle (liewn : 
To fouls hke thefe, in mutual fricndlhip joln'd, 
Heaven dares entruft the caufe of human kind. 

Britannia's graceful fons appear in arms, 
Her harafs'd troops the hero's prefence warms; 
Whilft the hi;>;h hills and rivers all around 
Withthiind'ring peals of Britifa (liouts refound; 
jDoublins: their ipeed, they march with frefh de- 
light. 
Eager for glory, and require the fight. 
So the ftaunch hound the tremblingdeerparfucs, 
And fmells his footlteps in the tainted dews, 
The tedious track unrav'lling by degrees : 
But when tliefcent comes warm in ev'ry breeze, 
Fir'd at the near approach, he fhoots awa^'- 
Dn his fall ftretch, and bears Upon his prey. 

The march concludes, the various realms are 
Th' iraniortal Schellenberg appears at laft: [paft; 
Like hills th' nfpiring ramparts rife on high, 
Like valleys at their feet the trenches lie ; 
iBatt'ries on batt'ries gUard each fatal pafs, 
Threat'ningdellru^lion; rows of hollcvv^ brafs. 
Tube behind tube, the dreadful entrance keep, 
Whilft in their wombs ten thoufand thunders 
fleep. _ [^ight 

Great Churchill owns,charm'd wiih the glorious 
His march overpaid by fuch a promised ilght. 

The weftern fun novy fliot a feeble ray, 
And faintly fcatter'd the remains of day t 
Ev'ning approach'd ; but oh what holls of foes 
Were n^va to behold that cv'ning clofe I 



btiil preffing forward to the %ht, they broke 
rhro' tlames or fulphur and a night of fmoke, 
Till fiaughter'd legions fiiTd the trench below. 
And bore their f)t:rc.c avengers to the fot. 

High on the works the minglinghofts engage. 
The battle, kindled into ten -fold rage, 
With •]!iow''i-s of bullets, and with florms of iire* 
Burns in fuil fury ; heaps on heaps expire; 
Nations with nations mix'd confus'dly die, 
And loft in one promifcuous can'iage lie. 
j Howmany gcn'rous Britons meet theirdoora, 
[New to the field, and heroes in their bloom ! 
; Th"" iil'.itrious youths, thatleft theirnative (hora 
I To march where Britons never march'd before 
(Oh fatal love of fame ! oh glorious heat, 
Only deftrudtive to the brave and great I) 
I After fuch toils overcome, fuch dangers paft, 
I Stretch'd on Bavarian ramparts, breathe their laft. 
jBut hold, my Mufe, may no complaints appear, 
I Nor bi-ot the day with an ungrateful tear :' 
While Marlb'ro' lives, Britannia's ftars diipenfc 
A friendly light, and (hine :n innocence : 
Plangir-g through feas of blood his fi<<ry ftced 
vvhere'er his friends ntirc, or foes fucceed ; 
Thofe he Aipports, thefe drives to fudden flight. 
And turns the various fortune of th.e fight. 

Forbear, great man, renown'din arms, forbear 
To bnive the thickeft terrors of the war ; 
Nor hazard thus, Confus'd in crowds of foes. 
Britannia's fifety, and the world V- re pole j 
Let nations a'nxious for thy life abate 
1 his fcorn of danger and contempt of fate r 
Thou liv'it: not for thyfelf ; thy Queen demands 
Connucit and peace A-om thy vi61orJou5 handsj 
Kingdoms and empires in thy fortune join, 
And Europe's deftiny depends on th.inc. 

At length the long-difputed pafs they gain, 
Ey crowtied armies fortified in vain ; " ■ 
The war breaks in, the fierce Bavarians yield. 
And fee their camp with Britilh legions'fiird. 
So Belgian mounds bear on their fliatterM fides 
The lea's whole weight, increased with fwelling 
But if the ruftiing wave a pallhge finds, [tides j 
Enraged by wat'ry moons, find warring vv'inds» 
The trembling peafant fees his country round 
Cover'd with tempefts, and in oceans drown'd. 

The few furviving foes difpers'd in flight 
(Refufe of fwords and gleanings of a fight) 
In ev'ry ruftiing wind the vidior hear, 
And Marlborough's form in ev'ry ihadow i*cs.ri 
Till the dark cope of night with kind embrace 
Befriends the rout, and covers their difgracc. 

To Donavert, with r.nrefifted force, 
The ga7 vidlorious army bends its courfe. 
The growth of meadows, and the pride of fitlds, 
Whatever haWs Bavaria's fummer yields 
(The Danube's ^reat increafe) Britannia ftiarcs. 
The food of armies and fupport of %varg : 
With m.agazines of death, deftru6live balls, 
And'cannon. doom'd to tatter Landau's wallr ; 
Jil» The 



37« 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book 11. 



The viclor nnds each hidden cavern ft:or\l. 
And turns their fury on their guilty lord. 

Deluded prince ! how is thy grcatnels crofs'd, 
And all the gaudy dream of empire loft, 
That proudly fet thee on a fancied throne, 
And made imaginary realms thy own 1 
Thy troops, that now behind the Danube join, 
Shall fhoinly feek for fhelter from the Rhine, 
Nor find it thej-e! Surrounded with alarms ; 
Thou hop'ft th' afiiftance of the Gallic arms ; 
The Gallic arms in fafety ihalladvance,[France; 
And crowd thy ftandards with the pow'r of 
While, to exalt thy doom, th' afpiringGaul 
Shares thy deftru6tion, and adorns thy fall. 

Unbounded courage and compaflion join'd, 
Tempering each other in the vigor's mind. 
Alternately proclaim him good and great, 
And make the Hero and the Man complete. 
Long did he ftrive th' obdurate foe to gain 
By proffer'd grace, but long he ftrove in vain; 
Till, fir'd at length, he thinks it vain to fpare 
His rifing wrath, and gives a loofe to war. 
In vengeance rous'd, the foldier fills his hand 
With fword and fire, and ravages the land •, 
A thoufand villages to afhes turns. 
In crackling flames a thouland harvefls burns. 
To the thick woods the v^oolly flocks retreat. 
And mix'd withbeliowingherdsconfus'dlybleat, 
Their tremblinglords the commoulhadepartake. 
And cries of infants found in tv'iy brake : 
The lilt'ning Ibldier fijc'd in forrow ffcands, 
Loth to obey his leader's juft commands ; 
The leader grieves, by gen'roas pity fway'd, 
To fee his jyft commands fo well obe)'''d. 

But now the trumpet, terrible from far. 
In Ihriller clangors animates the war j 
Confederate drums in fuller concert ix;at. 
And echoing hills the lo-id alarm repeat : 
Gallia's proud ftandards, to Bavaria's join'd, 
Unfurl their gilded lilies in the wind ; 
The daring prince his blafted hopes renews, 
And, while the thick embattled hoft he views 
Stretch'd cut in deep array, and dreadful kngth, 
His heart dilates, and glories in his ftrength. 

The fatal day its mighty courle began, 
That the griev'd world had long defir'd in vaiuj 
fjtates that their new captivity benioan'd. 
Armies of martens that in exile groan'd. 
Sighs from thedepth of gloomy dimgeons heard, 
And pray'rs in bitternefs of Ibul prefcrrM, 
Europe's loud cries, that Providence aifiul'd, 
And Anna's ardent vows, at length prevail'd : 
The day was come whenHeav'n defign'd to fiiew 
Hi> cave and condu6t of the world below. 

Behold in awful march and dread array 
The long extended Iquadrons Ihapc their v/ay! 
Death, in approaching terrible, imparts 
An anxious horror to tlie braveft hearts ; 
Yet do their beating breafts demand the ftrife, 
A^nd thirft of glory quells the love of life. 
I\o vulgar fears can Britifh minds controul: 
Heat of revenge and noble pride of foul 
O'erlook'd the foe, advantag'd by his poft, 
LelTcn his numbeis, and contract his hoft ^ 



Though fens and fl(X)ds pofTefs the middle fpacf; 
That unprovok'd they would have fear'd to pafs, 
Nor fens nor floods can ftop Britannia's band?. 
When herproudfoe ranged ontheirbordci-sftands. 
But oh, myMule, what numbers wilt thoufi^nU 
To fmg the furious troops in battle join'd ! 
Methinks I hear the drum's tumultuous found 
The vicfor's (houts and dying groans confound. 
The dreadful burft of cannon Vend the Ikies, 
And all the thunder of the battle rillv [provM, 
'Twas then great Marl bVo's mighty foul wai. 
That, in the (hock of charging holls unmov'd, 
Amidft confufion, horror, and defpair, 
ExaminM all the dreadful fcenes of war: 
In peaceful thought the field of death furvey'd. 
To fainting fquadrons fent the timely aid, 
Infpir'd repuls'd battalions to engage. 
And taught the doubtful battle where to rage. 
So when an angel by divine command 
With rifing tempefts (liakes a guilty land. 
Such as of late o'er pale Britannia pafs'd, 
Calm and ferene he drives the furious blaft ; 
And, pleas'd th' Almighty's orders to perform. 
Rides in the whirlwind, and directs the ftorm. 

But fee the haughtyhoufehoid-troopsadvance ! 
The dread of Europe, and the pride of France. 
The war's whole art each private foldier knows. 
And with a general's love of conqueft glows ; 
Proudly he marches on, and void of fear 
Laughs at the fhaking-of the Britifn fpei.r : 
Vain infolence ! with native freedom brave. 
The meaneft Briton fcorns the higheft ilave j 
Contempt and f\iry fire their fouls by turns. 
Each nation's glory in each warrior burns ^ 
Each fights, as in his arm th' important day 
And all the fate of his great monarch lay : 
A thoufand glorious^adHons, that might claim 
Triumphant laurels, 'and immortal fame, 
Confus'd in crowds of glorious actions lie. 
And troops of heroes undiftinguiftied die. 
O Dormer, how can I behold thy fate. 
And not the \\oniiers of thy youth relate ! 
' How can I fee the gay, the br;ive, tkxe voung, 
' Fall in the cloud of war, and lie unfung ! 
i In joys of conqueft he refigns his breath, 
I And, fiird with England's gloiy,fmi]es in death. 
j The rout begins, tlie Gallic fquadrons run ; 
;Compeird in crowds to meet the fate they ihun, 
iThoulands of fiery ftcedsxvithwoundstransfix'd, 
j Floating in gore, with their dead mafrers mix'd, 
j'Midft heapsoffpearsandftandardsdriv'n around, 
iLie in the Dtmubc's bloodywliirlpoolsdrown'd. 
! Troops ofbok:youths,born on the difcmtSoane, 
Or founding borders of the rapid Rhone, 
Or where the Seine her flow'ry fields divides, 
Orwhere theLoire thro'windingvineyardsglides. 
In heaps the rolliJig billows fweep away, [vcy. 
And into Scythian feas their bloated corps con- 
From Blenheim's tow'rs, the Gaul with wild 
Beholds the various havoc of the fight; [aJfright 
His waving Iwnners, that io oi't had ftood 
Planted in fields of death and ftreams of blood. 
So wont the guarded enemy to reach, 
And ril<; triumpliant in the fat.il bi-eac!'., 



Book IT. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, Sec. 



S7i 



Or pierce tlie bmken foe's remoteft lines, 
The hardy veteran with tears religns. 

Unfortunate Tallard ! Oh, who can name 
The pangs of rage, of forrow and of fhame, 
That with mix'd tumult in thy bofom fwell'd. 
When firit thou faw'll thy bravell troops re- 

peird, 
Thine only ion pierc'd with a deadly wound, 
Chok'd in his blood, andgafplng on the ground; 
Thyfelf in bondage by the victor ke\!>t! 
Tl>e chief, the father, and the captive wept. 
Att Engli(h Mufe is touch'd with generoi»s woe, 
And in th' unhappy man forgets the foe ! 
Greatly diftrefs'd, thy loud complaints forbear, 
Blame not the turns of fate, and chance of war; 
Give thy brave foes their due, nor blufli to own 
The fatal field by fuch great leaders won. 
The f^c'ld whence fam'd Eugenio bore away 
Only the fecond honours of the day. [fell 

With floods of gore that from the van quilh\i 
The marfhes Ibgnate, and the rivers fweil. 



No toils are painful that can danger fhew, 
No climes unlovely that contain a foe. 

The roving Gaul,to his own bounds retrain'' d. 
Learns to encamp within his native land : 
But, fbon as the vii^orious holt he (pies*, 
From hill to hill, from ftream to flream he fli^s, 
Such dire impreffions in his heart remain 
Of Marlborough's fword, and Hochllet's fatal 

plain : 
In vain Britannia's mighty' chief befets 
Their fliady coverts and obfcure retreats ; 
They fly the conqueror's approaching fame. 
That bears the force of armies in his name. 

Aullria's young monarch, whofe imperial fvvay 
Sceptres and thrones are dellin'd to obey, 
Whofe boafled anceftry fo high extends 
That in the Pagan gods his lineage ends. 
Comes from afar, in gratitude to own 
The great fupporter of his father's throne : 
What tides of glory to his bolbm ran, 
ClaCp'd in the embraces of the godlike man J 



Mountains of flain lie heap'd upon the ground,' How were his eyes with pleafing wonder fix'd 
Or 'midlt the roarings of the Danube drown'djlTo iee Inch fire with fb much fweetnefs mix'd, 
Wlvole captive kofts the conqueror detains j Such eafy greatnefs, fuch a graceful port. 
In painful bondage, and inglorious chains ; t So turn'd and finifli'd for the camp or court I 
Ev'n thofe who 'Icape thefetters and the fword,! Achilles thus was form'd with ev'ry grace. 
Nor feek the fortunes of a happier lord, And Nireus flione but in the fecond plac^j 

Their raging King dilbonours, to complete Thus the great father of Almighty Rome 
Marlborough's fi^reat work, and finifn the defeat. (Divinely flufli'd with an immortal bloom 
From Memmmschen's high domes, and Aug- That Cytherea's fragrant breath beftow'd) 



fburg's walls 
The diltant battle drives th' infultlng Gauls ; 
I^ieed by the terror of the vidtor's nanie, 
The refcued ftates his great proteftion claim; 
Whillt Uhn th' approach of her deliverer waits. 
And longs to open her obl'equious gates. 

The hero's brealt ftill fvvells with great defigns, 
In ev'ry thought the tow'ring genius Ihines : 
If to the foe his dreadful courf'e he bends 
"O'er the wide continent his march extends; 
If fiegfes in his labouring thoughts are form'd, 
Camps are tilliiulted, and an army ftorm'd; 
If to the fight his aftive foul is bent, 
The fate of Europe turns on its event. 
What diilant land, what region, can afford 
An a6lion worthy his viftorions fword ? 
Where will he next the flying Gaul defeat, 
To make tlie feries of his toils complete ? 

Where the fwoln Rhine rufhing with all its 
Divides the hoitile nations in its courfe, [force 
While each contrafts its bounds,or wider grows, 
Enlarg'd or flraighten'd as the river tlqws. 
On Gallia's fide a mighty bulwark Hands, 
That all the wide extended plain commands; 
Twice, fince the war was kindled, has it tried 
The viiSlor's rage, and twice has chang'd its fide ; 
As oft whole armies, with the prize o'erjoy'd, 
Have the long fummer on its walls employ'd. 
Hither our mighty chief his arras direib, 
Hence future triumphs from the war expe6ls; 
And though the dog^ilar had its courfe begun, 
Carries his arms flill nearer to the fun ; 
Fix'd on the glorious afVion he forgets 
The change of feafons, and increafe of heats ; 



In all the charms of his bright mother glow'd. 
The royal youth, by Marlborough's prefence 
charm'd. 
Taught by his counfels, by his aflions warm'd. 
On Landau with redoubled fury falls, 
Difcharges all its thunder on his walls ; 
O'er mines and caves oFdeath provokes the fight, 
And le-irns to conquer in the hero's light. 

The Britifn chief for mighty toils renown'd, 
Increas'd in titles, and with conquelfs crown'd. 
To Belgian coalts his tedious march renews. 
And the long windings of the Rhine purfues. 
Clearing its borders from ufurping foes, 
And bleft by refcued nations as he goes. 
Treves fears no more, freed from its direalarms; 
And Traerbach feels the terror of his arms : 
Seated on rocks her proud foundations fliake. 
While Marlborough preffes to the bold attack. 
Plants all his batt'ries, bids his cannon roar. 
And fliews how Landau mighthave fall'nbefore. 
Scar'd at his near approach, great Louis fears 
Vengeance referv'd for his declining years. 
Forgets his thiril of univerfal fway, 
And fcarce can teach his fubjei^s to obey ; 
His arm.s he finds on vain attempts employ'd, 
Th' ambitious projefts for his race deflroy'd. 
The works of ages funk in one campaign. 
And lives of millions facrific'd in vain. 

Such are th' effefts of Anna's royal cares ; 
By her, Britannia, great in foreign wars. 
Ranges thro' nations, wherefoe'er disjoin'd, 
Without the wonted aid of fea and wind. 
By her the unfetter'd liter's flates are free, 
And tafte the fweets of Englifh liberty : 

B b 2 But 



!72 



ELEGANT EXtRACtS, 



Boor It, 



But who can tell the joys of thofe that lie 
Bene.ith the conftant influence of her eye t 
Whilrt in diflufive Hiow'rs her bounties fiiU 
Like Heaven's induigenee, and defcend on all, 
Secure the happy, fuccour the diftrefs'd, 
Make evVyfubjeftgladjand a whole people bleft. 
Thus would I fain Britanriia's wars rehearfe. 
In the fmooth records of a faithfbl verfe ; 
That, if fiich nufnbers can o'er tinne prevail, 
May tell pofterity the wdrid'raus tale. 
"When actions, unaddrn'd, are faint and wCvak, 
Cities and countries mUft be taught to fpeak j 
Gods may defcend in fi6^ions from the {kies. 
And rivers from their oozy beds arife ; 
Fi6lion may deck the truth with fptirimis rays, 
And round the hero caft a borrowed blaze : 
MarlbotX)ugh'sTexploits appear divinely bnght, 
And praudly fhine in their own native light j 
Rais'd of themfelvea, their genuine clurms they 
boaft; [moil. 

And tnofe who paint them trueft, ^i^ife them 



§ 41. An Allegory on Matt. Farnell; 

A THOUGHTFUL being, long and fpare^ 
Our race of mortals call him Care, 
(Were Homer living, well he knew 
What name the gods have call'd him to©) 5 
With fine mechanic genius wi-o-ught. 
And lov'd to work, though no oM bought. 
This being, by a model bred » 

In Joves's eternal fable head, 
Ciontriv'd a fhape empov^er'd tobrcathe^ 
And be the worldling here beneath. 

The man rofe ftaririg, like a Itake, 
Wond'ring to fee himfelf awake ! 
Then looked (o wife, before he knew 
The bufmefs he was rttJtde tei do. 
That, pleas'd to fee with what a grac^ 
tie gravely ihew'd his forward face, 
Jove talk'd of ^breeding him on highj 
An under- fomething oi the fky. 

But ere he gave the mighty nod, 
'VVhich ever binds a poet's god 
{For which his cUrls ambrofiai fhakc, 
Arid mother Earth's obliged to quake). 
He law mother Earth arife ; 
She ftoo confefs'd before his eyes ; 
But not with what we read llie wore ; 
A caflle for a crown before, 
Nor with long fti-eets and longer roads 
l)angling behind her, like commodes : 
As yet with v/reaths alone ilie drefs'd, 
And traii'd a landicape-painted veft. 
Then t'nrice flie rais'd, as Ovid {aid, 
And thrice flie bow'd her weighty head. 

Hef honours made — Great Jove, llie cried, 
Tills thing was faihioti'd froni my fide: 
His hands, his heart, his head are mine ; 
Then what haft thou to call him thine .? 

Nay, rather alk, the Monarch faid. 
■^V 1 (. boots his hand, his heart, ;.h^ head, 
W -e v> hat I gave reraov'd aw y r 
Thy part's an idle Hiape of ciay. 
2 



Halves, more than halves ! cried honeit Carc^ 
Vour pleas would make your titles fair j 
You claim the body, you the foul. 
But I, who join*d them, claim the whole. 

Thus with the^gods debate began. 
On fuch a trivial caafe as man. 
And can celeili?J tempers rage ? 
Quoth Virgil, in a later age^ 

As thus they wrangled, Time came by 
(There'i? none that paint him fuch as I : 
For what the fabling ancients fung 
Makes Saturn old when Time was young) j: 
As yet his winters had not flied 
Then- filver honours on his head j 
He ttjft had got l^is pinions free 
Frorh his old fire, Eternity. 
A ferpent girdled round he wore. 
The tail within the moitth Ixifore ; 
By which our almanacs are clear 
That learned Egypt meant the year. 
A ilaff he carried, where on high 
A glafs was fix'd to meafnre by, 
As amber boxes made a fnow 
P'or heads of canes an age ago. 
His vefl, for day and night, was pied} 
A bending fickle arm'd his fide 5 
And Spring's new months his train adorrl 
The other Seafbns were unborn. 

Known by the gods, as near he draws, 
Tliey make him umpire of the caufe. 
O'er a lew trunk his arm he lakl. 
Where fince his hours a dial made ; 
Then, leaning, heard the nice debate. 
And thus pronounc'd the words of Fate: 

Since body from the parent Earth, 
And foul from Jove receiv'd a birth. 
Return they where they firfl began 5 
But, fince their union makes the ntan. 
Till Jove and Earth fhrill p-art thefe twoj 
To Care, who join'd them, man is due. 

Hefaitl, and fprung with fwlft career 
To trace a circle for the year ; 
Where ever flnce the Seaibns v^heel. 
And tread on one another's heel. 

'Tis well, faid Jove j and, for confent, 
Thund'ring he fhook the firmament. 
Our umpire Time fhall have.his wayj 
With Care I let the creature flay: 
Let bufinefs vex him, av'iite blind, 
Let doubt and knov.iedge rack his mind, 
Let errora<3:, opinion fpenk, 
And want afiiift, and licknef^ hre.ik. 
And anger burn, dejection chiil, ' 
And joy diftraCr, and forrow kill ; 
Till, arm'd by Care, and taught tOTHOWj 
Time dmws the long deftru6live blowj 
And wafled man, Avhofe quick decay 
Comes hurrying on fee fore his day. 
Shall only find by this decree. 
The foul flies Iboner back to me. 



§ 42. The Book-lVorrn. ParncH. 
Come hither, boy, we'll hunt to-day 
I'Ue i.c\k-woim> rav'ning beall of prev * 

Frod 



oduc^d 



Book 11. DIDACTIC, nESCRiPTIVE, Sec. 



373 



ProducM by parent Earth, at odds. 
As Fame reports it, with the gods. 
Him frantic hunger wildly dr^yes 
Againft a thoufand authors' lives : 
Tnrougl^ all the fields of v/it he flies ; 
Dreadful his wit-vvith cluirring eyes. 
With horns without, and tufks within, 
And fcales to ferve him for a fkin. 
Ob'erve him nearly, loll he cliinh 
To wound the bards of ancienc time^ 
Or down the vale of Fancy go, 
To tear fome modern wietcn below. 
On evVy corner fix thiae eye, 
Or ten to one he (lips thee by. 
^ee where his teeth a pailage eat : 
We'll roufe him from the deep retreat. 
JBut who the flielter's forced to give ? 
"Tis facred Virgil, as I live; 
From leaf to le^r, from fong to fong. 
He draws the tadpole form along ; 
He mounts the gilded edge before ; 
He's up, he feuds the cover o'er; 
He turns, he doubles, there he pafs -d ; 
And here we have him, caught at iall, 

Infatiate brute, v/hofe teeth abufe 
The fweeteii lervants of the lyf ufe \ 
(Nay, never oifer to deny, 
J took thee in the faft to fiy.) 
His rofes nipt in ev'ry page, 
My poor Anacreon mourns thy rage; 
By thee my Ovid wounded lies j 
By thee my Lefoia's fparrow dies ; 
Thy rabid teeth have half deftroy'd! 
The work of love in Biddy Floyd; 
They rent Belinda's locks away, 
y^nd fpoil'd the Blouzelind of Gay, 
For all, for ev'ry fingle deed, 
ktlentlefs Jullice bids thee bleed. 
Then fall a vi6tim to the Nine, 
Myfelf the prieii, my defk th« fhrine. 

Bring Homer, Virgil, TafTo near,' 
To pile a facred altar here : 
Hold, boy, thy hand outruns thy wit, 
You've reaqh'd the plays that Dennis writ; 
You've reach'd me Philips' ruflic llrain j 
Pray take your mortal Bards again. 

Come, bind the viftim — there he lies. 
And here between his numerous eves 
This venerable dud I lay, 
From manufcripts jufl fwept away. 

The goblet in my hand I tak.e 
(JFov the libation's yet to make) 
A health to poets all their days, 
May they have bread, as well as pralfe j 
Senfe may they feek, and lefs engage 
In papers filPd with party rage : 
But, if their riches fpoil their vein, 
Ye Mufes, make them poor airain. 

Now bring the weapon, yonder blade. 
With which my tuneful pens are made. 
I itrike the fcales that arm thee round, 
And tvviceand thrice I print the wound j 
The facred altar floats with red, 
And now he dies, and now he's dead. 



t How like the fon of Jove I (land, 
Thi;; Hydra llretch'd beneath my hand 1 
Lay bare the moniler's entrails here, 

jTo lee what daiigers threat the year: 
Ye gods I what fonnets on a wench ! 
Wh:tt lean traallations out of French! 
Tis plain this lob>e is fo unfound, 
S— — prints before the months go rounCl* 

But hold — before I clofe the fcene, 
Theficred altar fliould be clean. 
Oh had I Sh.idweH's fecond bays, 
•Or, Tate, thy pert and humble lays i 
(Ye pair, forgive me, when I vow 
f never mifs'd your works till now) 
J'd tear the leaves to wipe the ftirine 
(That only way you pleafe the Nine ;) 
But fince i chance to want thefe two, 
I'll make the fongs of Durfey do. 

Rent from the corple, on yonder pin 
I hang the fcales that brac'd it in ; 

\i hang my ftudious morning gown. 
And write my own infcription down : 

" This trophy from the Python won, 
" This rone in which the deed was done, 
" Thele, Parnell, glorying in the feat, 
" Hung on thefe flielves, the Mules' feat. 
^* Here ignorance and hunger found 
" Large realms of wit to ravage round : 
" Here ignorance and hunger fell, 
" Two foes in one I fent to hell. 
•*• Yc poets, who my labours fee, 
'■^ C\)me fhare tht triumph ail whh me t 
" Ye critics ! born to vex the Mufe, 
" To mourn the grand ally you lofe." 



§ 43. An Imttaticn €)f fo?ne French Verfes. 

Parnell. 

Relentless Time ! deflroying power. 

Whom Itone and brafs obey. 
Who giv'ft to ev"*ry flying hour 

To work fome new decay ; 

Unheard, unheeded, and unfeen. 

Thy fecret faps prevail, 
And ruin man, a nice machine, 

By nature form'd to fail. 

My change arrives ; the change I meet 

Before I thought it nigh : 
My fpring, my years of pleafure, flee^ 

And all their beauties die. 

In age I fearch, and only find 

A poor unfruitful gain- 
Grave wifdom ftalking iiow behind, 

Opprefs'd with loads of pain. 

My ignorance could once beguile. 

And fancied joys infpire ; 
My errors cherifh'd hope to fmile 

On newly-born defire. 

But now experience fhew; r ifs, 

Fc. which I fondly fought, 
Not worth til iong impatient wifh 

And urawur 01 the thought, 

ii b 3 M; 



i 



374 E L E C A N : 

My youth raet Fcrtune fair arriyM ; 

In all her pomj) (he (lion^, 
And inighc perhaps have well eOliyM 

To make her gilts my own j 

But vhen I faw the bieiUngs fliow'r 

On lome unworthy mind, 
I left the ch;4ce, and own'd the powV 

Wus juftly painted blind. 

T pafs'd the glories which adorn 
The fplei^did courts of kings ; 

And, while the perfons mcv'd my fcorn, 
I rofe to fcorn the things. 

My manhood felt a vigVous fire, 
By love increasVl the nioxe ; 

But years with coming years confpire 
To break the chains I wort;. 

In weaknefs fafe, the fex I fee 

Witli idle luftreniinci 
For what are air their joys to ine, 

Which cannot how be mine ! 

But hold — I feel ray gout decreafe 

My trouble? laid to reft ; 
And truths which would diilurb mj^ peace 

Are painful truths at beft. 

Vainly the time I liave to roll 

In <ad reflection flies ! 
Ye fondling paiTions of my foul I 

Ye fweet deceits ! arife. 

I wifely change the fcene within 
To things that us'd to pleafe j 

In pain, phiiofophy is fpleen ; 
In health, *tis only eafc. 



JIJ Amices *. 



44. JIU Amices *. R. Weft. 

Yes, happy youths, on Camu':'' fedgy fide, 
You feei each joy that friendlhip can divide j 
Kach realm of Icaenceand of art eT<piore, 
A-nd With the ancient blciid the modern lore. 
J^tudious alone to learn whate'er may tend. 
1 o raife the genius, or the heart to mend ; 
Now pleao'd along the cloi/lefd walk you rove 
And trace the verdant mazes of the grove. 
Where focial oft, and oft alone, youVhoole 
To catch the zephyr, and to court the Muie. 
Meantime at me (while aii devoid of art 
Thele line* give hack the image of my heart) — j For me 
At me the pov/'r, that comes or foon or late 
Or aims, or (eems to aiin, the dart of fate ; 
Irom you lemote, methinks, alone I Itand, 
l-ike ioiiie fid exile in a defert land: 
Around no friends their lenient care to join 
In mutual warmth, and mi:c 
mine. 



E XT Pv ACTS, Book II. 

I Juft Heav'n ! what Hn, ere life begins to 
I bloom, 

Devotes my head untimely to the tomb ? 
j Did e'er this hand*againil a brothel's life 
Drug thedire bowI,or pointthe murd'rous knife? 
Did e'er thistongue thellanderer'stale proclaim. 
Or madly violate my Maker's name ? 
Did e'er this heart betray a friend or foe, 
Or know a thoughtbut all the worldmight know? 
As yet, juit ftarted from the lilts of time, 
My growing'yer.rs have ftarcely told their prime j 
Uitief.-;, as yet, through life Fve idl/ run. 
No pleafures tailed, and fe\v duties done. 
Ah who, ere autumn's mellowing funs appear. 
Would pluck the prcmile of the vernal year; 
Or, ere the grapes their purple hue betray. 
Tear the cr^ide ci alter from the mourning fpray ? 
Stern pow'r of Fate, whole ebon fceptre rules 
The Stygian dtlerts and Cimmerian pools. 
Forbear, nor raflily fmite ray youthful heart, 
A viClim yet unworthy of thy dart ; _ 
Ah, ftay till age Ihall blall ray withering face, 
Sh?.ke in my head, and falter in my pace j 
Then aim the Ihaft, then meditate tlie blow. 
And to tiie dead my willing fhade fhall go. 

How weak is Man to Reafon's judging eye ! 
Born in this moment, in the next we die j 
Part mortal day, and part ethereal fire,^ 
Too proud to creep, too humble to aipire, 
In vain cur plans of happinefs we raile, 
Pain is our lot, and patience is our p.aife; 
Wealth, lineage, honours, conqueft, or a throne. 
Are what the wiie would fear to call their own j 
Health is at beft a vain precarious th'ng. 
And fi:iir-f:ic'd youth is ever on the wing; 
'Tis like the ftream belide whofe wat'ry bed 
Some blooming plant exalts his fiow'ry head; 
Nurs'd by the wave ihefpreading branches rife. 
Shade all the ground, ar.d llonrifli to the Ikies } 
The waves the while beneath in iccrtt tlow. 
And undermine the holiow bniik below : 
Wide and more wide the Avaters urge their way, 
B-ire all the roots, and on their fib) es prey ; 
Toe late the plant bewails his focliih pride. 
And fmks, untimely, in the whelming tide. 

But why repine ? Does life deferve my figh ? 
Few v.'ili lament my lofs -whenever I die. 
For ihoit, the wretches I defpile or hate, 
j I neither envy nor regard their fate. [fpread 
~ wh.ene'er all-conqu'ring Death liiali 



! His wings around my unrepining head, 
} I care not: tho' this face be feen no more, 
[ The world .^vill pais as cheerful as before j 
1 Bright as before the day-ftar will appear. 



The fields as vtrdant, and the Ikies as clear; 
their heart with I Nor ftorms nor comets will ray doom declare, 
I Nor figns on earth, nor uortents in the air j 
Or real pains, or thofe which fancy raife, j Unknown and filent will depart my bre.ath, 

Nor nature e'er take notice of my death. 



For ever blot the funfhine of n)y days ; 
To f'.cknefs Itill, and ft^ll to grief:* prey. 
Health turns from me her rofy face away. 



Yet ibme there are (ere Ipent my vital days) 
Within whofe bi-eafts my rcmb I wiili to raife. 

Lov*d 

* Almoft all TibuIUis's Elc{»y is imita'eirn this little Piece, from w!;ence hi? frnnf tlon to Mr. Pope'? 
irttfci-ii vtry artfuliy contrived, and bcr])ejks a degree ©f jud^mem rr.iich beyond V.r. Weil's years. 



^ 



O OK 



II, 



DIDACTIC, D E S C R I P T I V E, &c. 



37i 



tov'd in my life, lamented in my end, 
Their praile would crown me, as their precepts 
mend : [(.ledv j 

To them may thefe fon4 lines my name en- 
Not from the poet but the friend fniccre. 



§ 45. Ujffiti to OmUKtment. Parnell. 

LovKLY, laliiny; j)eace of mind I 
.Sweet delight of human kind ! 
Heavenly boni, and bred on high, 
To cro'vn the tav'riteB of the Iky, 
Wiih more of happinefs below 
Than victors in a triumph k-now ! 
Whither, oh whither art thou lied. 
To lay thy meek contented head ? 
What happy region dolt thou pleafe 
To make the feat of calms and eafe ? 

Ambition fearches all its fphere 
Of ponap and Hate, to meet thee there : 
Increafmg avarice woidd find 
Thy prefence in its gold enfhrin'd : 
The bold advent'rer ploughs his way 
Through rocks, amidlt the foaming Tea, 
To gain thy love j and then perceives 
Thou wert not in the rocks and waves : 
The filent l)€art which grief affaiis. 
Treads foft and lonefome o'er the vales, 
Sees daifies open, rivers run, 
And feeks (as I have vainly done) 
Amufin^ thought ; but learns to know 
That folitude's the nurfe of woe. 
No real happinefs is found 
In trailing purple o'er the ground j 
Or in a foul exalted high. 
To range the circuit of the iky, 
Converfe with liars above, and know 
All Nature in its forms below ; 
The reft it feeks, in leeking dies; 
And doubts at laft for knowledge riffti 

Lovely, lalting Peace, appear j 
This world itlislf, if thou art here. 
Is once again with Eden bleft, 
And man contains it in his breaft. 

'Twas thus, as under fliade I Hood, 
I fung my wilhes to the wood. 
And loft in thought, no more perceiv'd 
The branches whiiper as they wav'd : 
It feem'd as all the quiet place 
ConfefsM the prelence of his grace, 
When thus Ihe fpoke : Go rule thy will. 
Bid thy wild paffions all be frill ; 
Know God, and bring thy heart to know 
The joys which from religion flow ; 
Then ev'ry grace fhall prove its gaeft. 
And I'll be there to crown the reft. 

Oh I by yonder mofly leat. 
In my hours of Iweet retreat, 
Might I thus my ibul employ, 
With fenfe of gratitude and joy< 
Rais'd, as ancient prophets were, 
In heavenly vlfion, praiie, and pray'r j 
Pleafmg all men, hurting none, 
?ieas'd aad blell with Q^jd abne j 



Then while the ganiens take my fight, 
Witli all the colours of delight} 
While filvcr w.-^ters glide along. 
To pleafe my ear, and court my fong ; 
I'll lift my voice and tuae my ftring. 
And thee', Great Source of Nature, ling. 

The fun that walks his airy way. 
To light the world and give the day ; ^ 
The moon that ihines with borrow'd lights 
The ftars that gild the gloomy night j 
Tlie feas that roll unnumber'd waves \ 
The wood that (prtads its Ihady leaves j 
The field whofc ears conceal the grain. 
The yellow treafure of the plain: 
All of thefe, and all I fee. 
Should be fung, and fung by me: 
They Ijjeak their Maker as they can. 
But want and afk the tongue of man. 

Go fearch among your idle dreams. 
Your bufy or your vain extremes j 
And find a life of equal blifs. 
Or own the next begun in this. 



§ 46. An Addrefs to fVinter, Gowper. 

Oh Winter ! ruler of th' inverted year. 
Thy fcatter'd hair with fleet like afhes fill'd. 
Thy breath congeal'd upon thy lips, thy cheekff 
Fring'd with a beard made white with other Ihows 
Than thote of age^ thy forehead wrapt in cloudsj 
A leaflefs branch thy fceptre ; and thy throne 
A Uiding car indebted to no wheels. 
But urgM by ftorms along its flippery way ; 
I love thee, all unlovely a^ thou feem'ft, 
And dreaded as thou art. Thou hold'ft the fua. 
A prisoner m the yet undawning eaft, 
Short'ning his journey between morn and noon. 
And hurrying him impatient of his Itay 
Down to the rof^ well : But kindly Hill 
Com pen fating his lofs with added houis 
Of fecial converfe and inftroCtive eafe. 
And gathering at fhort notice in one group 
The family di'fpers'd, and fixing thought. 
Not lefs difpers'd by day-light and its cares. 
I crown thee king of intimate delights. 
Fire-fide enjoyments, hcime-born happinefs,. 
And all the comforts that the lowly roof 
Of undifturb'd retirement, and the hours 
Of long uninterrapted evening know. 
No rattling wheels flop fhort before thefe gate;s ; 
No powder'd pert, proficient in the ait 
Of founding an alarm, affaults thefe doors 
Till the ftreet rings. No flationary fteeds 
Coughtheirown knell,whileheedlefs of thefound 
The filent circle fan themfelves, and quake j 
(But here the needle plies its buiy. talk, 
iThe pattern grows, the wellrdepi6led flo>v'r 
j Wrought patiently into the fnowy lawn 
■ Unfolds its bofom, buds, and leaves, and fprigs,. 
And curling tendrils, gracefully difpos'd. 
Follow the nimble finger of the fair, 
A wreath that cannot fade, of flowers that blo¥f 
With molt fuccefs when all befides decay. 
The poet's 0f hlftoriaii's page, by one 
Bb 4 



$1^ 



ELEGANT E X T R ^\ C T S, 



Book II, 



Made vocal for th' amiirement of the reH : | 
Thelprightlylyre, whoittfeafure of Tweet founds [ 
The touch ironi many a treuibli/ig (phord lliakes 

out ; 
And the clear voice rymphonious, yet diitiniTt, 
And in the charming flnfe triumphant iliil. 
Beguile the night, and fet a keener edge 
On female induftry 5 the threaded fleel 
Flies Ivviftly, and unf^lt the tafk proceeds. 
Thfc vcUirne clos'd, the Cuftomary rites 
Of the iak meal commence. A Roman meal, 
Such as the miftrefs of the world once found 
jDcHcIous. when her patriots of high note, 
Perhaps by moon-light, at their humble doors, 
And under an eld oak's domef^ic Ihade, 
EnjovM, fpare feaif, a radiih and an eg-g. 
Diicourfe enfues, not trivia], yet not dull, 
Mor fuch as with a frown fv)rbids the play 
Of fancy, or prefcribes the foUnd of mirth, 
I'Jor do we madly, like an impious world, 
V/hj deem rcligjon ph^reniy, and th;e God 
That made them an intruder on their joys^ 
Start at his awful nnme, or deem his praile 
A jarring note. Themes of a graver tone 
lixciting oft our gratitude and love, 
\VhiIe we retrace with mem.ory's pointing v.'and, 
That calls the paft to our exacl' review, 
The dangerij we have.'fcap'd, the broken fnare, 
The diiappointed foe, deliv'rance found 
Unlook'd for, life prefervM and peace refcor'd, 
Fruits of omnipotent eternal love. 
Oh evenings worthy of the gods ! exciaimM 
The Sabin- bard. Oh, evenings ! I reply, 
More to be p.Jz'd and coveted than yours. 
As more iilumiu\l and with nobler tn^ths, 
That I, and Mine, and thofe we love, enjoy. 



§ 47. Liberty renders England frejerahle io 
other Nations, nQt-TMithjlanding Taxes, Sec. 

Covvper. 
^Tis Liberty alone that gives the fiow'r 
Of fleeting life its iultre and perfumxC, 
And we are weeds without it. All conftraint, 
Excei^t what wifdom lays on evil m.en. 
Is evil, hurts the faculties, impedes 
Their progrefs in the road of fcience ; blinds 
The eye-fight of difcovery, and begets 
In thofe that fuffer it a fordid mind 
Beftial, a meagre intelleft, unfit 
To be the tenant of man's noble form. 
Thee therefore, 'flili, blame- worthy as thou. art, 
With all thy lofs of empire, and though fqueez'd 
By public exigence till annual food 
Fails for the craving hunger of the ftatc. 
Thee I account ftill happy, and the chief 
Among the nations, feeing thou art free ! 
My native- nook of earth ! thy clime is rude, 
K ' ietc with vapours, and difpofes much 
All hearts to fadnefs, and none more than mine j 
l hiae unadtilfrate manners are lefs foft 
f^n6. plaufible than focial life requires, 
And triou haft need of difciplinc and ait 
To gi-ve thee whit politer i-'iaiiCe receives 



From Nature's bo<inty — that humane addrefs 
And jTweetnefs, without which no pleafure is 
In converie. either Ilarv'd by cold reserve, 
Or fluih'd with fierce difpute, a fenfelefs bravvlj 
Yet, being free, I love thee : For thsJ fake 
Of that one feature, can be well content, 
Dilgrac'd as thou haft been, poor as thou art. 
To feek no fublunary reft befide. 
But, once enflav'd, farcwel ! I could endure 
Chains no where patiently ; and chains at bome^ 
Where I am. free by birthright, not at all. 
Then w^hat were left of roughn^fs in the grain 
Of Britifh natures, wanting i.ts excufe 
rhnt ii belongs to freemen, would difguft 
And (hock me. I fhould then with double pain. 
Feel all the rigour of thy fickle clinTe ; 
And if 1 muft bewail theblefling loft 
For which our Kampdens and our Sidneys bled^ 
I would at leaft bewail it under fkies 
Mi.lder, among a people lefs auftere. 
In fcenes which having never known me free, 
Would not reproach me with the lofs I felt. 



§ 48. Defcription of a Poet. Cov.per. 

I KKCW the mind that feels indeed the fire 

The mufe imparts, and can command the lyrCj^ 

Acls with a force and kindles with a 7eal, 

Whatever the theme, that others never feci. 

If^human woes her foft attention claim, 

A'tender fympathy pervades the frame j 

She pours a feniibility divine 

Along th« nerye of ev'ry feeling line. 

But if a deed not tamely to be borne 

Fire indignation, and a fenfe of fcorn. 

The ftringsare fwept with fuchapow"'r,foloud. 

The itoi-ui of mulic ihakes the aftonifh'd crowd. 

So when remote futurity is brought 

Before th^keen enquiry of her thought, 

A terrible fagacity informs 

The Poet's heart, he looks to diftant ftorms. 

He hears the thunder ere the tempeft lowYs, 

And, arm\i with ftrength furpalfmg human 

pow'rs, 
Seizes events as yet unknown to man. 
And darts his foul into the dawning plan. 
Hence, in a Roman mouth, the graceful name 
Of Prophet and of Poet was the fame ; 
Hence Britifh poets too the priefthood (har'd. 
And ev'ry hallow'd Druid was a bard. 



§ 49. to^e Elegies. By 



? I^ E G Y I. 

*Txs night, dead night ; and o'er the plaia 
Darknefs extends her ebon ray, 

While wide along the gloomy fcene 
Deep filence kolds her folemn fway. 

Throughout the earth no cheerful beam 
The melancholic eye furveys. 

Save where the worm's fantaftic gleam 
The 'nighted traveller betrays. 



The 



Book Ih 



DIDACTIC, D 



The favage race (Co heiven decrees) 

No longer through the foreft ro^ e j 
^11 nature relts, and not a breeze 

Didurbs the ftilhiefs of the grove. 
All nature refls; in Sleep's ioi't arm^ 

The village Twain forgets his care : 
^leep, that the Iling of Ibrrow channsj 

And heals all iadnefs but defpair. 
pefpair alone her pow'r denies ; 

And, v.'hen the fun withdraws his rays. 
To the wild heach diftracted flies, 

Or cheerlefs through the de'ert ftrays j 
Or, to the church-yard's horrors led, 

While ieaiful echoes burft around. 
On fbnie cold ftone he leans his head, 

Or throws his body on the ground : 

To forae fuch drear ar.d folernn fcene^ 

Some friendly pow\- direct my way, 
Where pale misfortune's haggard ti-ain. 

Sad luxury ! delight to llray. 
WrappM in the foHtary gloom, 

Retir'd from life's fantaftic crew, 
Rei'jgn'd ril 'wait my rinal doom. 

And bid tliC bufy world adieu. 
The world has now no joy for me. 

Nor can life now one pieahire hoall ; 
Since all my eyes defu-'d to fee, 

My wilh, my hope, my all, is loftj 
Since flie, fo fo.rm'd to pleafe and blefs. 

So wife, fo innocent, fo fair, 
Whofe converfe fweet made forrow lefs, 

And brighten'd all the gloom of care — - 
Since flie is loft. Ye powVs divine, 

What have I done, or thought or laid ? 
O fay, what horrid aft of mine 

Has drawn this vengeance on my head ! 

Why fhould Heaven favour Lycon's claim ? , 
Why^ are my heart's belt wiflies crofs'd ? 

What fairer deeds adorn his iiame ? 
What nobler merit can he boafl ? 

What higher worth in him was found 
My true heart's lervice to outweigh ? 

A fenfelefs fop ! a dull compound 
Of fcarcely animated clay : 

He drefs'd indeed, he danc'd with eafe. 

And charm'd her by repeating o'er 
Unmeaning raptures in her praife. 

That twenty fools had told before : 
But I, alas ! who thought all art 

My paflion's force would meanly prove. 
Could only boaft an honeft heart, 

And claim'd no merit but my love. 
Have I not fat — ye confcious hours. 

Be witnefs — while my Stella fung 
From morn to eve, with all my pow'rs 

Rapt in th' enchantment of her tongue 1 
Ye confcious hours that faw me ftand 

Entranc'd in wonder and furprife, 
Jn iilent rapture prefs her hand. 

With paflion bur-iing from ii\y eyes — 



E S C R I P T I V E, Sec. 37; 

Have I not lov'd ? O earth and heaven! 

WTiere now is all my youthful boait j 
The dear exchange I hop'd was given 

For (lighted fame and fortune lolt ? 
Where now the joys that once were mine > 

Where all my hopes of future bli(s ? 
Muit I thofe joys, thofe hopes, refign > 

Is all her friendihip come to this? 

Muft then each wornan faithlels provejj 

And each fond lover be undone ? 
Are vows no more r Almighty love. 

The fad remembrance let me fliun 1 
It will not be : my honeft heart 

The dear fad image ftill retains ; 
And, fplte of reaibn, j'pite of art, 
j The dreadful memory remains. 
Ye Pow'rs divine, v/hofe wond'rous fkiU 

Deep in the womb of time can fee. 
Behold, I bend me to your will, 

Nor dare arraign your high decree. 
Let her be bleft with health, with eafe. 

With all your bounty has in ftorej 
Let forrow cloud my future daysj 

Be Stella bleft; I alk no more. 

But, lo 1 where high in yonder eaft 
The ftar of morning mounts apace ! 

Hence ! let me fly th' unwelcome gueft, 
And bid the Mufe's labour ceafe. 



ELEGY II. 

When, young, life's journey I began, 
The glittering profpeft charm'd my eyes, 

I faw along th' extended plan 
Joy after joy fucceffive rife j 

And Fame her golden trumpet blew ; 

And Pow'r difplay'd her gorgeous charms j 
And Wealth engag'd my wandering view j 

And Pleaiure w^oo'd me to her arms j 

To each by turns my vows 1 paid. 

As Folly led me to admire ; 
While Fancy magnified each (hade. 

And Hope increas'd each fond deilre. 

But foon I found 'twas all a dream ; 

And learn'd the fond purfuit to fhun. 
Where few can reach their purpos'd aim, 

And thoufands daily are undone : 

And Fame, I found, ivas empty air ; 

And Wealth and Terror for her gueft ; 
And Pleafure's path was ftrevvn with Care j 

And Pow'r was vanity at beft. 

Tir'd of the chace, I gave it o'er j 

And, in a far fequefter'd fhade. 
To Contemplation's Ibber pow'r 

My youth's next fervices I paid. 

There Health and Peace adorn'd the fcene j 
And oft, indulgent to my pray'r. 

With mirthful eye and frolic mien, 
The Mule would deiErn to.viiit Uiere. 

Thero 



I?« 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II, 



There would (he oft delighted rove 
The flowV-enameird vale along ; 

©r wander with me through the grove. 
And Jiilen to the woodlark's fong : 

Or 'mid the foreft"'s awful gloom, 

Whilit wild amazement nli'd my eyes, 

Eecal paft ages from the tomb, 
And bid ideal worlds arlfe. 

Thus in the Mufe's favour bleft, 
One wlfh alone my foul could frame, 

And Heaven beftow'd, to crown the reft, 
A friend, and Thyrfis was his name : 

For m:-,nly conftancy and truth, 

And worth, unconfcious of a ftain. 

He bloom'd the flow'r of Britain's youth } 
The hoaft and wonder of the plain. 

Still with our years our friendfhip grew; 

No cares did then my peace deftroy ; 
Time brought new bleffings as he flew. 

And ev'ry hour was wiag'd with joy. 

But foon the blifsful fcene was loll. 
Soon did the fad rever/e appear j 

Love came, like an untimely froll. 
To blad the promife of my year. ' 

I faiv young Daphne's angel form 
(Fool that I was ! I bleft the ^mart) 

And while I gaz'd, nor thought of harm. 
The dear inteftion feiz'd my heart. 

She was, at leaft in Damon's eyes. 
Made up of lovelinefs and grace ; 

Her heart a ftranger to difguife. 
Her mind as perfect as her face. 

To he^r her fp^ak, to fee her move 
(Unhappy I, alas ! the while). 

Her voice was joy, her look was love, 
And Heaven was open'd in her fmile ! 

She heard me breathe my amorous prayers. 

She liften'd to the tender ftrain. 
She heard mj' fighs, fhe faw my tears, 

And feem'd at length to thare my pain. 
She faid (he lov'd — ^and I, poor youth t 

(How loon, alas ! can hope perfuade) 
Thought all ihe faid no more than truth j 

And all my love was well repaid. 

In joys unknown to courts or kings, 
Wkh her I fat the livelong day. 

And fad and look'd fuch tender things 
As none befide could look or fay ! 

How foon can Fortune fhift the icentf 
And ail our earthly blifs deftroy ! 

Care hovers round, aivd GrieTs fell train 
Still treads upon the heels of Joy. 

My age's hope, my youth's beft bor.ft. 
My foul's chief blefTuig and my pride, 

lii one i'i\d moment all were loft. 

And Daphne chang'd, and ThyrCs died ? 



Oil ! v.'ho that heard her vows erewhile. 

Could dream tl^ofe vows were infinccre ! 
Or who could t|iink, that faw her fmile. 

That fraud cGuld find admittance theje I 
Yet ihe was faife — my heart will break ! 

Her fniud, her perjuries were fuch^ — 
Some other tongue than mine muft fpeak— 

I have not power to fay how much ! 
Ye fwains, hence warn'd, avoid the bait, 

O fkun her paths, the trait'rcfs fhun I 
Her voice is death, her fmile is f«te; 

Who hears or fees her is Undone. 
And when Death's hand ftiall clofe my eyr, 

(For foon, I kaow, tlie day will come) 
O cheer my Ipirit with a figh, 

And grave thefe liiics upon my tomb : 

THE EPITAPH. 

Constgn'd to duft, beneath this ftone. 
In manhood's prime, is Damon laid; 

Joyiefs he liv'd, and died unknown. 
In blciik misfertune's barren ftiadc. 

Lov'd by the Mufe, but lov'd in vain, 
'Twas beauty drew his ruin on ; 

He faw young Daphne on the plain; 
He lov'd, believ'd, and wai undone ! 

His heart then funk beneath the ftorm 
(Sad meed of unexampled truth !) 

And Sorrow, like an envious worm, 
Devour'd the bloflbm of his youth. 

Beneath this ftone the youth is laid — 

O grfeet his alhes with a tear! 
May heaven with blefiings crown his (hade. 

And grant that peace he wanted here I 



§ 50. An EJfay on Poetry *. Buckingham. 
Of all thofe arts in which the wife excel. 
Nature's chief mafter-piece is writing well; 
No v/riting lifts exalted man fo high 
As facred and foul-moving Poefy : 
No kind of work requires lb nice a touch ; 
And, if well finifh'd, nothing fliines fo much. 
But Heaven forbid we fbould be fo profane. 
To grace the vulgar with that noble name ! 
'Tis not a flafh of fancy, which fometimes. 
Dazzling our minds, fetsoff theflighteft rhymesj 
Bright as a blaze, but in a moment done ; 
True wit is everlafting, like the fun j [tirM, 
Which, though fometimes behind a cloud re- 
Breaks (/at again, and is by all admir'd. 
Number and rhyme, and tliat harmonious found 
Which not the niceft ear withharflmefs wound. 
Are nece/fary, yet but vulgar arts ; 
And all in vain thefe fuperficial parts 
Contribute to the ftruflure of the whole. 
Without a genius too, for that's the foul : 
A fpirit which infpires the work throughout. 
As that of nature moves the world about; 

A flame 



* Tlie EfT.iy on Satire, whkli was written by this noble author and Mr. Drydcn, is prtnted an.oa; 
ibc Pocius of the latter. 



^OOK IT. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, ^tc. 



379 



v\ flai7:e that glows amuift conceptions fit ; 
Even fomething of divine, and more than witj 
Itfclf unfeen, yet all things by it fhewn, 
DelcrilMni; all men, but delcribM by none. 
\yhere doll: thou dwell ? what caverns ofthe brain 
Can fuch a vaft and mighty tiling contain ? 
WheiiI,atvacanthours,invainthyabrencemoiirn, 
Oh ! where doll thou ixtire ? and why dofl-thou 

retiu'n, 
Soanetimes with powt'rjiil -charms to hurry me 

away, 
From pleasures of the nig^it andbufmefs of the 

day? 
Even now. too fur tranfported, I am fain 
To check thy feourre,and ufe'ihe needful rein. 
Af. all is dulnefs when the fancy's bad 5 
So, without judgment, fancy is but mad : 
And judgment has a boundlcls influence 
Not only in the choice of words, or fenfe, 
Bvit on the world, on manners, and on men j 
Fancy is but the feather of the pen: 
Reafon is diat fubftantial ufefui part 
Wliich gains the head, while t'other wins the 

lieart. 
HeriC I fliall all the various forts of verfe. 
And tlie whole art of poetry, rehearfe j 
But who that taik would after Horace do ? 
The beft of mailers and examples too ! 
Echoes at beft, all we c^n fay is vain j 
Dull the defign, and fruitlefs were the pain. 
'Tis true, the ancients we may rob with eafe ; 
But who with that mean (hift himfelf can pleafe, 
Without an a6lor's pride? A player's art 
Is above his who writes a borrowed part. 
Yet modern laws are made for latter faults, 
And new abfurdities infpire new thoughts} 
What need has vSatire then to live on theft, 
When fo much frefli occalion Hill is left ? 
Fertile our foil, and full of rankeft weeds, 
And mongers v/orie than ever Nilus breeds. 
But hold — the fool fhall have no caufe to fear ; 
'Tis wit and fenfethat are the fubje6t here: 
Defects of witty men deferve a cure ; 
And thofe who are Co will ev'n this endure. 

Firftthen of Songs which now fo much aboimdj 
Without his fong no fop is to be found; 
A moft offenfive weapon, which he draws 
On all he meets, againft Apollo^'s laws: 
Though nothing- feems more eafy, yet no part 
Of poetry requires a nicer art : 
For as in rows of richeil pearl there lies 
Many a blemifli that efcapes our eyes, 
The leaft of which defefts is plainly fhewn 
In one Imall ring, and brings the value down — 
So Ibn^s (liould be to jult perfeftion wrought; i 
Yet where can one be feen without a fault ? ; 
Exadl propriety of words and thought; 
ExprelTion ealy, and the fancy high ; 
Yet that not leem to crpep, nor this to fly ; 
No words tranfpos'd, but in fuch order all, 
As wrought with care, yet feem by chance to fall. 



♦ TheE.irrof Rochefler — 
to this nobleman were fpurious, 



Here as in all things elfe, is moft anfiJ-, 
Bare ribaldry, that poor pretence to wit ; 
Such naufcous fongs by a late author* made. 
Call an unwilling cenfure on his fhade. 
Not that warm thoughts of the tnwifporting joy 
Can fliock the chatleft, or the niceft cloy ; 
But words obfcene, too grofs to move delire. 
Like Jieaps of fuel only choke the iire. 
On other themes he well deferves our praife ; 
But palls that appetite he meant to raife. 

Next, Elegy, of fw^et but Iblemn voice. 
And of a fubjeil grave exa6ls the choice; 
The praile of beauty, valour, wit, contain j ; 
And theie too oft defpairing love complain* x 
In vain, alas ! for who by wit is movM ? 
That Phcenix-lhe delerves to be belov'd ; 
But noil'y nonfenfe, and fuch fops as vex 
Mankind, take moft with that f^intaftic fex. 
Tl^iis to the praife of thofe who better knew j 
The many raife, the value of the few. 
But here (as all our fex too oft have tried) 
Womenhave drawn my wand'ringthoughtsafide. 
Their grcateft fault, who in this kind have wri^ 
Is not defeft in words, or want of wit : 
But fliould this Mufe harmonious numbers 
And ev'ry couplet be with fancy iill'd ; [yield. 
If yet a juft coherence be not made 
Between each thought ; and the whole model laid 
So right, that ev'ry line may higher rife, 
Like goodly mountains, till they reach thefkiesj 
Such trifles may perhaps of late have pals'd, 
And may be iik'd awhile, bat never laft i 
Tis epigram, 'tis point, 'tis what you will, "l 
But not an Elegy, nor writ with fkiil, > 

Np t Panegyric, nor a I Cooper's Hill. j 

y A higher flight, and of a happier force, 
Xre Odes : the Mufes' moft unruly horfe, 
That bounds fo fierce, the rider has no reft. 
He foams at mouth, and moves like onevpof- 
The poet here muft be indeed infpir'd [lisls'd. • 
With fury too, as well as fancy fir'd. 
Cowl*y might boaft to have perform'd this part. 
Had he with natnre join'd the rules of art; 
But fometimesd!6lionmean,or verfe ill-wrought. 
Deadens, or clouds, his noble frame of thought- 
Though all appear in heat and fury done. 
The language ftill muft foft and eafy run. 
Thefe laws may found a little too fevere : 
But judgment yields, and fancy governs h&re j 
Which, though extravagant, this Mufe allows, 
A»d makes the work much eafier than it (hews. 

Of all the ways that wifell men could find 
To mend the age, and mortify mankind. 
Satire well writ has molt fo^cefsful prov'd. 
And cures, becaufe the remedy is lov'd. 
'Tis hard to write on fiich a fubjeft more. 
Without repeating things faid oft before : 
Some vulgar errors only we'll remove. 
That ftain a beauty which we fo much love. 
Of chofen words fome take not care enough. 
And think they Ihould be as the fubjeft rough ; 

Thi« 

-It may be obferved, however; iftat many of the worft fongs srfcribei 
-f Waller's. J Denham's. 



3^0 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book !f. 



This poem miift be more exaftly made, 
And fharpeft thoughts in fmootheft words con- 
veyed. 
Some think, if (harp enough, they cannot fail, 
As if their only bufmefs was to rail s 
But human frailty nicely to unfold, 
DillJnguiihes a fatyr from a fcold. 
Rage you mnft hide, and prejudice lay down 5 
A iatyr's fmiie is fharper than his frown : 
So while you Teem to flight fome rival youth, 
Malice itlelf may pafs fometimes for truth. 
The Luureat * here may juftly claim our pr^ife, 
Crown'd y Mac Fiecknce f with immortal baysj 
Yet once his Pegafus I has^ borne dead weight, 
Rid by fome lumpifh minilter of il.;te. 

Here rell my Mufe, fufpend thy cares awhile } 
A more important talk attends thy toil. 
As fome young eagle, that defigns to fjy 
A long unwonted journey through the fky, 
Weighs all the dangerous enterpiife before, 
O'er what wide land? and feas £he is to foar ; 
Doubts her ow^i ftrength fo far, and juftly fears 
The lofty road of airy travellers ; 
Tut yet incited by fome bold defr^n, 
That does her hopes beyor.d her fears incline. 
Prunes ev'ry feather, viev/s berfelf with care. 
At lafl, refolv'd, fhe cleaves the yielding air j 
Away ihe flies, fo llrong, fo high, fo fafl. 
She lefTens to us, and is loft at lalt : 
So (though too weak for fiich a weighty thing) 
The Mufe infpires a fharper note to fing. 
And why fliould truth o(fend, when only told 
To guide the ignorant; and warn the bold ? 
On, then, my Mufe; advent'roufly engage 
To give inftrucHons that concern the Stage. 

The unities of a6fion, time, and place. 
Which, ir obferv'd, give plays fo great a grace, 
Are, tho' bur liule pra^tis'd, too well knoavn 
To he taught here, where we preter-.d alone 
From nicer faults to purge the prefent age, 
Leis obvious ^rr.Vi, of the Englifli ftage. 

iirft, then, Soliloquies had need be few. 
Extremely (hort, and fpoke in paflion too. 
Our lovers talking to therqfelve,-;, for want 
Of others, make the pit their confidant j 
Nor is the matter mended yet, if thus 
They trult a friend, only to tell it us; 
Th' occaficn tliould as naturally fall. 
As when Bellario confelTes all §. 

Figures of fpeecli, which poets think fo fine 
(Art's needlefs varuifli to make nature fhine) 
AH are but paint upon a beauteous face. 
And in defcriptions only claim a place : 
But, to make rage declaim, and grief difcourfe, 
From lovers in defpair fine things to force, 
Mull needs fucceed; for who can ciioofebut pity 
A dyii.g hero roiierably witty ? 
But oh! the Dialogues, where jefland mock 
Ae held up like a refl at fliuttle-cock j 
Or elit like bells eternally they chime ; 
They figh in fimile and die in rhyme. 



What things are thefe who wpul4 be poet? 

thought, 
By nature not jnfpir'd, nor learning taught ? 
Some wit they have, and therefore may defervc 
Abetter courfe than this, by which they fta ve: 
But to vv^rite plays ! why, 'tis a bold pretence 
To ju igment, breeding, wit, and eloquence : 
Nay more : for they mull look within, to find 
Thofe fecret turns of nature in the mind. 
Without this part, in vain would be the whole, 
And hut a bofy all, without a foul. 
All this unite^'J^t hue makes a part 
Qf Dialogue, th^ij^great and povv'i ful art, 
Now aimolHofl, which the old Grecians knew,^ 
From whom the Romans fainter copies drew, > 
Scarce comprehende iince but by a few. j^ 
Plato and Lucian are the belt remains 
Of all the wonders which this art contains j 
Yet to ourfelves we juftice mult allow, 
Shakefpear and Fletcher ate the wonders now; 
Confider then, and read them o'er and o'er j 
Go fee them play'd, then read them as before j 
Foi though in many things they grofsly fail. 
Over our palfions ftill they fo prevail, 
Tlyit our own grief by theirs is rock'dafleepj 
The dull are forc'd to feel, the wife to weep. 
Their beauties imitate, avoid their faults j 
Firlt, on a plot employ thy careful thoughts 5 
Turn it, with time, a thoufand fevVal ways ; 
This <yhy alone, has given fuccefs to plays. 
Rcje6t that vulgar error (which appears 
So fair) of making perfeft charadersj 
There's noluch thing in nature,and you'll draw 
A faultlefs monfter — -which the world ne'erfaw^ 
Some faults mull be, that his misfortimes dreWj, 
But fuch as may deferve compallion too. 
Befides the main defign compos'd with art. 
Each njoving ftene muft be a plot apart; 
Contrive each little turn, mark ev'ry place. 
As painters firft chalk out the future face: 
Yet be not fondly your own flave for this. 
But change hereafter what appears amifs. 
Think not fo much where fhining thoughts 
to place. 
As what a man would fay in fucha cafe : 
Neither in comedy will this fufHce, 
The player too muft be before your eyes| 
And, though 'tis drudgery to ftoop fo low, 
To him you muft j'-our fecret meaning fhew. 
Expofe no fingle fop, but lay the load 
More equally, and Ipread the folly broad ; 
Mere coxcombs are too obvious: oft we fee 
A fool derided by as bad as he : 
Hawks fly at nobler game ; in this low way, 
A very owl may prove a bird of prey. 
Small poets thus will one poor fop devour: 
But to colleft, like bees, from ev"'ry flow'r. 
Ingredients to compofe that precious juice 
Which ierves the tvorld forpleafure and for ufe, 
In fpite of fa6tion — this vi'ould favour get j 
But Falftaff {{ ftands inimitable yet. 

Another 



* Mr. Dryden. t A famous fatirical Poem of his. t A poem called the Hind and Panther. 

§ In Fhilafter, a play of BQaumont and Fletcher. j] "The matchiefs charafter of -Shakefpear. 



BodK 11. 



B 1 D A C T I C, D E S C R 1 P f I V E, &c. 



jSi 



Another fault which often may befall, j 

is, when the wit of lome great poet ftiall J 
So overflow, that is, be none- at all, j 

That e'en his fools fpeaJc lenfe, as if pofTeft, 
And each by inlipiration breaks his jell, 
tf once the juIUiefs of each part be loft, 
Well may we laugh, but at the noet's coft* 
That filly thing men call (heer-wit avoid, 
V/ith which our age fo naufeoully is cloy'd: 
Humour is aH ; wit fliould be only brought 
To turn agreeably fome proper thought. 

But fmce the poets we of late have known 
Shine in no drefs fo much as in their own, 
The better, by example, to convince, 
Caft but a view on this wrong fide of fenfe. 

Firli, a follloquy is calmly made, 
Where ev'ry rcafon is exa6lly weigh'd ; 
Which once perform'd, molt opportunely conies 
Some hero frighted at the nolle of drums ; 
For her fweet lake, whom at firft fight he loves, 
And all in metaphor his pafhon proves ; 
But fome fad accident, though yet unknown. 
Parting this pair, to leave the fvvain aioncj 
He Itraiglit grows jealous, tho' we know not 

why • . ^ . 
Then, to oblige his rival, needs will die : 
JBut firft he nvikes a fpeech, wherein he tells 
The abient nymph how much his flame excels ; 
And yet bequeaths her generoufly now 
To that lov'd rival whom he does not know ! 
Who ftraight appears j but who can fate with- 
Too late, alas ! to hold his haity hand, [Itand ? 
That juft has given himfelf the cruel ftroke ! 
At which his very rivars heart is broke : 
He, more to his new friend than miltrels kindj 
Moft fadly mourns at being left behind ; 
bf fuch a death prefers the pleafing charms 
To love, and living in a lady's arms. 
W^hat fliameful and what monftrous things are 

thefe ! 
And then they rail at thofethey cannot pleafe 
Conclude us only partial to the dead, 
' And grudge thefign of old Ben Jonfon's head ; 
When the intrinfic value of the Itage 
Can fcarce be judg'd but by a following age : 
For dances, flutes, Italian fongs, and rhyme 
May keep up finking nonfenfe for a time; 
But tiihatmiift fail,which nowfo much o'eNrules, 
And fenfe no longer will fubmit to fools. 

By painful fteps at laft we labour up 
Parnallus' hill, on whofe bright airy top 
The epic poets fo divinely fliew. 
And with juft pride behold the reft below. 
Heroic poems have a juft pretence 
To be the utmoft ftretch of liuman fenfe ; 
A work of fuch ineftimable worth. 
There are but two the world has yet brought 

forth ! 
Homer and Virgil ! with what facred awe 
Do thofe raerefortnds theworld's attention draw! 
Juft as a changeling feems below the reft 
Of men, or rather is a two-IeggM beaft', 
So thefe gigantic fouls, amazM, we find 
As much above the reft of human kind 1 



Nature's whole ftrength united ! cndlefs fame, 
And univerfld ftiouts, attend their name ! 
Read Homer once, jmd you can read no more. 
For all books elfe appear fo mean, fo poor, 
Verfe will feem prole ^ but ftill pcriift to read. 
And Horner v\ill be all the books you need. 
Had BolTu never writ, the world had ftill 
Like Indians viewed this wondYous piece of 

{kill; 
As fomething of divine the work admir'd. 
Not hop'd to be inftrufted, but infpir'd: 
But he, difclofing faired myfteries, 
Has Ihewn where all the mighty magic lies ; 
Defcrib'd the feeds, and in what order fown, 
That have to fuch a vaft proportion grown. 
Sure from fome angel he the liscret knew, 
Who through thislabyrinth has lent the clue. 

But what, alas ! avails it poor mankind 
To fee this promised land, yet flay "behind ? 
The way is fiiewn, but who ikis ftrength to go ? 
Who can all fciences profoundly know ? 
Whofe fancy flies beyond weak Reafon's fight, 
And yet has judgment to flire61; it right ? 
Whole juft difcernment, Virgil-like, is fuch. 
Never to fay too little or too much ? 
Let fuch a man begin without delay ; 
But he muft do beyond what I can fay ; 
Muft above TaiTo's lofty flights prevail. 
Succeed where Spenfer and ev'n Milton fail. 



§ 51. 



n^ Chace. 
BOOK 



Somen'ille. 



1. 



THE AROUMEKT. 

the fuhjeSl propped, Addrefs to his Royal Highnefs 
the Prince. The origin of hunting. The rude 
anduKpolijhed manners of the fir l\ hunters. Beafs 
at firfi hunted for food qndfacrifice. The grant 
made by God to man of the beajis, £fr. The 
regular manner of hunting firfi brought into this 
ifland by the Nor?nans. The heft hounds and befl 
horfes bred here. The advantage of this exer- 
cife to us, as iflanders. AdJrefs to gentlemen of 
ejiates. Situation of the kennel, and its fe<veral 
cncrts. The di-' erjion and employment of hounds 
in the kennel. The different forts of hounds for 
each different chace. Defcription of a perfedl 
hound, Offzing and for ling of hounds ; th» 
middle f%ed hound reccmmended. Of the large 
deep-mouthed hound for hunting the ftag and 
otter. Of the lime -hound -^ their ufe on the bor- 
ders of England and Scotland. A phyjical ac* 
count of f cents. Of good and bad fcenting days. 
A fbort admonition to my brethren of the couples. 

The Chace I ling, hounds, and their various 

. breed, 
And no lefs various ufe.. O thou, great Prince! 
Whom Cambria's tow'ring hills proclaim the^r 

lord. 
Deign thou to hear my bold inrtx:u3:ive fongj^ 
While grateful citizens with pompous fhow,^ 
.Cear the triumphal arch, rich w.th th' exploits 
Of thy illuftrious houfej while virgins pave 



\t: 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



if^ O O K If, 



Thy way with flowVs, and as the Royal Youth 
Palling they view, admire, and ligh in vain j 
While crowded theatres, too fondly proud 
OF their exotic minftrels and fh rill pipes, 
The price of manhood, hail thee with a fong, 
And airs i'oit warbling; my hoarfe-ibundinghorn 
Invites thee to the Chace, the fport of kings } 
Image of war without iti> guilt. The Mule 
Aloft on wing fhall (bar, conduct with care 
Thy foaming courfer o'er the fteepy rock, 
Or on the river bank receive fhee iki'e. 
Light bounding o'er the wave from fhoretolhore. 
Be thou our great protector, gracious Youth: 
And if, in future times, fome envious prince, 
Carelefs of right, and guileful, (hould invade 
Thy Britain's commerce, orfhould ilrivc in vain 
To wrelk the balance from thy equal hand, 
Thy hunttr-rrain, in cheerfnl grten anay'd 
(A hand undaunted, and inurM to toils), 
Jihall compals thee around, die at thy ftet. 
Or hew tl)y pafiage thro' th~ embattled foe, 
And clear thy way to fame : infpir'd by thee, 
Tfv nobler thacc of glory fliall purfiie 
Thro^ file, and imoke, anci blood, and fields ol' 
death. 
Natin"e, in her prodt>6ijons flow, afpires 
By juH; degrees to reach perfeftion's height; 
Jio mimic Art works leifurely, till Time 
Improve the piece, or wife Experience give 
The proper iinilhing. When Nimrod l)o!d, 
That mighty hunter! iirftmade war on bealls. 
And Hain'd the woodland green with purple dye, 
New and impoli(h''d v/as the hnntfman's art; 
No Hated rule, his wanton will his guide. 
With clubs and itones, rude impiements of war ! 
Kc arm'd his lavage bands, a multitude 
Untrj.in"d : of twining oliers fonu'd, they pitch 
Their arrlefs toils, then range the defert hills, 
And fcour the plains Kclow : the trembling herd 
Start at th' viuufual found, and clam'rousfliout 



Or chance or Induflr}- in after times 
Some few^ improvements made, but Ihort as yet 
0( due perfe6fion. In this ifle remote 
Our painted anceftofs were flow to learn : 
To arms devote, in the .politer arts 
Nor ikiird nor ftudious; till from Neuftria'scoafts 
Vifborious William to more decent rules 
Subdued our Saxon fathers, taught to fpeak 
The proper dialecl:, with horn and voice 
To cheer the bufyhound,whofe well-known cry 
His lift'ning peers approve with joint acclaim. 
From him lucceinve huntfnien learn 'd to join 
In bloody fbcial leagues the multitude 
Difpers'd, to fize, to lort therr various tribes ; 
To rear, feed, bunt, and difcipline the pack. 
Hail, happy Britain ( highly favour'd ifle, 
And Heaven's peculiar care I to thee 'tis given 
To train the fprightlylleed, more tieet than thoi'e 
Begot by winds, or the ccleftial breed 
That bore the great Pelides thra^ the p-refe 
Of heroes armM, and broke their crowded ranks. 
Which proudly neighing, with the fun begins- 
Cheerful his courfe, and, ere his beams decline^ 
Has mealur'd half thy furface untatigued. 
In thee alone, ftiir land of Liberty ! 
Is bred the perfeft houitd, in Icent and fpeed 
As yet unrivall'd, while hi other climes 
Their virtue fails, a weak degen'r^.te race. 
In vtiiiv malignant lleams and winter fogs 
Load the dull ah", and hover round our coafts j 
The h«utfiTian, ever ga) , robuft, and bold, 
Deiies the noxious vapour, and coniitles 
In this delightful exercife to raife 
His drooping head, and cheer his heart with joy. 
Ye vig'rous youths ! by Imiling Fortune bleft 
With large demefnes, hereditary wealth, 
Heap'd copious by your wife forefathers' care. 
Hear and attend ! while I the means reveal 
T' enjoy thefepleafures, for jhe weak too Itrong,. 
Too coftly for the poor: to rein the Iteed 
Unheard before; fu rpris'd, alas ! to find [lord, | Swift firetchingo^-r the plaii>, to cheer the pack 
Jvlan now their foe, whom erft they deem'd their j Op'ningin concerts of harmonious joy, 
But mild and gentle, and by whom as yet ,( Bnthreathing death. What tho'tiie gripe fevere 

Secure they graz'd. Death ftVetches o'er the plain j Of brazen-fiited Time, and How Difeafe 
AVidewafting,antlgiimSlaughter,redwithblooil,i Creeping thro' ev'ry vein, and nerve unftrung. 



Urg'd on by hunger keen, they wound,theykill ; 
Their rage licentious knows no bound; at lafl, 
Encumber'd v/ith their fpoils, joyful they bear 
Upon their Shoulders broad the bleeding prey. 
Part on their altars fmokes, a facrifice [hand 
To that all-graeious Pow'r whofe bounteous 
Supports his wide creation ; what remains, 
Qn living coals they broil, inelegant 
Of tafte, norfKill'das yet in nicer arts 
Of pai3per'd luxury. Devotion pure, 
And flrong necefliry, thus farll began 
The cbc^ce of beaHs ; tho' bloody was the deed, 
Yet without guilt: for the green herb alone 
i/nequal to fufrain man's lab'ring race. 
Now ev'ry moving thing that liv'd on earth 
Wa? grafited him for food *. So juft is Hcav'n, 
Tc give U» in proportion to our wants. 



Afflifi my fhatter'd frame, undaunted Hill, 
Fix'das a mountain-afh that braves the bolts 
Of angry Jove, tho' blafted, yet unfalleni 
Still cau m}- foul in Fancy's mirror view 
Deeds glorious once, recall the joyous feene 
In all its fplendours deck'd, o'er the fullbowi 
Recount my triumphs pall, ui"ge others on 
With hand and v©ice,andpointthewinding way; 
Pleas'd with that focial iweet garrulity, 
The poor difbanded veteran'.*^ fole delight. 

Firft let the kennel be the huntlman's c:*re. 
Upon fome little eminence cre^f , 
And fronting to the ruddy lawn ; its courts 
On either hand wide op'ning to receive [fhines, 
The fun's ail-cheering beams, when mild he 
Andgilds themountain tops: formuch the pack 
(Rous'dfrom tlwirdark Rlcovi's)delighttollretch 

Ai>4 



Cen, e' a,>. j.v. V:r. 3^ 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, D 



And ba/k in hrs invigorating ray. 
Warn'tl by the ftreaming light, and merry lark, 
Forth rufh the jolly dan ; with tuneful throats 
They carol loud, and in grand chorus joinM 
Salute the new-born day: for not alone 
The vegetable world, but men and brutes 
Own his reviving influence, and joy ^ . . 

At his approach. Fountainof Light ! if chance 
Some envious cloud veil thy refulgent brow, 
In vain the Mules' aid ; untouch'd, unilrung, 
Lies my mute harp, and thy de/ponding Uard 
Sits darkly mufing o'er the unfinilh'd lay. 

Let no Corinthian pillars prop the dome; 
A vain expence, on charitable deeds 
Better difpos'd, to clothe the tatterM wretch 
Who flirinks beneath the blall, to feed the poor 
Pinch'd with afRiftive want. For ule, not flare, 
Gracefally plain, let each apartment rife. 
O'er all let cleanlinels prefide, no I'craps 
Bellrew the pavement, and no half-piek'd bones 
To kindle fierce debate, or to difguil 
That nicer fenfe on which the fportfman's hope 
And all its fatur<; triumphs mult depend. 
Soon as the growling pack with eager joy 
Have lanp'd their fmoking viands, morn or eve, 
From the full ciftern lead tlie ductile ftreams, 
To v.-afii thy court well pav'd,nor Ipare thypainsj 
For much to health will cleanlinefs avail. 
Seek'ft thou for hounds toclimb the rockyfteep, 
Andbrulh th' entangled covert,whof^ nice fcent 
O'er greafy fallows and frequented roads 
Can pick the dubious way ? Banifli fer off 
Each noifome ftench ; let no oiienfive fmell 
Invade thy wide inclolure, but admit 
Xhe nitrous air and purifying breeze. 

Water and ftiade no Icfs dennn(i thy care. 
In a large fquare th' adjacent field inclofe 5 
There plant, in equal ranks, the fpieading elm 
Or tVagrant lime ; mod happy thy defign. 
If at the bottom of thy fpacious court 
A large canal, fed by the cryltal brook. 
From its tranfparent bofom (hall refleft 
Thy downward itriK^ure and inverted grove. 
Kere, when the fnn's too potent gleams annoy 
The crowded kennel j and the drooping pack, 
Keltlefs and faint, lo-il their unmoiften'd tongues, 
And drop their feeble tails ; to cooler fhades 
Lead forth the panting tribes: foon fhalt thoufind 
The cordial breeze their fainting hearts revive: 
Tumultuous foon they plunge into theftream. 
There lave their reeking fides ; with greedy joy 
Gulp down the fiving wave; this way and that 
Fromfhoretofiiorethevfwlmjvvhileclamourloud 
And wild uproar torment the troubled flood : 
Tiien on the funny bink they roll and Itrctch 
Their di-ipping limbs, or ells in wanton rings 
Courfing around, parfuing andpuriucd, 
Tlie merry multitude di/porfing play. 

But herewith watchful and gjofervant eye 
Attend their frolic?;, which too often end 
In blo«dy broils and death. High o'er thy head 
Wave tljy refounding whip, and with a voice 
Fierce menacing o'er-rule the ftern debate, 
And (juejaditheirkindling rage: for t/ft^in fpovt 



E S C R I P T I V E, &c. 3^3 

Begun, combat enfues: growlingthey fnarl, 
Then,ontheirhaunches rear'd,rampant theyfeire 
Eich others throats 5 with teeth and claws in gore 
Befmear'd,theywound,theytear,tillontheground 
Panting, half dead, the conquer'd champion lies: 
Then fudden all the bafe ignoble crowd, 
Loud-clam'ring,feizethehelplefs,worrledwretch, 
And, thirfting for his blood, dr.ag different ways 
His mangled carcafs on th' enfanguin'd plain. 
O breafts of pity void ! t'opprefs the weak, 
To point your vengeance at the fnendlefs head. 
And with one mutual cry infult the fallen ! 
Emblem too juft of man's degenerate race. 

Others apart, by native inftin6l led, 
Knowing inftrudtor! 'mong the ranker grafs 
Cull each falubrious plant, with bitter >uice 
Conco61ive flor'd, and potent to r.Uay 
Each vicious ferment. Thus the hand divine 
Of Providence, beneficent and kind 
To alt his creatures, for the brutes prefc.nbes 
A ready remedy, and is himfelf 
TheirgreatPhyfician. Now grown ftiff with age 
And many a painful chace, the wife old hound, 
Regardlefs ^'the frolic pack, attends 
His mafter's fide, or flumbers at his eafe 
Beneath the bendirig fiiade : there many a ring 
Runs o'er in dreams i now on the doubtful foil 
Puzzles pcrplex'd, or doubles intricate, 
Cautious unfolds j then wing'd with all his fpeed 
Bounds o'er the lawn to feize his panting prey. 
And in imperfeft whimp'ring fpeaks hisjoy. 
A diiF'rent hound forev'ry diff'rent chace 
Seleft with judgment ; nor the tim'rous hare 
O'eraiatch'd deitroy, but leave that vile offence 
To the mean murd'rous, courfing crew, intent 
On blood and fpoil. O, blaft their hopes, juft 
And all their painful drudgeries repay [Heav'n ! 
With difappointment and fevere remorfej 
But hufi)and thou thy pleafures, and give fcope 
Po all her fubtle play. By nature led, 
A thouland (hifts (he tries : t' unravel thefe 
Th' indullrious beagle twifts his waving tail. 
Thro' all her labyrinths purfues, and rmgs 
Her doleful knell. See there with count'nance 

blithe, 
And with a courtly grin, the fawning honnd 
Salutes tiiee cow'ring ; his wide op'ning nofe ■ 
Upwards he curls: and his large floe-black eyes 
Melt in fort blandifliraents and humbled joy t 
His gloffy (kin, or yellow pied, or blue, 
In lights or (hades by Nature's pencil drawa, 
Refie(^s the various tints j his ears and legs, 
Fleck'd here and there, in ^ay enamell'd pride 
Rival the fpeckled pardj his ru(h-grown tail 
O'er his broad back bends in an ample arch : 
On (boulders clean upright and firm he ftands: 
His round cat-foot, llraight hams,' and v/ide-^ 

fpread thigh?, 
And his low dropping chert-, c JZiFefs his fpeed, 
His ftrength, his wind, or on the ileepy Jiill 
jOr far extended plain ; in ev'ry part 
jSo well proportion'd, that tlie nicer Ikill 
jOf Phidias himfelf can"t blame thy choice-: 
^Of fuch £oiapGl€ tli/pack. ^ut Jierc a mean. 
■< Obferve, 



3§4 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



B 



OOK 



IL 






Obferve, nor the large hound prefer, of fize 
Gigantic j he in the thick-woven covert 
I'ainfully tugs, or in the thorny brake 
Torn andenibari-afs'd bleeds : but if too fmall, 
The pigmy brood in ev'ry furrow fwirris j 
Moird in th? clogging clay, panting they lag 
Behind inglorious j or elfe (hivVing citep, 
Benumb'd andfaint,beneath the flielteringthorn: 
For hounds of middle fize, a6live and ftrong, 
"Will better anfwer all thy various ends, 
And crown thy pleafmg labours with fuccefs. 

As fom6 brave captain, curious and exaft, 
By his fix'd ftandard forms in equal ranks 
His gay battalion, as one man they move 
Step after Hep, their fize the fame, their arms 
Far gleiiming dart the fame united blaZe : 
Reviewing generals his merit own ; 
How regular! how juft! and all his cares 
Are well repaid if mighty George approve : 
So model thou thy pack, if honour touch 
Thy generous foul,and the world's juft applaufe. 
But above all take heed, nor mix thy hounds 
Of diff'rent kinds; difcordant founds fliall grate 
Tny ears offcTjded, and a lagging line 
Of babbling curs difgrace thy broken pack. 
But if th"" amphibious otter be thy chace, 
Or {lately ftag that o'er the woodland reigns j 
Or if th' harmonious thunder of the field 
Delight thy ravifli' dears ; thedeep-flew'd hound 
Breed up with care, Itrong, heavy, flow, but fure 5 
Whofe ears dov/n-hanging from his thick round 
head [voice 

Shall fweep the morning dew, whofe clanging 
Awake the moimtain Echo in her cell, 
And Ihakethe foreds : the bold talbot kind, 
Cf thefe the prime, as white as Alpine fnows, 
And great their ufe of old. Upon the banks 
Of Tweed, flow winding thro"" the vale, the feat 
Of war and rapine once, ere Britons knew 
The fweets of peace, or Anna's dread commands 
To lafting leagues the hauglity rivals aw'd, 
There dwelt a pilf'ring race, well ti'ain'd and 
In all the myfteries of theft, the fpoil [Ikill'd 
Their only fubftance, feuds and war their fport; 
Nor more expert in every fraiidful art 
Th' arch felon * was of old, who by the tail 
Drew back his lowing prize: in vain his wileSj 
In vain the flielter of the covering rock, 
In vain the focty cloud and ruddy flames 
That iluied from his nv)uth ; for foon he paid 
His forfeit life ; a debt how julUy due 
To wrong'd Aicides and avenging H^av'n ! 
Veil'd in the fhadesof night they ford the fl:ream, 
Then prowling far and near, whate'er they feize 
Becomes theirprey ; norflocks nor herds arelkfe. 
Nor italls p rote 61 the ftcer,nor fl:ron g barr'd doors 
Secure the fav'rite horfe. Soon as the mom 
Keveals hh wrcng^•, with ghaftly vifage wan 
The plunderM owner flands, and from his lips 
A thouiand thronging corfesbarfl: their way : 
He callji his Itout allies, and in a line 
His faithful hound he leads, then with a voice 



That utters loud his rage, attentive cheers ; 
Soon the fagacious brute, his curling tail 
Floarifli'd in air, low bending plies around 
His bufy nofe, the fteami ng vapour fnuffs 
Inquifitivei hor leslVes otie turf untried, 
Tinjconfcious of the recent flirains, his heart 
Beats quick; his fnufling nofe, his active tail, 
Atteil his joy 5 then wirh deep openinj^ mouth j 
That makes the welkin tremble, he proclaims 
Th' audacious felon : foot by foot h? marks 
His winding way, while all the liil'ning crowd 
Applaud his reas'nings. O'er the wat'ry ford, 
Dry faudy heaths, and Itony barren hills, 
O er beaten paths with men and bealis diilain'd. 
Unerring he purfues, till at the tot 
Arriv d, CxvA feizing by his guilty throat 
The CHtiii' viJe, redeems the captive prey : 
So exquifltely delicate his fenle 1 [quire 

Should foine more curious fportfman here en- 
Whence this fagacity,rhis wond'rous pow'r 
Of tracing ftep by ftep or man or brute ? 
What guide invifible points out their way 
O'er the dank marfli, bleak hill,and iandy plain r 
The courteous NTule fhall the dark caufe reveal. 
The blood that from the heart incefl'ant rolls 
In many a crimfon tide, then here and there 
In fmalier rills diiparted, as it fiows 
Propell'd, the ferous particles evade 
Thro' th' open pores, and with the ambient air 
Entangling mix. As fuming vapotars rife, 
And hang upon the gently-purling brook, ■ 
There bytJie incumbent atmofphere comprefj'd^ 
The panting chace grows warm.er as he flies. 
And thro' the net- work of the fkin perfpires. 
Leaves a long itreaming trail bchijid, which by 
The cooler » ir condens'd, remains, unlefs 
By fome rude ftorm difpers'd, or rarificd 
By the meridian fun's intenfer heat. 
To ev'ry flirub the warm eflii-ivia cling, 
Hang on the graf';;, impregnate earth and fkie:;. 
With noltrils op'ning wide, o'er hill, o'er dale, 
The vig'rous hounds purfue, with ev'ry breath 
Inhale the grateful fleam, quick pleafuresfting 
Their tingling nei-ves, while they their thauks 

repay. 
And in triumphant melody confefs 
The titillating joy. Thus on the air 
Depend the hunter's hopes. When ruddy flrcaks 
At eve forbode a bluifring flrorm}' day, 
Orlov/'ringclouds blacken the m^oun tain's brow; 
When nipping frofl:s, and" the keen biting blaHs 
Of the dry parching eaft,- menace the trees, 
With tender bloflbms teeming; kindly fpare 
Thy fleeping pack, in their warm beds of flraw 
Low-fmking at their eafe ! liftlefs they (brink 
Into fome dark recefs, nor hear thy voice, 
Tho' oft invok'd ; or haply if thy call 
l^oufe up the flumb'i'ing tribe with, heavy eyt^f 
Glaz'd,* lifelefs, dull, downv.ard they drcp 

their tails 
Inverted -. high on their bent backs ereft 
Fheir pointed briiUesftare, or 'mongthe tuft? 



CaciJS, VIrg. Mn. lib. v' 



BookTI. B10ACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE. &c. 



3*5 



Of ranker weeds each ftomach-healing plant 
Curious they crop, fick, IpirAtlefs, forlorn. 
Thefe inaufpicious days oji otlver cares 
Employ thy precious hours^th' improving friend 
With open arms embrace, ?ind from his lips _ 
Glean fcience, feafonM with good-natur'd wit; 
But if th' inclement (kies and angry Jove 
Forbid the pleaiing intercourfe, thy books 
Invite thy ready hand ; each facred page 
Rich with the wife remarks of heroes old. 
Converfe familiar with the illuftrious dead ; 
With great examples of old Greece or I^ome 
Enlarge thy free-born heart, and blefs kind 
That Britain yet enjoys dear Liberty, [Heaven 
That balm of life, that fweeteft bleffing, cheap 
Tho'purchasMwithourblood.Well~bred,pobte, 
Credit thy calling. See ! how mean, how low. 
The booklefs faunt'ring youth, proud of the 
That dignifies his cap, his flourifh'd belt, [fkut 
And rufty couples jingling by his fide! 
Be thou of other mould ; and know that fuch 
Tranfporting pleafures were by heaven ordainM 
Wifdon>'s relief, and Virtue's great reward. 

BOOK II. 

THE ARGUMENT. 

Of the poiver of tnfinSi in brutes. Tnvo remark- 
able inftances in the hunting of the roebuck ^ and 
in the hare going to feat in the morning. Of 
the variety of feats or forms of the harey ac- 
cording to the changes oj the feafon, nveather, or 
^ind. Defcription of the hare-hunting in all its 
parts, interfperfed 'with rules to be olfer^ved by 
thofe ivho follonv that chace. 'Tranftion to the 
Afiatic ivay of hunting, particularly the magni- 
ficent manner of the Great Mogul, and other 
Tartarian princes, taken from Monfieur Bernier, 
and the Hijlory cj Gengijkan the Great. Con- 
cludes <with ajhort reproof of tyrants andoppref- 
fors of mankind. 

Nor will it lefs delight th' attentive fage, 
T' ol)ferve that inftin6l which unerring guides 
The brutal race, which mimics reafon's lore. 
And oft tranfcends. Heaven-taught, the rpe- 

buck fwift 
Loiters at eafe before the driving pack, 
And mocks their vain purfuit, nor far he flies : 
But checks his ardour, till the fteaming fcent 
That frefhens on the blade provokes their rage. 
Urg^d to their Ipeed, his weak deluded foes 
Soon flag fatiguMj ftrain'd to excefs, each nerve. 
Each flacken'd finew, fails: they pant, they 
foam : [hills 

Then o'er the lawn he bounds, o'er the high 
Stretches fecure, and leaves the fcattcrM crowd 
To puzzle in the diftant vale below. 

'Tis inftinft that directs the jealous hare 
To choofe her foft abode. With flep reversed 
She forms the doubling maze ; then, ere the morn 
JPeeps thro' the clouds, leaps to her clofe recefs. 

As wandering ihepherds on th' Arabian plains 
No fettled rcfidence obferyc; but fhift 



Their moving campj now on fome cooler hill. 
With cedars crownMjCOurttherefreiliingbreezei 
And then below, where trickling ilreamsdillil 
From fome penurious fource, their thiift allay. 
And feed their fainting flocks : fo the wife hares 
Oft quit their feats, left fome more curious eye 
Should mark their haunts, and by dark treache- 
rous wiles 
Plot their deftru6lion ; or perchance in hopes 
Of plenteous forage, near the ranker mead 
Or matted blade wary and clofe they fit. 
When fpring ftiines forth, feafon of love and joy. 
In the moift marfh, 'mong beds of ruflies hid. 
They cool their boilhig blood. When fummer 

funs 
Bake the deft earth, to thick wide-waving fields 
Of corn full grown they lead their helplefsyoungj 
But when autumnal torrents and fierce rains 
Deluge the vale, in the dry crumbling bank 
Their forms they delve, and cautiously avoid 
The dripping covert: yet when winter's cold 
Theirlimbsbemimbs,thitherwithfpeed returned. 
In the long grafs they fculk, or fhrinking creep 
Among the wither'd leaves: thus changing itill 
As fancy prompts them, or as food invites. 
But ev'ry feafon carefully obferv'd, 
Th' inconftant winds, the fickle element. 
The wife experienc'd huntfman foon may find 
His fubtle, various game, nor waftes in vain. 
His tedious hours, till his impatient hounds. 
With difappointment vex'd, each fpringing lark 
Babbling purfue, far fcatter'd o'er the fields. 

Now golden Autumn from her open lap 
Her fragrant bountiesfhow'rs 5 the field saj-e fhorn: 
Inwardly fmiling the proud fenner views 
The rifing pyramids that grace his yard, 
And counts hislarge increafe: bis barns are ilor'd; 
And groaning ftaddles bend beneath their load. 
All now is free as air, and the gay pack 
In the rough briftly flubbles range unblam'd. 
No widow's tears o'erf-ow, no fecret curfe 
Swells in the farmer's breaft, which bis pale lips 
Trembling conceal, by his fierce landlord aw'dj 
But courteous now he levels ev'ry fence, 
Joins in the common cry, and haloos loud, 
Charm'd with the rattling thunder of the field. 
O bear me, fome kind pow'r invifible ! 
To that extended lawn, where the gay court 
View the fwift racers ftretching to the goal ; 
Games more renown'd, and a far nobler train. 
Than proud Elean fields could boaft of old ; 
Oh were a Theban lyre not wanting here, 
And Pindar's voice, to do their merit right ! 
Ortothofe fpacious plains where theltrain'd eye. 
In the wide profpe6i loft, beholds at laft 
Sarum's proud fpire, that o'er the hills aicends, 
And pierces thro' the clouds: or to thy downs. 
Fair Cotfwold 1 wher? the \\'ell-breath'd beagle 

climbs, 
With matchlefs fpeed, thy green afpiring brow. 
And leaves the lagging multitude behind. 

Hail, gentle Dawn ! mild biulhing goddefs, 

Rejoic'd I fee thy purple mantle fpread [hail! 

O'er half the lilies j gems pave thy radiant way, 

C « ' And 



385 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IL 



And orient pearls from evVy (hrub depend. 
Farewel, Cleora ! here, deep funk in down, 
Skimber fecure, with happy dreams nmusM, 
Till grateful Iteams fhail tempt thee to receive 
Thy early meal j or thy officious maids, 
The toilette plac'd, fliall urge thee to perform 
Th' important work. Me other joys invite j 
The horn fonorous calls, the pack awak'd 
Their matins chant, nor brook ray long delay; 
My courferh.ears their voice: fee there! with ears 
And tail erei5V, neighing he paws the ground : 
Fierce raptm'e kindles in his reddening eyes, 
And boils in ey'ry vein. As captive boys, 
Cow'd by the ruling rod and haughty frowns 
Of pedagogues fevere, from their hard tafks 
If once diirnifs'd, no limits can contain 
The tumult rais'd within their little breads, 
But give a loofe to all their frolic play ; 
So from their kennel rufh the joyous pack; 
A thoufand wanton gaieties exprefs 
Their inward ecftacy, their plealing fport 
Once more indulged, and liberty rciior'd. 
The rifing fun, that o'er tli' horizon peeps, 
As many colours from their glofTy {kins 
Beaming refiefts, as paint the various bow 
When April fhow'rs defcend. Delightful fcene ! 
Where all around is gay— men, horfes, dogs 5 
And in each fmiling countenance appears ' 
Frefh bl jt.ming health, and univerfal joy. 

Huntfman! lead on: behind the cluflVing pack 
Submifs attend, hear" with refpeft thy whip 
Loud clanging, and thy hairfner voice obey. 
Spare not the itraggiing cur that wildly roves, 
•But let thy brifk affiftant on his back 
Imprint thy juft refentments; let each lafli 
Bite to the quick, till hov,-ling he return, 
And whining creep amid the trembling crowd. 
Here on this verdant fpot, where Nature kind 
With double bleffings crowns the farmer's hopes, 
Where fiow'rs autumnal fpring, and the rank 
Affords the wand'ring hares a rich repaft, [mead 
Throw off thy ready pack. See where they fpread. 
And range around, and dafn the giitt'nng dew ! 
If fome Haunch hound, with his authentic voice. 
Avow the recent trail, the joitling tribe 
Attend his call, then v/ith one mutual cry 
The welcome news confirm, and echoing hills 
Repeat the pleafmg tale. See how they thread 
The brakes, and up yon furrow drive along ! 
But quick they back recoil, and wifely check 
Their eager hafte ; then o'er the fallow'd ground 
How leifurely they work, and many a paufe 
Th'harmonious concert breaks} till,more afTur'd, 
With joy redoubled the low valleys ring. 
What artful labyrinths perplex their way ! 
Ah ! there fhe lies; how clofe ! (he pants; fhe 
Ifnow (he lives: (he trembles as fhe fits, [doubts 
With horror feiz'd. The wither'd grafs that 
Around her head, of the fame ruHct hue, [clings 
Almofl deceived my fight, had not her eyes 
With life full-beaming her vain wdles betray'd. 
At diftance draw thy pack; let all be hufh'd; 
No clamour loud, no frantic joy, be heard; 
JLcft the wild hound run gladding o'er the plain 



Un tradable, nor hear thy chiding voice. 
Now gently put her off"; fee how direft [bring 
To her known mew fhe files ! Here, huntfman, 
(But without hurry) ail thy jolly hounds, 
And calmly lay them in. Kow low they Hoop, 
And feemtoplough the ground 1 then all at once 
With greedy noftrils fnutf the fuming fteam 
That glads their fiutt'ring hearts. As winds let 

loofe 
From the dark caverns of the blufl'ring god. 
They burlt away, and fweep the dewy lawn. 
Hope gives them wings, while fhe's fpurr'd on 

by fear. [woods. 

The welkin rings, men, dogs, hills, rocks, and 
In the full concert join. Now, my brave youths ! 
Stripp'd for the chace, give all your fouls to joy. 
See how their Courfers, than the mountain roe 
More fleet, the verdant carpet ikim ! thick clouds 
Snorting they breathe, their faining hcrofs fcarce 
The grafs unbruis'd; with emulation fir'd [print 
They llrain to lead the field, top the barr'd gate. 
O'er the deep ditch exulting bound, and brufa 
The thorny-twining hedge: the riders bend 
O'ertheirarch'd necks; withfteadyliands by turns 
Indulge their fpeed, or moderate their rage. 
WherearetbeirforrowSjdifappointmentSjWTongs, 
Vexations, ficknefs, cares ? Ail, all are gone ! 
And vv^ith the panting Vv'inds lag far behind. 

Huntfman ! her gait obferve : if in wide rings 
She wheel her mazy way, in the fame round 
Perfuling ftill, flie"'ll foil the beaten tract j 
But if fhe fly, and with the fav'ring wind 
Urge her bold courfe, lefs intricate thy tafk ; 
Puih on thy pack. Like fome poor exil'd wretch, 
I ne frighted ch.ice leaves her late dear abodes, 
O er plains remote flie ftretches far awriy. 
Ah, never to return! for greedy Death 
Hov'ring exults, fecure to lieze his prey. 

Hark! from yon covert, where thofetow'ring 
Above the humble copfe afpiring rife, [oaks 
What glorious triumphs barll in ev'ry gale 
Upon our raviih'd ears ! The hunters fhout. 
The clanging horns fv»ell their fweet v/inding 

notes. 
The pack w^ide op'ning load the trem.bling air 
With various melody; from tree to tree 
The propagated cry redoubling bounds ; 
And winged zephyrs waft the floating joy 
Thro"" all the regions near. Afiiictive birch 
No moi-e the fchool-boy dreads; his prifon broke, 
Scamp'ring he flies, nor heeds his mafler's call. 
The weary traveller forgets his road, [leaves 
And climbs the adjacent hill. The ploughmaa 
Th' unfinifh'd furrow; nor his bleating tlocks 
Are now the iliepherd's joy. Men, boys, and girls, 
Defert the unpeopled village; and wild crowds 
Spread o'er the plain, by the fweet phrenfy feiz'd. 
Look how fne pants I and o'er yon op'ning glade 
Slips glancing by ; while at the further end 
The puzzling pack unravel wile by wile, 
Maze within maze ? The covert's utmofl bound 
Slily file fkirts; behind them cautious creeps. 
And in that very track fo lately flain'd 
By all the flearaing crowd^ fecms to purfue 

The 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



3S7 



The foes fhe flies. Let cavillers deny [morej 
That brutes have realbn ; lure 'tis lonKthing 
'Tis Heaven directs, and liratnjems infbire 
Beyond the ihort extent of human thought. 
But hold — I fee her from the covert break j 
Sad on yon little eminence (he fitsj 
Intent flie lillens with one ear erech 
Pond'ring and doubtful wluit new courfe to tr.ke. 
And how to 'fcapethe lierce blood-thirdy crew 
Tiiat Hill urge on, and Hill in voliies loud 
Infult her woes, and mock her fore diitrefs. 
As now in louder peals the loaded winds 
Bring on the gathering Itorm, her fears prevail, 
Ando'ertheplain, and o'erthemountain's ridge, 
Away the flies ; nor fliips v/ith wind and tide. 
And all their canvas wip.gs, feud half fo fift. 
Once n^ore, ye jovial train ! your courage try. 
And each clean courfer's fpsed. We fcour along 
In plealing hurry and confufion tofs'd ; 
Oblivion to be Vv'ifh'd ! The patient pack 
Hang on the fcent unwearied: up they climb, 
And ardent we purfue: our laboring fteeds 
We prefs, we gore j till, once the fummit gained. 
Painfully panting, there we breathe awhile j 
Then like a foaming torrent pouring down 
Precipitant, we fmoke along the vale. 
Happy the man who with unrivaird fpeed 
Can pafs his fellows, and with -plea lure view 
The flruggliiig pack ! how in the rapid courfe 
Alternate they prelide, and joftling pufli 
To guide the dubious fcent; how giddy youth 
Oft blabbering errs, by wifer age reprov'd; 
How, niggard of his ftr^igth, the wife old hound 
Hangs in the rear, till loine important point 
Rouie all his diligence, or till the chace 
Sinking he finds; then to the head he fprings. 
With thirft of glory fir'd, and wins the prize. 
Huntfraan ! take heed; they Hop in full career: 
Yon crowding flocks, that at a diftance gaze. 
Have haply foil'd the turf. See that old hound, 
How bufiiy he works, but dares not truil ^ 
His doubtful (cnfe! Draw yet a wider ring. 
Hark ! now again the chorus fills ; as belis, 
Sallied awhile, at once their psal renew, 
And high in air the tunei'ul thunder rolls. 
See how they tofs, with animated rage 
Recovering all they loft! That eager halle 
Some doubling wile forelhews. Ah! yet once 
more [either hand 

They 're check'd — hold back with fpeed — on 
They flourifh round — ev"n yet perfiil — 'tis right: 
Away they fpring ; the ruftling Itubbles bend 
Beneath the driving ftorm. Now the poor chace 
Begins to fl.ig, to her lait Ihifts reduc'd. 
From brake to brake llie flies, and vifits all [cure. 
Her w£ll-kno wn haunts,where oncefherang'd fe- 
With love and plenty bleft. See ! there flie goes; 
She reels along, and by her gait betrays 
Her inward weaknefs. See how black Ihe looks 1 
The fweat that clogs th' obfl:ru6led pores fcarce 
A languid fcent. And now in open view [leaves 
Seel fee! flie flies; each eager hound exerts 
JJis utmoft fpeed, and fliretches ev'ry nerve. 
Ho,vv quick fiie turns, their gaping jaws eludes, 



And yet a moment lives, till round inclos'd 
By all the greedy pack, with infant fcreams 
Slie yields her breaih, and there rclu6la:it dies! 
So when :he furious Bacchanals aflall'd 
rhreician Orpheus, poor ill-fated bard ! [banks 
Loud was the cry; hills, woods, and Hebrus' 
Return'd their clam'rous rage : diftrefs'd he flies. 
Shifting from place to place, but flies in vain: 
For eager they purfue; till panting, faint. 
By noify multitudes o'erpower'd, he fmks 
I'o the reientlefs crowd a bleeding prey ! 

The huntfman now, a deiep incifion made, 
Shakes out with hands impure, and dafhes down 
Her reeking entrails and yet quiv'ring heart. 
Thefe claim the pack, the bloody perquifite 
For all their toils. Stretch'donthegroundllielies 
A mangled corfe; in her dim-glaring eyes 
Cold Death exults, and fl:ifiens ev'ry limb. 
Aw'd by thethreat'ningwhip, the furious hounds 
Around her bay, or at their mafter's foot 
Each happy fav'rite courts his kind applaufe. 
With humble adulation cow'ring low. 
All now is joy. With checks full-biov.-n they 

tvind 
Her folemn dirge, while the loud-opening pack 
The concert fweli, and hills and dales return 
The fadly-pleaiing founds. Thus the poor hare, 
A puny daftard animal ! but vers'd 
In fabtle wiles, diverts the youthful train. 
But if thy proud afpiring foul difdains 
So mean a prey, delighted with the pomp. 
Magnificence and grandeur, of the chace j 
Hear Avhat the Mufe from faithful record lings. 

Why on the banks of Gemna, Indian fiiream. 
Line within line, rife the pavilions proud. 
Their fiiken ftreamers waving in the wind? 
Why neighs the warrior horfe? From tent to tent 
Why prefs in crowds the buzzing multitude? 
Why fhinesthe poliih'd helm and pointed lance. 
This way and that far beaming o'er the plain ? 
Nor Vifapour nor Golconda rebel, 
Nor the great Sophy, with his num'i-ous hoft, 
Lays wafte the provinces, nor glory fires 
To rob and to defliroy, beneath the name 
And fnecious guife of war. A nobler caufe 
Crills Aurengzebe to arms. No cities fack'd. 
No mother's tears, no helplefs orphan's cries. 
No violated leagues, with Iharp remorfe 
Shall lling the confcious vi^Slor, but mankind 
Shall hail him good and juft : for 'tis on beads 
I He draws his vengeful fword ; on beaft:s of prey, 
I-^ull-fed with human gore. See, fee, he comes ! 
Imperial Delhi, op'ning wide her gates. 
Pours out her thronging legions, bright in arms 
And all the pomp of war. Before them found 
CLrions and trumpets, breathing martial airs 
And hold defiance. High upon his throne. 
Borne on the back of his proud elephant. 
Sits the great chief of Timur's glorious race j 
Sublime he fits amid the radiant blaze 
Of gems and gold. Omrahs about him crowd. 
And rein the Arabian fi:eed, and watcfi his nod. 
And potent rajahs, who themfelves prefide 
O'er realms of wide extent 3 but heie fubmifs 
C C 2 Thcil" 



388 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



liOOK 11. 



Their homage pay, alternate kings and flaves ! 
Next thefe, with prying eunuchs girt around, 
The iair iultanas of his court j a troop 
Of chofen beauties, but with care conceal'd 
From each intrufive eye; one look is death. 
Ah ! cruel eallern law ! (had kings a povv'r 
But equal to their wild tyrannic will) 
To rob us of the fun's all -cheering ray 
Were lefs fevere. The vulgar clofe the march, 
Slaves and artificers; and Delhi mourns 
Her empty and depopulated ftreets. 
Now at the camp arrived, with ftern review 
Thro' groves of fpears from file to file he darts 
His fl)arp experienced eye, their order marks, 
Each in his flation rang'd, exact and firm, 
Till in the boundiefs line his fight is loft. 
Not greater multicude:, in arms appeared 
On thefe extended plains, when Ammon's fon 
With mjghty Porus in dread battle joined. 
The vafial v/orld the prize; nor was that hofc 
More numerous of old which the Great King* 
Pour'd out onGreece IVomall th'unpeopled Eait, 
That bridg'd the Hellefpont from ihore to fhore. 
And drank the rivers dry. Meanwhile in troops 
The bufy hujiter-train mark out the ground. 
A wide circumference, full many a league 
In compafs round ; woods, rivers, hills, and 
Large provinces, enough to gratify [plains. 
Ambition's higheft ain:i, could reafon bound 
Man's erring will. Now fit in clofe divan 
The mighty chiefs of this prodigious hoft; 
He from the throne high-eminent prefides. 
Gives out his mandates proud, laws of the chace, 
From ancient records drav/n.With rev'rence low, 
And proftrate at his feet, the chiefs receive 
His irreverfible decrees, from v.'hich 
To vary is to die. Then his brave bands 
Each to his ftation leads, encamping round 
Till the wide circle is completely form'd. 
Wheredecentorderreigns,what thefe command 
Thofe execute with fpeed and punctual care. 
In all the ilrifteft difcipline of war. 
As if fome watchful foe, with bold infult, 
Hunglow'ringo'ertheircamp. The highrefolve 
That flies on wings thro' all th' encircling line 
Each motion fteers, and animates the whole. 
So, by the fun's attraftlve pow'r controU'd, 
The planets in their fpheres roll round his orb ; 
On all he fliines, and rules the great machine. 
Ere yet the morn difpels the fleeting mifts. 
The fignal given by the loud trumpet's voice, 
Now high in air th' imperial ftandard waves, 
Emblazon'd rich v.'ith gold and glitt'ring gems, 
And like a flieet of fire thro' the dun gloom 
Streaming meteorous. The foldiers' fhouts 
And all the brazen inflirunients of war, 
With mutual clamour and united din 
Fill the large concave, while from camp to camp 
They catch the varied founds, floating in air. 
Round all the wide circumference tigers fell 
Shrink at the noife ; deep in his gloomy den 
The lion fliarts, and morfels yet unchew'd 



Drop from his trembling jaws. Now all at once 
Onward they march embattled, to the found 
Of martial harmony; fifes, cornets, drums. 
That roufe the fleepy foul to arms and bold 
Heroic deeds. In parties here and there, 
Detach'd o'er hill and dale, the hunters range 
Inquifitive ; ftrong dogs, that match in fight 
The boldeft brute, around their mafters wait, 
A faithful guard. No haunt unfearch'd, they 
From ev'ry covert, and from ev'ry den, [drive 
The lurking favages. Inceflant Ihouts 
Re-echo thro' the woods, and kindling fires 
Gleam from the mountain tops : the foreft feeras 
One mingling blaze: likeflocksofflieep they fly 
Before the flaming brand : fierce lions, pards. 
Boars, L'gers, bears, and wolves, a dreadful crew 
Of grim blocd-thirfty foes ! Growling along 
They ilalk indignant, bat fierce vengeance ftill 
Hany:s pealing on their rear, and pointed fpears 
Prefent immediate death. Soon as the night, 
WrappM in her fable veil, forbids the chace. 
They pitch their tents in even ranks around 
The circling camp. The guards are plac'd, and 
At proper diitances afcending rife, [fires 

And paint th' horizon with their ruddy light. 
So round forae ifland's fliore of large extent. 
Amid. the gloomy horrors of the night. 
The billows breaking en the pointed rocks 
Seem all one flaire, and the bright circuit wide 
Appears a bulwark of furrounding fire. 
What dreadful bowlings and what hideous roar 
Difturb thofe peaceful Ihades ! where erfl: the bird 
That glads the night had cheer'd the lift'ning 

groves 
Wi chfu-eet complainings. Thro' the filent gloom 
Oft they the guards afi'ail ; as oft repell'd 
They fly reluctant, whh hot-boiling rage 
Stung to the quick, and mad with wild defpair. 
Thus, day by day, they ftill the chace renew. 
At night encamp ; till now in ftraiter bounds 
The circle lefiens, and the beafts perceive ' 
The wall that hems them in on ev'ry fide. 
And now their fury burfl:s, and knows nom.ean ; 
Frommantheyturx],andpointtheirill-judg'drage 
Againft their fellow brutes. With teethand claws 
The civil v.-ar begins; grappling they tear; 
Lions on tigers prey, and bears on wolves j 
Horrible difcord ! till the crowd behind 
Shouting purfue, and part the bloody fray. 
At once their wrath fubfides ; tame as the lamb 
The lion hangs his head; the furious pard, 
Cow'd and fubdued, flies from the face of man, 
Nor bears one glance of his commanding eye. 
So abjefl is a tyrant in diltrefs ! 

At laft, within the narrow plain confin'd, 
A lifted field, mark'd out for bloody deeds, 
An amphitheatre more glorious far [heaps, 
Than ancient Rome could boaft, they crowd ii\ 
Difmay'd, and quite appall'd. In meet array 
Sheath'd in refulgent arms, a noble band 
Advance ; great lords of high imperial blood. 
Early refolv'd t' aflert their royal race, 

Aad 



* Xerxes. 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



3S9 



And prove byg-lorlousdeedstheirvalour's growth 
Mature, ere yet the callow down has Ipread 
Its curling Ihade. On bold Arabian Heeds 
With decent pride they fit, that fearlefs hear 
The lion's dreadful roar; and down the rock 
Swiftfliootingplunge,oro'erthemountain's ridge 
Stretching along, the greedy tiger leave 
Panting behind. On foot their faithful flaves 
With jav'linsarm'd attend J each watchful eye 
FixM on his youthful care, for him alone 
He fears ; and, to redeem his life, unmov'd 
Would lofe his own. The mighty Aurcngzebe 
From his high-elevated throne beholds 
His blooming race, revolving in his mind 
What once he was, in his gay fpring of life, 
When vigour ftrung his nerves. Parental joy- 
Melts in his eyes, and flufties in his cheeks. 
Now the loudtrumpetfounds a charge.The ihouts 
Of eager hofts thro' all the circling line. 
And the wild bowlings of the beads within, 
Rend the welkin j the flights of arrows wing'd 
Withdeath, and jav'lins launched from eveiyarm, 
Gall fore the brutal bands, with many a wound 
Gor'd thro"" and thro\ Defpair at la.t prevails, 
When fainting nature {brinks, and roufes all 
Their drooping coumge. Swell'd with furious 

rage, 
Their eyes dart fire, and on the youthful band 
They rufh implacable. They their broad fliield s 
Quick, interpofe ; on each devoted head 
Their flaming faulchions, as the bolts of Jove, 
Dffcend unerring. Proflrate on the ground 
The grinning raonfters lie, and their foul gore 
Defiles the verdant plain. Nor idle ftand 
The trufty flaves j with poin ted fpears they pierce 
Thro"" theirtough hides,orattheirgapingmouths 
An eafier paffage find. The king of brutes 
In broken roarings breathes his lailj the bear 
Grumbles in death j nor can his fpotted (kin, 
Tho' fleek it fliine, with varied beauties gay. 
Save the proud pard from unrelenting fate. 
The battle bleeds : grim Slaughter ftrides along. 
Glutting her greedy jaws, grins o'er her prey — 
Men, horfes, dogs, fierce beafts of ev'ry kind, 
Afl;rangepromircuouscarnage5drench'dinblood, 
And heaps on heaps amafs'd. What yet remain 
Alive, with vain affault contend to break 
Th' impenetrable line. Others, whom fear 
Infpires with felf-p refer ving wiles, beneath 
The bodies of the fiain for Ihelter creep, 
Aghafl: they fly, or hide their heads dlfpers'd. 
And now perchance (liad Heaven but pleas'd) 

the work 
Of death had been complete, and Aurengzebe 
By one dread froAvn extinguifh'd half their race 
When, lo ! the bright fukanas of his court 
Appear, and to his raviih'd eyes difplay 
Thofe charms but rarely to the day reveal'd. 
Lowly they bend, and humbly iue to fave 
The vanquifli'd hoil. What mortal can deny 
When fnppliant Beauty begs ! At his command 
Op'ning to right and left, the well-train'd troops 
Leave a large void for their retreating foes: 
Away they fly, on wings of fea-r upborne, 



To feek on diftant hills their late abodes. 

Ye proud opprelfors'.whofe vain hearts exult 
In wantonncfs of pow'r 'gainil the brute race. 
Fierce robbers like yourfclves, a guilllifs war 
Wage uncontrolled : here quench your third of 

blood J 
But learn from Aurengzebe to fpare mankind. 

BOOK in. 

THE ARGUMENT. 

Cf king Edga^-y and his impcfm^ a tribute of 
tivol'ves heads upon the kings of Wales ; f^am 
hence a tranfition to fox -huntings -iK^hich is de- 

fcribcd in all its farts. Cenfure of an onjer^ 
numerous pack. Of the fe^veral engines to de- 

Jlrpy foxes and other tvild heajls. 'The Jl eel- 
trap defcribed^ and the manner of ufi7ig it, 
Dcfcription of the pi fall for the lion, and ano- 
ther for the elephant. The ancient ivay of hunt ~ 
ing the tiger iviih a mirror. The Arabian 7nan~ 
ner of hunting the ivild boar. Defcription oj the 
royal flag- chace at IVindfor Forejl. Concludes 
^vith an addrefs to his Majejly^ and an eulogy 
upon mercy. 

In Albion's ifle when glorious Edgar reign'd. 
He, wifely provident, from her white clifi's 
Launch'd half her foreds, and with num'rous 

fleets 
Cover'd his wide domain ; there proudly rode 
Lord of the deep, the great prerogative 
Of Britifli mcnarchs:. each invader bold. 
Bane and Norwegian, at a didance gaz'd, 
And, difippointed, gnalh'd his teeth in vain* 
He fcour'd the feas, and to remoted fliores 
With fwelling fails the trembling corfair fled. 
Rich commerce flourifli'd, and with bufy oars 
Dafli'd the re(bunding furge. Nor lefs at land. 
His royal cares; wife, potent, gracious Prince I 
His fubjefts from their cruel foes he fiiv'd. 
And from rapacious liivages their flocks. 
Cambria's proud kings (tho'vvithrelu61ance) paid 
Their tributary v/olves, head after head. 
In full account; till the woods yield no more. 
And all the rav'nous race ex';in61: is lod. 
In fertile padures n^.ore fecurel}'- graz"d 
The fecial troops, and {q>0':\ their l:;rge increafe 
With curling fleeces whiten'd all the plains. 
But yet, alas ! the wily fox rernain'd, 
A fubtie, pilf'ring foe, prowling around 
In midnight fliades, and v/akcful to dedroy. 
In the full fold the poor defenceiefs lamb,' 
Seiz'd byhis guileful arts,with fweet v/arm blood 
Supplies a rich repad. The mournful ewe, 
Her deared ti eafure loft, thro' the drin night 
Wanders perplex'd,and darkling bleats in vain j 
While in th' adjacent bufti poor Philomel 
(Herfeif a parent once, till wanton churls 
Defpojl'd her wt'iC) joins in her loud laments 
With fweeter notes and more melodious woe. 

Fcrthefe nofturnal thieves, huntfman, prepare 

Thy fharped vengeance. Oh ! how glorious 'tis 

To right th' opprefs'd, and bring the felca vile 

To jud difgrace ! Ere yet the morning peep, 

C c 3 Qf 



'sgo 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



Of ftars retire from the firll blufh of day, 
With thyiar-echoing voice alarm thy pack, 
And rouTo thy boldcompeers: then to the copfe, 
Thick with entangling grafs or prickly furze, 
With filence lead thy many-colour'd hounds, 
In all their beauty's pride. See ! holv they range 
Diipers'd, how bufily this way and that 
They crofs, examining with curious noie 
Each likely haunt. Hark! on the dra^- I hear* 
Their doubtful notes, preluding to. a cry 
More nobly full, and fwell'd with cv'ry mouth. 
As ftraggling armies at the trumpet's voice 
Prefs to their ftandard, h.ither all repair, 
And hurry thro' the woods with haily ftep, 



What lengths we pafs ! where will the wand'riag 

chace 
Lead us bewilder'd ! fmooth as fwallows fkim 
The new-fhorn mead, and far more fwift we fly. 
See my brave pack ! how to the head they prefs. 
Joining in clofe array, then more diffufe 
Obliq uely wheel; whilefVomtheirop'ningmouths 
The voliied th under breaks. So when the cranes 
Their annual voyage lleer, with wanton wing 
Tlieir figu re oft theychange, and their loud clang 
1^ Yom cloud to cloud rebounds. How far behind 
The hunter crew, wide Itraggling o'er the plain '. 
The panting courfer nov/ with trembling nerves 
Heo-ins to reel ; ure'd bv the eorinji fpur 



Ruftiingand full of hope ; now driven on heaps i Makes many a faint ejfort : he Inorts, he foams , 
They pufli, they llrive j while from his kennel I Thehi!j;round drops runtricklingdownhislides, 
fneaks I With fweat and blood diftain'd. Look back and 

The confcious villain. See! he fculks along |The lirange confunon of the vale below. [view- 
Sleek at the fliepherd'scoft, and plump with meals f Where fore vexation reigns: fee yon poor jade j 
Purloin'd : ib thrive the wicked here belov/. In vain th' impatient rider frets and fwears, 
Tho' high his brufh he bears, tho'tipt with white And galling fpurs harrow his mangled fides j 
It gaily fhine, yet ere the fun declin'd He can no more : his liiff unpliant limbs 

Recall the lliades of night, the pamper'd rogue [Rooted in earth, unmov'd and fix'd he ftands; 

For ev'ry cruel curfe returns a groan 



Shall rue his fate revers'd, and at his heels 

Behold the jult avenger, fwift to feize 

His forfeit head, and thiriling for his blood. 



And fobs, and Taints.and dies! Who without grief 
Can view that pamper'd fteed, his mailer's joy. 



Heavens ! what melodious (trains ! how beat i His minion, and his daily care, well cloth'd, 



our hearts, 

Big with tumultuous joy I the loaded gales 
Breathe harmony 5 and as tempeft drives 
From wood to wood, thro' ev'ry dark recefs- 
The forefc thunders, and the mountains fhake. 
The chorus fwells j lefs various and lefs fweet 
The trilling notes, when in thofe very groves 
The feather'd chorifters faiute the fpring, 
And ev'ry bufli in concert joins ; or when 
The matter's hand, in modulated air, 
Bids the loud organ breathe, and all the pov.''rs 
Of mufic in one in{i:rument com^bine. 
An univerfal minftrelfy. And now 
In vain each earth he tries 5 the doors are barr'd 
Impregnable ; nor is the covert fafe : 
He pants for purer air. Hark ! v.hat loudfliouts 
Re-echo tliro' the groves ! he breaks away : 
Shrill horns proclaim his flight. Each flraggling 

hound 
Strains o'er the lawn- to reach the difcantpack. 
'Tis triumph all and joy. Now, my brave youths ! 
Now give a loofe to the clean gen'rous rteed , 
Flouridi the whip, nor fpare the galling ibur ; 
But in the madnefs of delight forget 
Your fears. Far o'er the rocky hills we range. 
And dangerous our courfe ; but in the brave 
True courage never fails. In vain the llreams 
In foaming eddies whirls ; in vain the ditch, 
Wide-gaping, threatens death. Thecraggyfteep, 
Where the poor dizzy ihepherd crawls with care, 
And clings to ev'ry twig, gives us no pain. 
But dov/n we fweep, as Ifoops the falcon bold 
To pounce his prey : then up th' opponent hill; 
By the 'fwift motion flung, we mount aloft. 
So lliips in winter-feas now Hiding fink 
A down the fteepy wave: then, toft on high, 
Ritis on the biilov.s, and defy the ftorm. 



Weil fed with ev'ry nicer'carej no coft, 
No labour fpar'd; who, when the flying chace 
Broke from the copfe, without a rival led 
The num'rous train 5 now a. fad fpeclacle 
Of pride brought low, and humbled infolence, 
Drove like a pannicr'dafs, and fcourg'd along! 
Whijethefe,with loofen'dreinsanddanglingheels 
Hang on their reeling palfreys, that fcarce bear 
Their weights 5 another in the treach'rous bog 
Lies fiound^ing, half ingulph'd. What biting 

thoughts 
Torm.ent th' abandoned crew! Old Age laraenfis 
His vigour fpent : the tall, plump, brav/ny youth 
Curfes his cumbrous bulk, and envies now 
The fliort pygmean race he whilom kenn'd 
With proud infulting leer. A chofen few 
Alone the fport enjoy, nor droop beneath 
Their pleafing toils. Here, huntfman ! from this 

height 
Obferve yon birds of prey : if I can judge, 
'Tis there the villain lurks : they hover round, 
And claim liim as their own. Was I not right ! 
See ! there he creeps along ; his bru fn he drags, 
Andfweeps the mire impure : from his wide jaws 
His tongueunmoiften'dhangsj fymptomstoofure 
Of Hidden death. Ha ! yet he flies, nor yields 
To black defpair. But one loofe more, and all 
His wiles are vain. Hark ! thro' yon village now 
The rattling clamour rings. The barns, the cots, 
And leaflefs elms, return the joyous founds. 
Thro' evr'y homeftall, and thro' ev'ry yard. 
His midnight walks, panting, forlorn he flies: 
Thro' evr'y hole he fneaks, thro' ev'jy jakes 
Plunging, he wades befmear'd, and fondly hopes 
In a fuperior ftench to lofe his own : 
But, faithful to the track, th' unerring hounds 
With peals of echoing vengeance clofe purine: 

And 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, kc. 



591 



And now diftrsr^'d, no fliclt'ring covert near, 
Into tho hen-rooft creeps, whofe walls with gore 
Dillaind attell his guilt. There, vilhiin ! tliere 
Expeft thy fate deierv'd. And foon from tiience 
The pack, inqiiifitive,'with clamour loud, 
Drag out th?!r trembling prize, and on his blood 
With greed}'' tranTportTecdt. In bolder notes 
Each iounding horn proclaims the felon dead, 
And all th' alfembled village fhouts for joy. 
The former, who beholds his mortal foe 
Strctclrd at his feet, applauds the glorious deed, 
And grateful calls us to a fliort repaft: 
In the full glafs the liquid amber fmiles, 
Our native product: ; and his good old mate 
^Vith choicell viands heaps the liberal board. 
To crov.n our triumphs and reward our toils. 
Hereraufl: th' inftruflive Mule (butvvith refj^eft) 
Cenfure that numerous pack, that crowd of ftate, 
"With vc'hich the vain profufion of the great 
Covers the lawn, and {hak?3 the trembling copfe. 
Pompous incumbrance ! a magnificence 
Ufelefs, vexatious ! for the wily fox, 
Safe in th' increafing number of his foes. 
Kens well the great advantage ; fiinks behind, 
And fiily creeps thro' the fame beaten track, 
And hunts them ftep by ftep 5 then views efcap'd, 
With inward ecllacy, the panting throng 
In their own footfteps puzzled, foiPd, and loft. 
So when proud Eaflern kings fummon to arras 
Their gaudy legions, from far diftant climes 
They flock in crowds, unpeopling half a world j 
But when the day of battle calls them forth 
To charge the well-train'd foe, a band compaft. 
Of chofen veterans, they prefs blindly on, 
In heaps confus'd, by their ov/n ^veapons fall, 
A fmoking carnage fcatter'd o'er the plain. 

Nor hounds alone this noxious brood deftroy ; 
The plundered warrener full many. a wile 
Dsvifes to entrap his greedy foe, 
Fat with nofturnal fpoils. At clofe of day 
Withfdence drags his trail; then,from the ground 
Pares thin the clofe-graz'dturf j there with nice 

hand 
Covers the latent death, with curious fairings 
Prepar'd to fly at once, when'er the tread 
Of man or beaft unwarily fliall prefs 
The yielding furface. By the indented fteel 
With gripe tenacio\is held, the felon grins, 
And ftruggles, but in vain : yet oft 'tis known. 
When ev'ry art has fail'd, the captive fox 
Has (har'd the wounded joint, and with a limb 
Compounded for his life. But if perchance 
In the deep pitfall plung'd, there 's no efcape, 
But unrepriev'd he dies; and, bleached in air. 
The jelt of clowns, his reeking carcafe hangs. 

Of thefe are various kinds: not even the king 
Of bi-utes evades this deep-devouring grave j 
But by the wily African betray 'd, 
Heedlefs of fate, within its gaping jaws 
Expires indignant. When the orient beam 
With blufhes paints the dawn, and all the race 
Carnivorous, with blood full gorsc'd, retire 
Into their darkfome cells, there fatiate fnore 
O'er dripping offals, and the mangled lijnbs 



Of men and beaHs, the painful forefter, 
Climbs the high hills, whofe proud afpiring tops. 
With the tall cedar crown'd and taper fir, 
AHuil the clouds ; there, 'mong the craggy rocks 
And thickets intrl-jate, trembling he views 
His footlleps in the fand, the difmal road 
And avenue to death. Hither he calls 
His watchful bands, and low into the ground 
A pit they fink, full many a fathom deepj 
Then in the midft a column high is rear'd, 
The butt of fome fair tree; upon wTiofe top 
A lamb is plac'd, juft ravilh'd from his dam; 
And next a wall the)'- build, withftones and earth 
Encircling round, and hiding from all view 
The dreadful precipice. Now when the fliades 
Of night hang low'ring o'er the mountainsbrov/. 
And hunger keen, and pungent thirft of blood, 
Roufe up the flothful beaft,"he fhakes his fides, 
Slow-rifing from his lair, and ft retches wide 
His rav'nous paws, with recent gore diftain'd. 
The foreft trembles as he roars aloud. 
Impatient to deftroy. O'erjoy'd he hears 
The bleating innocent, that claims in vain 
Thefhepherd'scare,and feeks with piteous moan 
The foodful teat; himfelf, alas ! defign*d 
Another's meal. For now the greedy brute 
Wind s hiin from far, and leaping o'er the mound 
To feize his trembling prey, headlong is plung'd 
Into the deep abyfs. Proftrate he Ties, 
Aftunn'd and impotent. Ah ! what avail 
Thine eyeballs flafhing fire, thy length of tail 
Th.1t iaflies thy broad fides, thy jaws befmear'd 
} With blood and offals crude, thy ftiaggy mane 
The terror of the woods, thy ftately port, 
And bulk enormous, fince by ftratagem 
Thy ftrength is foil'd ! Unequal is the ftrife. 
When fov'reign reafon combats brutal rage. 

On diftant Ethiopia's fun-burnt coafts 
The black inhabitants a pitfall frame, 
But of a diff'rent kind, and difi:''rent ufe. 
With fiender poles the wide capacious mouth. 
And hurdles fiight,theyclofe; o'er thefe is fpread 
A floor of verdant turf, with all its flow'rs 
Smiling delufive, and from ftrifteft fearch 
Concealing the deep grave that yawns below. 
Then boughs of trees theycut,withtemptingfruit 
Of various kinds furcharg'd ; the downvpeach. 
The cluft'ring vine, and of bright golden rind 
The fragrant orange. Soon as evening grey 
Advances flow, befprinkling all around 
With kind refrefiiing dews the thirlly glebe. 
The ftately elephant from the clofe fliade 
With ftep majeftic ftrides, eager to tafce 
The cooler breeze, that from the fea-beat fliore 
Delightful breathes, or in the limpid ftream 
To lave his panting fides j joyous he ("cents 
The rich repaft, unweeting of the death 
That lurks within. And foon he fporting break* 
The brittle boughs, and greedily devours 
The fruit delicious. Ah' too dearly bought; 
The prioe is life. For now the treach'rons turf. 
Trembling, gives way; and the unwieldly beafty. 
Self-finking, drops into the dark -.-•rofound. 
So when dilated vapours ftruggling heave 
Cc4 TV 



392 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Boo It II 



Th'incumbentearthifchancethecavern'dgroimd 
Shrinking fubfide, and the thin furface yield, 
Downfinksatoncethe ponderous dome,ingu]ph'd 
Witli all its tow'rs. Subtle, delufive Man 1 
How various are thy wiles ! artful to kill 
Thy ravage foes, a dull unthinking race I [pard 

Fierce from his lair fprings forth the fpeckled 
Thirrting for blood, and eager to deftroy ; 
The huntfman Hies, but to his flight alone 
Confides not : at convenient diftance fhCd 
iV polilh'd niirror Hops in full career 
The furious brute: he there his image views; 
Spots againfl fpots with rage improving glow ! 
Another pard his briftly whiikers curls. 
Grins as he grins, fierce-menacing, and wide 
Diftends his op'ning jaws ; himfelf againft 
Himielfoppos'd,andwithdreadvengeancearm"'d. 
The huntfman, now fecure, with fatal aim 
Directs the pointed fpear, by which transfixM 
He dies, and with him dies the rival ihade. 
Thus man innura'rous engines forniM t* afTail 
The favage kind j br.it moft the docile horfe, 
Swift, and corifedemte with man, annoys 
His brethren of the plains; without whofe aid 
The hunter's arts were vain, unfkilPd to wage 
With the-more a6live brutes an equal war j 
But, borne by him, without the well-train'd pack 
Man dares his foe, on wings of wind fecure. 

Him the fierce Arab mounts,and with his troop 
Of bold compeers ranges the deferts wild. 
Where by the magnet's aid the traveller 
Steers his untrodden courfe, yet oft on land 
Is wrecked, in the high-rolling waves of fand 
Immers'd and loft; while thefe intrepid bands, 
Safe in their horfes fpeed, outfiy the ftorm. 
And, fcouring round, make men and beafts their 
The grifly boar is fmgled from his herd, [prey 
As large as that in Erimanthean woods, 
A match for Hercules. Round him they fly 
In circles wide, and each in pafTmg fends 
His feather'd death into his brawny lides: 
liut perilous th' attempt j for if the Heed 
Haply too near approach, or the loofe earth 
His footmg fail, the watchful angry beaft 
Th' advantage fpies, and at one fidelong glance 
Rips up his groin. Wounded, he rears aloft ; 
And, plunging, from his back the rider hurls 
Precipitant; then, bleeding, fpurns the ground, 
And drags his reeking entrails o'er the plain. 
Meanwhile the furly monfter trots along. 
But with unequal fpeed; for ftill they wound, 
Swift-wheeling in the fpacious ring. A wood 
Of darts upon his back he bears; adown 
His tortur'd fides the crimfon torrents roll 
From many a gaping font; and now at lall 
Staggering he falls, in blood and foam expires. 

But whither rolls my devious Mufe, intent 
On antique tales, while yet the royal flag 
Unfung remains ? Tread with refpeftful awe 
Windfor's green glades, where Denham,tuneful 

bard I 
Cliarm'd once the lift'ning Dryads with his fone, 
fcubhmely fweet. Oh grant me, facred fliade 1 
To glean fubmifs what thy full fickle leaves. 



The morning fun,thatgildswlthtremblingrays 
Windfor's high tow'rs, beholds the courtly train 
Mou»t for the chace, nor views in all his coarfe 
A fcene io gay : heroic nobk youths, 
In arts and arras renown'd, and lovely nymphs> 
The faireft of this ifle, where beauty dwells 
Delighted, and deferts her Paphian grove 
For our more favoar'd fhades — in proud parade 
Thefe fhine magnificent, and prefs around 
The royal happy pair. Great in themfelves^ 
They fmile fupenor, of external (how 
Regardlefi, while their inbred virtues give 
A luftre to their pow'r, and grace their court 
With real fplendours, far above the pomp 
Of eaftern kings in all their tinfel pride. 
Like troops of Amazons, the female band 
Prance round their cars, not in refulgent arms 
As thofe of old ; unfkiU'd to wield the fword 
Or bend the bow, thefe kill with furer aim. 
The royal offspring, faireft of the fair, 
Lead on the fplendid train. Anna, more bright 
Than fummer funs, or as the lightning keen. 
With irrefiftible effulgence arm'd. 
Fires ev'ry heart: he muft be more than man 
Who unconcern'd can bear the piercing ray. 
Amelia, milder than the blulhing dawn, 
With fweet engaging air, but equal powV, 
Infenfibly fubdues, and in foft chains 
Her willing captives leads. Illuftrious maids j 
Ever triumphant 1 whofe vi6lorious charms, 
Without the needlefs aid of high defcent. 
Had aw'd mankind, and taught the world's great 

lords 
To bow and fue for grace. But who Is he, 
Frefh as a rofe-bud newly blown, and fair 
As op'ning lilies, on whom ev'ry eye 
With joy and admiration dwells ? See, fee ! 
He reins his docile barb with manly grace. 
Is it Adonis for the chace array'd, 
OrBriraln's fecond hope ? Hail, blooming youth ! 
May all your virtues with your years improve. 
Till in confummate worth you fhine the pride 
Of thefe our days, and to fucceeding times 
A bright example I As his guard of mutes 
On the great Sultan wait, with eyes dejeft 
And fix'd on earth, no voice, no found, is hear^ 
Within the wide ferail, but all is hufh'd. 
And awful lllence reigns ; thus Hand the pack 
Mute and unmov'd, and cow'ringlow to earth. 
While pafs the glltt^ing court and royal pair; 
So difciplin'd thofe hounds, and fo referv'd, 
Whofe honour 'tis to glad the hearts of kings: 
Butfoon the winding horn and huntfman's voice 
Let loofe the gen'ral chorus ; far around 
Joy fpreads its wings, and the gay morning fmiles, 

Unharbour^d naw, the royal flag forfakes 
His wonted lair; he fhakes his dappled fides, 
And toffes high his beamy head ; the copfe 
Beneath his antlers bends. What doubling flilfta 
He tries 1 not more the wily hare; in thefe 
Would flJil perfifl, did not the full-mouth'd 

pack 
With dreadful concert thunder In his rear. 
The woods reply, the hunters' cheering fliouts 

Float 



t 



00 IC 



II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c; 



393 



Float thro"* the glades, and the wide foreft rings. 
How merrily they chant ! their noftrils deep 
Inhale the grateful lleam. Such is the cry, 
And fuch th' harmonious din, thelbldier deems 
The battle kindling, and the Itatcfman grave 
Forgets his weighty cares : each age, each fex, 
Xn the wild tranfport joins : luxuriant joy. 
And pleafure in excels, Iparkling exult 
On ev'ry brow, and revel unrertrain'd. 
Hovvhappyart thou,Man ! when thou'rtnomore 
Thyfelf ! when all the pangs that grind thy foul, 
In rapture and in fweet oblivion loft, 
Vield a fliort interval and eafe from pain ! 

See the fwift courfer ftrains, his fliining hoofs 
Securely beat the folid ground. Who now 
The dang'rous pitfall fears, with tangling heath 
High-overgrown ? or who the quiv'ring bog, 
Soft-yielding to the ftep ? All now is plain, 
Plain as the ftrand fea-lav*d, that ftretches far 
Beneath the rocky fhore. Glades eroding glades. 
The foreft opens to our wond'ring view : 
Such was the king's command. Let tyrants fierce 
Lay wafte the world ; his the more glorious part 
To check their pride 5 and when the brazen voice 
Of war is hufti'd (as erft viftorious Rome) 
T"" employ his ftation'd legions in the works 
Of peace J to fmooth the rugged wildernefs, 
To drain the ftagnate fen, to raife the flope 
Depending road, and to make gay the face 
Of nature with th' embellifhments of art. 

How melts my beating heart, as I behold 
Each lovely nymph, our illand's boaft and pride, 
Pufh on the gen'rous fteed, that ftrokes along. 
O'er rough, o'er fmooth, nor heeds the fteepy hill, 
Nor falters in th' extended vale below j 
Their garments loofely waving in the wind, 
And all the flufti of beauty in their cheeks ! 
While at their lides their penfive lovers wait, 
DIre6ltheirdubiouscourfe, now chill'd with fear 
Solicitous, and now with love inflam'd. 
Oh grant indulgent Heaven ! no rifmg ftorm 
May darken with black wings this glorious fcene! 
Should fome malignant pow'r thus dampour joys. 
Vain were the gloomy cave, fuch as of old 
Betray'd to lawlefs love the Tyrian queen : 
For Britain's virtuous nymphs are chafte as fair 5 
Spotlefs, unblam'd, with equal triumph reign 
In the dun gloom as in the blaze of day. 
Nowthe blown ftag thro' woods, bogs, roads, and 
Has meafur'd half the foreft; but, alas! [ftreams, 
He flies in vain ; he flies not from his fears. 
Tho' far he caft the ling'ring pack behind. 
His haggard fancy ftill with horror views 
The fell dehroyer; ftill the fatal cry 
Infults his ears, and wounds his trembling heart. 
So the poor fury-haunted v/retch (his hands 
In gulk lei's blood diftain'd) ftiil feems to hear 
The dying Tarieks ; and the pale threat'ningghoft 
Moves as he moves, and as he files purfues. 
See here bis ftot; up yen green hill he climbs, 
Pants on his b.-ow awhile, fadly looks back 
On his pnrfuers, cov'ring all the plain; 
But, wrung with anguifh, bears not long the light, 
Sheets down the fteep, and fwcats along the vale ; 

i 



Thereminglcswiththeherd,whereonce he reign 'd 

Proud monarch of thegrovesjwhofeclafliingbeaia 

His rivals aw'd, and whole exalted pow'r 

Was ftill rewarded with fuccefsful love. 

But the bafe herd have learn'd the ways of men j 

Averfe they fly, or with rebellious aim 

Chafe him from thence: needlefs their impious 

deed, 
The huntfman knows him by a thoufand marks, 
Black,andimbofs'd; nor are his hounds deceiv'di 
Too well diftinguifh thefe, and never leave 
Their once devoted foe: familiar grows 
His fccnt, and ftrong their appetite to kill. 
Again he flies, and with redoubled fpeed 
Skims o'er the lawn ; ftill the tenacious crew 
Hang on the track, aloud demand their prey. 
And pufli him many a league. If haply then 
Too for efcap'd, and the gay courtly train 
Behind are caft, the huntsman's clanging whip 
Stops full their bold career: paftive they ftand, 
Unmov'd, an humble and oblequious crowd. 
As if by ftern Meduia gaz'd to ftones. 
So at their general's voice whole armies halt 
In full purfuit, and check their thirft of blood. 
Soon at the king's command, like hafty ftreams 
Damm'd up a while, they foam and pour along 
W ithfrefh recniiting might. The ftag,who hop'd 
Hisfoeswere loft, now once more hears aftunn'd 
The dreadful din : lie Ihivers ev'ry limb; 
He ftarts, he bounds; each bufh prefents a foe. 
Prefs'd by the frefn relay, no paufe allov/'d, 
Breathlefs and faint, he falters in his pace. 
And lifts his weary limbs with pain, that fcarce 
Suftain their load : he pants, he fobs appallMj 
Drops down his heavy head to earth, beneath 
His cumbrous beams opprefs'd. But if perchance 
Some plying eye furpriie him, foon he rears 
Efeft his tow'ring front, bounds o'er the hwn 
With ill-diffembled vigour, to amufe 
The knowing forefter, who inly fm.iles 
At his weak fhifts and unavailing frauds. 
So midnight tapers wafte their laft remains. 
Shine forth awhile, and as they blaze expire. 
From wood to wood redoubling thunders roll. 
And bellow thro' the vales; the moving ftorm 
Thickens amain, and loud triumphant ihouts. 
And horns (brill warbling in each glade, prelude 
To his approaching fate. And now in view, 
With hobbling gait and high, exerts amaz'd 
What ftrength is left : to the laft dregs of life 
Reduc'd, his fpirits fail, on ev'ry fide 
Hemm'd in, befieg'd ; not the leaft op'ning left 
To gleaming hope, th' unhappy's laft referve. 
Where fhall he turn, or whither fiy ? Defpair 
Gives courage to the weak. Refolv'd to die. 
He fears no more, but rufties on his foes. 
And deals his deaths around; beneath his feet 
Thefe grox'ellinglie, thofe by his antlers gor'd 
Defile th' enfanguin'd plain. Ah, fee! diltrefs'd 
Ke ftands at bay againft yon knotty trunk. 
That covers well his rear; his front prefents 
An hoft of foes. O fhun, ye noble train, 
Tlie rude encounter, and believe 3'our lives 
Your country's due alone. As iiow alDcf 

The/ 



394 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



Xlit^y wing around, he niids his foul upraised 
To dare fome great exploit j he charges hdjne 
Upon the broken pack, th-^.t on each iide 
Fly diverle ; then as o'er the turf he drains, 
He vents the cooling ftream, and up the breeze 
Urges his courle with eager violence } 
Then takes the Toil, and plunges in the flood 
Precipitant: down the mid itreams he wafts 
Along, till (like a fliip diflrels'd, that runs 
Into fome winding creek) clofe to the verge 
Of a fmall iiland, for his weai*}' feet 
Sure anchorage he finds, there fciilks immers'd: 
His nofe alone above the wave draws in 
The vital air; all elfe beneath the ilood 
Conceard and loit, deceives each prying eye 
Of man or brute. In vain the crowding pick 
Draw on the margin of the ftream, or cut 
The liquid v/ave with oary feet, that move 
In eqncA time. The gliding waters leave 
No trace behind, and his contrafted pores 
But fparingly perfpire : the huntiman llrains 
His lab'ring lungs, and puffs his cheeks in vain. 
At length a blood-hound bold, iludious to kill 
And exquiiite of fenfe, winds him from far; 
Headlong he leaps into the flood, his mouth 
Loudop'ning fpends amain, and his wide throat 
Swells ev^Tj note with joy; then fearlefs dives 
Beneaththewave,hangsonhishaunch,andwounds 
Th'unhappy brute, that flounders in the flream, 
Sorely dittrefs'd, and itruggling ftrives to mount 
The ileepy ihore. Haply once more efcapM, 
Again he iiands at bay, amid the groves 
Of willows bending low their dovvny heads. 
Outrageous tranfport fires the gree;iy pack ; 
Tliefe iwim the deep,and thofe crawl uo with pain 
The flipp'ry bank, while others on firm land 
Engage: the flag repels each bold aflault, 
Maintains his poft, and wounds for wounds re- 
As when fome wily coriair boards a fhip [turns. 
Full freighted, or from Afric's golden coafts 
Or India's wealthy flrand, his bloody crew 
Upon her deck he flings ; thefe in the deep 
Drop Ihort, and fwim. to reach her fleepy fides. 
And clinging climb aloft, while thofe on board 
Urge on the work of fate ; the mafter bold, 
Prefs'd to his lall retreat, bravely refolves 
To fink his w^ealth beneath the whelming wave, 
His wealth, his foes, nor unreveng'd to die : 
So fares it with the flag, ib he refolves 
To plunge at once into the flood below, 
Himfelf, his foes, in one deep gulph immers'd. 
Ere yet he executes this dire intent, 
In wild diforder once more views the light ; 
Beneath a wefght of woe he groans diftrefs'd. 
The tears run trickling down his hairy cheeks: 
He weeps, nor weeps in vain. The king beholds 
Kis wretched plight, and tendernefs innate 
Moves his great foul. Soon at his high command 
Rebuk'd, the difappointed hungry pack 
Retire fubmifs, and grumbling quit their prey. 
Great Pri nee 1 from th :e what may thy fubjefts 
So kind and fo bene.^cent to brutes \ [hope, 
O Mercy, heavenly born ! fweet attribute ! 
Thou great, tiiou bell, prerogative of pow'rl 



JufLicemayguardthe throne; but,joIn'dwith thee, 
On rocks of adamant it flands fecurc. 
And braves theflorm beneath: foon asthyfmiles 
Gild the rough deep, the foaming waves fubfide. 
And all the noify tumult finks in peace. 

BOOK IV. 

THE ARGUMENT. 

Of the necejfity of dcjiroying fome beafs, and pre- 

feyving others for the ufe of man. Of breeding 
of hounds ; the feafon for this bifvnefs. 'The 
choice of the dog of great 7noment. Of the lit- 
ter of -uohelps. Of the Jiumber to he reared. Of 

fettiyig them out to their fea>eral nvalks. Care 
to bs taken to preuent their hunting toofocn. Of 
entering the nvhelps. Of breaking them from 
riinjjtng at Jheep. Of the difeafes of bounds. 
OJ" their age- Oj madnefs : tivo forts of it de- 

fcribed ; the dumh^ and cutragecusy 7;:adnefs : its 
dreadful effects. Burning of the ^Jjound recom- 
mended as pre-jcniing all ill co?ifequences. The 
infeBiDus hounds to be feparcted, and fed apart. 
The -vanity of trujiing to the many infallible 
cures for this malady. The difmal effeBs of the 
biting of a mad dog upon Tnan defcribed. De- 

fription of the otter hunting. The conclufum. 

Whatever of earth is formM to earth returns 
DijTolv'd : the various objefts Ave behold. 
Plants, animals, this whole material mafs. 
Are ever changing, ever new. The foul 
Of man alone, that particle divine, 
Efcapes the wreck of worlds, when all things fail: 
Hencegrcatthediflance'twixtthebeaflsthatperifh 
And God's bright imp.ge, man's immortal race. 
The brute creation are his property, 
Subfervient to his will, and for him made : 
As hurtful thefe he kills, as ufeful thofe 
Freferves ; their fole and arbitrary king. 
Should he not kill (as erlt the Samian fagc 
Taught unadvis'd, and Indian brachmans now 
As vainly preach), the teeming rav'irious brutes 
Alight fill the fcanty fpace of this terrene, 
Encumb'ring all the globe : fhould not his care 
Improve his growing ftock, theirkinds might fail; 
Man might once more on roots and acorns feed, 
And thro' the deferts range, fhiv'ring, forlorn. 
Quite deilitute of ev'ry folace de.ir. 
And ev'ry fmiling gaiety of life. 

The prudent huntfman therefore will fupply 
With annual large recruits his broken pack, 
And propagate their kind. As from the root 
Frefli fcions fl:ill fpring forth, and daily yield 
New blooming honours to the parent tree; 
Far fliall his pack be fam'd, far fought his breed j 
And princes at their tables feafl thofe hounds 
His hand prefents, an acceptable boon. 

Ere yet the fun thro' the bright Ram has urg'd 
His fteepy courfe, or mother earth unbound 
Her frozen bofom to the wefliern gale ; [folv'd. 
When feathered troops, their focial leagues dif- 
feleft their mates, and on the leafelefs elm 
The noify rook builds high her wicker nefl: 

Mark 



Book ir. DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



395 



Mark well the wanton females of thy pack. 
That curl their taper tails, and frilking court 
Their piebald mates enamoured j their red eyes j 
Flafii fires impure; nor rell nor food they take, 
Goaded by furious love. In feparate cells 
Confine them now, left bloody civil wars 
Annoy thy peaceful ftate. If left at large, 
The growling rivals in dread battle join, 
And rude encounterj on Scamander's liream 
Heroes of old with far lefs fuiy fought 
For the bright Spartan dame, theirvalour's prize. 
Mangled and torn thy favorite hounds fiiall lie 
Stretch'd on the ground ; thy kennel fliall appear 
A field of blood: like fome unhappy town 
In civil broils confas'd, while Difcord (hakes 
Her bloody fcourge aloft, fierce parties rage, 
Staining their impious hands in mutual death ; 
And fldl the bell belovM and bra veil fall : 
Such are the dire effects of lawlefs love. 

Huntfman 1 thefe ills by timely prudent care 
Prevent: for ev'ry longing dame fele^t 
Some happy paramour; to him alone 
In league connubial join. ConC-der well 
His lineage ; what his fathers did of old, 
Chiefs of the pack, and firil to climb the rock, 
Or plunge into the deep, or thread the brake 
With thorns fliarp-pointed, plafli'd, and briers 

inwoven. 
Obferve with care his fliape, fort, colour, llze : 
Nor will fagacious huntiinen lefs regard 
His inward habits. The vain babbler fhun, 
Ever loquacious, ever in the wrong : 
His foolifh offspring fhall offend thy ears 
"With falfe alarms and loud impertinence. 
Nor lefs the fliifting cur avoid, that breaks 
Illufive from the pack; to the next hedge 
Devious he ffrays, there ev'ry mufe he tries ; 
If Iiaply then he crofs the fteaming fcent. 
Away he fiies vain-glorious, and exults 
As of the pack fupreme, and in his fpeed 
And Itrength unrivallM. Lo ! calr far behind 
His vex'd afTociates pant, and lab'ring flrain 
To climb the fleep af'cent. Soon as they reach 
Th' infulting boafter, his falie courage fails, 
Behind he lags, doom'd to the fatal noofe, 
His mafcer's hate, and fcorn of all the field. 
What can from fuch be hop'd but a bafe brood 
Of coward curs, a frantic, vagrant race ? 

When now the third revolving moon appears. 
With fharpen'd horns, above the horizon's brink. 
Without Lucina's aid expeft thy hopes 
Areamplycrown'd : fhort pangs produce to ligh': 
The fmoicing litter, crawling, helplefs, blind ; 
Nature their guide, they feek the pouting teat 
That plenteous flreams. Soon as the tender dam 
Has form'd them with her tongue, with pleafure 
The marks of their renown'd progenitors, [view 
Sure pledge of triumphs yet to come. All thefe 
Sele6l with joy ; but to the mercilefs flood 
Expofe the dwindling refufe, nor overload 
Th' indulgent mother. If thy heart relent, 
Unwilling to deftroy, a nurfe provide, 
.And to the fofler-parent give the care 
Of thy fuperfluous brood T flie'il cherilh kind 



The alien ofi^pringj pleas'd thou (halt behold 
Her tendernefs and hofpitablc love. 

If frolic now and playful they defert 
Their gloomy cell, and on the verdant turf, 
With nerves improved, purfue the mimic chacc, 
Courfing around, unto thy choiceit friends 
Commit thy valued prize; the ruftic dames 
Shall at thy kennel wait, and in their laps 
Receive thy growing hopes, with many a klf» 
Carefs, and dignify their little charge 
With fome great title, and refounding name 
Of high import. But cautious here obferve; • 
To check tlieir youthful ardour; nor permit 
The unexperienced yonker, immature. 
Alone to range the woods, or haunt the brakes 
Where dodging conies fport: his nerves unflrung 
And llrength unequal, the laborious chace 
Sliall Hint his growth, and his rafh forward youth 
Contraft fuch vicious habits as thy care 
And late correction never fliall reclaim. 

When to fullflrengtharriv'd, mature and bold, 
Condu61: them to the field : not all at once ; 
But, as thy cooler prudence fhall direft, 
Seleft a few, and form them by degrees 
To flrifter difcipline. With thefe confort 
The ftaunch and fteady fages of thy pack. 
By long experience vers'd in all the wiles 
And fubtle doublings of the various chace. 
Eafy the lefibn of the youthful train 
W;ieninitin6Lprorapts,andwhenexampleguldes, 
If the too forward younker at the head 
Prefs boldly on in wanton fportive mood. 
Correct his hafle, and let him feel abafli'd 
The ruling whip ; but if he ftoop behind 
In wary modcil; guile, to his own nofe 
Cvonfiding iiiref give him full fcope to w^ork 
His vvinding vi'ay, and with thy voice applaud 
His patience and his care ; foon fhalt thou view 
The hopeful pupil leader of his tribe. 
And all the liil'ning pack attend his call, [play. 

Oft lead them forth where wanton lam.bkins 
And bleating dams with jealous eyes obferve 
Their tender care. If at the crowding flock 
He bay prefumptuous, or with eager hafte 
Purfue them fcatter'd o'er the verdant plain. 
In the foul i'3.6t attached, to the flrong ram 
Tie faft the rafh offender. See! at firft 
His horn'd companion, fearful and amaz'd. 
Shall drag him trembl ing o'er the rugged ground; 
Then, with his load fatigu'd, fhall turn ahead. 
And with his curi'd hard front inceffant peal 
The panting wretch, tillbreathlefs andaflium'd, 
Stretch'd on the turf he lie.Then fpare not thou 
The twining whip, but ply his bleeding fides, 
Laili after lafli; and with thy threat'nine voice, 
Harfli -echoing from the hills, inculcate loud 
His vile offence. Sooner fliall trembling doves, 
Efcap'd the hawk's fliarp talons, in mid air 
Afiail their dang'rous foe, than he once more 
Difturb the peaceful flocks. In tender age 
Thus youth is train'd, as curious artifts bend 
The taper pliant twig or potters form 
Their fbft and duftile clay to various f.iapes. 

Nor is't enough to breed, but to preferve 

Mufi: 



!9^ 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



B o o K IT. 



Mull be the huntfman's care. The ftaunch old 

hounds, 
Guides of thy pack, tho' but in number few. 
Are yet of great account 5 (hall oft untie 
The G<)rdian knot when reafon at a ftand 
Puzzling is loft, and all thy art is vain. 
O'er clogging fallows, o'er dry plafter'd roads. 
O'er floated meads, o'er plains withfiocksdiltain'd 
Kank-fcenting, thefe muft lead the dubious way. 
As party-chiefs in fenates who prelide 
With pleaded reafon, and with well turn'd fpeech 
Conduct the ftaring multitude ; fo thefe 
Direft the pack, who with joint cry approve, 
And loudly boaft difcoveries not their own. 

TJnnumber'd accidents and various ills 
Attend thy pack,hanghoveringo"'er theirheads. 
And point the way that leads to death's dark cave. 
Short is their fpan: few at the date arrive 
Of ancient Argus, in old Homer's fong 
So highly honoured: kind, lagacious brute! 
Not e'en Minerva^'s wifdom could conceal 
Thy much-lovM mafter from thy nicer fenfe : 
Dying, his lord he own'd, view'd him all o'er 
With eager eyes, then clos'd thofe eyes well 
pleas'd. 

Or lefTer ills the Mufe declines to fmg, 
Nor ftoops fo low ; of thefe each groom can tell 
The proper remedy. But, oh 1 what care. 
What prudence, can prevent madnefs, the worft 
Of maladies ! Terrific peft 1 that blafts 
The huntfman's hopes, and defolation fpreads 
Thro' all th' unpeopled kennel unreftrain'd. 
More fatal than th' envom'd viper's bite, 
Or that Apulian fpider's pois'nous fting, 
Heal'd by the pleafmg antidote of founds. 

When Sirius reigns, and the fun's parching 
Bake the dry gaping furface, vifit thou, [beams 
Each even and morn, with quick obfervant eye. 
Thy panting pack. If, in dark fullen mood. 
The glouting hound refufe his wonted meal. 
Retiring to fome clofe obfcure retreat, 
Gloomy, difconfolate, with fpeed remove 
The poor infe6lious wretch, and in Itrong chains 
Bind him fufpefted. Thus that dire difeafe. 
Which art can't cure, wife caution may prevent. 

But, this neglefted, foon expeft a change, 
A difmal change — confufion, phrenfy, death ; 
Or in fome dark recefs the fenfelefs brute 
Sits fadly pining ; deep melancholy 
And black defpair upon his clouded brow 
Hang low'ring ; from his half-op'ning jaws 
The clammy venom and infeftious froth 
Diftilling fall; and from his lungs, infiam'd. 
Malignant vapours taint the ambient air, 
Breathing perdition ; his dim eyes are glaz'd. 
He droops his penfive headj his trembling limbs 
No more fupport his weight; abjeft he lies. 
Dumb, fpiritlefs, benum'd ; till death at laft 
Gracious attends, and kindly brings relief. 

Or, if outrageous grown, behold, alas ! 
A yet more dreadful fcene ; his glaring eyes 
Redden with fury; like fome angry boar 
Churning he foams, and on his back cre6l 
His pointed brillles rifej his tail incurv'd 



He drops, and with harfh broken bowlings rends 
The poifon- tain ted air ; with rough coarfe voice 
Inceflant bays, and fnuffs th' infectious breeze; 
This way and that he ftares aghaft, and Harts 
At his own fliade, jealous, as if he deem'd 
The world his foes. If haply t' ward the llream 
He caft his roving eye, cold horror chills 
His foul ; averfe he flies, trembling, appall'd j 
Now frantic to the kennel's utmoft verge 
Raving he runs, and deals deft:ru6t.ion round : 
The pack fly diverfe; for whate'er he meets 
Vengeful he bites, and ev'ry bite is death. 

If nowperchance, thro' the weak fence efcap'd. 
Far up the wind he roves, with open mouth 
Inhales the cooHng breeze, nor man nor beaft 
He fpares implacable. The hunter -horfe. 
Once kind affociate of his fylvan toils 
(Who haply now without the kennels mound 
Crops the rank mead, andlift'ning hears with joy 
The cheering cry that morn and eve falutes 
His raptur'd fenfe), a wretched viftim falls. 
Unhappy quadruped > No more, alas ! 
Shall thy fond mafter with his voice applaud 
Thy gentlenefs, thy fpeed ; or with his hand 
Stroke thy foft dappled fides, as he each day 
Vifits thy ftall, well pleas'd : no more fhalt thou 
With fprightly neighings to the winding horn. 
And the loud op'ning pack in concert join'd. 
Glad his proud heaj-t ; for oh ! the fecret wound 
Rankling inflames ! hebitestlieground,anddies! 
Hence to the village with pernicious hafte 
Baneful he bends his courfe : the village flies 
Alarm'd ; the tender mother in her aiTns 
Hugs clofe the trembling babe ; the doors are 

barr'd. 
And flying curs, by native inftinft taught, 
Shun the contagious bane : the ruftic bands 
Hurry to arms, the rude militia feize 
Whate'er at hand they find; clubs, forks, orguns. 
From ev'ry quarter charge the furious foe, 
In Vv'ild diforder and uncouth array ; [gor'd. 
Till now with wounds on wounds opprefs'd and 
At one fliort pois'nous gafp he breathes his laft. 
Hence to the kennel, Mufe ! return, and view 
With heavy heart that hofpital of woe. 
Where Horror ftalks at large ! infatiate Death 
Sits growling o'er his prey; each hour prefents 
A different fcene of ruin and diftrefs. 
How bufy art thou. Fate ! and how fevere 
Thy pointed wrath ! the dying and the dead 
Promifcuous lie : o'er thefe the living fight 
In one eternal broil, not confcious why, 
Nor yet with whom. So drunkards in their cups 
Spare not their friends, while fenfelefs fquabblc 

reigns. 
Huntfman, it much behoves thee to avoid 
The perilous debate. Ah ! roufe up all 
Thy vigilance, and tread the treach'rous ground 
With careful ftep. Thy fires unquench'd pre- 

ferve, 
Aserftthe veftal flame; the pointed fteel 
In the hot embers hide ; and if furpriz'd 
Thou feel'ft the deadly bite, quick urge it home 
Into the recent fore, and cauterize 

The 



Book II. DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



397 



Thewound:fparenorthyflefli,nordreadth' event: 
Vulcan (hall lave when ./Erculapius fails, [means 

Here fliould the knowing Mufe recount the 
To ftop this growing plague : and here, alas ! 
Each hand prefents a ibv'reign cure and boafts 
Infallibility i but boalls in vain. 
On this depend — each to his fepVate feat 
Confine, in fetters bound j give each his mefs 
Apart, his range in open air : and then 
If deadly fymptoms to thy grief appear, 
Devote the wretch, and let him greatly fall, 
A gen'rous viftim for the public weal. 

Sing, philofophic Mufe ! the dire effefts 
Of this contagious bite on haplefs man. 
The ruftic fwains, by long tradition taught 
Of leeches old, as foon as they perceive 
The bite imprefsM, to the fea-coafts repair. 
Plung'd in the briny flood, th' unhappy youth 
Now journeys home fecure, but foon Ihall wifh 
The feas as yet had covered him beneath 
The foaming furge full many a fathom deep. 
A fate more difmal, and fuperior ills, 
Hang o'er his head devoted. When the moon, 
Clofing her monthly round, returns again 
To glad the night, or when full-orb'd Ihe fliines 
High in the vault of heaven, the lurking pelt 
Begins the dire allault. The poisonous foam. 
Thro' the deep wound inftill'd w^ithholtile rage. 
And all its fiery particles faline, 
Invades th' arterial fluid, whofe red waves 
Tempeftuous heave, and, their cohefion broke, 
Fermenting b®il ; inteftine warenfues. 
And order to confufion turns embroird. 
No\«' the diftended veflels fcarce contain 
The wild uproar, but prefs each weaker part. 
Unable to refill : the tender brain 
And ftomach fuffer moft: convulfions Ihake 
His trembling nerves, and wand'ring pungent 

pains 
Pinch fore the lleeplefswretch: his flu tf ring pulfe 
Oft intermits : penfivc and fad, he mourns 
His cruel fate, and to his weeping friends 
Laments in vain ; to hafty anger prone, 
Refents each flight offence,waikswith quick ftep, 
And wildly flares : at laft with boundlefs fway 
1'he tyrant phrenfy reigns ; for as the dog, 
Whofe fatal bite convey'd th' infectious bane, 
Ravinghe foams, and howls, and barks, and bites. 
Like agitations in his boiling blood 
Prefent like fpecies to his troubled mind. 
His nature and his aftions all canine. 
So (as old Homer fung) th' aflbciates wild 
Of wand'ring Ithacus, by Circe's charms 
To fwine transform'd, ran grunting thro' the 
Dreadful example to a wicked world ! [groves. 
See there diftrefs'd he lies ! parch'd up with thirft, 
But dares not drink j till now at laft his foul 
Trembling efcapes, her noifome dungeon leaves, 
And to feme purer region wings aw-ay. 

One labour yet remains, celeltial Maid ! 
Another element demands thy long. 
No more o'er craggy fteeps, thro' coverts thick 
With pointed thoin, and briers intricate. 
Urge on with horn and voice the painfwl pack, 



But Ikim with wanton wing th'Iniguous vale. 
Where winding ftreams amid the flow 'ry meads 
Perpetual glide along, and undemiine 
The cavern'd banks, by the tenacious roots 
Of hoaiy willows arch'd, gloomy retreat 
Of the bright fcaly kind, where they at will 
On the green wat'r}' reed, their palture graze; 
Suck the moift ibil j or flumber at their eale, 
Rock'd by the reftlefs brook that drawj aflope 
Its humid train, and laves their dark abodes. 
Where rages not opprefTion ? where, alas ! 
Is Innocence fecure ? Rapine and Spoil 
Haunt e'en the loweltdeeps; feas have their Iharks, 
Rivers and ponds inclofe the rav'nous pikej 
He in his turn becomes a prey, on him 
Th' amphibious otter feafls. Juft is his fate 
Deferv'd: bnttyrantsknow no boundsj norfpears. 
That briltlc on his back, defend the perch 
From his wide greedy jaws ; nor burnifli'd mail 
The yellow carp ; nor all his arts can fave 
Th' infinuating eel, that hides his head 
Beneath the flimy mud j nor yet efcapes 
The crimfon-fpotted trout, the river's pride, 
And beauty of the ftream. Without remorfe 
This midnight pillager, ranging around, 
Inlktiate, fwallows all. The owner mourns 
Th' unpeopled rivulet, and gladly hears 
The huntfman's early call, and i'ees with joy 
The jovial crev/, that march upon its banks 
In gay parade, with bearded lances arm'd. 

This fubtle fpoiler, of the beaver kind. 
Far off periiaps, where ancient alders Ihade 
The deep ftill pool, within fome hollow trunk 
Contrives his wicker couch, whence he fui^veys 
His long purlieu, lord of the flreani, and all 
The finny Ihoals his own. Butycu,braveyouths! 
Difpiite the felon's claim j try ev'ry root. 
And ev'ry reedy bank; encourage all 
The baTy fp reading pack, that fearlels plunge 
Into the flood, and crofs the rapid ftream. 
Bid rocks and caves, and each refcunding fiiore. 
Proclaim your bold defiance ! loudly raife 
Each cheering voicC; tdl diftant hills repeat 
The triumphs of the vale. On the fcft fand 
See there his feal imprefs'd ! and on that bank 
Behold the glitt'ring fpoils, half-eaten fifli. 
Scales, fins, and bones, the leavings of his t'Q3.^^, 
Ah ! on that yielding fag-bed, fee, once more 
His feal I view. O'er yon dank rufliy marlh 
The fly goofe-footed prowler bends his courle. 
And fteks the diftant fliallows. Kuntfraan, bring 
Thy eager pack, and trail him to his couch. 
Hark ! the loud peal begins, the clam'rous joy. 
The gallant chiding, loads the trembling air. 

Ye Naiads fair, w^ho o'er thefe floods prcfide, 
Raife up your dripping heads above the wave, 
And hear our melody. The harmonious note* 
Float with the ftream, and ev'ry winding creek 
And hollow rock, that o'er the dimpling flood 
Nods pendant, ftill improve from Ihore to fliorc 
Our fweet reiterated joys. What fliouts ! 
What clamour loud ! what gay heart-cheering 

founds 
Urge thro' the breathing brafs tlieir mazy ivav ! 

f\ot 



3^8 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



3Mot choirs of Tritons glad with fprightlier ftrains 
The dancing" billows, when proud Neptune rides 
In triumph o'er the deep. How greedily 
They fnuff the filhy ileam that to each blade 
Ranic-fcenting clings! See how themorning dews 
Theyfweep, that fromtheir feet help rinklingdrop 
Difpers'd, and leave a track oblique behimi. 
Now on firm land they range, then in the flood 
They plunge tumultuous, or thro' reedy pools 
Ruftling they work their way : no hole efcapes 
Their curious fearch. With quick fenfation now 
The fuming vapour flings; flutter their hearts. 
And joy redoubled burfl:s from ev'ry mouth 
In louder fymphonies. Yon hollow trunk, 
That with its hoary head incurv'd falutes 
The pafiing v^ave, muft be the tyrant's fort, 
And dread abode. How thefe impatient climb. 
While others at the root incefTant bay ! 
They put him down. See, there he dives along ! 
Th' afcending bubbles mark his gloomy way. 
Quick fix the nets, and cut off his retreat 
Into the flielt'ring deeps. Ah! there he vents! 
The pack plunge headlong, andprotendedfpears 
Menace defl:ru61ion, while the troubled furge 
Indignant foams, and all the fcaly kind 
Affrighted hide their heads. Wild tumult reigns. 
And loud uproar. Ah! there once morehe vents! 
See 1 that bold hound has feiz'd him; down they 

fink. 
Together loft; but foon fliall he repent 
His rafii aflault. See ! there efcap'd he flies 
Half-drown'd,andclambersupthellipperybank, 
Withouze and blood diftain'd. Of all the brutes. 
Whether by nature form'd, or by long ule, 
This artful diver befl: can bear the want 
Of vital air. Unequal is the fight 
Beneath the whelming element: yet there 
He lives not long, but refpiration needs 
At proper intervals. Again he vents; 
Again the crowd attack. That fptar has pierc'd 
His neck; the crimfon waves confefs the woi ud, 
Fix'd is the bearded lance, unwelcome guelt. 
Where'er he files; with him it finks beneath, 
With him it mounts; fure guide to ev'ry foe. 
Inly he groans, nor can his tender wound 
Bear the cold fl;ream. Lo ! to yon fedgy bank 
Jle creeps difconfolate : his num'rous foes 
Sur2'ound him, hounds and men. Pierc'd thro' 

and thro' 
On pointed fpears they lift him high in air; 
Wriggling he hangs, and grins, and bites in vain. 
Bid the loud horns, in gaily -warblingflirains. 
Proclaim the felon's fate. He dies ! he dies 1 

Rejoice ye fcaly tribes ! and leaping dance 
Above the wave, in fign of liberty 
Reflior'd ; the cruel tyrant is no more. 
Rejoice, fecure and bleft, did not as yet 
Remain fome of your own rapacious kind, 
And man, fierce man ! with all his various wiles. 

O happy, if ye knew your happy Itate, 
Ye rangers of the fields I whom Nature boon 
Cheers with her fmiles, and ev'ry element 
Confpires to blefs. What if no heroes frown 
Froiu marble pedeftals, nor Jlaphacl's worJis, 



Nor Titan's lively tints, adorn our walls? 
Yet thefe the meaneil of us may behold. 
And at another's colt may fealt at will 
Our wond'ring eyes : what can the ov;ner more ^ 
But vain, alas ! is wealth not grac'd with pow'r. 
The flow'ry landfcape and the gilded dome, 
And viftas op'ning to the wearied eye. 
Thro' all his wide domain ; the planted grove. 
The flirubby wildernefs, with itf; gay choir 
Of warbling birds, can't lull to foft repofe 
Th' ambitiotis wretch, whofe difcon tented foul 
Is harrow'd day and night : he mourns, he pines, 
Until his prince's favour makes him great. 
See, there he comes, th' exalted idol comes ! 
The circle's form'd, and all his fawning flaves 
Devoutly bow to earth; from ev'ry mouth 
The naufeous flatt'ry flows, which he returns 
With promifes that die as foon as bom. 
Vile intercourfe ! where Virtue has no place. 
Frov/n but the monarch, all his glories fade; 
He mingles with the throng, outcafl:, undone. 
The pageant of a day; without one friend 
To footh his tortur'd mind ; all, all are fled ; 
For tho' they baflc'd in his meridian ray. 
The infers vanifh as his beams decline. 

Not fuch our friends ; for here no dark defign. 
No wicked int'reft, bribes the venal heart; 
But inclination to our bofoms leads. 
And weds them there for life; our focial cups 
Smile as we fmile ; open and unreferv'd, 
We fpeakourinmoil fouls; good-humour, mirth, 
Soft complaifance, and wit from malice free. 
Smooth ev'ry brov/, and glow on ev'ry cheek. 

O happinefs iincere I what wretch would£,»oan 
Beneath the galling load of pow'r, or walk 
Upon the flipp'ry pavements of the great. 
Who thus could reign unenvied and fecure? 

Ye guardian Pow'rs, who make mankind your 
care, 
Give rae to know wife Nature's hidden depths. 
Trace each myflrerious caufe, with judgmentread 
Th' expanded volume, and fubmifs adore 
That great creative Will, who at a word 
Spoke forth thew^ond'rous fcene. But if my foul, 
'I'o this grofs clay confin'd, flutters on earth 
With lefs ambitious wing, unflcill'd to range 
From orb to orb, where Newton leads the way. 
And view v^ith piercingeyes the grand machine. 
Worlds above worlds ; fubfervient to his voice 
Who, veil'd in clouded majeily, alone 
Gives light to all, bids the great fyflem move. 
And changeful feafons in their turns advance, 
Unmov'd, unchang'd, himfelf ; yet this atleaft 
Grant me propitious — an inglorious life 
Calm and ferene, nor lofl: in falfe purfuits 
Of wealth or honours; but enough to raife 
My drooping friends, preventing modefl. want 
That dares not aflc : and if, to crown my joys. 
Ye grant me health, that, ruddy in my cheeks. 
Blooms in my life's decline; fields, woods, and 

fl:reams. 
Each tow'ring hill, each humble vale below. 
Shall hearmycheeringxoice : myhoundsfliallwaks 
The lazy morn, and glad th' horizon round. 

§ 5^. 



Book II. DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, Sec, 



399 



§52. Rural Spcrts'y aGeorgic. Gay. 

Infcribedto Mr. Pope, 1713*' 

« fccuri prxlia niris 

« Pandimus." ^ em eg i an. 

CANTO I. 

You, who the fweets of rural life hnve known 
Delpife th' ungrateful hqrry of the town; 
In Windfor groves your eafy hours employ, 
And, undidurb'd, yourfelf and Mufe enjoy, 
Thames lillens to thy (trains, and filent flows, 
And no rude wind through rultling ofier blows 
While ail his wondering nymphs around thee 
To hear the Syrens warble in thy fong. [throng 
But I, who ne'er was blelt by Fortune's hand, 
Nor brighten'd ploughlhares in paternal land, 
Long in the noiiy town liave been immur'd, 
Refpir'd jts fmoke, and all its cares endur'd j 
Where news and politics divide mankind, 
And fchemes of ftate involve th' uneafymind; 
Fadlion embroils the world j and ev'ry tongue 
Is mov'd by flatt'ry, or with fcandal hung: 
Friendship) for iylvan (hades, the palace liies, 
Wliere all muil yield to infreft's dearer ties; 
Each rival Machiavel with tnvy burns, 
And honefty forfcikes them all by turns ; 
While calumny upon each party 's thrown : 
Which both promote, and both alike dliovvn. 
Fatigued at lall, a calm retreat I chooie, 
Andfooth'd the haral's'dmmd with fweetrepofe; 
Where fields and fliadeSjand the refrefningciime 
iHfpire the fylvan fong, and prompt my rhyme. 



My Mufe iliali rove through flow'ry meads and 

plains, 
And deck with rural fports her native ftrains ; 
And the fame road ambitioufly purfue, 
Frequented by the IMantuan fvvain and you. 

'Tis not that rural fports alone invite. 
But ail the grateful country breathes delight ; 
Her blooming health exerts her gentle reign, 
And firings the fmews of ih' indullrious fwain. 
Soon as the morning lark falutes the day, 
Through dewy lielas I take my frequent way. 
Where I behold the farnier's early care 
In the revolving labours of the year. 
' When the freJhSpringinallher flateiscrown'd, 
And high luxurirmtgrafs o'erfpreadstheground. 
The labourer with a bending fcythe i$ feen, 
Shaving the furface of the waving green; 
Of all her native pride difrobes the land. 
And meads lays wade before his Iweeping hand ; 
Whilewjththe mounting fun the meadow glows, 
The fa.'^ing herbage round he loofely throws: 
But, if fome fign portend a lafting diowV, 
Th' experienced fwain forefees the coming hour, 
His fun-burnt hands the fcatt'ring fork forfake. 
And ruddy damiels ply the faving rake; 
In rifnig hills the fragrant harveH grows. 
And fpreads along the field in equal rows. 

Nqwwhenthe height ofhcaven bright Phoebus 
gains. 
And level rays cleave wide the thirfly plains ; 



When heifers feek the (hade and cooling lakri 
And m the middle path-way bafks the Ihakej 

lead me, guard me ficm the fultiy hours, 
Hide me, ye foretls, in your cloleit bowVs, 
Where the tall oak his fpreading arms entwines. 
And with the beech a mutuid ihade combines j 
Whereflowsthemurm'ringbrookinvitingdreams 
Where bordering hazel overhangs the llreams, 
WhoferoUingcurrentwinding round and round. 
With frequent fallsmakesallthe wood refoundj 
Upon the m.olTy couch my limbs I call. 
And e'en at noon the fweets of ev'ning tafte. 
■ Here I perufe the Mantuaa's Georgia ftrains. 
And learn the labours: of Italian fwainsj 
In ev'ry page I fee new landfcapes rife. 
And all Helperia opens to my eyes ; 

1 wander o'er the various rural toil. 
And know the nature of each diff'rent foil: 
This waving field is gilded o'er with corn. 
That fpreading trees with blufliing fruit adorn: 
Here I furvey the purple vintage grow, 
Climb round the poles, and rife in graceful row: 
Now I behold the fteed curvet and bound. 
And pav/ with reftlefs hoof the fm.oking ground: 
Thedewiapp'd bull now chafes along the plain. 
While burning love ferments in ev'ry vein; 
His well-arm'd front againft his rival aims. 
And by the dint of war his miltrefs claims : 
The careful infe6t 'midft his works I view, 
Now from the flow'rs exhauftthe fragrant dew; 
With golden treafures load his little thighs. 
And fleer his diilant journey through the fkies; 
Some againft hofciie drones the hive defend; 
Others w ith fweets the waxen cells diilend: 
Each in the toil his dellin'd office bears, 
And in the little bulk a mighty foul appears. 
Or when the ploughman leaves the tafk of day. 
And trudging hoinev/ard whiffles on the way; 
Whenthe big-udder'd cowswith patience fland. 
Waiting the ilrokings of the damfel's hand; 
No warblingcheers thewoods;thefeather'dchoir. 
To court kind flumbers, to the fprays retire: 
When no rude gale diflurbs the fleeping trees. 
Nor afpen leaves ccnfefs the gentlefl breeze ; 
Engag'd inthoiight,toNeptune's bounds I ftray. 
To take my farev/el of the parting day ; 
Far in the deep the fun his glory hides, 
A flreak of gold the fea and fky divides: 
The purple clouds their amber linings fhew. 
And edg'd with flame rolls ev'ry wave below: 
Here penfive I behold the fading light, 
And o'er the diftant billow lofe my fight. 

Now Night in filent ftate begins to rife. 
And twinkling orbs beftrew th' uncloudy fkies ; 
Her borrow'd luflre-growing Cynthia lends. 
And on the main a glitt'ring path extends ; 
Millions of worlds hang in the fpacious air, 
VvHiich round their funs theirannual circles ftccr; 
Sw^eet contemplation elevates my fenfe. 
While I furvey the works of Providence. 
O could the Mu.'e in loftier ftrains rehearfe 
The glorious Author of the univerfe. 
Who reins thewindsjgives thevatt oceanbounds, 
Andcircumfcrib 



sthefloatingworldstheirrounds 



My 
* This Poem received many material corre^igns frgra the Autboivafter it was firft publifhed. 



400 

My foul (hould overflow in fongs of praife. 
And my Creator's name infpire my lays ! 

As in fuccefTive coiirle the feafons roll, 
So circling pleafures recreate the foul. 
When genial fpring a living warmth beftows, 
And o'er the year her verdant mantle throws, 
No fwelling inundation hides the grounds, 
But cryftal currents ^lide within their bounds; 
The finny brood their wonted haunts foriake, 
Float in the fun, and (kim along the lake : 
With frequent leap they rangethelhallowftrearas, 
Their filver coats refleci: the dazzling beams. 
Now let the fifherman his toils prepai'e. 
And arm himfelf with ev'ry wat'ry fnare ; 
His hooks, his lines, perufe with careful eye; 
Increafe his tackle, and his rod re-tie. 

When floating cloudstheirfpongyfieecesdrain, 
Troubling the ftreamswithfwiftdefcendingrain ; 
Andwaters, tumbling down the mountain's fide, 
Bear the loofe foil into the fwelling tide j 
Then, foon as vernal gales begin to rife, 
And drive the liquid burthen thro' the Ikies, 
The fiflier to the neighb'ring current fpeeds, 
Whofe rapid furface purls unknown to weeds : 
Upon a rifmg border of the brook 
He fits him down, and ties the treach'rous hook 5 
Nov/ expectation cheers his e^ger thought, • 
His bofbm glows with treafures yet uncaught 5 
Before his eyes a banquet feems to Hand, 
Where ev'ry gueft applauds his fkilful hand. 

Far up the llream the twilled hair he throws, 
Whichdownthemurm'ringcurrent gently fiowsj 
When, if or chance or hunger's powerful fway 
Direfts the roving trout this fatal way, 
Ke greedily fucks in the twining bait. 
And tugs and nibbles the fallacious meat: 
Now, happy fiflierman, now twitch the line! 
How thy rod bends ! behold, the prize is thine ! 
Call on the bank, he dies with gafping pains, 
And trickling blood his fiiver mail diftains. 

You mull not ey'iy worm promifcuous ufe ; 
Judgment will tell the propel" bait to choofe : 
The worm that draws along immoderate flze 
The trout abhors, and the rank morfel flies : 
And, if too fmall, the naked fraud's in fi^ht, 
And fear forbids, while hunger does invite. 
Thofe baits will bed rev/ard the fiflier's pains, 
Whofe polifli'd tails a ftiining yellow ftains j 
Cleanfe them fromfilth,to give a tempting glofs, 
Cherilli the fullied reptile race with mols j 
Amid the verdant bed they twine, they toil, 
And from their bodies wipe their native foil. 

But when the fun difplays his glorious beams. 
And (hallow rivers flow with filver ftreams, 
Then the deceit the fcaly breed furvey, 
Baflc in the fun, and look into the day : 
You now a more delufive art muft try. 
And tempt their hunger with the curious fly. 

To frame the little animal, provide 
All the gay hues that wait on fem-^le pride ; 
Let nature guide thee; fometlmes golden wire 
The Ihining bellies of the fly, require ; 
The peacock's plumes thy tackle mufl not fall, 
J^Ior the dear purchace of the fable's tail. 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IL 



Each gaudy bird fome flender tribute brings. 
And lends the growing infe6l proper wings; 
Silks of all colours mult their aid impart. 
And ev'ry fur promote the fiflier's art. 
So the gay lady, with expenfive care. 
Borrows the pride of land, of fea,and air; [plays. 
Furs, pearls, and plumes, the glitt'ringthingdif'- 
Dazzles our eyes, ani: eafy hearts betrays. 

Mark well the various feafons of the year. 
How the fucceeding infe6l race appear j 
In this revolving moon one colour reigns, 
Which in the next the fickle trout difdains. 
Oft have I feen a flcilful angjer try 
The various colours of the treach'rous fly: 
Whenhewithfrultlefs pain hasflcimm'dthebrook. 
And the coy filh rejefts the ikipping hook, 
He fliakes the boughs that on the margin grow. 
Which o'er the flream a waving foreft throw j 
When if an infeft fall (his ceitain guide) 
He gently takes him from the whirling tide; 
Examines v*ell his form with curious eyes. 
His gaudy veil, his wings, his horns, and fize; 
Then round his hook the chofen fur he winds. 
And on the back a fpeckled feather binds ; 
So juil the colours (hine tlirougli ev'ry part. 
That Nature feems again to -live in Art. 
Let not thy wary Hep advance too near. 
While all thy hope hangs on a fingle hair; 
The new-fcrm'd infeft on the water moves. 
The fpeckled trout the curious fnare approves; 
Upon the curling furface let it glide ; 
VVith natural motion from thy hand fupplled, 
Agalnil the llream now gently let it play. 
Now in the rapid eddy roil av/ay. 
The fcnly fhoals float by, and, feiz'dwith fear. 
Behold their fellows toil in thinner air; 
But foon they leap, and catch the fwimm.ing bait, 
Plunge on the hook, and fliare an equal fate. 

When a brifk gale againfl; the current blows. 
And all the wat'ry plain in wrinkles flows. 
Then let the fiflierman his art repeat. 
Where bubbling eddies favour the deceit. 
If an enormous lalmon chance to fpy 
The wanton errors of the floating fly; 
He lifts his filver gills above the flood, 
And greedily fucks in th' unfaithful food ; 
Then downward plunges with the fraudful prey. 
And bears with joy the little fpoil away : 
Soon in fmart pain he feels the dire miilake, 
Laflies the wave, and beats the foamy lake j 
With fudden rage he now aloft appears. 
And in his eye convulfive anguifh bears : 
And now again, impatient of the wound. 
He rolls and writhes his fhining body round ; 
Then headlong Ihoots beneath the dalhing tide; 
The trembling fins the boiling wave divide. 
Now hope exalts the fiflier's beating heart ; 
Now he turns pale, and fears his dubious art; 
He views the tumbling fifti with longing eye^, 
While the line ftretcheswith th* un wieldly prize ; 
Each motion humours with his Heady hands, 
And one flight hair the mighty bulk commands: 
Till tir'd at laft, defpoil'd of all his llrength. 
The g^^me athwart the llream unfolds his length, 
^ He 



■■&] 



Book If. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, Sec. 



4ot 



He now with pleafure views the c^afping prize 
Gnaflvhis fliarp teeth ,and roll his blood- Ihoteyesj 
Then draws him to the fhore with artful care, 
And lifts his noftrils in the fick'ningair : 
Upon the burthen'd Itream he floating lies, 
Stretches his quivering fins, and gai'ping dies. 

Would you preserve a numerous finny race, 
Let your fierce dogs the i-av'nous otter chafe 
(The amphibious monller ranges all the fhores, 
JDartsthro' the waves, and ev'ry haunt explores) : 
Or let the gin his roving fleps betray. 
And fave from hofrile jaws the fcaly prey. 

I never wander where the bordering reeds 
Overlook the muddy /lream,whoJe tangling weeds 
Perplex the fifher; I nor choofe to bear 
The thievifh nightly net, nor barbed I'pear; 
Nor drain I ponds, the golden carp to take j 
Nor trowle for pikes, difpeoplers of the lake t 
Around the Iteel no torturM worm (liall twine, 
No blood of living infeft (lain my line. 
Let me, lefs cruel, caft the feather'd hook, 
With pliant rod, athwart the pebbled brook. 
Silent along the mazy margin ftray, 
And with the fur-wrought fly delude the prey, 

CANTO II. 



Now, fporting Mule, draw in the flowing reins. 
Leave the clear llreams awhile for funny plains. 
Should yon the various arms and toils rehearfe, 
And all the fifherman adorn thy verfe ; 
Should you the wide encircling net difplay, 
And in its fpacious archinclofe the fea; 
Then haul the plunging load upon the land. 
And with the foal and turbot hide the fand ; 
It would extend the growing theme too long. 
And tire the reader with the wat'ry fong. 

Let the keen hunter from the chace refrain, 
Nor render all tlie ploughman's labour vain. 
When Ceres pours out plenty from her horn, 
And clothes the fields with golden ears of corn. 
Now, now, ye reapers, to your tafic repair, 
Hade ! l;.ive the produft of the bounteous year : 
To the wide-gathering hook lolig furrows yield, 
And riling flieaves extend through all the field. 

Yet, if for fylvan fports thy bofom glow, 
Let thy fleet greyhound urge his flying foe. 
With what delight the rapid courfe I view ! 
How does my eye the circling race purine ! 
He fnaps deceitful air with empty jaws ; 
The Tabtle hare darts fwift beneath his pawS; 
She flies, he flretches ; now with nimble bound 
Eager he prefles on, but overfhoots his ground ; 
She turns 5 he winds, and foon regains the way, 
Then tears withgoary mouth thefcreaming prey, j Wh 
What various fport does rural life afford ! j A 

What unbought dainties heap the wholfome Pride lures the li 



Wand'ring in plenty, danger he forgets, 
Nor dreads the flav'i y of entangling nets. 
The fubtle dog fcours with fagacious noie 
Along the fleld,andfnuft^'s each breezethat blows, 
Againfl: the wind he takes his prudent way, 
While the ilrong gale direils him to the prey, - 
Now the v/arm fcent allures the covey near ; 
He treads with caution, and he points with fear) 
Then (lert: fbme fentry-fowl the fraud defcry, 
And bid his fellows from the danger fly) 
Clofe to the ground in expectation lies, 
Till in the fnare the fluttering covey rife, 
Soon as the the biufhing light begins to fpread, 
And glancing Phcx:busgildsthemoantain'shead, 
His early flight th' ill fated partridge takes. 
And quits the friendly flielter of the brakes. 
Or, when the fun calls a declining ray, 
And drives his chariot down the vveilcrn way, 
Let your obfequious ranger fearch around. 
Where yellow Itubble v/ithers on the ground : 
Nor will the roving fpy direct in vain. 
But num'rous coveys gratify thy pain. 
{When the meridian fun contrafts the fhade. 
And frifking heifers feek the cooling glade j 
Or when the country floats with fudden rains. 
Or driving mills deface the moiften'd plains j 
In vain his toils th' unficilful fowler tries. 
While in thick woods the feeding partridge lies. 
Nor mufl: the fpoiting verfe the gun forbear^ 
But what's the Fowler's be the Mu'e's care. 
See how the weil-taaght pointer leads the way i 
The Icent grows warm ; he Hops ; he fprings the 

prey : 
The fiutt'ring coveys from the ftubble rife. 
And on fwift wing divide the founding fkies; 
The fcatt'ring lead purfaes the certain flght. 



board 1 

Nor lefs the fpaniel, flcilful to betray, 
l^ew^irds the fowler with the feather'd prey, 
Soon as the labouring borfe,with fwellij'ig veins. 
Has fafely hous'd the flirmer's doubtfurgiins, 
To fvveet repatt th' unwar/ partridge flies 
With joy amid tke fcatter'd iurva^ lies i 



And death in thunder overtakes their flight. 
Cool breatlies themorningair,and Winter's hand 
Spreads wide her hoary mantle o'er thicland j 
Now to the copfe thy leffer fpaniel take. 
Teach him to range the ditch, and force thebrake; 
Not clofeit coverts can protefl the game : 
Hark 1 the dog opens j take«thy certain aim. 
The woodcock flutte?rs ; how he wav'ring flies ! 
The wood i-elbunds: he wheels^ he drops, he 
dies. 

The tow'ring hawk let future pbets flng. 
Who terror bears upon his foaring wing : 
Let them on high, the frighted hern iurvey. 
And lofty numbers paint iheirairy fray. 
Norfliall the mountain lark the Mufe det.'in, 
That greets the morning with his early fcraiii f 
When, 'midii his ioii^, the tv/inkiing glaf., -j' 
betrays, f 

'hile from each angle nafh the gland ng my r.? 

nd in th.e fun the tranf.ent dolours b!;5ze, J^ 
tie w.jrbler from the fki^s : 



The light enamour'd bird deluded dies. 

But Hill the chace, a pleaflng tafic, renliiins 9 
The hound mufcopen in tliefe rural flrains. 
Soon as Aurora ^irivcs away the night. 
And edges eallern clouds with ro.'y iigiit, 
Ti:e healthy huiitfrnan with the cheerful ho"il, 
-nnr. mons the dcg*;,anJ ^i-ect* ihc dapp!-etl ;n \- x, 



402 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



B 



K 



li. 



Thejocund thunder wakes th' enlivenMhounds, | The fleecy ball their hnfy fingers cull, 
TheyrouletVomlleepandanrwei-lbundsforibnnds, jOr from the ip'mdle drnv/ the lengthening wc>ol: 



Wide thro' th' furzy field their rente they take ; 
Their bleeding boioms force the thorny brake: 
The riving game their iinoking noilrils trace, 
Kg bounding hedge obih-ucts their eager pace ; 
The d;{lant mountains echo from afar, 
And hanging woods refonnd the llying war : 
The tuneful noii'e thefpi'ightly courier hears, 
Pawsthe greenturf,and prjckshis tremblingearsi 
The (lacken^d rein now gives him all his fpecd, 
Back flies the rapid ground beneath the fteed ; 
Hills, dales, and foreftsjfarbehind remain, [trai:-.. 
While the warmfcentdrawsonthe deep-moutird 
Where fliall the trembling hare a flielteriind ? 
Hark! death advances in each gult of wind ! 
New ftratagems and doubling wiles Ihe tries; 
Now circling turns, and now at large fhe flies; 
Till, fpent at lafl:, fhe pants,and heaves for breatli, 
Then lays her down, and waits dcvouringdeath. 
But fi:ay, adventurous Mufel haft thou theforce 
To wind the twilled horn, to guide the horfe ? 
To keep thy feat unmov'd, haft thOu the ikill, 
O'er the high gate, and down the headlong hill ? 
Can ft thou the ftag's laborious chace direft, 
Or the ftrong fox thro' all his arts deleft ? 
The theme demands a more experienc'd lay : 
Ye mighty hunters ! fpare this weak elfay. 

O happy plains, remote from war's alarms, 
"■ And all the ravages of hoftile arms ! 
And happy fliepherds, who, fecure from fear, 
On open downs preferve your fleecy care ! 
Whofefpacious barns groan with increalingrtore 
And whirling flails disjoint the cracking floor I 
No barbarous foldier, bent on cruel fpoil, 
Spreads defolation o'er your fertile foil : - 

No trampling fteed lays wafte the ripen 'd grain, 
Nor cracking fires devour the promised gain ; 
No flaming beacons caft their blaze afar. 
The dreadful fignal of invaflve war : 
No trumpet's clangor wounds the mother'sear. 
And calls the lover from his fwooning fair. 

What happinefs the rural miiid attends, 
In cheerful labour while each day flie iperids ! 
. €he gratefully receives what Heaven has fent. 
Ana, rich in poverty, &njoys content; 
(S ch happinefs, and fuch unblemifli'd famcj 
Ne>r elad the bofom of the courtly dame) : 
She never feels the fpleen's imagin'd pains, 
Nor melancholy fti-;gnates in her veins ; 
She never lofes life in thoaghtlefs eafej 
Nor on the velvet couch invites difeafej 
Her home-fpun drefs in fimple neatnefs lies, 
A-nd f^ rno glaring equipage flie nghs : 
Her r ; i tation, which is all her boaft, 
Jn a iralicious vifit ne'er was loft ; 
No midnight mafquerade her beauty wears, 
And health, net paint, the fading bloom repairs. 
If love's foft paiTion in her bolom reign. 
An equal paflion warms her happy Iwain : 
No home-brtd jars her quiet il. e controul, 

' r watchful jealoufy torments Ler loui j 
With 'ccret joy ihe fees her ■ < race 
Hang on ker brealt, wd herfmall cottage grace; 



h us flov.'her hours with conftant peace of mind. 
Till ar;e the lateft thread of life unwind. 

Yc happy fields, urknown to noife and ftrif^. 
The kind rewarders of induftrious life; 
Ye ftiady woods, where once I us'd to rove, 
Alike indujgent to the Mule and Love ; 
Ye nunm'ring ftrearnsthat in meanders roll, 
The Ivveet ccmnoiers of the pen live Ibul ; 
Farewell ! — the city calls me from your bow'rsi i 
Farewell, amufing thoughts, snd peaceful houri,L 



§ 53- 



Love cf Famty the Uni'verfal FaJJlon. 

Young. 

SATIRE I. 

*fo h'ls Grace the Duke ofDorJct. ■ 

' Tanto major Famse fitis eft, quam 

Virtutis — — Jf V. SAT. id. 

My verfe is Satire ; Dorfet, lend your ear, 

And patronize a Mufe you cannot, fear ; 

To Poets facred is a Dorfet' s name, 

Their wonted paffport thro' the gates of fame j 

It bribes the partial reader into praife. 

And throws a glory round the (helter'd lavs ; 

The dazzled judgment fewer faults can lee. 

And gives applaufe to B- e, or to me. 

But you decline the miftrefs we purfuc; 
Others are fond of Fame, but Fame of you. 
Inftruftive Satire, true to virtue's caufe. 
Thou Ihining fupplenient of public lav/s '. 
When fiatter'd crimes of a licentious age 
Reproach our silence, and demand our rage ; 
When purchas'd follies from each diftanc land, 
Like arts, improve in Britain's^ fKiUul hand : 
Vv^ien the law fliews her teeth,but dares notbite, 
AndSouth- Sea treafures ai enot brought to light. 
When churchmen fcrioture for the clafl^cs- quit; 
Polite apoltates from God's grace to wit ; 
When men eroworeat from, their revenue fpent; 



And fly from bai lifts into par 

\XIU^^ A^Anr^ ^v,„t.,-c -rn. l-.'.'^t n 



iment : 



When dying finners to blot out their icore, 
Bequeath the church the leavingsof a whore- 
To chafe our fpleen when themes like thele in- 

creale. 
Shall panegyric reign, and cenfui^ ceafe? 

Shall ]}oef>^ like law, turn wrong to right. 
And dedication walh sn ^thicp white, 
Set up each fenfelels wretch for nature's boaft, 
On whom praiie fiunes as trophies on a poll? 
Shall funeral eloquence her colours Ipread, 
And fcatter rofes on the wealthy dead ? 
Shall authors fmileon fuch illuftnoiu days. 

And fatirize with nothing but their praife > 

WhynumbersPope,wholeadsthetunehilftrain, 
Nor hears that virtue which he love«, complain? 
Donne, Donet, Drvdeu, Rocbefter are dead. 
And guilt's chief foe in x^ddifon is fled ; 
Congreve,who, crown'd with laurels fairly won, 
Sits jmiiiag at the goal while others ^^J^' 
He v.ill not write ; and (nwre provoking ftill.) 
^e fedsi hewiii aot write, aad Ma^vius wiil. 

©©ubly 



BbOK ir. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



403 



X)oiibly dillrell, what author Hiall we find 
Di/creetly tlariiig, and Ibverely kind, 
The courtly * Roman's (l-.ining; path to tread, 
And ihan,:)ly fmile pievailing foli)'- dead ? 
Will no I'uperior genius fnatch the 'juiil, 
And (ave n^e, on tin- brink, from wriling ill ? 
Tl'iO' vain rhe itrife, I'il Itrive my voice to raiie: 
"What vvili not men attempt for Jacrcd prai'e ? 

The love of praiie, howe-er coaceal'd by art, 
Reigns, more or Jels, and glows in ev'ry heart; 
The proud, to gain it, toils on toils endure j 
The modeil: fhun it but to makes ic lure. 
O'er globes and Tceptres now on thrones itlwells, 
Now trims the midnight lamp in college cells. 
'Tis Tory,\vliig; it plots, prays,preac])es,pleauS5 
Harangues in ienatcs, iqueaks in malquerades: 

llere, to S e's humour makes a bold pretejicej 

There, bolder aims at Pult'ney's eloquence: 
It aids the dancer's heel, the writer's iiead, 
Anii heaps the plain with mountains of the dead. 
Nor ends with life; but nods in fable plumes, 
Adorns our hiearfe, and Hatters on our tombs. 
Who IS not proud r the pimp is proud to fee 
So many like himielf in high degree: 
The wliore is proud her beanties are the dread 
Of petvifli virtue, and the marriage bed; 
And the brib'd cuckold, like crown'd vi6Vims 
To daughter, glories in his gilded horn, [born 

Some go to church, proud humbly to repent, 
And comeback inuchraoreguiltythan they went: 
One way they look, another way they ftter ; 
J'ray to the gods, but would have mortals hear; 
And when their fins they (et fmcerely down, 
They'll find that their religion has bwn one. 

Others with wilhful eyes on glory lock, j 



Nor is't enough all hearts are fwoln with pride. 
Her pow'r is mighty, as lier realm is wide. 
vVh.it can Ihe not perform ? The love of fame 
Made bold Alphoufus his Creator blame, 
Gmpcdocks hurl'd down the burningfteep, 
And (itronger fHll !) made Alexander weep. 
Nay it holds Delia from a lecond bed, 
Tho' herlov'd lord has four half months been 

This paffion with a pimple have I Ittn [dead. 
Retard a caufe, and give a judge the fpleen. 
By this infpir'd (oh ne'er to be forgot !) 
Some lords have learn"d to fpell,and fometoknot. 
It makes Globofe a fpeaker in the houfej 
He hems — and is delivered of his moufe. 
It makes dear felf on well-bred tongues prevail, 
Anxl I the little hero of each tale. 

Sick with the love of fame, what throngs pour 
Unpeople court, and leave the fenate thin ! [in. 
My growing fubjeil Items but juft begun. 
And, chariot-like, I kindle as I run. 
Aid me, great Homer \ with thy epic rules. 
To take a catalogue of Britifli fools. 
Satire! had I thy Dorfet's force divine, 
A knave or fool fhould perifli in each line: 
Tho' for the lirlt all Weiiminfter fhouid plead. 
And for the lad all Grefliam intercede. 

Begin — who firfl. the catalogue fliall grace ? 
To quality belongs the higheft place. 
My lord comes forward ; forward let him come ! 
Ye vulgar, at your peril give him room ! 
He fia.nds for fame on his forefather's feet. 
By heraldry prov'd valiant or difcreet, 
With what a decent pride he throws his eyes 
Above the man by three defcents lefs wife ! 
If virtues at his noble hand you crave. 



When iheyhavegottheirpicturetow'rdsa book; {You bid him raife his Withers from the gra^'C. 



Or pompous title, like a gaudy lign 

Meant to betray dull fots to wretched wine. 

If at his title T had dropt his qrdil, 

T might have pafs'd for a great genius Hill; 

But T , alas! (excufe hira if you can) 

Is now a fcribbler, who was once a raan. 

Imperious fome a claflic fame demand, 
For heaping up with a laborious hand • 

A waggon load of meanings for one word, 
While A's deposed, and B with pomp reilorM. 

Some for renown on fcraps of learning doat, 
And think they grow immortal as they quote. 
To patchwork learn'd quotations are allied ; 
Both ftrive to make our poverty our pride. 

On glafs how witty is a noble peer I 
Did ever diamond coft a man fo dear ? 

Polite difeafes make fbme idiots vain, 
Which, if unfortunately well, they feign,* 
On death-beds fome in conlcious glory lie, 
Since of the dodtor in the m-ode they die ; 
Whofe wondrous Ikill is,headfman-ii'ke,to know 
For better pay to give a furer blow. 

Of folly, vice, difeafe, men proud we fee : 
And (ftranger Itill) of blockheads flatteiy, 
Whofe praife defames ; as if a fool fhouid mean 
By fpittin^ on your f^fQ tc nuke it clean ! 



Menfuouldprefsforward infame'sglorious chace; 
Nobles look backward, and fo loie the race. 

Let high birth triumph ! what can be mere 

Nothing but merit in a lev/ eftate. [great ? 

To Virtue's humbleft fbn let none prefer 
Vice, tho' defcended from the Conqueror. 
Shall men, like figures, pafs for high or bafe. 
Slight or important, only by their place ? 
Titles i^re marks of honeil men and wife; 
Tlie fool or knave that wears a title, lies. 

They that on glorious anccilors enlarge, 
Produce their debt inftead of their difcharge, 
Dorfet, let thofe who proudly boaft their line. 
Like thee, in w^orth hereditary Ihine. 

Vain as f:dfe greatnefs is, the Mufe muft owa 
We want not fools to buy that Briflol Irone. 
Mean fons of Earth, who on a South Sea tide 
Of full fuccefs fwam into wealth and pride, 
Knock with a purfe of gold at Anitis' gate, 
And beg to be defcended from the great. 

When men of infamy to grandeur foar. 
They light a torch to fliew their fhametlie more.* 
Thofe governments which curb not evils, caufe; 
And a rich knave's a libel on our laws. 

Belus with Iblid glory will be crown'd; 
He buys no phantom, no vain empty ibund; 



* Horace. 



Dd 2 



lut 



404 



EtEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book lit 



But builds hlmfelf a name ; and to be great, 

Sinks in a quarry an inimenfe ellate 5 

In colt and grandeur Chandos he'll outdo; 

And, Burlington, thy tafte is notfo true. 

The pile is finifli'd, ev'iy toil is palt. 

And full perfeftion is arriv'd at lalt 5 

When, lo ! my Lord to fome fmall corner runs 

And leaves ilate-rooms to ftrangers and to duns 

The man who builds, and wants wherewith to 
Provides a home from which to run away, [pay 
In Britain what is many a lordly feat, 
But a dilcharge in full for an ellate ? 

In fmaller compals lies Pygmalion's fame ; 
Not dom.es, but antique ftatues, are his flame. 
KotF — t — n's felf more Pariancharmshasknown, 
Nor is good Pembroke more in love with ftone, 
The balifts come (rude men, profanely bold I) 
And bid him turn his Venus into gold. 
•* No, firs," he cries; "Til fooner rot in jaiU 
•* Shall Grecian arts be trucked for Englifh bail?' 
Such heads might make their very buitos laugh 
His daughter itarves, but * Cleopatra's fafe, 

Men overloaded with a large eilare 
!May fpill their treafure in a nice conceit : 
The rich may be polite; hut, oh ! 'tis fad 
To fay you're curious, when we fwear you're 
By your revenue m.eafure your expence, [mad 
And to your funds and acres join your fenfe : 
No man is bleft bj'- accident or guefs. 
True wifdom is the price of happinefs ; 
Yet few without long difcipllne are fage ; 
And our youth only lays up fighs for age. 

But how, my Mufe,canft thourefufe lb lorn 
The bright temptation of the courtly throng; 
Thy moft inviting theme ? The court affords 
Mucii food for fatire; it abounds in lords. 
*' What lords are thofe faluting with a grin ?' 
One is juit out, and one is lately in. 
** How comes it then to pafs we fee prelide 
•' On both their brows an equal fliare of pride?' 
Pride, that im.partial palTion, reigns thro' all ; 
Attends our glory, nor deferts our fall : 
As in its home, it triumphs in high place. 
And frowns a haughty exile in difgrace. 
Somejords it bids admire their wands ib white, 
Which bloom,likeAaron's,to their raviili'dllght: 
Some lords it bids refign, and turn their wands, 
Like Mofes', into ferpents in their hanck. 
Thefe fink, as divers, for renown 1 and boail 
With pride inverted of their honours loft. 
But againfi: reafon fure 'tis equal fin 
To boall ot merely being out or in. 

What numbers here, thro 'odd am!>ition,lb-lve 
To feem the molt tranfported things alive I 
As if by joy defert was underuood, 
And all the fortunate were wife or good. 
Hence aching bofoms wear a vifage gay. 
And ftlfied groans frequent the ball and play. 
Completely drefs'd by f Monteuel, and grimace, 
They take their birth-day fuit,and public face ; 
Tlxir fmiles are only part of what they we?.r, 
Put oil at night with lady B 's hair, 

* Af.-un.-usf^atue. 



What bodily fatigue is half To bad ? 
With anxious care they labour to be glad. 

What numbers here would into fame advance 
Confcious of merit in the coxcomb's dance * 
The tavern, park, alTembly, mafk, and play^ 
Tbofe dear deitroyers of the tedious day I 
That wheel of fops ! that faunter of the town I 
Call it diverfion, and the pill goes down ; 
Fools grin on fools ; and Stoic lik^ fupport. 
Without one figh, the pleafures of a court. 
Courts can give nothing to the wife and good^ 
But fcorn of pomp, and love of folitude. 
High Itations tumult, but not blifs, create: 
None think the great unhappy, but the grea% 
Fools gaze and envy : envy darts a fling, 
Which makes a fv/ain as wretched as a\ing. 

I envy none their pageantiyand fhow j 
T envy none the gilding of their woe. 
Give me, indulgent gods! with mind ferene. 
And guilllefs heart, vto range the fylvan fcQnej. 
No fplendid pov-erty, no finiling care. 
No well-bred hate, or fervilc grandeur there; 
There pleafing objefts ufeful thoughts fuggefr. 
The ienfe is ravilh'd, and the fouris bleft; 
On ev'ry thorn delightful wifdom grows. 
In ev'ry rill a f'weet inftruction flows : 
But fom.e untaught o'erhear the whifpering rill,. 
In fpiie of facred leifure, blockheads ftiill ; 
Nor fhoots up folly to- a nobler bloom 
In her own native foil, the drawling-room. 

The 'fquire is proud to fee his courfer ftrain. 
Or well -breath 'd beagles fweep along the plaiiiu 
Say, dear Hippolitus ("whofe drink is ale. 
Whole erudition is a Chriftmas tale, 
Whofe miftref&is faluted with a fmack. [back). 
And friend receiv'd with thumps upon the 
When thy fleek geldingainiblyleaps the mound. 
And Ringwood opens on the tainted ground, 
Is that thy praife ? Let Ringwood's fame alor.e, 
Juft Ringwood leaves each animal his owa; 
Nor envies when a gyply you commit, 
And fliake the clumiy bench withcountjy wit ; 
When you the dullelt of dull things have faid. 
And then aik pardon for the jeft you made, [new, 

Hear breathe, my Mufe ! and then thy talk re-: 
Ten thoufand fools unfung are Itill in view. 
Fewer lay atheifts made by chiirch debates : 
Fewer great beggars fkm'd for large eftates ; 
Lmies, whofe love is conltant as the Avind ; 
Cits, who prefer a guinea to mankind ; 
Fewer grave lords to Scroope di'creetly bend ; 
And fewer fnocks a fta'e.'hun gives his friends 

Is there a man of an eternal vein, 
Who- lulls the town in winter with his (train. 
At Bath in fummer chants the reigning lals. 
And fwcetly whiitles as the waters pais?" 
Ls there a tongue, like Delia's over her cup. 
That runs for ages without winding up ? 
Is there whom his tenth Epic mounts to fame? 
Such, and fuch only, might exhnuit my theme^ 
Nor would thefe lieroes of the talk be glad ; 
For who can write fb fafl as men run mad ? 



"f A famous tay>jr. 



SATIRE 



Book II. 



D I D A C T I C,' D E S C R I P T I V E, &c. 



405 



SATIRE II. 

To the Right Honour akU ike Earl cf Scarborough. 
-Tanto major Famx fitis eft, quam 

JL'V. SAT. 10. 



Virtuti 



MyMufe, proceed, and reach thy deftinM end, 
Tho' toil and danger the bold talk attend. 
. Heroes and gods make other poems fine. 
Plain Satire calls for fenle in ev'ry line : 
Then, to what Ivvarms thy faults I dare expofe ! 
All friends to vice and folly are thy foes j 
%Vhen fuel) the foe, a war eternal wage, 
Tis molt ill-nature to reprefs thy rage, 
And if thefe Ilrains fome nobler Mufe excite, 
I'll gloiy in the wtdt I did not write. 

So weak are human kind by nature made, 
Or to fuch weaknefs by their vice betray'd. 
Almighty Vanity ! to thee they owe 
Their zell of plealure, and their balm of woe. 
Thou, like the fun, all colours deft contain. 
Varying like rays of light on drops of rain ; 
For ev'ry foul finds reafons to be proud, 
Tho* hifsM and hooted by the pointing crowd. 

"Warm in purfuit of foxes and renown, 
Hippolitus demands the fylvan crown * ; 
liut Florio's fame, the produft of a fhowV. 
Grows in his garden, an illuftrious flow'r! 
Why teems the earth ! why melt the vernal Ikies? 
Why fhinesthe fun? To make Paul Diackf rife. 
From morn to night has Florio gazing ftood, 
And wonder'd how the gods could be fo good. 
What fhape ! what hue i was ever nymph fo flur? 
He doats, he dies ! he too is rooted thei-e. 
O folid bill's \ which nothing can deftroy 
Except a cat, bird, fnail, or idle boy. 
In fame's full bloom lies Florio down at night, 
And wakes next day a moft inglorious wight 5 
The tulip's dead ! See thy fair filler's fate, 
O C ! and be kind ere 'tis too late. 

Nor are thofe enemies I mention'd 3ll } 
Beware, O Florilt, thy ambition's fall. 
A friend of mine'indulgM this noble flame ; 
A quaker ferv'd him, Adam was his name. 
To one lov'd tulip oft the mafter went. 
Hung o'er it, and whole days in rapture fpent ; 
But came and mifs'd it one ill-fnted hour, 
He rag'd ! he i-oar'd — " What dainon cropp'd 

" my llow'r •? "" 
Serene, quoth Adam,' Lo ! 'twas crufh'd by me : 

* Fallen is the Baal to which thou bow'dftthy 

• * knee.' 

* " Butallmenwantamufement,and what crime 
" In fuch a Paradife to fool thdr time ?" 
None,but whyproudof this? To Fyme they foarj 
We grant they're idle, if they'll a.Oc no more. 

We fmjle at Floriits ] we defpKe their joy. 
And think their hearts enamour'd of a toy; 
But are thofe wifer whom v,e moft admi'-e, 
Survey with envy, and purfue with li-e ? 
What's he \\ ho iighsforwealth. or fame,orpov.''r? 
Another Florio doting on a flow'r! 
A fliort-liv'd fiow'r,and which hasoften fprun^; 
frovA fordid arts, as Florio's out of dung, "j 
* Thji refers to the fitil S^arc, 



With what, O Codrus ! is thy fancy fmit ? 
The flow'r of learning i ami the bloom of wit. 
Thy gaudy llielves with crimfon bindings glow. 
And Epiftetus is a perfed beau. 
How fit for thee bound up in crimfon too. 
Gilt, and like them devoted to the view 1 
Thy books are furniture. Methinks 'tis i»arcl 
That fcience fliould be purchas'd by the yard^ 
And Tonfon, turn'd upholfterer, fend home 
Tlie gilded leather to fit up thy room. 

If not to fome peculiar end allign'd, 
Study's the fpecious trifling of the mind 5 
Or is at beft a ftcondary aim, 
A chace for fport alone, and not for game : 
If fo, fure they who the mere volume prize^ 
But love the thicket where the quany lies. 

On buying books Lorenzo long was bent. 
But found at length that it reduc'd his rent. 
His farms were flown j when lo ! a fale comes on, 
A choice colleilion ! What is to be done ? 
He fells his laft, for he the whole will buy; 
Sells ev'n his houfe, nay wants whereon to lie; 
So high the gen'rous ardour of the man 
For Romans, Greeks, and Orientals ran. 
To make the purchafe, he gives all his ftore. 
Except or.e darling diamond that he wore : 
For what a miftrefs gave, 'tis death to pawn. 
Yet when the teniis were fix'd, and waitings 

drawn. 
The fight fo ravifli'd him, he gave the clerk 
Love's facred pledge, and fign'd them with, his 
Unlearned men of books affume the care, [mark^ 
As eunuchs are the guardians of the fair. 

Not in his author's liveries alone 
Is Codrus' erudite ambition fliewn. 
Editions various, at high prices bought. 
Inform the worldwhat Codrus would be thought^ 
And to this coft another mult fucceed. 
To pay a fage who fays that he can read. 
Who titles knows, and indexes has feen. 

But leaves to what lies between : 

Of pompous bookswho fhunstheproud expence. 
And humbly is contented with their fenle. 

O Lumle5'-,whofe accompli fhments makegooci 
The promile of a long illullricus blood ; 
In arts and manners eminently grac'd, 
The ilri(5left honour, and the iinelt talte! 
Accept this verle ; if .Satire can agree 
With fo coniummate an humanity. 
But know, my Lord, if you refent the WTong, 
Tliat en your candour I obtrude my fong j 
'Tis Satire's ju(l revenge on that fair name. 
Which all their malice cannot make her theme. 

By your example would Hilario mend. 
How would it grace the talents of my friend. 
Who, with the charms of his own genius fmit, 
Conceives all viitues are compris'd in wit! 
Hut tiuic his fervent petulance may cool ; 
For, though he i.^ a wit, he is no fool. 
In time he'll icHrn to ufe, not vvaile, his fenfe j 
Nor make a fniihy of.an excellence. 
Mis briik attack op blockheads we fhould "irize^ 
Vv'tre not his jclt as flippant with the wile 



l)d I 



t The name of a tulip. 



us 



4^6 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



He fparcs nor friend nor foe j bat calls to mind, 
Like doonw-day, all the faults of all mankind. 

Who tho' wit tickles ! tickling is unikfe, 
If ftill 'tis painful while it makes us laugh. 
Who, for the poor renown of being fmart, 
Would leave a fting within a brother's heart ? 
Parts may be prais'd, good nature isador'dj 
Then draw your wit as feldom as your fword, - 
And never on the weak ; or you'll appear 
As there no hero, no great genius here. 
As in fmooth oil the razor beil is whet, 
So wit is by politenefs fharpeft fet. 
Their want of edige from their «:fence is feen 5 
Both pain us leaft when exquifitely keen. 
The fame men give, is for the joy they find ; 
Dull is the jefler, when the joke's unkiiid. 

Since Marcus doubtlefs thinks himfelf a wit, 
To pay my compliment what place fo nt ? 
His moft facetious letters * came to hand. 
Which my firft Satire fweetly reprimand. 
If that a juft offence to Marcus gave, 
Say, Marcus, which art thou — a fool, or knave? 
For all but fuch w'th caution I foi'bore ; 
That ihou waft either, I ne'er knew before ; 
I know theenoiv, both what thou art, and who; 
No made fo good but Marcus mufl (hine through 5 
Falfe names are vain, thy lines their author teJl, 
Thy beft concealment had been writing w..\I 5 
!B'nt thou a brave negleft of Fame haft ihewn. 
Of others' fame, great genius! and t'lV ov.n. 
Write on unheeded, and this maxim know : 
The man who pardons, difappoints his foe. 

In malice to proud vv'it:-;, fome proudly lull 
Their peevifn reafon, vain of being dull; [foulf;, 
When fome home-joke has ftung their ibiernn 
In vengeance they determine — to be foois ; 
Thro' Tpleen, that little nature gave, make iefs, 
Quite zealous in the Vv^ys of heavinefs ; 
To lumps inanimate a fondnefs take, 
And difmherit fons that are awake. 
Thefe,when their utmoft venom they would fpit, 
Moft barbaroully tell you — *' he's a wit." 
Poor negroes thus, to fhew tlieir burning fpite 
To Cacodsmons, fay they're devilifli white. 
Lampridius from the bottom of his breait 
Sighs o'er one child, but triumphs in the reft. 
How juft his grief! one carries in his head 
A Iefs proportion of the father's lead ; 
And is in danger, without fpecial grace, 
To rife above a Juftice of the Peace. 
The dunghill-breed of men a diamond fcorn. 
And feci a pafTion for a grain of corn 5 
Sf-me ftupid, plodding, money-loving wight, 
Who wins thtir hearts by knowing black from 

white, 
Who with mnch pains exerting ail his fenfe, 
C:m range aright his fhillings.pounds, and pence. 
This h > by father craves a booby fon. 
And by Heaven'sbleiTi-ugthinkshimftlf undone. 
W.mi s of all kinds are made to Fame a plea j 
<"Mi ' learns to lifp, another not to iee ; 

M 's I) tottering catches at your hand : 

Was ever thing fo pretty born tj iiand? 

* T^cLterj fcj.t to the j 



Whilft thefe what nature gave difown thro'pride 
Others affeft what nature has denied; 
What nature has denied fools will purfue, 
As apes are ever walking upon two. 

CralTus, a graceful fage, our awe and fport ! 
Supports grave forms, for forms the lage fupport'j 
He hems — and cries, with an important air, 
" If yonder clouds withdraw, it will be fair:'* 
Then quotes the Stagyrite to prove i,t true; 
And adds, " The learn'd delight in foraething 

'• new." 
Is't not enough the blockhead fcarce can read. 
But muft he wifely look and gravely plead? 
As far a formalift from wifdom fits. 
In judgiing eyes, as libertines from wits. 
Nay, of true wifdom there too much may be. 
The gen'rous mind delights in being free j 
Your men of parts an over-care defpife ; 
Dull rogues have nought to do but to be wife, 
Horace has faid — and that decides the cafe — 
'Tis fweet to trirle in a proper place. 
Yet fubtle wights Co blind are'mortal men, 
Tho' Satire couch them with her keeneft pen) 
For ever will hang out a folemn face, 
To put off nonfenfe with a better grace ; 
As pedlars with fome hero's head make bold, 
Iliuftrious mark \shere pins are to be fold. 
What'sthehentbrow.orneck in thought reclin'd? 
The body's wl/dom to conceal the mind. 
A man of fenfe can artifice difdain. 
As men of wealth may venti>re to go plain 5 
And be this truth eternal ne'er forgot — 
Solemnity's a cover for a fot. 
I find the fool, wb.en I behold the fcreen ; 
For 'tis the wife man's int'reft to be ittn. 
Hence, Scarborough, that opennefs of heart. 
And juft difdain for that poor mimic art ; 
Hence (manly praife ! ) that m.anner nobly free» 
Which all admire, and I commend in thee. 

With gen'rous fcorn hovvofthaftthoufurvey'd^ 
Of court and town the noon-tide mafquerade. 
Where fwarms of knaves thevlzorquite difgrace. 
And hide fecure behind a naked face ! 
Where nature's end of language is declin'd, 
And men talk only to conceal the mind ; 
Where gen'rous hearts the greateft hazard run. 
And he who trufts a brother is undone ! 
My brother fwore it, therefore it is true ; 
O ftrange induction, and at court quite new. 
As welfthou might'ft aver, thou fimplefwain, 
" 'Tisjuft. and therefore I ray caufelhallgain.'^ 
With fuch odd maxims to thy flocks retreat. 
Nor furniih mirth for minifters of ftate. 

Some mafter fpirit far beyond the throng 
Re^n'd in ill, more rightly bent on wrong, 
Withexquifite difcernment play their grmie, 
More nice of conduct, and more fair of larne. 
The nearly injur'd thinks his thanks are due, 
RobVrd of his right, and good opinion too : 
Falfehonour,pride'sfirft-born,thisclancontrouls» 
Who wifely part with nothing but their fouls. 
Albertus hugs himfelf in ravifli'd thought. 
To find a peerage is i'o cheaply bough . 

Thsfe 

..ithor, finned M.vcus. 



Book 11.- DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, 



&c. 



407 



Thefe all their care expand on outward fliow 
for wealth and fame ; for fame rAjne the beau. 
Of late at White's was young Fiorello feen : 
How blank his look, how difcompos'd his mien ! 
So hard it proves in grief nnccre to feign ! 
Sunk were his fpirits, for his coat was plain. 

Next day his brcai'l regained its wonted peace. 
His health was mended with a fjlver lace, 
A curious artiil long inur'd to toils 
Of gejitler fort, witli combs and fragrant oils, 
Whether by chance, or by fome god infpir'd. 
So touch'd his curls, his mighry Ibul was iirM. 
The v^'ell-fwoln ties an equal homage claim, 
And either fhoulder has its fhare of fame: 
His fumptuous watch-cafe, tho'conccal'd it lies, 
Like a good conl(;ience, folid joy fupplies. 
He only think? himfelf (fo far from vain) 
Stanhope in wit, in breeding Deloraine. 
Whene'er by feeming chance he throws Iris eye 
On mirrors flufliing with his Tyrian dye. 
With how fablinie a tranfport leaps his heart ! 
But fate ordains that deareii: friends muit part. 
In active meaiurts brought from France he 

wheels, 
And triumphs confcious of his learned heels. 

So have I feen, on ibme bright iummer's day, 
A calf of genius, debonair and gay. 
Dance on the bank, as if inipird by fame. 
Fond of the pretty fellow in the Itream. 

Morofc is lunk with fiiame whene'er furpris'ci 
Jfl linen clean, or peruke iindi!guis''d. 
No fublunary chance his veftments fear. 
Valued, like leopards, as their fpots appear. 
A faraM furtout he v.'ear6which.once was blue. 
And his foot fwinis in a capacioiis fhoe. 
One day his wife (for who can wives reclaim ?) 
LeveU'd her barbarous needle at Ids fame. 
But apen force was vain-, by night flie went, 
And while he tlept fiirprisM the darling rtint 5 
Where yawn'd thefrize is now become a doubt, 
,And glory at one entrance quite fliut out*. 

4[e i(:orns Fiorello, and Fiorello him j 
This hates the filthy creature, tr.at the prim. 
Thus in each other both thefe fools defpife 
Their own dear felves, with undifcerningeyes 
Their methods various, but alike their aim 5 
The floven and the fopling are the fame. 

Ye Whigs and Tories! thus it fares with you. 
When party-rage too warmly you purfue ; 
Then both club nonienfe and impetuous pride. 
And folly joins whom fentiments divide 
You vent your fjpleen, as monkies when they 

pafs 
Scratch at the mimic-monkey in the glafs. 
While both are one; and henceforth be itknown. 
Fook of both fides fhall ftand for fools alone. 

" Butwhoart thou !" methinks fiorello cries: 
"Of all thy fpecies art thou only wife ?" 
t)inceliiialleil tilings can give our fins a twitch, 
As croffmg flraws retard a pafling witch, 
Fiorello, thou my monitor fball be ; 
I'll conjure thus fome profit out or inee. 



O thou, myfelf ! abroad our counfels roam, 
And, like all hulbands, take no care at home. 
Come from thylelf, and a by-ltarider be ; 
Vv'ith others' eyes thy own deportment fee; 
And while their ails thou doft with pity view, 
Conceive, hard taf;'., that thou art mortal too, 
Thou too art wounded v.ith the common dart, 
.\nd love of F:ur.e lies thiobbing at thy heart : 
And what wife means to gain ithail thou chofe.? 
Kn(>vv,Fair.e and Fortune both are made of profe. 
Is thy ambition ivvcatingfbr a rhyme, 
ThoLi unambiiious fool, at this late time ? 
This noon of life ? Theleafons mend their pace. 
And with a nimbler ftep the feafon's chace; 
While I a moment name, a moment's palt j 
I'm nearer death in this verfe than the lafl ; 
What then is to be done? Be wife vv;ith fpeed j 
A fool at forty is a fool ini'eed. 

And what io fooiiih as the chace of Fame ? 
How vain the prize : how impotent our aim 1 
For what are men whografp at praife fublime. 
But bubbles on the rapid ftream of time. 
That rife and fall, and fvvell, and are no more. 
Born and forgot, ten thou (and in an hour ! 
Should this verfe Tue, O Lumley ! may it be 
A monument of gratitude to thee : 
Whofe early favour I mult own with fliame. 
So long my patron, and io late my thcine, 

SATIRE III. 

To the Right HoJiourable Mr. Dodington, 

Tanto major Famne fids eft, quam 

Vircutis jjv, sat. 10. 

Long, Dodington, in debt, I long have fought 
To eafe the burden of my grateful thought ; 
And now a poet's gratitude you fee — 
Grant him two favours, and he'll a(k for three j 
For whofe the prefent glory or the gain ? 
You give protection, I a worthlefs Ifrain, 
You love, and feel t^e poet's facred flame. 
And know the balls of a folid fame ; 
Tho' prone to like, y6t cautious to commend. 
You read with all the i^ialice of a friend ; 
Nor favour my attempts that way alone, 
But more to raife my verfe, conceal your own. 

Ail ill-tim'd modefty ! Tarn ages o'er. 
When wanted Britain bright examples more ? 
Her learning and her genius too decays, 
And dark and cold. are her declining d.ays j 
As if men now were of another caff. 
They meanly live on alms of ages paft. 
Men flill are men, and they who boldly dare. 
Shall triumph o'er the fons of cold defpairj 
Or, if they fail, theyjuftly ftill take place 
Of fuch who run in debt for their difgracc: 
Who borrow much, then fairly make if known. 
And damn it with improvements of their own. 
We bring fome new materials, arid what's old 
New-call with care, and in n.o borrow d mould. 



* M'lton. 



Dd 



Late 



^s 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



Late times the verfe mny read, if thefe refufe, 
And from four critics vindicate the mufe. 

" Ycurworkis long," the critics cry: 'tis true 
i^-nd lengthens Itilj, to take in fools like you : 
Shorten my labour, if its length you blame: 
For, grow but wile, you rob me of my game; 
As hunted haos, who, while the dogs purfue, 
JRenounce their four legs, and Hart up on two. 

Like the bold bird upon the banks of Nile, 
That picks the teeth of the dire crocodile, 
Will I enjoy (dread feaft !) the critics' rage, 
And with the fell deilroyer feed my page. 
For what ambitious fools are more to blame 
1'han thofe who plunder in the critic's name ? 
Good author's damn'd,have their revenge in this, 
To fee what wretches gain the praife they mifs 

Balbutius, muffied in his fable cloak, 
Like an old Druid from his hollow oak, 
As ravens iblemn, and as boding, cries, 
Ten thoufand worlds for the three unities! 
Ye doctors lage, who thro' Parnaflus teach, 
Or quit the tub, or pra61:ire what you preach. 

One judges as the weather dilates ; right 
The poem is at noon, and wrong at night : 
Another judges by a furer gage, 
An author's principles or parentage ; 
Since his great ancefrors in Flanders fell. 
The poem, doubtlefs, mull be written well: 
Anorher judges by the writer's look: 
Another judges, for he bought the book : [keep, 
gome judge, their knack of judging wrong to 
Some judge, becaufe it is too loon to fleep. 
Thus all will judge, and with one fmgle aim ; 
To gain thernlelves, not give the writer, fame. 
The very belt ambitioiifiy advile. 
Balf to lerve you, and half to pafs for wife. 
None are at leifure others to reward.: 
They fcarce will damn but out of felf regard. 
Critics on verfe, as fquibs on triumph wait, 
Proclaim the glory, and augment the Itate ; 
Hct, envious, noiiy, proud, the fcribblingfry 
Burn,hirs,and bounce,wa(le paper.ftink, and die. 
Rail on, myfriendsl whatmoremyvei-fecancrown 
ThanCompton's fmile,and your obliging frown? 

Not a]J on books their ciiticifm walte ; 
The genius of a dilh fonig juftly tafte, 
And eat their wayto fame! with anxious thought 
The falmon is refus'd, the turbot bought. 
In-patient art rebukes the fun's delay, 
And bids December yield the fruits of May. 
Their various cares in 'one great point combine 
The bufinefs of their lives, thatis— ^^to dine; 
Half of their pref;iou3 d^y they give the fealt. 
And to a kind digellion fpare the reft. 
Apic;us, here, the taller of the town. 
Feeds twice a^week, to fettle their renown, 

Thefe v/orthies of tlie palate guard with care 
The facrcd annals of their bills of fire ; 
In l!io!e ehofe books their panegyrics read, 
A'Ad frorn the creatures that for hunger feed; 
if m in, by feeding \veil, commences great, 
>h'ch more the worm, to whom that man is 
To glory I'omc advance a lying claim, [meat. 
'^"hicycG o{ renown, and pilferers of fan^e ! 



Their front fupplies what their ambition lacks ; 
They know a thoufmd lords behind their backs. 
Cottil is apt to wink upon a peer. 
When turn'd away, with a familiar leerj 
And Hervey's eyes, unmercifully keen. 
Have murder'd fops by whom ihe ne'er was feen; 
Niger adopts ftray libels, wifely prone 
To covet lliame Itill greater than his own j 
Bathyllus in the winter ®f threefcore 
Belies his innocence, and keeps a whore. 
Abfence of mind Brabantio turns to fame, 
Learns to miftake, nor knows his brother's namej 
Has words and thoughts in nice diforder fet. 
And takes a memorandum to forget. 
Thus vain, nor knowing what adorns or blots, 
Men forge the patents that create them fots. 

As love of pleafure into pain betrays. 
So moft grow infamous thro' love of praife.^ 
But whence for praife can fuch an ardour rife, 
When thofe who bring that incenfe we defpife ? 
For fuch the vanity of great and fmall. 
Contempt goes round, and all men laugh at all. 

Nor can even Satire blame them, for 'tis true 
They moft have ample caufe for what they do. 
O fruitful Britain ! doubtlefs thou waft meant 
A nurfe of fools to ftock the Continent. 
Tho' Phcebus and the Nine for ever mow. 
Rank folly underneath the fey the will grow: 
The plenteous hai-veft calls me forward ftill. 
Till I furpafs in length my lawyer's bill ; 
AWelch defcent which well-paid heralds damn ; 
Or, longer Itill, a Dutchman's epigram. 
When cloy'd, in fury I throw down my pen j 
In comes- a coxcomb, and I write again. 
Sec ! Tityrus with merrim^ent poll'eft. 
Is burft with laughter ere he hears the jeft ; 
What need he ftay ? for, when the joke is o'er, 
His teeth will be no whiter than before. 
Is there of thefe, ye fair ! fo great a dearth. 
That you need purchafe monkies foryourmirth? 

Som.e, vain of paintings, bid the world admirej 
Of houfes fome, nay, boufes that they hire ; , 
Some (perfeft wifdom!) of a beauteous wife. 
And boaft, like Cordeliers, a fcourge for life.^ 

Sometimes thro' pride the fexes change their 
My lord has vapours, and my lady fwears: [airs§ 
Then (ftranger ftill ') on turning of the wind, 
My lord wears breeches, and my lady's kind. 

To fliew the ftrength and infamy of pride, 
Ey all 'tis follow'd, and by all denied. 
What numbers are there who at once purfue 
Praife, and the glory to contemn it, too ! 
Vincenna knows felf-praife betrays to ftiame, 
A\u\ therefore lays a ftratagem for fame ; 
Makes his approach in mcdelty's difguife 
To win applaufe, and takes it by furprife: 
«' To err," fays he, " in fmall things, is my fatej 
You know your anfwer — he 's ex:\i-l in great. 
" My Ityle," lays he, ^' is rude, andfullof fardts;'* 
But,' oh what lenie ! what energy of thoughts! 
That he wants algebra hemuft confefs. 
But not a ibul to give our arms fuccefs. 
" Ah ! that 's a hie indeed," Vincinna cries, 
" But \vho in heat of blood was ever wife ? 

*' I P'iYm 



Book IT. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



409 



*' I own 'twas wrong, when thoufands call'd me 

« back, 
*' To make that hopelefs, ill-advis'd attack ; 
** All (ky 'twas madnefs, nor dare I deny j 
*' Sure never fool fo well defervM to die." 
Could this deceive in others, to be free, 
It ne'er, Vincenna, could deceive in thee, 
Whofe conduct is a comment to thy tongue 
So clear, the duUelt Cv-mnot take thee wrong. 
Thou in one fuit wilt thy revenue wear. 
And haunt the Court, without aprofpeft there. 
Are thefe expedients for renown? confefs 
Thy little felf, that I may fcorn the lefs. 

Be wife, Vincenna, and the Court forfake; 
Our fortunes there nor thou nor I fhall make. 
Even men of merit, ere their point they gain, 
In hardy fervice make a long campaign ; 
Moft manfully befiege the patron's gate, 
And, oft repuls'd, as oft attack the great 
With painful art, and application warm, 
And take at lall fome little place by ftorm ; 
Enough to keep two ihoes on Sunday clean. 
And Itarve upon difcreetly in Shire-lane. 
Already this thy fortune can afford. 
Then ftarve without the favour of my lord. 
'Tis true, great fortunes fome great men confer; 
But often, even in doing right, they err : 
From caprice, not from choice, their favours 

come j 
They give, but think It toll to know to whom : 
The man that's neareft, yawning they advance; 
""Tis inhumanity to blefs by chance. 
If merit f\ies and greatnefs is fo loth 
To break its downy trance, I pity both. 

I grant, at court. Philander at his need 
(Thanks to his lovely wife ! )iinds friends indeed. 
Of ev'iy cliarm and virtue Ihe's poflelt. 
Philander! thou are exquilitely bleft, 
The public envy! Now then, 'tis allow'd. 
The man is found who may be juftly proud. 
But, fee ! how fickly is ambition's tafte ! 
Ambition feeds on trafli, and loaths a feaft. 
Eor, lo ! Philander, of reproach afraid. 
In fecret loves his wife, but keeps her maid. 

Some nymphs fell reputation, others buy, 
And love a market where the rates run high. 
Italian mufic's fweet, becaufe 'tis dear; 
Their vanity is tickled, not their ear j 
Their taftes would lefien, if the prices fell, ' 
And Shakfpeare's wretched ftuff do q uite as well ; 
Away the difenchanted fair would throng, 
And own that Englifh is their mother tongue. 

To fiiew how much our northern taltes refine. 
Imported nymphs our peerefies outfliine ; 
While tradefmen ftarve, thefe Philomels are gay; 
For generous lords had rather give than pay. 
O lavhh land ! for found at fuch expence ; 
But then flie faves it in her bills for fenle. 

Mufic I pafiionately love, 'tis plain. 
Since for its fake fuch dramas I iullain. 
An opera, like a pillory, may be laid 
To nail our ears down, but expofe our head. 

Behold the mafquerade's fantalric fcene ! 
'flit legiffature join'd with Drury-lane. 



When Britain calls, th* embroidered patriots run. 
And ferve their country — if the dance is donej 
" Are we not then allow'd to be polite ?" 
Yes, doubtlefs, but firsi: fet your notions right. 
Worth of politenefs is the needful ground ; 
Where that is wanting, this can ne'er be found, 
Triflers not even in trifles can excel; 
'Tis Iblid bodies only polifli well. 

Great, chofen prophet ! for thefe latter days. 
To turn a willing world from righteous ways. 
Well, Heideger, doft thou thy mailer ferve; 
Well has he {een his fervant ihould not flarve; 
Thou to his name hall fplendid temples rais'd. 
In various forms of worfhip feen him prais'dj 
Gaudy devotion, like a Roman, fhewn; 
And lung fweet anthems in a tongue unknown, 
Inferior off 'rings to thy god of vice 
Are duly paid in fiddles, cards, and dice ; 
Thy facrince fupreme an hundred maids 1 
That folem rite of midnight mafquerades ! 
If maids the quite exhaufted town denies. 
An hundred head of cuckolds mufl fuffice. 
Thoufrairfljwell-pleas'dwiththe converted land. 
To fee the fifty churches at a Hand. 

And, that thy minifter may never fail, 
But what thy hand has planted lliii prevail. 
Of minor prophets ft fucceifion fure. 
The propagation of thy zeal secure. 

See commons, peers, and miniflers of ftate 
In folemn council met, and deep debate '. 
What godlike enterprife is taking birth ? 
What wonder opens on th' expelling earth.? 
'Tis done ! with loud applaufe the council rings; 
Fix'd is the fate of whores and fiddle-ltrings ! 

Tho' bold thefe truths, thou, Mufe,with truths 
like thefe, 
Wilt none offend whom 'tis a praife to pleafe j 
Let others flatter to be flatter'd j thou. 
Like jull tribunals, bend an awful brow. 
How terrible it were to common fenfe. 
To v/rite a Satire which gave none offence \ 
And, fince from life I take the draughts you fee. 
If men diilike them, do they cenfure me ? 
Oh then, mymufe! and fools and knaves expofe ; 
And, fince thou canil not make a friend,niakefoes. 
The fool and knave 'tis glorious to offend. 
And godlike an attempt the world to mend ; 
The world, where lucky throws to blockheads 

fall. 
Knaves know the game, and honeft men pay all. 

How hard for real worth to gain its price ! 
A man fhall make his fortune in a trice. 
If blell with pliant tho' but flender fenfe, 
Feign'd modelly, and real impudence. 
A lupple knee, fmooth tongue, an eafy grace, 
A curfe within, a finile upon his face, 
A beauteous filler, or convenient wife, 
Are i)rize,5 in the lotteiy of life ; 
Genius and virtue they wdl fbon defeat, 
And lodge you in the bofom of the great. 
To merit, is but to provide a pain 
From men's refufing what you ought to gain. 

May, Dodington, this maxim tail in you, 
Whom my prclaging thoughts already view. 

By 



By Walpole's condu6l /ir'd,and friendihipgrac'd, 
Still higher in your prince's favour placM; 
And lending here thofe awful councils aid, 
Which you abroad with fucn fuccefs obey'd ; 
Bearthis fromonewho hcldsyourfriendftiipdear; 
What moft we wifli, with eafe we fancy near. 

SATIRE IV. 

1'g the Right Honourabk Sir Spencer Co7nficn, 

Tanto major Fani:e fitis elr, quam 

Viriutis juv. sat. io. 

Round fome fair tree th"" ambitious woodbine 

grows, 
And breathesherfweetsonthefupportingboughs : 
So fweet the verfe, th' ambitioas verfe, fhouki be 
^Oh pardon mine ! )that hopes fupport from thecj 
Thee, Compton, born o'er fenates to prefide. 
Their dignity to raife, their councils guide ; 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book 17. 



Such ufeful inftruments the weather Ihew, 
Juft as their mercury is high or low. 

Health chiefly keeps an atheift in the dark j 
A fever argues better than a Clarke ; 
Let but the logic in his pulfe decay, 
The Grecian he'll renounce, and learn to pray; 

While C mourns witli an unfeigned zeal 

Th' apoftate youth who reafon'd once fo well. 

C-^ —, vv'ho makes fo merry with the Creed, 

He almoft thinks he difbelieves indeed j 
But only thinks fo: to give both their due, 
Sati^n and he believe and tremble too. 

Of fome for glory fiich the Ixjundiefs rage. 
That they're the blackeft fcandal of their age. 

NarciHus the Tartarian club difclaim.s; 
Nay, a free-mafon with fome terror names: 

j Omits no duty, nor can envy fay 

jHemifs'd thefe many years the church or play j 



Deep to difcern, and widely to furvey. He makes no node in parliament 'tis true, 

And kingdoms' fates without ambition weigh, lEut pays his debt and vlfit when 'tis due : 



Of diltant virtues nice extremes to blend, 
The crown's alferter, and the people's friend. 
Nor doil thou Icorn, amid fublimer views. 
To Hflen to the labours of the Mule: 
Thy fmiles proteft her, while thy talents fire \ 
And 'lis but luiif thy glor}- to infj.-ire, 

Vex'd at a public feme i» juitly won, - 
The jealous Chremes js vvitii ipleen undone. 
Ciiremes, for airy penfions of renovvfi, 
Devotes his fervice to the Hate and crown ; 



His chara&er and gloves are ever clean ; 

And then, he can outbow the bowing dean ! 

A Imile eternal on his lip he wears, 

Which equally the wife and worthlefs (liares. 

In g:iy fatigues this moit undaunted chltf. 

Patient of idieneis beyond belief, 

Moi't charitably lends the tov.-n his face 

For ornament, in ev'ry public place : 

As fure as cards he to th' alTembly comes. 

And is the furniture of drawingr-rooms. 



Allfchemesheknov.'s,aadknowing:d] improves; j When ombre calls, his hand and heavt are irtt\ 



lay, 



Tho' Britain's thankiels, frill this patriot loves. 
-Eul patriots diifer: feme may flied their blood. 
He drinks his coffee, for the public good; 
Confuits tiie ficred fteam, and there foreiees 
What ftorms or funlhine Providence decrees 5 
K-nows for each day the weather of our Kite : 
A quidnunc is an almanack of ftate. 

You fmile, and think thisirateiinan void of ufe, 
Wh}*- may not tim.e his iecret worth produce r 
SJ'n-ce apes can roall the choice Caitanian nut^ 
feince Heeds of genius are expert at put, 
Since half the fei^.ate " not content" can 
Gtkt.{t nations fave, and puppies plots betray. 

What m.akes him model realms and counfel 
An incapacity for fmaller things. [kings r 

Poor Chiemes can't conduct his own eftate, 
And tbence has undertaken Europe's fate. 

Gchenno leaves the realm to Chremes' Ikill, 
And boldly claims a province higher itill. 
To raiie a name, th' ambitious boy has gut 
At once a bible and a fnou!der-knot; 
Deep in the fecret he looks thio' the whole 
And pities the dull rogue that faves his foul ; 
To talk with rev'rence you muft take good heed, 
Nor lliock his tender reafon with the Creed. 
Howe'er, well-bred, in public he complies, 
Obliging friends alone with blalphemies. 

Peerage .is poiibn, good eftatej are bad 
For this difeaie ; poor rogues run feldom mad. 
Have not attainders brought uphop'd relief, 
/li i H fijliing.lo ksquitecur'danunbelief? [forccj 
While the iun fhines Blunt talks with wcndrou? 
Bu.t thunder mars fmail beer,and weak difcourfc. 



i^jid, join'd to tvv'0,Jie fails net — to make three. 
Narciifus is the glory of his race : 
For who does nothing- with a better grace ? 
To deck my lift by nature were defign'd 
Such Shining expletives of human kind, 
VVhow:uit,\vh:lethro'bianklif€theydream along, 
Senfe to be right, and palfion to be wrong. 

To counterp5X)fe this hero of the mode, 
Some for renovv^n are lingular and odd: 

{ What other men difiike is fure to pleafe; 

lOf all mankind, thefe dear antipodes; 

JThro' pride, not malice, they run counter itill; 
And birth-days are their days of drelfing ill. 

Arbuthnot is a fool, and F a fage, 

S ly will fright you, E engage ; 

By nature-ftieams run backward, flame defcend?, 
Stones mount,and S x is the word of friends. 

j Thty take their reft by day, and wake bynight. 
And blufh if you furprife them, in the right} 

I If they by chance blurt out, ere well aware, 
A fwau is white, or Queenfberry is fair. 

j Nothing exceeds in ridicule, no doubt, 

j A fool in fcilhion, but a fool that's cut ; 

i His paiTion for abfurdity's fo ftrong, 

I He cannot bear a rival in the wrong. 
Iho' wrong the mode, comply;morefenfeisfliewn 
In wearing others' follies than your own. 
If what is out of fafliion molt you prize, 
Methinks you ihould endeavour to be wife. 
But what in oddnefs can be more iubllme 

Than S , the foremoft toyman of his time.? 

His nice ambition lies in curious fancies, 
His daughter's portion a rich fliell enhances ; 

And 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, Sec. 



411 



And A.(hmole's baby-houfe is, in l.is view, 
Britannia's golden mine, a rich Peru ! 
Hovf his eyes langiiidi ! how his thoughts adore 
That painted coat which Jofeph never wore ! 
He fhews on holidays a iacred pin [chin. 

That touch'd the ruff thattouch'd queen l^efs's 

"Since thatgreatdearfh curchroniclesdeplore, 
*' Since the great plague that I'wept as many more, 
*' Was ever year unbleft as this P'"" he Mi cry; 
" It has not brought us one new biitterfiy ! " 
Tn times that futrer luch ie:irn'd men as thefe, 

Unliappy I y 1 how came you to pieale? 

, Not gaudy butterflies are Lico's game 5 
But, in effect, his chace is much the lame. 
Warm in purluit, he levees all the great. 
Staunch to the foot of title and eftate. 
Where'er their lordlhips go, they never find 
Or Lico or their Ihadows lag behind : 
He fets them lure, where'er^their lordfliips run, 
Clofe at their elbows as a morning dun ; 
As if their grandeur by contagion wrought. 
And fame was, like a fever, to be caught : 
But, after feven years dance from place to place, 
The Dane* is more fl^miliar with his grace. 

Who'd be a crutch to prop a rotten peer ? 
Or living pendant dangling at his ear, 
For ever whifp'ring fecrets whicii were blown 
For months before, by trumpets, thro"' the town? 
\yho'd be a glafs, with flattering grimace. 
Still to leiittt the temper of his't'iice r 
Or happy pin to ftick upon his fleeve, fieaver 
When my lord 's gracious, and vouchlafes it 
Or cuOiion, when his heavinefs lha!l pleafe 
To loll, or thump it for his better eale ? 
Or a vile butt, for noon or night bsfpoke. 
When the peer ralhly fwears he '11 ciub his joker 
Wh© 'd Ihake with laughter tho' he cou'd not 

find 
His lordship's jeft- ? or, if his nofe broke wind, 
For bie flings to the gods profoundly bow — 
That can cry chimney-fweep, or drive a plough? 
With terms like thefe how mesn the tribe that 

clofe ! 
Scarce meaner they who terms like thefe impofe. 

But what's the tribe moll likely to comply ? 
The men of ink, or ancient authors lie; 
The writing tribe, who ihanieiels au6tions hold 
Of praife, by inch of candle to be fold. 
All men they flatter, but themfelves the moll 
With deathlefs fame, their everlalting boall: 
For fame no cully makes lo much lier jeft, 
As her old conllant fpark, the bard profeft. 
*' Boyle Ihines in council, Mordaunt in the fight, 
" Pelham 's magnificent — 'out I can write ; 
*' And what's to my great foul like glory dear?" 
Till fome god whilpers in his tingling ear, 
That fame's unwholefome, taken without meat; 
And life ia bell fuilain'd by what is eat: 
Grown lean and wife, he curfes what he writ; 
And wilhes all his wants were in his wit. 

Ah ! what avails it, when his dinner's loft, 
That ills triumphant name adorns a poft ? 



Or that his Ihining page (provoking fate !) 
Defends firloins which fons of dulnefs eat? 

What foe to verfe without companion hears. 
What cruel profe-man can refrain from tears. 
When the poor mule, for lefs than half-a crown, 
A proftitute on every bulk in town. 
With other whores undone, tho' not in print. 
Clubs credit for Geneva in the Mint? 

Ye bards ! why will you fing tho' uninfpir'd ? 
Ye bards ! why will you ftarve to be admir'd ? 
Defunft by Phoebus' laws, beyond redrefs. 
Why will your fpe6lres haunt the frighted prefs? 
Had metre, that excrefcence of the head. 
Like haii-, will fprout altho' the poet 's dead. 

All other trades demand; verfe-raakers beg: 
A dedication is a wooden leg; 
And barren Labeo, the true mumper's faftiion, 
Expoles borrow'd brats to move compaflidn. 
Tho' llich mylelf, vile bards I difcommend j 
Nay more, tho' gentle Damon is my friend 9 
" Is 't then a crime to write ?" If talents rare 
Proclaim the god, the crime is to forbear; 
For fome tho' tew, there are large-minded men. 
Who watch unfeen the labours of the pen, 
Who know the mufe's worth, and therefore 

court, 
Their deeds her theme, their bountyherfupporr. 
Who ferve unalk'd the leaft pretence to witj 
Vly fole excufe, alas! for having writ. 
Will Karcourt pardon, if I dare commend 
Harcourt, with zeal a patron and a friend ? 
Argyle true wit is Itudious to reftore ; 
And Dorfet Imiles it Phcebus Imii'd before. 
Pembroke in years die long-lov'd arts admires. 
And Henrietta like a mufe infpires. 

But, ah ! not infpiration can obtain 
That Fame which poets languilh for in vain. 
How mad their aim who thirft for glory ftrive. 
To grafp wliat no man can pofiefs alive ! 
Fame 's a reverfion in which men take place 
(O late reveriion I) at their own deceafe. 
This truth lagacious Lintot knows fo well, 
He llarves his authors, thst their works may fell. 

That fame is wealth, fantaltic poets cry ; 
That wealth is fame, another clan reply, 
Who know no guilt, no fcandal, but in ragsj 
And fwell in juft proportion to their bags. 
Nor only the low-born, deform'd, and old. 
Think glory nothing but the beams of gold ; 
The firft young lord which in the IVlall you 

meet 
Shall match the verieft hunks "in Lombard-ftreet, 
From refcued candles ends who rais'd a fum. 
And ftarves to join a penny to a plum. 
A beardlefs miler ! 'tis a guilt unknown 
To former times, a fcandal all our own ! 

Of ardent lovers, the true modern band 
Will mortgage Celia to redeem their land. 
For love, young, noble, rich Callalio dies j 
Name but the fair, love fwelis into his eyes. 
Divine Monimia, thy fond fears lay down j 

No rival can prevail but half-a-crown. 

He 



A Dan i ill dog. 



41 s 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book If. 



He glories to late times to be conveyed, 
Kor for the poor he has reliev'd, but n^ade, 
Kot Inch ambition his great fathers fir'd, 
WhenHarry conquerMjand half France expir'd. 

He M be a flave, a pimp, a dog, for gain; 
Kay, a dull Iheritf for his golden chain. 

" Who 'd be a Have r the gallant colonel cries, 
While love of glory fparkles from his eyes. 
To deathlefs fame he loudly pleads his right; 
Jult is his title, for I will not fight: 
All foldiers valour, all divines have grace, 
As maids of h«nour beauty — by their place, 
But when indulging on the laft campaign, 
His lofty terms climb o'er the hills of flain. 
He gives the foes he flew, at each vain wordx 
A fweet revenge, and half abfolves his fword. 

Of boafting more than of a bomb afraid, 
A foldier fhould be modeft as a maid. 
Tame is a bubble the referv'd enjoy, 
Who ftrive to grafp it, as they touch, deftroy : 
*Tis the world's debt to deeds of high degree; 
Bat if you pay yourfelf, the world is free, [own, 

Were there no tongue to fpeak them but his 
Auguftus' deeds in arms had ne'er been known ; 
Auguftus' deeds ! if that ambiguous name 
Confound my reader, and mifgiiides his aim, 
Such is the princes' worth of whom I {peak, 
The Roman would not blufh at the miitake. 

SATIRE V. 
0« Women. 
O faircft of creation ! laft and befl 
Of all God's woi ks ! cre.iture in whom excell'd, 
W'liatever can to fight or thought be form'd, 
Holy, divine, good, amiable, or fweet ! 
How art thou loft ! miltox. 

Nor reigns ambition in bold man alone; 
Soft female arts the rude invader own. 
But there, indeed, it deals in nicer things 
Than routing armies and dethroning king«. 
Attend, and you dil'cern it, in the fair, 
Condu6t a finger, or reclaim a hair: 
Or roil the lucid orbit of an eye: 
Or in full joy elaborate a figh. [blame \ 

The iex we honour, tho' their fa\ilts v/e 
Kay, thank their faults for fuch a fruitful theme. 

A theme, fair ! doubly kind to me. 

Since fatirizing thofe is praifing thee; 

Who would if not bear, too modeftly refin'd, 

A panegyric of a groifcr kind. 

Britannia's daughters, much more fair than 
Too fond of admiration, lofe their pricey [nice, 
Worn in the public eye, give che-ap delight 
To throngs, and tarnifa to the fated fight. 
As unrelerv'd and beauteous as the fun. 
Thro' f^^\-y fign of vanity they run; 
Afiembiies, parks, coarle feads in city halls, 
LeClures and trials, plays, committees, bails, 
Weils, Bedlams, executions, Smithfield Icenes, 
And forttme-rellers' caves, and lions' d.txii.y 
Taverns, exchanges, Bridevvelis, drawing rooms, 
Inlialments, pillories, coronations, tombs, 
Tumblers, and funerals, puppet-fhows, reviews, 
Sales, races, rabbits, and (Hill ihanger!) pev;s. 
7 



Clarinda's bofom burns, but burns for Fames 
And love lies vanquifh'd in a nobler flame ; 
Warm gleams of hope flie now difpenfes ; then. 
Like April funs, dives into clouds again. 
With all her lullre now her lover warms ; 
Then, eut of oftentation, hides her charms. 
'Tis next her pleafure fweetly to complain^ 
And to be taken with a fudden pain ; 
Then fhe ftarts up all ecftacy and blifs, 
And is, fweet foul 1 juft as fmcere in this. 
Oh how fhe rolls her charming eyes in fpite! 
And looks delightfully with all her might I 
But like our heroes, much more brave than wife,- 
She conquers for the triumph, not the prize. 

Zara refembles-<^tna crown'd with fnows ; 
Without fhe freezes, and within fhe glows. 
Twice ere the fun defcends, with zeal infpir'd. 
From the vain converfe of the world retir'd. 
She reads the pfalms and chapters for the day 
In — Cleopatra, or the laft new play. 
Thus gloomy Zara v/ith a folemn grace 
Deceives mankind, and hides behind her face. 

Nor far beneath her in renown is fhe 
Who, thro' good breeding, is ill company ; 
Whofe manners will not let her larum ceafe. 
Who thinks you are unhappy when at peace ; 
To find you news who racks her fubtle head. 
And vows — that her great grandfather is Atv^, 

A dearth of words a woman need not fear; 
But 'tis a tafk indeed to leam — to hear. 
In that the fkill of convedation lies : 
That fhews or makes you both polite and wife. 

Xantippe cries, " Let nymphs who nought can 
" Be lolt in filence, and refign the day ; [fay 
" And let the guilty wife her guilt confefs 
" By tame behaviour, and a fbft addrefs.'* 
Thro' virtue, fhe refufes to comply 
With all the dictates of humanity ; 
Thro' wifdom, fhe refufes to fubmit 
To wifdora's rules, and raves to prove herwitt 
Then, her unblemifii'd honour to maintain, 
Rejects her hufi^and's kindnefs with difdain. 
But, if by chance an ill-adapte<i word 
Drops from the lip of her unwary lord-. 
Her darling china in a whirlwind fent, 
Juli: intimates the lady's dilcontent. 

VVine may indeed excite the m.eekeft dame; 
But, keen Xantippe, fcorning borrow'd flame. 
Can vent her thundei'o, and her lightnings play. 
O'er cooling gniel and coinpofing tea. 
Nor rcitrs by night ; but, more fincere than nice. 
She fhakes the curtains with her kind advice. 
Doubly like Echo, found is htr delight. 
And the laft word is her eternal right. 
If. 't not enough plagues, wars, and famines rife 
To lafli our crimes, but mull: our wives be wiii;.? 

Famine,plague,war,andanunnim-iber'dthrong 
Of guilt-avenging ills, to man belong; 
What biack,what ceafelefs cares befiegeour flate '. 
V/hit ftrokes we feel from fancy and from, fate! 
If fate forbears us, fancy Iti-ikes the blow ; 
We make misfortu^ie, fuicidcs in woe. 
Superfiuous aid ! unnecefi/;iry iklll ! 
Is nature backward to torment or kill t 

How 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DE SCRIPTIVE, &c. 



4^5 



How oft the noon, how oft the midnight bell, 
(That iron tongue of death ! ) with folenin knell, 
On folly's errands as we vainly roam, 
Knocks at our hearts, and finds our thoughts 

from home ! 
Men drop fo fall, ere life's mid ftage we tread, 
Few know fo many friends alive as dead. 
Yet, as immortal, in our uphill chace 
We prefs coy fortune with unflackenM pace ; 
Our ardent labours for the toys we feek 
Join night to day, and Sunday to the week. 
Our veiy joys are anxious, and expire 
Between iatiety and fierce defire. 
Now what reward for all this grief and toil ? 
But one — a female friend's endearing fmile; 
A tender fmile, our forrow's only balm. 
And, in life's tempeft, the fad failor's ealm. 

How have I ieen. a gentle nymph draw nigh. 
Peace in her air, perfuafion in her eye 5 
Viftorious tendernefs ! it all o'ercame 5 
Hufaands look'd mild, and favages grew tame. 

The fylvan race our aftive nymphs purfue 
Man is not all the game they have in view : 
Jn woods and fields their glory they complete, 
There Mafter Betty leaps a five-barr'd gate } 
While fair Mil's Charles to toilets is coniin'd. 
Nor ralhly tempts the barb'rous fun and wind. 
Some nymphs affeft a more heroic breed. 
And vault from hunters to the manged Heed j 
Command his prancings with a martial air; 
And Fobert has the forming- of the fair. 

More than one Heed mult Delia's empire feel, 
Who fits triumphant o'er the flying wheel : 
And, as (he guides it thro' th' admiring throng' 



Sempronia lik'd her man, and well Ihe might. 
The youth in perfon and in parts was bright j 
Polfefs'd of ev'ry virtue, grace, and art. 
That claims juft empire o'er the fem.ale heart. 
He met her palfion, ail her lighs return'd, 
And in full rage of youthful ardour burn'd. 
Large h.is polfeflions, and beyond her own : 
Their blifs the theme and envy of the town- 
The day was fix'd ; when, wirh one acre more. 
In ftep deform^'d, debauched, difeas'd threelcoi-e. 
The fatal fequel I thro' Ihame forbear: 
Of pride and av'rice who can cure the fair ? 

Man's rich with little, weie his judgment tr«ew 
Nature is frugal, and her wants are few^ 
Thofe few wants anfwer'd bring lin-cere delights, 
But fools create themfelves new appetites. 
Fancy and pride feek things at vait expence. 
Which relilli nor to reafon nor to fenfe. 
When furfcit or unthankfulnefs deftroys. 
In nature's narrow fphere, our foiid joys. 
In fancy's airy land of noife and fhow. 
Where nought but dreams,no real plea fares grow. 
Like cats in air pumps, to fubiift w-e Itrive 
On joys too thin to keep the foul alive. 

Lemira's fick, make hafte, the do£ior call : 
He comes ; b'Jt where's his patient? At the baH, 
The do<Stor Hares, her woman curt'lies low. 
And cries, " My lady. Sir, is always fo. 
" Dlveraons put her maladies to flight ; [night. 
" True, (he can 't ftand, but fhe can dance all 
" I 've known my lady (for Ihe loves a tune) 
'* For fevers take an opera in June ; {bold, 

" And tho' perhaps you '11 think the practice 



A midnight park is fov' reign for a cold. 
With what an air Ihe fmacks the fdken thong I i " With colics, breakfatls of green fruit agree j 
Graceful as John llie moderates the reins, " With indjgellions, fupper juli: :.t three." 

And whiftles Iweet her diuretic ftrains. j A Itrange alternative ! replies Sir Hans i 



Sefoltris-like, fuch charioteers as thefe 



xVIail v.-o^nen have a doctor, or a dance ? 



May d'-ive fix harnefs'd monarchs, if they pleafe. j Tho' fick to death, abroad they fafely roam^ 
They drive, row, run, with love cf glory fmit j ' But droop and die, in perfe6t health at home. 
Leap, fv/im, fnoot flying, and pronounce on wit 

O'er the belles lettres lovely Daphne reigns, 
Again the god Apollo wears her chains. 
With legs tol's'd high on her fophee she fits, 
Voiichfaring audience to contending v/its; 
Of each performance fne 's the final teft; 
One act read o'er, fhe prophefies the reil ; 
And then pronouncing with decifive air, 
Puily convinces all the town — (he 's fair. 
Had lovely Daphne Hecateffa's face. 
How would her elegance of taile decreafe 1 
borne ladies' judgment in their features Jic-s, 
And ah their genius fparkles from their eyes. 

But hole, file cries, lampooner! h.avea c?ire 
Muit I want common fenfe bccaufe I'm fair? 
Oh no ! fee Stella: her eyLs fiiine as bright 
As if her tongue was never in the ri^^ht ; 
And yet what real learning, judgmejU, tire ! 
She fcems influrd, and can herlelf infpire 
How then (if malice ruTd not all the fair) 
Could Daphne pubiifn, and could Hie forbear 
We grant that beauty is no bar to fenfc, 
Kor is 't a iitaftion for i;npertinence, 



For want — but not of health — sre ladies illj 
And tickets cure beyond the doclor's pill. 
Alas ! my heart, how languilliingly fair 
Yon lady lolls ! with what a tender air ! 
Pale as a young dramatic author, when 
O'er darling lines fell Gibber waves liis pen. 
Is her lord angr}'-, or as Viny *' chid ? 
Dead is her father, or the mafic forbid ? 
'* X^te fitting up lias turn'd her rofes white." 
Why went fxie not to bed ? *' Becaufe 'twas 

night." 
Did fne then dance or play? " Nor this nor that," 
Well night fbon ileals away in pleallng cliat. 
" No, ail alone, her pray'rs ihe rather choic, 
" Than be that wretch to (!eep till morni ng-rofe." 
Then Lady Cynthia, mii'titfs of the fliade, 
Goes v.-ith the fafhionabie owls, to bed. 

her pride covets, this her health denies j 



Her foul is f'.ily, but her body's wiie. 

Others with curious arts dim charms revive,, 
And triumph in the bloom of fifty-five. 
You in the mjorning a fair nymph invite, 
To keep her word a brown one ccmes at night; 

♦ L»p-dog. 



4H 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book If. 



Next day (he fhlnes in glolTy black and then 
jRevolves into h.er n-itive red again. 
Like a dove's neck,flie fliif'tshcr tianfientcharms, 
And is her own dear rival in yoUr arms. 
But one admirer iias the painted lafs j 
Nor iinds that one but in her looking-glafs. 
Yet Laura 's beautiful lo fuch excels, 
That all her art f'carce makes her piealethe lefs: 
To deck the female check He only knows. 
Who paints lefs fair the liivand the rofe. [pours, 
How gay they fmile ! fuch bleffings nature 
O'erihick'd mankind enjoy but half her ilores ; 
In dillant wilds, by human eyes unleen, 
She rears her fiow'rs, and fp reads hervelvetgreen. 
Pure gu'.-gling rills the lonely defert trace^ 
And wafte their mufic on the favage race. 
Is Nature then a niggard of her blifs ? 
Repine Ave guiltlefs in a world like this ? 
But our lewd taftes her lawful charms refufe. 
And painted art's deprav'd allurements choofe. 
Such Fulvia's paffion for the town; frefh air 
j(An odd effeft !) gives vapours to the fair: 
Green fieldsjand fhadygroves,and cryftalfprings, 
And larks and nightingales, are odious things : 
B ut fmoke,an ddult,andnoi fe,an dcro wd Sjdeligh tj 
And to be preft to death, tranfports her quite. 
Where fdverriv'lets play thro' flow'ry meads, 
And v.'oodbines give their fweets, and limes their 
Black kennels' abfent odours fhe regrets, [ihades, 
And flops her nofe at beds of violets. 

Is ftormy life preferr'd to the ferene ? 
Or is the public to the private fcene ? 
Retir'd, we tread a fmooth and open way ; 
Thro' briers and brambles, in the world we 
Stiff oppofition, and perplex'd debate, [ftray. 
And thorny care, and rank and ftinging hate. 
Which choak our paflage, our career controul. 
And wound the firmeft temper of thy foul. 
O facred folitudc, divine retreat ! 
Choice of the prudent, envy of the great ! 
l^y thy pure ftream, or in thy waving fnade, 
We court fair Wiidom, that celeftial maid : 
The genuine offspring of her lov'd embrace 
(Strangers on earth !) are Innocence and Peace. 
There, from the ways of men laid lafe afhore, 
We fmile to hear the diftant terapeil roar? 
There, bleft with health, with bufmefs unper- 
This life we relifli, andenfure the next; [plex'd,. 
There to the Mufes fport ; thefe numbers free, 
Pierian Eaftbury ! I owe to thee. 

There fport the Mufes, but not there alone ; 
Their facred force Amelia feels in town. 
Nought but a genius can a genius fit j 
A wit herfelf, Amelia weds a wit. 
Both wits ! tho" miracles are faid to ccafe. 
Three days, three wondrous days they liv'd in 
With the fourth funa vvarmdifputearofe [peace; 
On Durfey's poefy, and Bunyan's profe. 
The learned war both wage with equal force. 
And the fifth morn concluded the divorce. 

Phcebe, tho' Ihe pcflefles nothing lefs, 
Is proud of being rich in happinefs ; 
J/il^orioufiy purfues delufive toys, . 
iJo.itent with pains, fince they 're reputed joys. 
Z 



I With what well-afted tranrport will Ihe fiy, 
' We'i,, furej we wei-e fo happy yellerday ! 
' And then that charmino- party for to-mon-ow!' 
Tho' weii ihe khous. 'twill languifh into lorrow. 
But fhe dares never boail the prelent hour; 
So gvo'ts that cheat, it is beyond her pow^r. 
For fuch is or our weaknefs or our curfe. 
Or rather fuch our crime, whifch ftill is worfe^ 
The preient moment, hke a 'U-ife, we fnunj 
And ne'er enjoy, becaufe it is our own. 

Pleafures are few, and fevv'cr we enjoy; 
PJeafure, like quickfilver, is bright and coy; 
We flrive to grafp it with our u^tintoft Ikillj 
Still it eludes us, and it glitters llili : 
If feiz'd at lalt, compute your mighty gains j 
What is it but rank poifon in your veins ? 

As Fhvia in her glafs an angel fpies. 
Pride whifpers in her ear pernicious lies; 
Tells her, while flie furveys a face fo fine. 
There 's no fatiety of charms divine : 
Kence, if her lover yawns, all chang'd appears 
Her temper, and fhe melts (fweet foul !) in tears. 
She, fond and young, laft week her wifli enjoy 'd. 
In fbft am u Cement all the night employ'd ;' 
The morning came, whenStrephon waking found 
(Surprifmg fight !) his bride in forrow drown'd. 
' Whatmiracle,'faysStrephon,*makes thee weepr' 
* Ah barbarous man !' fne cries, ' how couid you 

Menlove a miftrefs as they love a feaft; [fieepr* 
How grateful one to touch, and one to taite I 
Yet lure there is a certain time of day. 
We wifti our miftrefs and our meat away. 
But foon the fated appetites return : 
Again our flomachs crave, our bofoms burn. 
Eternal love let Man then never fwear ; 
Let women never triumph, nor defpair. 
Nor praife nor blame too much the warm or chill;^ 
Hunger and love are foreign to the will. 

There is indeed a paiTion more refin'd. 
For thofe few nym.phs whofe cliarms are of the 
But not of Ihat unfafnionable fet [mind: 

Is Phillis: Phillis and her Damon met. 
Eternal love exacStly hits her tafte ; 
Phillis demands eternal love at leafc. 
Embracing Phillis with fbft fmiling eyes. 
Eternal love I vow, the fwain replies : 
But fay, ray all, my miftrefs, and my friend ! 
What day next week th' eternity fhall end ? 

Some nymphs prefer ailronomy to love ; 
Elope from mortal men, and range above. 
The fair philofopher to P.owley fiies. 
Where in a box the whole creation lies. 
She fees the planets in their turns advance ; 
And fcorns, Poitier, thy fublunary dance. 
Of Defagulier fhe befpeaks frefh air. 
And Whifton has engagements with the fair. 

What vain experiments Sophronia tries ! 
'Tis not in air-pumps the gay colonel dies. 
But tho' to-day this i-age of fcience reigns 
(O fickle fex !) foon end her learned pains. 
Lo ! Pug from Jupiter her heart has got, 
Turni out the Ibrs, and Newton is a lot. 

To turn; fhe never took the htight 

Of Satwrn, yet is ever in the right ; 

She 



JSooK II. D I D ACT I C, D 

She ilrikes ench point with ntirlve force of rrind, 
While i)uzzied learcing biun.-crs far behind. 
Gniceful to ii^bt, and eleg\tnt to thought. 
The irreiit arc vanquith'd,a:id thtv. lie are taught. 
Her breeding nnilh'd, 2nd her temper fweec ; 
When lerious, eai'y ; and when gay, dilcrtet; 
In giltt"ringlce::es. *»'er her owi. heart ievirrej 
In crowds coikctc J, and in coaits fiacere ; 
Sincere ynd wann with ze.it wcii underltood. 
She tnkes a noble pride in doing good. 
Yet, not iupcrior ro her Itx's cares 
The mode fiie fixes by the go*..a the wears; 
jOf hiks a!id china (he 's the 1 -li: appeal j 
In thel'e rreat points fhe leads th.e cumoaweal : 
And if dilputcSibf empire rife between 
iMechJin, the queen of lace, and Colherteen, 
'Tis doubt ! 'tis dirlcnel's ! tiii fulr-eailcd fate 
AiUimf-s lier nod to clo.'e the graud debate. 
When fuch Iter mind, why will the fair exprefs 
Their emuiatiou only in their drefs? [ikies. 

Lut, ell! tlie jiymph that mounts above the 
And, gratis, clears religious myileries ! 
Refolv'd the church's welfare to enfure. 
And make her family a ilnecure. 
The theme liiv^ine at cards (lie 'II not forget, 
Sut takes in texts of fcripture at piquet ; 
In thoi'e licentious meetings aers the prude. 
And thanks her Ivlaker that her cards are good. 
What angels would tliefe be, who thus excel 
Iri theologies, could they few as weil I 
Yet why ihould not the fair her text purfue ? 
Can ihs more decently the doctor woo? 
■"Tis hard too, Ihe who makes no u;e but chat 
Of her religion, fiio\iid be barr'd in that. 

liaac, a brother of the canting ftrain, 
Whea he has knock'd at his own Ikuli in vain 
,To beauteous Marcia ofrcn will repair 
'with a dark text, to light it at the f?dr. 
Oh how his picus foul exults to iind 
Such love for holy men in womankind ! 
Charm'd with her learning, with what rapture he 
Hangs on her bofom, like aa induilrious bee ! 
Hums round about hv^r n aad with all his pow'r 
Extracts fweet wiidom from fo fair a fiow'r ! 

The young and gay declining, Abm ilies 
At nobler game, the mighty and th.e wi:e : 
By nature more an eagle than a dove. 
She iropioully prefers the world to love. 

Can wealth give happinefs? look round, and fee 
Wlmt gay diitrefs ! what fplendid raifery ! 
Whatever fortune lavifhly can pour, 
The mind annihilates, and calis for more : 
Wealth is a cheat, believe not what it lays 5 
Like any lord it promifes — and pays. 
How will the mifer llartle to be told 
Of fuch a wonder as infolvent gold ! 
Wliat nature wants has an intrinfic weight j 
All more is but the felhion of the plate. 
Which, for <)i;e moment, charms the fickle view : 
It charms us now j anon we c:\it anew. 
To fome freJh birth of fancy more inclin'd : 
Then wed not acres, but a noble mind. 

Mifraken lovers ! who make worth their care, 
And tiiiiik occomplilhaisnu will win the fair. 



ESCR IPTI VE, .\. 



V> 



The fair, 'tis true, by geniiTs tuould be woii. 
As tlow'rs unfold their beauties to the iaaj 
• Vnd yet in feranic Icales a fop cutweiffiis. 
And wit mail wear the willow with the bays. 
Noiifrht ihines fo bright in vain Liberia's eye 
As not, impuder.ce, and perridy j 
The youth of fire, that has drunk deep,and play'd; 
Andkill'd his man, and triumph'd o'er his maid; 
For him, as yet uV.hang'd,l]ie fpreada her charms. 
Snatches the dear deltroyer to lierarms. 
And amply gives (tho' treated long amifs) 
The m;ni of merit his revenge in this. 

If you refenr, and with a woman ill. 
Bur turn her o'er one moment to her will. 

The langaiipiady next appears in ftate. 
Who was not born to carry her own weighty 
She lolls, niels, llaggers, till fome foreign aid 
To her own iratui-e lifts the feeble maid. 
Then, if ordainM to fo fevere a doom, 
She by jult tegcs journeys round the roorif ; 
But, knowing her own weaknefs, Ihe iiefpair* 
To fcale tlie Alps — that is, afcend the ilairs. 
My fan, let others fr* who laugh at toil; 
Fan ! hood 1 glove \ Icarf ! is her laconic ll>lc. 
And tliat is fpoke with fuch a dying fall. 
That Betty rather fees tlian hears the aill : 
The motion of her lips, and meaning eye. 
Pierce out the idea her faint wsrds deny. 
Oh liften with attention raoit profound I 
Her voice is but the fhadow of a found. 
And help ! oh help ! her ipirirs are fo dt:idf 
One hand fcarce lifts the other to her head. 
If there a ftubbom pin it triumphs o'er. 
She pants '. fhe finks away! and is no more. 
Let the robuft aud the gigantic carve; 
Life is uot worth fo much, ike 'd rather ftarvs*? 
But chew the mulV, herfeif, all cniel fate ! 
That Rofalinda can 't by proxy eat. 

An antidote in female caprice lies 
(Kind heaven !) againil the poijbn of their eyes, 

Thaleilris triumphs in a manly mien: 
Loud is her accent, and her phrale obfcene. 
In fair and open dealing where 's the fhame ? 
Wliat nature dares to give, Ihe dares to name. 
This honell fellow is hncere and plain, 
-.-ind juftly gives the jealous hufcand pain. 
(Viiin is the talk to petticoats aiugn'd^ 
If wanton language fnev/s a naked mind,) 
And now and then, to grrxe her eloqu&Qce^ 
An oath fupplles the vacancies of fenft. 
Hark ! the fh rill notes tranfpierce theyieldlngair» 
And teach the neighb'ring echoes how to fwcar. 
By Jove, is faint, aiid for the limple fwaui; 
She on the chriitian lyftem is piX>fane. 
But tho' the volley rattles in vour ear, 
Believe her dre!s, f&e's not a grenadier. 
If thunder's awful, how much nx>re our d?^^ 
When Jove deputes a lady in his fleadl 
A lady ! pardon my miftalien p^r.-y 
A ihamelefs woman is the wirft of men. 

Few to good bree«ii:ig makiajuil pretence. 
Good breeding is the bloiibm A good fenfe ; 
The laft relldt of an accompli.'.'d mind. 
With outward g.'-ace, the bj'J) ^ rhi.ie, joln'd, 

A viglate^i 



4i6 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



A violated decency now reigns j 
And nymphs for failings take peculiar pains. 
With Indian painters modern toafts agree, 
The point they aim at is deformity : 
They throw their perfons with a hoyden air 
Acrol's the room, and tofs into the chair. 
So far their commerce with mankind is gone, 
They for our manners have exchang'dtheirown. 
The'modeft look, the calligated grace, 
The gentle movement, and How meafur'd pace, 
For which her lovers died, her parents paid. 
Are indecorums with the modern maid. 
Stiff foi-ms are bad, but let not worfe intrude, 
ISior conquer art and nature to be rude. 
Modern good-breeding carry to its height. 
And Lady D 's felf will be polite. 

Ye rifuig fair ! ye bloom of Britain's ifle ! 
When high-born Anna with a foften'd fmile 
Leads on your train, and fparkles at your head, 
What feems moft hard, is not to be well-bred. 
Her bright example with fuccefs purfue. 
And alf but adoration is your due. 

But adoration ! give rr« fomething more. 
Cries Lyce, on the^borders of threelcorej 
Nought treads fo filent as the foot of Time j 
Hence we mi (cake our autumn for our prime : 
'Tis greatly wife to know, before we 're told. 
The melancholy news tliat we grow old. 
Autumnal Lyce carries in her face 
Memento mori to each public place. 
Oh how your beating breaft a miflrefs warms, 
Who looks thro' fpeftacles to fee your charms ! 
While rival undertakers hover round, 
And with his fpade the fexton marks the ground. 
Intent not on her own, but others' doom. 
She plans new conquefts,and defrauds the tomb. 
Tn vain the cock has fummon'd fprights away. 
She walks at noon, and blafts the bloom of day. 
Gay rainbow iilks her mellow charms infold, 
And nought of Lyce but herfelf is old. 
Her grizzled locks affume a fmirkling grace. 
And art has levell'd her deep-furrow'd face. 
Her llrange demand no mortal can approve ; 
We Ul afk herblefTmg, but can 't afk her love. 
She grants indeed a lady may decline 
(Alfladies but herfelf) at ninety-nine. 

O how unlike her was the iacred age 
Of prudent Portia ! her grey hairs engage, 
Whofe thoughts are fuked to her life's decline. 
Virtue's the paint that Can make wrinkles Ihine. 
That, and that onl)^, can old age fuftain ; 
Which yet all wifli, nor know they wifli for pain. 
Not numerous are our joys when life is new. 
And yearly fome are falling of the few; 
But when we conquer life's meridian llagc-, 
And downward tend into the vale of age, 
They drop apace; by nature fome dtca)'-. 
And ibm.e the blafts of fortune Aveep away; 
Till, naked quite of happinefs, alou i 
We call for death, and Ihelter in a fnroud. 

Where's Portia now? But Portia left behind 
Two lovely copies of her form and mind. 
What heart untouch'd their early grief can view, 
Li^e bluAiing rofc-buds dipt in morning dew ? 



Who into fhelter takes their tender bloom. 
And forms their minds to fly from ills to come ? 
The mind, when turn'dadnft,no rules to guide. 
Drives at the mercy of the wind and tide j 
Fancy and pafJion tofs it to and fro. 
Awhile torment, and then quite fink in woe. 
Ye beauteous orphans ! fmce in filent dufl 
Your beft example lies, my precepts truft. 
Life fwarms with ills ; the boldeft are afraid j 
Where then is fkfety for a tender maid? 
Unfit for confiiif, round befet with woes, 
And man, whom leaft the fears, her worfl of foes V 
When kind, mofl cruel ; when oblig'd the moft. 
The leaft obliging; and by favours loft. 
Cruel by nature, they for kindnefs hate, 
And fcorn you for thofe ills themfelves create. 
If on your fame our fex a blot has thrown, 
'Twill ever ftick thro' malice of your own. 
Moft hard ! in plealing your chief glory lies j 
And yet from pleafing your chief dangers rife: 
Then pleafe the beft; and know, for men of fenfe 
Your ftrongeft charm.s are native innocence. 
Arts on the mind, like paint upon the face, 
Fright him that 's worth your love from your 
In firaple manners all the fecret lies ; [embrace. 
Be kind and virtuous, you '11 be bleft and wife. 
Vain fhow and noife intoxicate the brain, 
Begin with giddinefs, and end in pain, 
Affeft not empty fame and idle praife. 
Which all thofe wretches I defcribe betrays>. 
Your fex's glory 'tis to fhine unknown ; 
Of all applaufe be fondeft of your own. 
Beware the fever of the mind ; that thirft 
With which this age is eminently curft. 
To drink of pleafure but inflames defire, 
And abftineftce alone can quench the fire. 
Take pain from life, and terror from the tomb. 
Give i^eace in hand, and promife blifs to come. 

SATIRE VI. 

On Women. 
Infaihcd to the Right Hmcurable Lady Elizabeth 
Germain. 

Interdum tamen et tollit ComoeOia vocem. Hor. 

I SOUGHT a patronefs, but fought in vain: ■ 
Apollo whifper'd in my ear — " Germain." 
I know her not. " Yourreafon's fbmewhat oddj 
" Who knows his patron now ?" replied thegcd. 
'■'• Men write, to me and to the world unknown ; 
" Then fteal great names to fliield them from 

" the town. 
" Detected v/orth, like beauty difarray'd, 
" To covert flies, of praife itfeif afraid ; 
" Sl.ould flie rcfufe to patronize your lays, 
" In veugeance write a volume in her praife. 
" Nor think it hard fb great a length to run ; 
" VVhen.fucb the theme, 'twill ealily be done.'* 

Ye fair! to draw your excellence at length, 
Exceeds the narrow bounds of hunian ftrength: 
You here in miniature your pi£fure fee; 
Nor hope from Zincks more jultice thanfrom me. 
My portraits grace your mind, as his your fide ; 
His portnitsvviliiaili;me,,minequencbyour pride: 



Book IT. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



417 



He's dear, you frugal ; chcofe my cheaper lay, 
And be your rcfbrination all my pay. 
Lavinia is polite, but not profane; 
To church as conflant as to Diury-hne. 
She decently in form pays Heav'n its due ; 
And makes a civil vifit to her pew. 
Her lifted f:\n to give a folemn air, 
Conceals her face, which pafles for a pray'r : 
Curt'fies to curt'fies then with grace fucceed j 
Not one the fair omits, but at the creed. 
Or, if Ihe joins the fervice; 'tis to fpeak j 
Thro'dreadful fiience the pentheart might break j 
Untaught to bear it, women talk away 
To God himfeif, and fondly think they pray. 
But fweet the accent, and their air refinM ; 
For they're before their Maker — and mankind: 
When ladies once are proud of praying well, 
Satan himfeif will toll the parifli bell. 

Acquamted with the world, and quite w^ell 
Drufa receives her vilitants in bed ; [bred j 

But, chalte as ice, this Vella, to defy 
The very blackeft tongue of calumny. 
When from her flieets iier lovely form fiie lifts. 
She begs youjult would turn you while flie Ihifts. 
Thoie charms are greatefl which decline the 
fight; 
That makes the banquet poignant and polite. 

There is no woman where there 's no referve 3 
And 'tis on plenty your poor lovers ftarve. 

But, with the modern fair, meridian merit 
Is a fierce thing they call a nymph of fpirit. 
Mark well the rollings of her flaming eye. 
And tread on tiptoe, if you dare draw nigh. 
" Or if you take a lion by the beard*, 
'* Or dare defy the fell Hyjcanlan pard, 
*' Or arm'd rhinoceros, or rough Rufiian bear," 
Firft make your will, and then converfe with her. 
This lady glories in profufe expcnce, 
And thinks dilfraction is magnificence 
To beggar her gallant, is fome delight; 
To be more fatal flill, is exquifite. 
Had ever nymph fuch reafon to be glad ? 
In du?l fell two lovers; one ran mad. 
Her foes their honeft execrations pour ; 
Her^lovers only fiiould detefb her more. 
Thrice happy they who think I boldly feign, 
And Itartle at a milfcrefs of my brain. 

Flavia is conil.ant to her old gallant. 
And generoufiy fuppoits him in his want. 
But marriage is a fetter, is a fnare, 
A hell no lady fo polite can bear. 

She 's faithful, flie 's obfervant, and with pains 
Her angel brood of baftards fiie maintains. 
Nor leail advantage has the fair to plead, 
But that of guilt, above the marriage bed, 

Amafia hates a prude, and Icorns rellraint ; 
Whate'er (lie is, (lie '11 not appear a laint; 
Her foul fuperior files formality ; 
So gay her air, her conduct is lb nee. 
Some might fufpe6l the nymph not over good — 
Nor would they be miftaken if they (hould. 

Unmarried Abraputs on formal airs; [prayVs. 
Her cufliion 's threadbare Vt'itb her conltant 



Her only grief is, that fhe cannot be 
At once engag'd in pray'r and charity. 
And this, to do her jufiice, muft be faid : 
" Who would not think that Abra was a maid ?'* 

Some Ladies are too beauteous to be wed; 
For where 's the man that's worthy of their bed? 
If no dii'eafe reduce her pride before, 
Lavinia will be ravifti'd at threefcore. 
Then (he fubmits to venture in the dark ; 
And nothing now is wanting — but her fpark. 

Lucia thinks happinefs confills in flate ; 
She weds an ideot, but fiie eats in plate. 

The goods of fortune which her foul pofiTefs, 
Are but the ground of unmade happinefs, 
The rude material; wifdom add to this, 
Wildom the fole .wtificer of blifs. 
She, from herfelf, if ib compelled by need. 
Of thin content can draw the fubtle thread; 
But (no detraftion to her facred (kill) 
If file can work in gold, 'tis better ftill. 

If Tullia'had been blefl: with half her fenfe. 
None could too much admire her excellence. 
But fince flie can make error fliine fo bright. 
She thinks it vulgar to defend the right. 
With underftanding Aie is quite o'er-run ; 
And by too great accomplifhments undone. 
With ficill (he vibrates her eternal tongue, 
For ever mofl: divinely in the wrong. 

Naked in nothing fiiould a woman be. 
But veil her very wit with modelty; 
Let man difcover, let not her difplay. 
But yield her charms of mind with fweet dekty. 
For pleafure form'd, perverfely fome believe. 
To make themfelves important, men muil grieve. 
Lefi:)ia the fair, to fire her jealous lord. 
Pretends the fop fiie laughs at is ador'd. 
In vain fne 's proud of fecret innocence ; 
The fa6l fiie feigns were fcarce aworfe oftence. 

Mira, endow 'd with ev'ry charm to blefs. 
Has no defign but on her hufijand's peace j 
He lov'd her much, and greatly was he mov'd 
At fmali inq'uietudes in her he lov'd. 
" How charming this !" — The pleafure lafted 

long ; 
Now ev'ry day the fit comes thick and firongj 
Aj; laft he found the charmer only feign'd ; 
And was diverted when he fiiould be pain'd. 
What greater vengeance have the Gods in fl:ore ? 
How tedioire life, now ftie can plague no more! 
She tries her thoufand arts, bui: none fucceed ; 
She '3 forc'd a fever to procure indeed : 
Thus ftriclly prov'd this virtuous loving wife. 
Her hnft^ands' pain was dearer than her life. 

Anxious Mclania rifes to my view, 
Who never thi)iks her lover pays his due : 
Vifir, prefent, treat, fiatter, and adore; 
Her majefty to-morrow calls for more, 
liis wounded ears complaints eternal fill. 
As uncil'd hinges queruloufly fiiril!. 
" You went laft night with Celia to the ball." 
You prove it falfe. '* Not go? that's worlt of all." 
Nothing can pleafe her, nothing not infiame ; 
And arrant contradicl ions areSie fame. 



Shakefpeare. 



Ee 



Htf 



4tS 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



tier lover mufl be fad, to pleafe her fpleen j 

His mirth is an ine.ipiabJe fijfi : 

For, of all rivals that can pain her breaft, [reft ; 

There's one that wounds far deeper than the 

To wreck her quiet, the moft dreadful flielf 

Is, if her lover dares enjoy himfelf. 

And this, becaufe Ihe 's exquilltely fairj 

Should I difpute her beauty, how fhe W ftare ! 

How would Melania be furpris'd to hear 

She 's quite deform'd ! and yet the cafe is clear. 
What's female beauty but an air divine, 

■ Thrc' which the mind's all-gentle graces fliine? 

They, like the fun, irradiate all between; 

The body charms becaufe the foul is feeii. 

Hence men are often captives of a face, 

They know not why, of no peculiar grace; 

Some forms, though bright, no mortal man can 
bear ; 

Som.e none refift, thowgh not exceeding fair. 
Afpafia 's highly born, and nicely bred, 

Of taile refin'd, in life and manners read. 
Yet reaps no fruit from her fuperior fenle, 
But to be teaz'd by her own excellence- 

*^ Folks are fo'aukward ! things lo unpoiite !" 
She 's elegantly pain'd from morn to night. 
Her delicacy 's (hock'd where'er (he goes ; 
Each creature's imperfeftions aie hei- woes. 
Heaven by its flivours has tlie fair dillrefs'd, 
And pour'd fuch bkiTmgs — that flie can't be 
blefl. [fpring, 

Ah ! why fo vain, though blooming in thy 
Thou fnining, frail, adoi 'd, and wretched thing ! 
Old age will come, difeafe may come before ; 
Eifteep is full as mortal as threefcore: 
Thy fortune and tby charms may foon decay; 
But grant tl.e'c fugitives prolong their ftay. 
Their bafis totters, their foundation fliakes. 
Life that fupports them in a moment breaks. 
Then' v.'rought into the foul let virtue fhinej 
The ground eternal, as the Wvork divine. 
•Julia's a manager, {[\e 's born for rule, 
A-nd knows her v/iler hufband is a fool ; 
Allemblies holds, and fpins the fubtle thread 
That guides the lover to his fair one's bed ; 
For difficult amours can fmooth the way. 
And tender letters didate or convey. 
Eut, if depriv'd of fuch important cares, 
Her wifdcm condefcends to lefs affairs. 
For her own brealifaft fhe '11 projeft a fcheme, 
JMor take her tea without a ftratagem; 
Prefides o'er trifles with a ferious face. 
Important by the virtue of grimace. 

Ladies fiiprem.e among amufements reign, 
Bv nature born to foothe and entertain ; 
Their prudence in a fhare of folly lies; 
Why Vvili they be fo weak as to be wife? 

Syrenna is for ever in extremes. 
And with a vengeance fhe commends or blames. 
Confcious of her difcernment, which is good. 
She ftrains too much to make it underftood. 
Her judgment juft, her fentence i? too ilrong ; 
Becaufe fhe 's right, flie 's ever in the wrong. 
Brunetta 's wife in aftions great and rare j 
But fcorns on trifles to beltow her care. 



Thus ev'ry hour Brunetta is to blame, 
Eecaule th' occafion is beneath her aim. 
Think nought a trifle, though it fmall appear; 
Small lands themountain,momentsnuketheyear. 
And trifles life. Yottr care to trifles give. 
Or you may die before you truly live. 

Go breakfaft with Alicia; there you '11 fee 
'^implex Tnundhiis, to the lafl degree. 
Unlac'd her ftays, her night-gown is untied. 
And what fhe has of head-drefs is alide. 
She drawls her words> and waddles in her pace; 
Unwafh'd her hands,and much belnuff" dhertace. 
A nail uncut, and head uncomb'd flie loves; 
An d would d raw on jack- boots as foon as gloves ; 
Gloves by queen Befs's maidens might be mift. 
Her bleffed eyes ne'er faw a female flit. 
Lovers, beware ! to v/ound how can fhe fail 
"With fcarlet finger and long jetty nail ? 
For Hervey the flrfl; wit flie qannot be ; 
Nor, cruel Richard, the firil toafl: for thee. 
Since full each other flation of renown, 
Who v.'ould not be the greateit trapes in town? 
Women were made to give our eyes delight i 
A fem^ale floven is an odious flght. 

Fair L'kbella is fo fond of fame. 
That her dear felf is her eternal theme ! 
Thro' hopes of contradiclion oft fhe '11 fay, 
" Mcthinks I look fo wretchedly to-day !" 
When mofl: the world applauds you, mofl: be 
'Tis often lefs a bleffing than a fhare. [warer 
Dillrufl: mankind ; with your own heart confer. 
And dread even there to find a flatterer. 
The brccith of others raifes our renown ; 
Our own as furely blows the pageant down ; 
Take up no more than you by Avorth can claim, 
LcR foon you prove a bankrupt in your famiC. 

But own I mufl; in this perverted age, 
Who moil (leferve can't always mofl: engage. 
So far is worth from m.aking gloiy fure, 
It often hinders what it fliould procure. 
Whom praii'e we moft ? the virtuous, brave, and 
No; wretches v.'hcm in fecret we defpife. I wife ? 
And who fo blind as not to fee the caufe ? 
No rival's rais'd by fuch difcreet applaufej 
And yet of credit it lays in a flore. 
By which cur fpleen may wound true worth 

the more. 
Ladies there are who think one crime is all ; 
Can women then no way but backward fall ? 
So fweet is that one crime they don't purfue. 
To p.iy its lofs, they think all others few. 
Who hold that crime fo dear muft never ckiim 
Of injur'd modefty the facred name. 

But Clio thus : '* What ! raihng without end ? 
'* Mean talk ! how much more gen'rous to com- 

" mend !" 
Yes, to commend as you are wont to do, 
My kind inflru6tor and exam.ple too. 

'* Daphnis," fays Clio, " has a chamiing eye: 
" What pity 'tis her flioulder is awry 1 
' Afpafia's fliape indeed — but then Ivtr ai-— 
" The man has parts who finds deflruftion there. 
" AlmxCria's wit has fomething that 's divine ; 
" Andwit's enough — how few in ail thingsfliine! 

«' Selima 



Book IL 



DIDACTIC, D E S C R 1 P T I V E, cVc. 



419 



Sellnia ferves her friends, relieves the poor — 
•* Who was it faid Seliina 's near threefcore? 
" At Lucia's match I from my foul rejoice, 
" The world congratulates fo wife a choice 5 
" His lordJhip's rent-roll is exccedinii: great: 
** Bi!t mortg:iges will fhp the belt eltate. 
*' In Shirley's form might cherubims appear, 
*' But then — !he has a freckle on her ear." 
Without a but, Hortenfia Ihe commends, 
The Hrll of women, and the beil of friends; 
Owns her in perfon, wit, fame, virtue bright; 
But how comes this to pals ?— fhe died lad night. 

Thus nymphs commend, who yet at fatire rail. 
Indeed that 's needlefs, if luch praife prevail ; 
And whence fach prailcPourvirulenceisthrown 
On others' fame, thro' fondnefs for our own. 

Of rank and riches proud, Cleora frowns ; 
For are not coronets akin to crowns ? 
Her greedy eye, and her fublime addrefs, 
The height of avarice and pride confefs. 
You feek perfeftions worthy of lier rank ; 
Go, feek for her perfeftions at the bank. 
By wealth unquench'd, by reafon unccntroU'd, 
For ever burns her facred thirft of gold. 
As fond of fivepence as the verieft cit, 
And quite as much detefted as a wit. 

Can gold calm pafilon, or make reafon fliine? 
Can we dig peace or wifdom from the mine ? 
Wifdom to gold prefer, for 'tis much lefs 
To make our fortune than our happinefs ; 
That happinefs which great ones often fee, 
With rage and wonder, in a low degree, 
Themfelves unblefl: the poor are only poor; 
But what are they who droop amid their Itore r 
Nothing is meaner than a wretch of Hate, 
The happy only are the truly great. 
Peafants enjoy like appetites with kings, 
And thofe bell fatisfied with cheapelt things. 
Could both our Indies buy but one new lenfe. 
Our envy would be due to large expence. , 
Since not, thofe pomps vvhich to the great belong 
Are but poor arts to mark them from the throng. 
See, how they beg an alms of flattery ! 
They Janguifli I oh fupport them with a lye I 
A decent competence we frdly tafce; 
It ftrikes our lenfe, and gives a conflant feafl: 
More, we perceive by dint of thought alone; 
The rich muft labour to pofTefs their own. 
To feel their great abundance; and requeft 
Their humble friends to help them to be bleft ; 
To fee their treaibres, hear their glory told, 
And aid the wretched impotence ofgold.[ divine, 

But fome,great fouls! andtonch'd with warmth 
G-ive gold a price, and teach its beams to fiiine. 
All hoarded treafiires they repute a load. 
Nor think their wealth their own, till well be- 
Grand refep/oirs of public happin'efe, [Itow'd. 
Thro' fecret ftreams diffufively they blels^rview, 
And while their bounties glide conceal'd from 
Relieve our wants, and fpa^-e our bluflies too. 
But fatire is my talk, and thefe deltroy 
Her gloomy province and malignant joy. 



Help me, ye mifers ! help me to complain. 
And blaft our common enemy, Germain: 
But our invectives muft defpair luccefs; 
For next to praife, fhe values nothing lefs. 

What pidure's yonder, loofen'd from Jt» 
Or is 't A ufturia, tiiat alft6led dame? [frame ? 
The brightclt I'orm.s, thro' aflefiation, fade 
To ftrange newthlngs,which nature never made; 
Fi-own not ye fair ! fo much your fcx. we prize. 
We hate thofe arts that take you from our eyes. 
In Albucinda's native grace is feen 
What you, who labour at perfection, mean. 
Short is the rule, and to be learnt with eafe; 
Retain your gentle felves, and you muft pleafe. 
Here might I iing of Mem.mia's mincing mien. 
And all the movements of thefoft machine: 
How two red lips affeiled zephyrs blovv'. 
To cool the bohea, and inflame the beau ; 
While one white finger and a thumb confpire 
To lift the cup and make the Vv'orld admire. 

Tea ! how I tremble at thy fital ftream ! 
As Lethe dreadful to the love of fame. 
What devaftations on thy banks are lecri ! 
What fhades of mighty names which once have 
A hecatomb of charaiters fupplies [been'. 

Thy painted altar's daily facritice; 
K — , P — , B — , afpers'd by thee decay. 
As grains of fineft fiigars melt away, 
And recommend thee more to mortal tafte : 
Scandal 's the fweet'ner of a female feaft. 

But this inhuman triu-rsph fhall decline. 
And thy revolving Naiads call for wine; 
Spirits no longer fhail ferve under thee; 
But reign in thy own cup, exploded tea ! 
Citronia's nofe declares thy ruin nigh ; 
And who dares give Citronia's nofe the lye*? 

The ladies long at men of drink exch.im'd, 
Andv.hatimpair'd both health andvirtueblam'd. 
At length, to refcue man, the gen'rous lafs 
Stole from her confort the pernicious glafs. 
As glorious as the Britifli queen renown'd, 
Who fuck'd thepoifonfromherhaiband'svvou nd. 

Nor to the glafs alone are nymphs inclin'd. 
But ev'iy bolder vice of bold mankind. 

O Juvenal ! for thy feverer rage, 
To lafii the ranker follies of our age ! 
Are there among the females of our ifle 
Such faults at which it is a fault to fmile ? 
There are. Vice, once by modeft nature cnain'd. 
And legal ties, expatiates unreftrain'd ; 
Without thin decency held up to view. 
Naked flie fuilks o'er law and gofpel too. 
Our matrons lead luch exetnplary lives. 
Men figh in vain for none but for their wives; 
Who marry to be free, to range the more. 
And wed one man to wanton with a fcore. 
Abroad too kind, at home 'tis ftedfaft hate, 
And one eternal tempeft of debate. 
What foul eruptions from a look moft meek ! 
What thunders buriting from a dimpled cheek ! 
Their palhons bear it with a lofty hajid j 
But then their reafon is at due command. 



Solem qujs dicere falfum audeat? 
Ee 3 



Virgil, 



4io 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book 12. 



Is there whom you deleft, and feek his life ? I 
Truft no foul with the I'ecret — but his wife. 
"Wives wonder that their condiift I condemn, '. 
And afk, what kindre;! is a fpoufe to them ? 

What fwarms of ara'rous grandmothers T fee,i 
And milles, ancient in iniquity ! [ing ! I 

What blailing whifpers, and what loud declaim- 1 
What]ying,drinking,bawding,fwearing,gam.ing! 
FriendJliip fo cold, fuch warm incontinence, 
Such griping av'rice, fuch profufe expence, 
Such dead devotion, fuch a zeal for crimes, 
Such licens'd ill, fach malquerading times. 
Such venal faith, fucli mifapplied applanfe, 
Such fiatter'd guilt, and fuch inverted laws, 
Such dillblution thro' the whole I find, 
*Tis not a world, but chaos of mankind, [belle 

Since Sundays have no balls, the well-drefs'd 
Shines in the pew, but Imiles to hear of hell j 
And cafts an eye of fweet difdain on all 

Who lilten lefs to C ns than St. Paul. 

Atheifts have been but rare fince nature's birth; 
Till now, ihe-atheifts ne'er appear'd on earth 5 
Ye men of deep refearches, lay whence fprings 
This daring chara£ler, in tim'rous things, 
Vyho ftart at feathers, from an infcft fly, 
A match for nothing — but the Deity ? [own 

But, not to wrong the fair, the Mufe mult 
In this purfuit they court not fame alone ; 
But join to that a more fubftantial view — 
*' From thinking free, to be free agents too." 

They ftrive with their own hearts, and keep 
thenv down 
In complaifance to all the fools in town. 
Oh how they tremble at the name of prude ! 
And die with (hame at thought of being good! 
For what will Artirtiis, the rich and gay, 
What will the wits, that is, the coxcombs fay ? 
They heaven defy, to earth's vile dregs a {lave; 
Thro' cowardice moll execrably brave. 
With our own judgments durft we to comply, 
In virtue fhould we live, in glory die. 
Rife then, my Mufe, in honeft fury rife ! 
They dread a Satire who defy the ikies. 

Atheifts are few; moll nymphs a god-head 
And nothing but his attributes dethrone, [own. 
From Atheifts far, they ftedfaftly believe 
God is, and is almighty — to forgive. 
His other excellence they '11 not difputej 
But mercy, fure, is his chief attribute. 
Shall pleafures of a ihort duration chain 
A lady's foul in everlafting pain ? 
Will the great Author us poor v.-orms deftroy, 
For now and then a fip of tranfient joy ? 
No, he 's for ever in a fmiling mood; 
He 's like themfelves, or how could he be good? 
And they blafpheme who blacker fchemes fup- 
Devoutly, thus, Jehovah they depofe, [pole. 
The pure! the juft ! and fet up m his ftead 
A Deity that 's perfectly well-bred. 

^ Dear Tillotfon !— -be fure the beft of men — 
" Nor thought he more than thought great Ori- 
** Tho' once upon a timehemilbehav'd — [gen. 
•« Poor Satan 1 doubtlefs he'll at length be fav'd. 



^* Let priefts do fom.ething for their one in ten.; 
" It is their trade ; fo far they're honeft men. 
•' Let them canton,fmce theyha^e got the knacky 
" And drefs theirnorionslikethemlelvesinblack;. 
" Fright us with terrors of a world unknown 
" From joys of this, to keep them all their own. 
" Of earth 's fair fruits, indeed, they claim a fee; 
" But then they leave our untith'd virtue free. 
" Virtue 's a pretty thing to make a Ihow: 
" Did ever mortal write like Rochefoucault ?'* 
Thus pleads the Devil's fair apologift. 
And pleading, fafely enters on his lift. 

Let angel forms angelic truths maintain j 
Nature disjoins the beauteous and profane. 
For vh '.t 's true beauty but fair virtue's face. 
Virtue mr.de vifible in outward grace ? 
She^then, that's haunted with an impious mind. 
The more Ihecharms themorelhelhocksmankind. 

But charms decline ; the fair long vigils keep ; 
They lleep no more ! Quadrille has murder'd 
lleep *. 

PoorK— p ! cries Livia ; I have not been there 
" Thefe two nights; the poorcreaturewilldefpair. 

I hate a crowd — but to do good, you know — 
'* And people of condition ftiould bellow.'^ 
Convinc'd, o'ercome, to K — p's grave matron's 
Now let a daughter,, and now Itakea fon ; [run. 
Let health, fame, temper, beauty, fortune fly ; 
And beggar half their race — through charity* 

Immortal were we, or elfe mortal quite, 
I lefs Ihould blame this criminal delight; 
But fmce the gay affembly's gayeft room 
Is but an upper ftory to fome tomb, 
Methinks we^need not our Ihort beings lliun^ 
And, thought to fly, content to be undone : 
We need not buy our ruin with our crime. 
And give eternity to murder time. 

The love of gaming is the worft of ills ; 
With ceafelefs ftormsthe blacken'd foul it fills r. 
Inveighs at heaven, neglefts the ties of blood, 
Deftroy s the pow'r and will of doing good ; 
Kills health, pawns honour, plunges in difgrace. 
And, what is ftill more dreadful, fpoils your face. 

See yonder fet of thieves that live on fpoil, 
The fcandal and the ruin of our ille ! 
And fee (ftrange fight ! ) amid that rufRan band , 
A form rxivine high wave her fnowy hand; 
That rattles loud a fmall enchanted box, 
Which loud as thunder on the board Ihe knocks. 
And as fierce ftorms, which earth's foundation 
From ui^^olus's cave impetuous broke, [Ihook, 
From this fmall cavern a mix'd tempeft flies. 
Fear, rage, convulfion, tears, oaths, blafphemies! 
For men, I m.ean, the fair difcharges none ; 
She, guiltlefs creature ! fwears to Heaven alone. 

See her eyes. Hart, cheeks glow, and mufcles 
Like the mad maid in the Curmean cell, [fwell I 
Thus tliat divine one her foft nights employs I 
Thus tunes her foul to tender nuptial joys 1 
And when the cruel morning calls to bed. 
And on her pillow lays her aching head, 
With the dire images her dreams are crowned, 
The die fpins lovely, or the cards go round : 



Shakefpeare. 



ImaginaiTf 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, 



Imncjinary ruin charms bcr liill; 
Her liappy lord is cuckold by SpadiJle; 
And, it- (he's brought to bed, 'tis ten to one, 
He marks the forehead of her darling fon. 
Oh fcene <5f horror, and of wild ddpairl 
Why is the rich Artidcs' fplendid heir 
Conflrain'd to quit his ancient lordly feat, 
And hide his glories in a mean retreat? 
Why that drawn fword ? and whence that difmal 
Why p.de diilraflion thro' the family ? ' [cry? 
See my lord threatens and my lady weep, 
And trembling fervants from the tempefi: creep. 
Why that gay ion to dillant regions f-^nt ? 
What fiends that daughterVdeltin''d match pre- 
Why the whole houfe in fudden ruin hid? [vent? 
Oh nothing but — lalt night my lady play'd 

But wanders not my Satire from her theme? 
Is this too owing to the love of fame ? 
Tho"* now your hearts on lucre are beftow'd j 
'Twas firft a vain devotion to the mode. 
Nor ceafe we here, fince 'tis a vice fo ftrong, 
The torrent fweeps all womankind along. 
This may be laid in honour of our times, 
That>none nowfland diftingui'fhM bytheircrimes, 
If fin you muft, take nature for your guide, 
Love has (bme loft txcufe to Ibothe your pride; 
Ye fair apolhites from love's ancient pow'r ! 
Can nothing ravifli but a golden Ihovv'r? * 

Can cards alone your glowing fancy feize ? 
Muft Cupid learn to punt, ere he can pleaie ? 
When you're enamour'd of a lift or caft. 
What can tl>e preacher moie to make us chafte ? 
Can fame, like a repique, the foul entrance ! 
And what is virtue to the lucky chance ? 
Why muft ftrong youths unmarried pine away? 
Tliey find no woman difengag'd — from play. 
Why pine the married ? oh feverer fate ! 
They find from play no difengag'd — eilate. 
Plavia, at lovers falle untouch'd, and hard. 
Turns pale and trembles at a cruel card. 
Nor Ania's Bible can fecure her age ; 
Her threefcore years are fliufliing with her page: 
While death ftands by but till the game is done 
To fweep that ftake in juftice long his own 5 
Like old cards tingM with fulphur Ihe takes fire-, 
Or, like fnuffs funk in lockets, blades higher. 
Ye gods! with new delights infpire the fairj 
Or give us fons, and lave us from defpairl 
Sons, brothers, fathers, hufbands, tr.ideimeri, 
dole ,. 

In my complaint, and brand your fins in profe : 
Yet I believe as firmly as my creed, 
In fpite of all our wifdom, you'll proceed. 
Our pride fo great, our paiilon is fo ftrong. 
Advice to right confirms us in the wrong. 
I hear you cry, " This fellow's very odd !" 
When you chaftife, who would not kifs the rod? 
But I've a charm your anger fhall control, 
And turn your eyes with coldnefs on the vole. 
The charm begins ! To yonder flood of liglit 
That burfts o'er gloomy Britain,- turn your fight. 
What guardian pow'ro>rwhelmsyour foul with 
Jler deeds are precepts, her example law. [awe ? 

* Mii£oo. t Lucan, 



D ES CRIPTI VE, &c. 421 

'Midft empire's charms, how Carolina's heart 
Glows with a love of virtue and of art ! 
Her favor is dilfus'd to that degree. 
Excels of goodnefs ! it has dawn'd on me. 
When in my page, to balance num'rous fliults. 
Or god -like deeds were fhewn, or gen'rous 

thoughts. 
She fmil'd, induftrious to be pleas'd, nor knew 
From whom my pen the borrow'd luftre drew. 

* Thus the majeftic mother of mankind. 
To her own charms moll amiably blind. 
On the green margin innocently ftood. 
And gaz'd indulgent on the cryftal flood, 
Survey'd the ftranger in the painted wave. 
And Imiling prais'd the beauties which fhe gave. 

f In more than civil vvar,while patriots ftorm; 
While genius is but cold, their paflion warm; 
While public good aloft, in pomp, they wield j 
And private int'reft Ikulks behind the fhield : 
While Mift and Wilkins rife in weekly might. 
Make prefles groan, lead fenators to fight; 
Exalt our cofiee with lampoons, and treat 
The pamper'd mob with minifters of ftate : 
" X WhileAte,hotfromhell makes heroes fhrink, 
" Cries havoc, and lets loofe the dogs of ink;'* 
Nor rank nor fex efcapes the gen'ral frown. 
But ladies are ripp'd up and cits knock'ddown: 
Tremendous force! where even thevi6torbleedsj 
And he deferves our pity that fucceeds : 
Immortal Juvenal ! and thou of France I 
In your fam'd field my Satire dares advance; 
But cuts herfelf a track to you unknowm ; 
Nor crops your laurel, but Vv^ould raife her own; 
A bold adventure ! but a fafe one too ! 
For though furpafs'd, I am furpafsM by you. 

SATIRE VII. 

To the Right Honourable Sir Robert WalpoJe. 
Carmina tum melius, cum venerit Ipfe, canemus. 

VIRG, 

ON this laft labour, this my clofing ftrain. 
Smile, Walpole, or the Nine infpire in vain. 
To thee 'tis due; that verfc how juftly thine. 
Where Brunfwick's glory crowns the whole 

defign ! 
That glory which thy counfels make fo bright, 
That glory which on thee refiefts a light. 
Illuftrious commerce, and but rarely known ! 
To give and take a luftre from the throne. 

Nor think that thou art foreign to my theme; 
The fountain is not foreign to the ffream. 
How all mankind will be furpris''d to fee 
This flood of Britifli folly charg'd on thee ! 
Yet, Britain, whence this caprice of thy fons, 
Which thro' their various ranks with fury runs? 
The caufe is plain, a caufe which we muft blefs; 
For caprice is the daughter of fuccefs, 
(A bad efFeft, but from a pleafing caufe) 
And gives our rulers undefign'd applaufe; 
Tells how their conducf bids our wealth increafe^ 
And lulls us in the downy lap of peace. 

While I furvey the blellin^is of our ille. 
Her arts triumphant in the Royal fmile, 
X Shakefoeare. 
E e 3 * Her 



422 



E L E G A NT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



Her public wounds bound up, her credit high, ' 
Her commerce Ipreading fliils in ev'ry llcy, 
The nleaung fcene recrdls my theme again. 
And (hews the madncis of ambitious men. 
Who, fond ofbloodflied, draw the murd'ring 

fword, 
And burn to give mankind a fingle lord. 

The -rbllies pall are of a private kind. 
Their jphere is imail, their mifchief is conflnM: 
But daring men there are (awake my Mufe ! 
And raife thy verfe) who bolder phrenzychoofe; 
"Who, ftung by glory, rave and bound away j 
Theworldtheii friend,andhumankindtheirprey. 

The Grecian chief, th' enthufiall of his pride, 
With Rage and Terror talking by his fide, 
Raves round the globe j he loars into a god ! 
Stand faft, Olympus ! and fuftain his nod. 
The pefc divine in horrid gj-andeur reigns, 
And thrives on mankind's miferiesand pains. 
Vv'hat flaughterM holts ! what cities in a blaze ! 
Wx^at wafted countries 1 and what crimfon feas 1 
Vv'ith orphans'" tears his im.pious bowl o'erfiows, 
A.r.d cries of kingdoms lull him to repofe. 

And cannot thrice ten hundred years unpi-aife 
The boiith-ous boy, and blait his guilty bays? 
Why want we then encomiums on the ftorm. 
Or famine, or volcano ? they perform 
Tlic':- -mighty deeds ; the)% hero-lik€, can flay. 
And fpread their amnle deferts in a day. 
O gieat alliance! O divine renown ! 
With dea;th and peftilence to (hare the crown. 
V/Jien men extol a wild deltroyer's name, 
Earth's Builder and Preferver they blafpheme. 

One to deitroy is murder by the law ; 
And gibbets keep the lifted hand in awe. 
To murder thoufands, takes a fpecious name, 
War's glorious art, snd gives immortal fame. 

When after ::atile I the field have feen [men, 
Spread o'er with ghaltly fhapes, which once were 
A nation crufa'd ! a nation of the brave ! 
A realm of death ! and on this fide the grave ! 
Are there, faid I, who from this fad i'nrveyy 
This human chaos, carry fmiles away ? 
How did my heart v.-ith indignation rife ! 
How honeft nature fwell'd into my eyes ! 
How v/as I fnock'd, to think the hero's trade 
Of fuch materials fame and triumph made ! 

flow guilty thefe ! yet not lefs guilty they 
Who reach falfe gloiy by a fmoother way ; 
Who wrap deltruition up in gentle words. 
And bo-vVs,and fniiles,more fatal thantheirf words; 
Who ftifle nature, and fubfiJl on art j 
Who coin the Face, and petrify the heart j 
All real kindnefs for the flicw difcard. 
As marble polifli'd and as marble hard ; 
Who do for gold what Chriftians do thro' grace, 
*' With open arms their enemies embrace;" 
Who give a nrd when broken hearts repine; 
*•' The thinneft food onwhich a wretch can dine," 
Or, if they ferve you, ferve you difinclin'd ; 
And, i.. their height of kindnefs, are unkind. 
Such courtiers were, and fuch again may be, 
Wrlpole, when men forget to copy thee. 

Here ceafe, my Mnfe ! the catalogue is writ, 
Kor one more candidate for fame admit j 



Tho' difappointed thoufands juftly blame 
Thy partial pen, and boaft an equal claim. 
Be this their comfort — fools omitted here 
May furniih laughter for another year. 
Then let Crifpino, who v/as ne'er refus'd 
The jultice yet of being Avell abus'd. 
With patience v/ait, and be content to reign 
The pink of puppies in fome future drain ; 

Some future ftrain, in which the Mufe fliall tell 
How fcience dv.indles, and how volumes fweilj 

How commentators each da'-k paflage fliun. 
And hold their farthing candle to the fun ; 

Howtortur'd texts to fpeak our fenfeare made. 
And ev'iy vice is to the fcripture laid ; 

Howmifers fqueeze ayoungvoiumptuous peer. 
His fins to Lucifer not half fo dear; 

How Verfus is lefs qualified to ileal 
With fword and piflol, than with wax and feal; 

How lawyers' fees to fuch excefs are run. 
That clients are redrefs'd till they're undone: 

Hov.' one man's anguifh is another's fport. 
And ev'n denials coll us dear at court; 

How man eternally fdfe judgments makes, 
And all his joys and forrows are miHakes. 



This fwarm of themes that fettles on m 



yps 



Which I, like fummer-fliss, fliake ofr* again. 
Let others (ing ; to whom m.y weak ellay 
But founds a prelude, and points out their prey. 
That duty done, I hailen to complete 
My own defigns ; for Tonfon's at the gate. 

The love of fam.e, in its effefts furvey'd. 
The Mufe has fung ; be now the caufe difplay'd^ 
Since fo ditl'ufive and fo wide its fway. 
What is this Pow'r whorn all mankind obey? 

Shot from above, by Heav'n> indulgence cam^ 
This gen'rous ardour, this unconquer'd S.ame, 
To warm, to raife, to deify mankind. 
Still burning brighteft in the nobleft mind. 
I By hrge-foui'd men,for thirfl of fame renown "d. 
Wife laws were fram'd, and feeret arts were 

found ; 
Defire of praiie firfl broke the patriot's reft. 
And made a bulwark of the warrior's breall; 
It bids Argyle in fields and fenates fhine: 
What more can prove its origin divine? 

But, oh! this pauion planted in the foul. 
On eagles wings to mount her to the pole. 
The ffaming minifter of virtue meant. 
Set up falfe gods, and wrong'd her high defcenL. 

Ambition, hence, exerts a doubtful force, 
Of blots and beauties an alternate fource j 
Hence Giidon rails, the raven of the pit. 
Who thrives upon the carcafes of wit : 
And in art-loving Scarborough is feen 
How kind a patron Pollio might have been. 
Purfuit of fame with pedants fills our fchools. 
And into coxcombs burnifhes our fools; 
Purfuit of fame makes loiid learning bright. 
And Kewton llf;;s above a n^rtal height : 
That key of nature, by whofe wit (he. clears 
Her long, long fecrcts of five tboufand years. 

Would you then fully comprehend the whole 
Why, and in what degrees. Pride fways the foul? 
(FoiVtho' in all not equally fhe reigns) 
Awake to kjiowkd^re, ar.d attend my Ili-ains. 

Ye 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



423 



Ye doftors ! Iiear the doftrine I difclofe, 
As true as if 'twere writ in duileft profe; 
As if a lettered dunce had faid, " 'tis right," 
And imprimatur uflier'd it to light. 

To glorioas deeds this palUon fires the mind, 
And clofer draws the ties of humankind. 
Confirms fociety ; fince wliat we prize, 
As our chief hlefiing:, muft from others rife. 

Ambition in the fruly noble mind, 
With fifter-virtue is for ever join'd j 
As in fam'd Lucrece, who with eqtial dread 
From Jjuilt, and fh;ime, by her kit conduft lied; 
Her virtue long rebelled in firm difdain, 
And the fvvord pointed at her heart in vain; 
But, when the flave was threatend to be laid 
Dead by her lide, her love of fame obey'd. 

In meaner minds ambition works alone j 
But with i'uch art puts virtue's afpeil on. 
That not more like in feature, and in raien, 
The god and mortal in the comic I'cene*. 
Falfe Julius, ambuili'd in this fair difguife, 
Soon made the Roman liberties his prize. 

No mafk in bafell minds ambition vvears, 
But in full light pricks up her afs's ears } 
All I have fung are inllances of this, 
And prove my theme unfolded, not amifs. 

Ye vain 1 defift from your erroneous ftrifej 
Be wife, and quit the falfe fubUme of life, 
The true ambition there alone refides. 
Where j'uftice vindicates, and wifdom guides ; 
Where inward dignity joins outward Itate, 
Our purpofe good, as our achievement great ; 
Where public bleilings public praife attend. 
Where glory is our motive, not our end. [view, 
Wouldii: thou be fam'd i have thofe high deeds in 
Brave men would aft, tho' fcandal fhould enfue. 

Behold a prince whom no fwoln thoughts in- 
^ flame ; '^ 

No pride of thrones, no fever after fame ; 
But when the u'elfare of mankind infpires. 
And death in view to dear-bought glory fires, 
Proud conqueft then, then regal pom.ps delight: 
Then crowns, then triumphs, iparkle in his fight; 
Tumult and noife are dear,vyhichwith thembring 
His people's bleffings to their ardent king: 
But, when thofe great heroic motives ceafe, 
His fwelling foul fubfides to native peace ; 
Fromtediou?grandeur's faded charmswithdravvs, 
A fudden foe to fplendour and applauCe, 
Greatly d^feriing his arrears of fame. 
Till men and angels jointly fliout his nanie. 
O pride celertial, which can pride difdain ! 
O blefc ambition, Vv'hich can ne'er be vain \ 

From one fam'd Alpine hill, which props the 
Inwhofe deepwombunfathom'd waters lie, [fky, 
Here burft theRhone and foundingPo,therefnine 
In infant rills the Danube and the Rhine ; 
From the rich ftore one fruitful urn fupplies. 
Whole kingdoms fmile, athoufand harvefts rife. 

In Brunfwick fuch a fource the mufe adores, 
Which public bleffings thro' half Europe pours, 



When his heart burns with fuch a god-like aim 
Angels and George are rivals for the fame ; 
George, who in foes can foft aHeclions raife. 
And charm envenom'd Satire into praife. 

Nor human rage alone his pow'r perceives, 
But the mad winds and the tumultuous wavesf . 
Even Itorms (death's fiercelt minifters !) forbear. 
And, in their own wild empire, learn to (pare, 
Thus nature's felf, fupporting maM's decree, 
Styles Britain's Sovereign, Sovereign of the Sea. 

While feaand air, greatBrunfwick ! fliook our 
Hate, 
And fported with a king's and kingdom's fate, 
Depriv'd of what fhe lov'd, and prefs'd with fear 
Of ever lofing what (lie held moil dear. 
How did Britannia, like Achilles %■> weep, 
And tell her forrows to the kindred deep ! 
Hang o'er the floods, and in devotion warm, 
Strive for thee with the furge, and fight the 
llorm ! 

What felt thy Walpole, pilot of the realm? 
Our Palinurus § flept not at the helm, 
i lis eyes ne'er clos'd; long fince inur'd to wake. 
And outwatch ev'ry ftar, for Brunlwick's fake. 
By thwarting paffions tofl:, by cares opp'-eft, 
He found thy tempeft: piclurM in his breaft. 
But now what joys that gloom of heart difpel. 
No pow'rs of language — -but his own, can tellj 
His own, which Nature and the Graces form, 
At will to raife or hufh the qW\\ ftorra. 



§ 54. The Caftle of Indolence. An A{legorUa{ 
Foem. , Thomson. 

The Caftle hight of Indolence, 

And its falfe luxury ; 
Where for a little timp, alas! 

We liv'd right joliily. 

O MORTAL man, who livefl: here by toil. 
Do not complain of this thy hardcfl:ate: 
That like an emmet thou mull ever moil. 
Is a fad fentence of an ancient date ; 
And, certes, there is for it realbn great; 
For,tho'fometimes itmakes theeweepandwailj, 
And curfe thy ft:ar, and early drudge and late; 
Withouten that would come an heavier bale, 

Loofe life, unruly paffions, and difeafes pale. 
In lowly dale, fafl by a river's fide, 
With woody hill o'er hill encompafs'd round, 
A moll enchanting wizard did abide, 
Than whom a fiend more fell is nowherefound. 
It was, I ween, a lovely fpot of ground : 
And there a feafon atvveen June and Ma)'', 
Half prankt with fpring, with fummer half 

imbrown'd, 
A lifiilefs climate made, where, footh to fay. 

No livingwight couldwork,necared evenforplay. 
Was nought around but images of rell : 
Sleep-foothing groves,andquiet lawnsbetween 
And fiow'ry beds that flumb'rous influence 
keft. 



* Amphytrion t The King in dnnger by fea. % Horn, II. lib. i. 

§ Ecce DcRS ramum Lethgo rore madentem, &c^ Vjrc, 1. y, 

1: e A From 



424 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book 1L 



From poppies breathed j and beds of pleafant 

green, 
Where never yet was creeping creature feen ; 
Meantime unnumbered glittering ftreamlets 

playM, 
And hurled every where their waters flieen •, 
That, as they bicker'd thro"" the funny glnde, 
Tbo' reftlefs i'till themfelves, a lulling murmur 
made. 



JoinM to the prattle of the purling rills 
Were heard the lowing herds along the 



ale, 



And riocks loud-bleating from thediftant hills, 
And vacant fheph-;rds piping in the dale^ 
And now and then fweet Phii ;mel would wail, 
Or Stock-doves 'plain amid the foreit deep, 
That drowfy ruitled to the llghing gale 5 
And ftill a coil the grafshopper did keep : 

Yet all thefe founds yblent inclined all to ileep. 
Full in the paiTage of the vale above, 
A fable, filent, folemn forefl flood 5 [move, 
Where nought but fhadowy fonms was feen to 
As Idlenefs fancied in her dreaming mood : 
And up the hills on either fide a wood 
Of blackening pines, ay waving to and fro, 
Sent forth a fleepy horror thro' the blood 5 
And where this valley winded out below, 

The murmuring main was heard, and fcarcely 
heard, to flow. 
A pleafing land of drowfy head it was, 
Of dreams that wave before the half-fhut eye ; 
And of gay caflles in the clouds that pafs. 
For ever flufliing round a fummer fky : 
There eke the foft delights that witchingly 
Infill a wanton fvveernefs through the breafl^ 
And calm the pleafares, always hover'd nigh, 
But whatever fmack'd of noyance, or unrelt, 

Was far, far off expellM from this delicious nefl. 

The landfcape fuch, infpiring perfe(51: eafe, 
Where Indolence (for fo the wizard bight) 
Clofe hid his caflle 'mid embow'ring trees, 
Tl;iat half fhut outthebeamsofPhoebusbright, 
And made a kind of checquer'd dayand night: 
Meanwhile, unceafrng at the mafTy gate. 
Beneath a fpacious palm, the wicked wight 
Was placed j and, to his lute, of cruel fate 
And labour harfh complained, lamenting man's 
eflate. 

Thither continual pilgrims crowded ftill. 
From all the roads of earth that pafs thereby ; 
For, as theychanc'd to breathe on neighb'ring 

hill. 
The freihnefs of this valley fmote their eye, 
And drew them over and anon more nigh ; 
'Till cluft'ring round th' enchanter falfe they 

hung, 
Ymolten v*'ith his fyren melody ; 
While o'er th' enfeebling lure hishandheflung 
And to the trembling chords thofe tempting 

verfes fung : 

** Behold ! ye pilgrims of this earth, behold ! 
" See all but man,with unearn'd pleafure gay, 
** See her bright robes the butterfly unfold, 
" Broke from herwintiy tomb inprimeof May I 



*' What youthful bride can equal h.er array ? 

" Who can with her for eafy pleafure vie ? 

" From mead to mead with gentlewingtofl:ray, 

" From flow'r to flow'r on bahny gales to fly. 

Is all Ihe hath to do beneath the radiant fky. 

*' Behold the merr)' minilrels of the morn, 

"' The fwarming ibngfters ofthecarelefsgrove, 

" Ten thoufand throats 1 titat from the flower* 

"' i.ng thorn 
*•' Hymn theirgoo<iGod,andcarolfweetoflov-e, 
<-' Such grateful kindly raptures them emove: 
« Theyiieither plough nor fowj ne, fir forflail, 
" E'er to the barn the nodding fneaves they 

" drove ; 
" Yet theirs each harveft dancing in the gale. 
Whatever crowns the hill, or fmiles along the 

" vale. 
" Outcail of nature, man ! the wretched thrall 
" Of bitter-dropping fweat, of fweltr)- pain, 
" Of cares that eat away thy heart with gall, 
" And of the vices, an inhuman train, 

V « Fhat all proceed from favage thiril of gain : 
" For v.-hen hard-hearted intereft firft began 
'• To poifon earth, Aftraea left the plain ; - 
'• Guile,vioience, and murder, feiz'd on man, 

■ And, for foft milky llreams, with blood the 
*' rivers ran. 
« Come ye who ftill the cumbrous load of life 
« Fufn hard up hill; but, as the fartheft fteep 
" You truft to gain, and put an end t5 ftrife, 
" Down thunders back theflone with mighty 

" Aveep, 
" And hurls your labours to the valley deep, 
*' For ever vain 5 come, and withouten fee 
*• I in oblivion will your forrows Ileep, 
" Your cares.your toils j will Ileep you in a Tea 

= Of full delight: oh come, ye weary wights to 
"me! 
<•' With m.e you need not rife av early dawn, 
« To Dafs the joylefs day in various founds j 
« Or, louring low, on upitart fortune fawn, 
" And fell fairhonour for fbme palcry pounds: 
« Or thro' the city take your dirty rounds, 
« To cheat, and dun, and lie, and vifit pay, 
« Now flattei-jng bafe, now giving fecret 

" ^^ounds; 
« Or proul in courts of law for human prey, 

' In venal fenate thieve, or rob onl^road high- 
" way. 
*' No cocks with me to ruftic labour call, 
« From village on to village founding clear ; 
" To tardy fwains no flirill'd-voic'd matrons 
« fquall ; C^ar; 

« No dogs, no babes, no wives, to fl:un your 
« No hammers thum.p ; no horrid blackfmith 
« fear; L^art, 

«' No noify tradefmen your fweet (lumbers 
« With founds that are a mifery to hear : 
" But all is calm, as would delight the heart 

■< Of Sybarite of old, all nature and all art. 
« Herenought but candour reigns, indulgent 
« eafe [down. 

« Good-natur'd lounging, faunt'ring up and 

« They 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, 



" Theywho are plc.is'd tbemfelves muftalways 

<' pleafej 
" On others ways they never Tquint a frown, 
" Nor heed wh it haps in hamlet or in town. 
" Thus, from the fource of tender indolence, 
. ** With milky blood the heart is overflown, 
" Is footh'd and fweeten'd by tr.e focia! i'tni'e-. 
** For int*re(i:, envy, pride, and llrife are banifti'd 

*' hence. 
** What, what is virtue, but repofe of mind? 
** A pure ethereal calm, that knows no ftorm; 
** Above the reach of wild ambition's wind, 
^' Above thofe paflions that this world deform, 
** And torture man, a proud malignant worm! 
" But here inftead, foft gales of paffion play, 
*' And gently ftir the heart, thereby to form 
** A quicker CtnCe of joy ; as breezes llray 
*' Acrofs th''enliven''d fkics, and make them Itill 

" more gay. 
" The heft of men have ever lovM repofe ; 
** They hate to iningle in the filthy fray; 
" Where the foul fours, and gradual rancour 

** grows, 
** EmbitterM more from peevifh day to day. 
*' Ev'n thofevvhom. fame has lenther fairelt ray, 
" Themo[treribw)i''d of worthy wights of yore, 
*' From a bafe world at laft have ilorn away. 
*' So Scipio, to the foft Cumsean fliore 
*' Retiring, tafted joy he never knew before. 

" But if a little exercife you choofe, 
" Some zeit for eafe, 'tis not forbidden here. 
" Amid the groves vou may indulge themufe; 
*' .Or tend the blooms, and deck the vernal 

" year; 
" Or foftly frealing, with your watery gear, 
*' Along the brooks, the crimfon-fpotted fry 
" You m.aydelude: thev.'hilftamas'd you hear 
** Nowthe hoarle ftream, and no v^the zephyr's 
*' figh, 
" Attuned to the birds and woodland melody. 

" O grievou? folly ! to heap up eftate, , 
*' Lohng the days you fee beneath the fun ; 
" When, rudden,comes blind unrelentingfate, 
*', Andgives theunta'led portion youhavewon 
** With ruthlefs toil, and many a wretch un- 
" done, [reign, 

" To thofe who mock you gone to Piuto's 
" Therewith fad ghofts to pine, and fliadows 

" dun :. . " _ 
" But fure it is of vanities moil vain, [tain." 
** To toil for what you here untoiling may ob- 

He ceas'd. Butftilltheirtremblingearsretaln'd 
The deep vibrations of his 'witching fong; 
That by a kind of magic pow'r conllrain'd 
To enter in, pell-mell, the liil'ning throng. 
Hcapspour'donheaps,andyettheyriipp-'dalong. 
In filent eafe ; as Vv^hen beneath the beam 
Of fummer moons, the did-mt woods among. 
Or by fome flood ail filver'd with the gleam, 
The foft embodied fays thro' airy portal llream. 
By the fmooth demon fo it order'd w?.s. 
And here his baneful bounty firit began : 



DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 425 

Tho' fome there were who would not further 
And his alluring baits fufpected han. [pafs. 
The wife dillruli the too fair fpoken man; 
Yet thro' the gate they call: a wifhful eye: 
Not to move on, forfooth, is all they can; 
For, do their very befl, they cannot fly; 

But often each way look, and often forely figh. 
W^hen this the watchful wicked wizard faw, 
Withfudden fpringheleap'duponthemftraight 
And, foon as touch'd by his unhallow'd paw. 
They found themfelveswithin the curled gatej 
Full hard to be repafs'd, \\k6 that of fate. • 
Not ftrongcr were of old the giant crew 
Who fought to pull highjove from regal ftatej 
Tho' feeble wretch he feem'd of fallow hue, 

Certes, who bides his grafp, will that encounter 
rue. (' 

For, vvhomfoe'er the villain takes in hand. 
Their joints unknit, their finews melt apace^ 
As lithe they grow as any willow wand. 
And of theirvanquifh'd force remains notrace* 
So when a maiden fair, of modeit grace, 
In all her buxom blooming May of charmj. 
Is feized in fome lofel's hot embrace. 
She waxeth very weakly as (he warms. 

Then fighing yields her up to love's delicious 

harms. 

Wak'd by the crow'd,flowfrom his bencharofc 

A comely full-fpread porter, fwoTn with fleep; 

His calm, broad, thoughtlefs afpeft breath'd 

repofe. 
And in fweet torpor he was plunged deep, 
Ne could himfelf from ceafeleis yawning keejn 
While o'er his eyes the drowfy liquor ran, 
Thro'which his half- wak'd foul would faintll" 

peep. 
Then taking his black ftafF, hecaU'd histman, 

Androus'dhimlelfasmuchasroufehimielf hecaiu 
The lad leap'd lightly at his mailer's call. 
He was, to weet, a little roguidi page, 
Save fleep antl play who minded not at all. 
Like mofl the untaught flriplings of his age. 
This boy he kept each band to dilengage. 
Garters, and buckles, tafk for him unfit. 
But ill-becoming his grave perlbnagc, 
And v/hich his portly paunch would not per* 



So this fame limber page to all performed it. 
Meantime the mafher-porter wide difplay'd. 
Great Icore of caps, of flippers, and of gowns; 
Wherewith he thofe who enter'd in array'd, 
Loole as thebreeze that playsalong the dovrns. 
And waves the fummer. woods when evening 

frowns. 
O fair undrefs, befl drefs ! it checks no vein. 
But ev'ry flowing limb in pleafure drowns. 
And heightens eafe with grace. This done^ 
right fain, 

Sir porter fat him down,and turn'd to flecpagain. 
Thus eafy rob'd, they to the fountain fped. 
That in the middle of the court up-threw 
A flream, high fpouting from its liquid bed. 
And falling back again in drizzly dew s 

There 



126 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 
ur,ht-s, as deep be thiriled 



Book IL 



There each deep di 

drew. 

Jt was a fountain of Nepenthe rare: (grew, 
Whence, as Dan Homer jjngs,huge plealaunce 
And hveet oblivion of vile earthly care ; 
Fair gladfome wakiii^j thoughts, and joyous 

dreams more fair. 

This rite perform'd, all inly pleasM and Hill, 
Withouten trcmp was prociamaiion made: 
" Ye fons of Indolence, do what you v/iii ; 
^' Andwanderwhereyouliftjthro'hal) or glade ! 
** Be no man's pleafiire for another's ftaid; 
" Let each as iikes him bclr his hours employe 
" And curs'd be he who minds his neigh- 

" hour's trade ! 
*' Here dwells kipi-ieafe and unreproving J03': 
*' Re little merits blifs who others can annoy."' 
Straight of thefe endlefs number?, fwarming 

round, 
As thick as idle motes in funny ray. 
Not one eftfouns in view was to be found, 
But ev'ry m.an itroird orf his own glad way. 
Wide o'er this ample court's bi.mk area, 
W'ith all the lodges that thereto pertain'd. 
No living creature could be ieen to (tray ; 



■kR Q 



ence reif^i 



'd 



dream'd you almoil v* 



W^hile ichtude ...... 

So that to think you 
conftrain'd. 

As when a ^lepherd of the * Hebrid Ifles, 
Plac'd far amid the melmcholy main, 
(Whether it be lon.e fancy him beguile;?, 
Or that aerial beings Ibmeiimies deign 
To ftand, embodied, to our fenfes plain) 
Sees on the naked hill, or vall.-y.low. 
The whilil in ocean Phoebus dips his wain, 
A vafl aifembly moving to and fro: 
"^hen all at once in air difibives the wondrous 
fhow. 

Ye gods of quiet and of fleep profound, 
'VVhofe foft dominion o'er this cafcle fways, 
And all the wildly filent places round, 
Forgive riie if my trembling p;n difplays 
What never yet was fung in m^ortal lays. 
But how fhall I attempt i'uch arduous llring. 
"^ I who have fpent my nightj and nightly days 
In this foul-deadening place, loofe loitering: 

^h ! how fliall I for this uprearmy moulted wing' 
Come on, my mufe, nor Hoop to low defpair 
Thou im.p of Jove, touch'd by celcftial fire! 
Thou yet ihalt iing of war, and adlions fair. 
Which the bold fons of Britain will infpire; 
Of ancient bards thou yet Ihalt fweep the lyre; 
Thou yet (halt tread m tragic pall the ftage. 
Paint love's enchanting woes, the hero's ire. 
The fages calm, the patriot's noble rage, 

Pafhingcorruptiondownthro'ev'ryworthlefsage. 

The doors, that knew no fliriil alarming bell, 
Ne curfed knocker plied by villain's hand, 
Self-open'd into halls, v/here, who can tell 



The pride of Turkey and of Perfi^n land ? 
Soft quilts on quilts, on carpets carpets fprear^. 
And couches lb-etch around in feemly bandj 
And endlefs pillov.-s rife to prop the head ; 
So that each fpacious room was one full-fvvelling 
bed. 

And eveiy where huge cover'd tables ftood. 
With wines high fiavour'd and rich viands 

crown'dj 
Whatever fprightly juice or taHeful food 
On the green bofom of this earth are found. 
And all old ocean genders in his round : 
Some hand unfeen thefe filently difplay'd, 
Ev'n undemanded by a fign or'found : 
You need but wifli ; and inftantly cbcy'd, 
-'air rang'd the dillies rofe, and tliick the glalFes 

play'd., 

Kere freedom r^ign'd without the leaft alloy; 
Nor gOiHp's tale, nor ancient maiden's gall. 
Nor faintly fpleen, duril murmur at oin* joy. 
And withenvenom'd tongueourpleafurespall. 
For why ? there was but one great rule for all j 
To wit, that each (hould work his own defu'e. 
And eat, drink, ftudy, lleep, as it may fall. 
Or melt the time in love, or wake the lyre, 
-\nd carol what, unhid, the mufes might infpire. 

The rooms with coixly tapeiby were hung, 
Vv'here was enwoven many a gentle tale j 
Such as of old the rural poets fung, 
Or of Arcadian or Sicilian vale : 
E.eclining lovers, in the lonely dale, 
Pcur'd forth at lirge the fweetlytortur'd heart. 
Or, fighing tender pafiion, fweld the gale, 
Anr! taughtcharm'dechotorefoundtheirfmart; 
■Vhile flocks, woods, ftreams, around repofe 
and peace impart. 

Thofe pleas'd the rrolt, where, by a cunning 
Depaintsd was the patriarchal age ; [hand. 
What time DaUx^Lbraham left theChaldeeiand, 
And pailur'd on from verdant ftage to ftage. 
Where fields and fountains fVefli could beft 

. engage. 

Toil was not then. Of nothingtook they heed. 

But with wild beails the fylvan war to wage. 

And o'er vaft plains their herds and flocks ta 

feed : 

Bleft fons of Nature they! true golden age indeed i 

Sometimes the per.cil, in cool airy halls. 
Bade the gay bloom of vernal landfcapes rife, 
Or;;utnmn's varied ihade:; imbrown the walls: 
Now the bljick tempeit ftrikes th' alfonifn'd 

eyes; 
Now down the deep theflaihing torrent fJesj 
The trenibiing iun now plays o'er ocean blue, 
Andnowrudemountains frown amidthefkiesj 
Whate'erLorrain light-touch'd with foftning 
hue 
Or favag-e Rofa daih'd, or learned Pouflin drew. 



s, v/here, wno can 
Whatelegance and grandeur wide expand. 

hofe iilands on thq -vveflern coart of ScollanJ, called tlie HebriUes. 



Each found too here tolanguifnment inclin'd, 
Luird the weak bofom, and induced eafe. 



Aerial 



13 o o K n. D I D A C T I C, D E S C R I P T I V E, &c. 427 

No, fair illaflons ! artful phantoms, no ! 

. My Mule will not attempt your fairy land : 
She has no colours that like you can glow j 
To catch your vivid fcencs too grofs h1;rhand. 
But fure it is, was ne'er ^ fubtler band [rites. 
Than thefe lame guileful angcl-fL^eming fpi- 
Who thus in dreamsvoluptnouSjCoftandoiand, 
Pour'd all theArabian heaven unonournights. 

And blefsM them oft belides with more renn'd 
delip-hts. 



Aerial mufic in the warbling wind, 
At dillance rifing oft, by Ihiall degrees 
Nearer and nearer came, till o'er the trees 
It hung, and breath'd fuch foul-diilblving 
As did alas ! with loft perdition pleale: [airs, 
Entangled deep in its enchanting fnares, 
The lift-ningiieart forgot all duties and all cares. 

A certain mufic, never known before. 
Here lulPd the penlive melancholy raind, 
Full eafily obtained. Behoves no more. 
But fidelong, to the geatly- waving wind. 
To lay the weiJ-tunM inllrument reclin'd; 
From wliich with airy flying iinge/s light. 
Beyond each mortal touch the molt reiin'd, 
The god of winds drew founds of deep delight : 
Whence, v/ith jult caufe, the Harp of j^olus * 
it hight. 

Ah me ! what hand can touch the firing fo 
Who up the lofty diapaion roll [iiae ? 

Such fweet, fuch fad, fuch folenm airs divine. 
Then let them down again into the foul ? 
Nowrifing love they fann'd; now pleafmg dole 
They breathM, in tender mufings, thro' the 

heart ; 
And now a graver facred ftrain they dole, 
As when feraphic hands a hymn impart : 
Wild warbling nature alJ, above the reach of art! 

Such the gay fplendour, the luxurious ftate 
Of caliphs old, who on the Tygris' Hiore, 
In mighty Bagdat, populous and great, [ftore; 
Held their bright court, where was of ladies 
And verfe, love, mufic iiill the garland v/ore: 
When lleep was coy, the bard in waiting there 
Cheer'd the Jonemidnight withtheMule'sIore; 
Compofing mufic bade his dreams be fair. 
And mufic lent new gladnefs to the morning 
air f . 

Near the pavilllons where we flept, fllll ran 
Soft tinkling ftreams, and dalhing waters fell. 
And fobbing breezes figh'd, and oft began 
(So worked the wizard)wint'ry ftorms tofvvell. 
As heaven and earth thiey would together mell : 
At doors and windows, threating leemM to 

call 
The demons of the tempeff, growling fell, 
Yet the leaft entrance found they none at allj 
■yVhence fweeter grew our, fleep, fecure in maify 

hall. 

And hitherMorpheus fenthis kindeft dreams. 
Railing a world of gayer tlnft and grace 5 
O'er which were fliadowy caft elyfian gleams 
That play'd in waving lights, from pdace to 

place, 
And Ihed a rofeate fmile on nature's face. 
Not Titian's pencil e'er could i'o array. 
So fleece with clouds, the pure ethereal fpacej 
Ne could it e'er fuch melting forms dlfplay," 
As loofe on rlow'ry beds all languifliingly lay. 



They were, in footh, a mofl enchanting train, 
Ev'n feigning virtue 5 ficilful to unite 
With evil good, and ftrew with pleafure pain. 
But for thefe fiends w^hom blood and broils 

delight, 
Who hurt the wretch, as if to hell outright, 
Down, down black gu]phs,where fullen waters 

fleep, 
Or hold him clarnb'ring all the fearful night 
On beetling ciihs, or pent in ruins deep : 
They, till due time fliould ferve, were bid far 

hence to keep. 

Ye guardian fpirits, to whom man is dear. 
From thefe fold demons fhield the midnight 
Angels of fancy and of love be near, [gloom: 
And o'er the blank of fleep dilfufe a bioomj 
Evoke the lacred fliades of Grsi^ce and Rome, 
And let them virtue with a look impart : 
But chief, awhile, oh lend us from the tomb 
Thofe long lofl:-friends for whom in love we 
fmart, [heart- 

And fill with pious awe and joy-mixt woe the 

Or, are you fportive, bid the morn of youth 
Rife to new light, and beam afrefli the days 
Of innocence, flmplicity, and truth, [ways. 
To cares eilrang'd, and manhood's thorny 
What tranfport, to retrace our boyifli plays. 
Our eafy blifs, when each thing joy fupplied ; 
The woods, the mountains, and the warbling, 
maze [wide. 

Of the wild brooks ! — But, fondly wand 'ring 
MyMufe,refume the talk thatyet doth thee abide. 

One great amufement of our houfehold was. 
In a huge cryftal magic globe to fp}'-^ 
$till as you turn'd it, all things that do pafs 
Upon this ant-hill earth ; where conilantly 
Of idly buly men the refilefs fry 
Run bufl:ling to and fro with foollfli haflie. 
In fearch of pleafures vain that from them fly^ 
Or which obtain'd the catitt's dare not tafte: 
When nothing is enjoy'd, can there be greater 
wafte ? 

Of Vanity the mirror this was callM : 
Here you a muckworm of the town might fee 
At his dull deflc, amid his ledgers ftall'd. 
Eat up with carking care and penurie ; 
Moft like to carcafe pitch'd on gallows-tree. 
*' A penny iiived is a penny got 9'* 



* This is not an imagination of the author ; there being in fad fuch nn inftniment, called bolus's Harp, 
which, when placed agaiiift a little rulhing or current of air, produces tlie tft'cO. lure delcribed. 

f The Arabian caliphs had pocis anioag the oiScers of iheir ccurr, wjhofe oilice it was Lo do what is 
here mentioned. 

Finn 



4^3 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



B©OK II. 



Firm to this fcoiindrel maxim keepeth he, 
Ne of its rigour will he bate a jot, 
Till it has quenchMhis firejand banilhedhis pot. 

Straight from thefilth of thislowgrub,beholdI 
Comes fluttering forth a gaudy fpendthrift 

heir, 
All glolFy gayj enamellM all with gold, 
The filly tenant of the fummer air. 
In folly loft, of nothing takes he care; 
Pimps, iawyersjftewards, harlots,fiatterers vile. 
And thieving tradefmen him among them 

fliare : 
His father's ghoft from limbo-kke, the while, 
Sees this, w-liich more damnation does upon him 

pile. 
This globe portray'd the race cf learned men. 
Still at their books, and turning o'er the page 
Backwards and forwards : oft they fnatch the 
As if infpir'd, and in a Thefpian rage ; [p^n> 
Then write and blot,asvyoald yourruthengage. 
Why, Authors, all this fcrawl and fcribbling 

fore, 
To lofe the prefent, gain the future age, 
Praifed to be when you can hear no more, 
And much enrich'd with fame when uselefs 

worldly ftore. 
Then would a fplendid city rife to view, 
With carts, and cars, and coaciies roaring all. 
Wide pour'd abroad behold the giddy crew : 
See how they daih along from wall to wall ! 
At ev'ry door, hark, how they thund'ring call! 
Good Lord ! what can this giddy rout excite: 
Why, on each other with fell tooth to fall; 
A neighbour's fortune, fame, orpeace to blight, 
And make new tirefome parties for the com- 
ing night. 
The puzzling fons of party next appeared. 
In dark cabal sand nightlyjuntosmet; [reared 
And now they whifper'd clofe, new iln-ugging 
The important fliculder ; then, as if to get 
New light, their twinkling eyes were inward 
No fooner Lucifer * recals affiurs, [fet. 

Than forth they various ruih in mighty fret! 
When, lo! pufli'd up to pow% andcrown'd 

their cares, [Ibirs 

In comes another fet, and kicketh them down 

But what moft foew'd the vanity of life, 
Was to behold the nations all on fire, 
In cruel broils engag'd, and deadly llrife : 
Moft Chriftian kings, inHam'd by black defire ! 
With honourable ruflians in tl.eir hire, 
Caufe war to rage, and blood around to pour: 
Of this fad v/ork when each begins to tire. 
They fit them down juft where theywerebefore, 
Till for new fcenes of woe peace fhall their 
force reftore. 
To nuirber up the thoufands dwelling here, 
An ufelefs were, and eke an endlefs tafk; 
From kings, and thofe who at the helm appear, 
Togypfies brown in fummer-glades who balk. 
Yea many a man, perdie, I could unmaflc, 
Whofe defk and table make a folemn Ihow, 



With tape-tied trafii, and fuits cf fools that afk 
For place or penfion, laid in decent row ; 
But thefe I pairenby,withnameIefsnumbersmoe. 

Of all the gentle tenants of the place. 
There was a m.an of fpecial grave remark : 
A certain tender gloom o'erfpread his face, 
Penfive, not fad, in thought involv'd not dark. 
As footh this man could fing as morning lark. 
And teach the nobleft morals of the heart; 
But thefe his talents were yburied ftark ; 
Of the fine ftores he nothing would impart, 

Which orboonnaturegave,ornature-paintingart. 
To noon -tide fliades incontinent he ran, 
V/here purls the brook with fleep-inviting 

found. 
Or when Dan Sol to flope his wheels began. 
Amid the broom he baik'd himon the ground, 
Wherethe wildthyraeand camomile arefound: 
There would he linger, till the lateft ray 
Of liglit fat trembling on the welkin's bound; 
Then homeward thro' the twilight ftiadows 
ftray. 

Sauntering and flow. So had he paflTed many a da\-. 

Yet not in thoughtlefs fiumber were they paft. 
For ofc the heavenly fire that lay conceal'd 
Beneath the fleeping embers, mounted fall, 
And all its native light anew reveal'd : 
Oft as he travers'd the coerulean field, [wind. 
And mark'd the clouds that drove before the 
Tenthoufand glorious fyftems would he build. 
Ten thcufand great ideas fiU'd his mind ; 

But with the clouds they fled, and left no trace 
behind. 
With him was fometimes join'd infilent walk 
(Profoundly filent, for they never /poke) 
One fuyer ftill, who quite detefted talk : 
Oft, flung by fpleen, at once away he broke 
Togrovesofpine,andbroado'erfliadowingoakj 
There, inly thrill'd, he wander'd all alone, 
And on himfelf his penfive fury wn-oke, 
Ne ever utter'd word, lave when firft (hone" 

The glittering G^r of eve — " Thank heaven ! 
*' the day is done." 
Here lurch'd awretch who had notereptabroad 
For forty years, ne face of mortal feen ; 
In chamber brooding like a loathly tcad : 
And lure his linen was not veiy clean. 
Thro' fecret loop-holes, that had p;-a<5tis'd been 
Near to his bed, his dinner vile he took; 
Unkempt,and rough, of fqualid face and mien, 
Our caftle's ftiame ! whence, from his filthy 
nook. 

We drove the villain out for fitter lair to look. 

One day there chanc'd into thefe halls to rove 
A joyous youth, who took you at firft fight j 
Him the w^ild wave of pleafure hither drove. 
Before the fprightly tempeft-tofllng light : 
Certes, he was a molt engaging wight, 
Of focial glee, and wit huiliane tho' keen. 
Turning the night to day and day to night i 
For him the meriy bells had rung, I ween. 
If in this nook of quiet bells had ever been. 



* The Moining Star. 



eut 



Book IT. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, ^-c. 



. JBut not e'en pleafure to excefs is good : 
What moft elates then links the Ibul as low : 
When i"pnng-tide joy pours in with copiouo 

flood, 
The higher ftill the exulting billows flow, 
The farther back, again they ilagging go, 
And leave us groveling on the dreary Ihore: 
Taught by this Ion of joy, we found it fo; 
Who, whilll he Itaid, kept in a gay uproar 

Our maddened callle all, the abode of fleep no 
more. 

A's when in prime of Jime a burr.ifliM fly 
Sprung from tiic meads, o'er which he fweeps 

along, . 
Cheer'd by the breathing bloom and vital Iky, 
Tunes up amid thefe airy halls his fong, 
Soothing at tirll the gay repofmg throng : 
And oft he fips their bowl ; or nearlydrownVl, 
He,thence recovering,drives their bedsamong, 
And fcares their tender fleep, with trcmp 

profound J 
Then out again he flies, to wing his mazy round. 

Another gueft there was, of fenfe refin'd. 
Who felt each worth, for ev'ry v/orth he had, 
Serene yet warm, humane yet firm his mind. 
As little touched as any man's with bad ; 
Him thro' their inmoft v/alks the Mufes lad, 
To him the lacred love of nature leant, 
Andfometimeswould hem.ake our valley glad: 
Whenas wc found he would not here be pent. 
To him the better fort this friendly mefiage fent: 

*' Come, dv/ell with us I true fon of rirtue, 

come 1 
*^ But if, alas I we cannot thee perfnade 
" To ly content beneath our peaceful dome, 
** Ne ever more to quit our quiet glads; 
*' Yet when at laft thy toils but iU apaid 
*' Shall dead thy fire, and damp its heavenly 

'' fpark, 
*' Thou wilt be glad to feek the rural fkade, 
" There to indulge the mufe, and nature mark; 
** We then a lodge for thee will rear in Hagley 

" Park." 

Here whilom ligg'd the Efopus * of theagsj 
But caird by fiirne, in foul ypricked deep, 
A noble pride rellor'd him to the ftage, 
And rous'd him like a giant from his lleep. 
Even from his llumbers we advantage reap: 
Withdoubleforcethe enliven'dfcene hewaker, 
Yet quits not nature's bounds. He knows 

to keep 
Each due decorum -. now the heart he fliakes. 
And now with welKurg'd fenfe the enlighten'd 

judgment takes. , 

Abard here dwelt, more fat than bardbefeemsj 
Who f , void of envy, guile, and luft of gain, 
On virtue ftill, and nature's pleafing themes, 
Pourd forth his unpremeditated fl:rain : 
The world forfaking with a calm difdain, 
Here laugh'd he carelefs in his eafy feat: 
Here quafl:''d encircled with thje joyous train, 



4^9 



oft moralifmg fage -. his ditty fweet . 

He loathed much to write, ne cared to repeat. 
Full oft by holy feet our ground was trod. 
Of clirks good plenty here 3^ou mote efpy. 
A little, round, fit, oily man of God, 
Was one I chiefly mark'd among the fry j 
He had a roguifli twinkle in his eye, 
And flione all glittering with ungodly dew. 
If a tight damlel chanc'd to tripijen by 5 
Which when obferv'd,heflirunkintohismeTV, 

And ftraight would recolleft his piety anew. 
Nor be forgot a tribe, who minded nought 
(Old inmates of the place) but ftate affairs : 

f They look'd, perdie, as if they deeply thought} 
And on their brow fat ev'ry nation's cares : 
The v/orld by them is parce'll'd out in (liares. 
When in the Hallor Smoke they congrefs hold. 
And the fage berry Am-burnt Mocha bears 
Has clear'd their inward eye : then fmoke- 
enroll'd, 

Their oracles break farth myflierious as of old* 

Here languid beauty kept her pale-fac'd court; 
Bevies of dainty dames, of digh degree. 
From eveiy quarter liither made refort ; 
Where from grofs mortal care and bufinefs free, 

. They la}-, pour'd out in eafe and luxury. 
Or ihould they a vain fliew of work afTume, 
Alas ! and weil-a-day ! what can it be ? 
To knot, to twift, to range the vernal bloom : 

Butfariscaii;thediftaftypinning-wheel,andloom, 
Their only labour was to ftill the thne : 
And labour dire it is, and weary woe. 
They fit, they loll, turn o'er fome idle rhyme: 
Then rifing fudden, to the glafs they go, 
Or faunter forth, with tottering ftep and (lov/j 
Tlvis foon too rude an exercile they find j 
Straight on tlie couch their limbs again they 

throw. 
Where hours on hours they fighinglyreclin'd. 

And court the vapoury god foft-breathing in 
the wind. 
Now muft 1 mark the villany we found. 
But ah ! too late, as fliall eftfoons be flicwn. 
A place here was, deep, dreary, under ground ; 
Where ftill our inmates, when unpleafing 

grown, 
Difeas'd and loathfome, privily were thrown. 
Far from the light of heaven, they languifli'd 
Unpitied,utteringmanya bitter groan; [there 
Forofthofe wretches taken was no care: [were. 

Fierce fiends, and hags of hell, their only nurfes 
Alas ! the change ! from fcenes of joy and reft 
To this dark den, where ficknefs tofs'd alway. 
Here Lethargy, with deadly fleep oppreft, 
Stretch'd on his back, a mighty lubbard, lay, 
Heavinghis fides, and fnored night and day; 
To ftir him from his trance it was not eath. 
And his half-open'd eynehe fliutftraightway: 
He led, I wot, the fofteft way to death. 

And taught withouten pain and ftrife to yield 
the breath. 



Mr, Qnia, 



-^ The follow: .isb'^-s of this flanza were v/rit by a friend isf the ai;:hcr. 



430 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IT. 



Of limbs enomions, but withal unfound, 
Sofc-l'woln and pale, here lay the Hydropfy: 
Unweildy man; with belly monftrous round, 
For ever fed Avith watery lupply; 
For dill he drank, and yet he ffcill was cry. 
And moping here did Hypochondria fit. 
Mother of fpleen, in robts of various dye, 
Who vexed was full oft with ugly fit [a wit. 
And fome her frantic deem'd.and lomeherdeem''d 

A lady proud fhe was, of ancient blood, 
Yet oft her fear her pride made crouchen low: 
She felt, or fancied in her fluttering mood, 
All the difeafes which the fpittals know. 
And fought all phyfic which the fhops beftow, 
And ftill new leeches and new drugs v/ould try, 
Her humour ever wavering to and fro : [cry, 
For fometimes (lie would laugh , and foraetimes 

Then fuddeii waxed wroth j and all flie knew 
not why. 
Faft by her lide a liftjefs maiden pin'd, [Ings; 
With aching bead, and fqueaniifliheart-burn- 
Pale,bloated, cold, fhe feeni'd to hate mankind, 
Yet lov'd in fccret all forbidden things. 
And here the Tertian (hakes his chillingwings, 
The fleeplefs gout here counts the crowing 

cocks, 
A wolf now gnaws him, now a ferpent ftings ; 
Whilftapopltxycramm''dintemp'' ranee knocks 

Down to the ground at once,as butcher felleth ox. 

C A N T O II. 

. The Knight of Arcs and Induftry, 

And his atchievements f:iir ; 

That, by this c.";{lle's overLbrow, 

Secin'd and crowned were. 

EnCAP^D the caftle of the fire of {in, 
Ah ! where fhall I fo fweet a dwelling find? 
For all around, without, and all withi;i, 
Nothing fave what delightful was and kind, 
Of goodnefs favouring and a tender mind. 
E'er rofe to view. But now another ftrain, 
Of doleful note, alas! remains behind ; 
I now mufl fnig of pleafure turn'd to pain, 
And of the falfe inchanter Indolence complain. 

Is there no patron to prote6l the Mufe, 
And fence for her Parnaffus' barren foil ? 
To every labour it? reward accrues, 
And the:y are iure of bread who fmk and moil 5 
But a fell tribe the Aonian hive delpoil, 
As ruthlefs wafps oft rob the painful bee. 
Thus while the lavv-s not guard that nobleft toil, 
Ne for the Mufes other meed decree, 
They praifed are alone, and ftarve right merrily. 

I care not. Fortune, what you me deny : 
You cannot rob me of free nature's gn\ce j 
You cannot fhut the windows of the (ky, 
Thro' which Aurora fhewsherbright'nin;, face; 
You cannot bar my confr:'nt feet to trace 
The woods and lawns, by 'iving (h-eam,ai eve: 
Let health my nerves and finer fib es brace. 
And I their toys to the great chiUren leave: 
Of fancy, reafon, virtue, nought can me bereave. 



Come then, my Mufe, and raife a bolder fongj 
Come, lig no more upon the bed of floth. 
Dragging the lazy languid line along, 
Fond to begin, but lliil to finifh loth ; 
Thy half-writ fcrolls all eaten by the moth r 
Arife, and fnig that generous imp of fame, 
Who with the Tons of Ibftnefs noMy wroth. 
To fweep away this human lumber came. 
Grin a cholcn few to roufe the fl umbering fiaraCv 

In Fairy-land there liv'd a knight of old. 
Of features Hern, Selvagio yclep'd ; 
A rough unpoiifh'd man, robiirt and bold. 
But wond'rous poor: he neither fow'd nor 

.reap'd, 
Ne flores in fummer for cold winter heap'd; 
In hunting all his days away he worej 
NowfcorchMbyJune,nowinNovemberfteep''d, 
Now pinch'd by biting January lore, 
He flill inwoods purfued the libbard and the boar. 

As he one morning, long before the dawn, 
Prick'd thro' the fbreil to dluodge his prey. 
Deep in the winding bof;)m of a lawn, [ray. 
With wood v.'!ld-f'ring\i, he mark'd a taper's 
That from the beating rain, and wint'ry fray. 
Did to a lonely cot his Ireps decoy 5 
There, up to -am the needments of the day. 
He found dame Poverty, nor fair nor coy : 
Her he comprer3"d, and fiirdhcr with alufly boy. 

Amid the green-wood fhade this boy was bred. 
And grev/ at lafl a knight of miichel fam.e. 
Of aftive mind and vigorous luftyhed. 
The Knight of Arts and Induilry by name. 
Earth was Lis bedjthe boughs his roofdidframej 
He knew no beverage but the flowing llreamj 
'His tadeful well-earn'd food the fylvan game. 
Or the brown fruit v;ith which the woodlands 
teem; [breme. 

The flune to him glad fummer, or the winter 

So pafs'd his youthly morning, void of care. 
Wild as the colts that thro' the commons run: 
For hirn no tender parents troubled were. 
He of the fcrelt feem'd to be the ion j 
And certes had been utterly undone. 
But that Minerva pity of him took, 
With all the gods that love the rural wonne. 
That teach to tame the foil and rule the crook} 
Ne did the facred Nine difdain a gentle look. 

Of fertile genius him they nurtur'd well. 
In ev'ry fcience, and in ev''ry art, [excel. 
By which mankind the thoughtlefs brutes 
That can or ufe, or joy, or grace impart, 
DiJclofmg ail the pow'rs of head and heart: 
Ne were the goodly exercifes fpar'd. 
That brace the nerves, or make the limbs alert. 
And mix elaftic force with hrmnefs hard: 
Was never knight on ground mote be with him 
corapar'd. 

Sometimes, with early morn, he mounted gay 
The huuter-lbed, exVilin;' o'c the dale, 
And dtew the rofeate breath cf orient dayj 
Sometnnes retiring to the fecret vale, 

Yclad 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTI V E, &c. 



43X 



Yclad in fteel and bright with burnifh'd mail, 
He ibuinM the boWjOitols'd thefouiidingfpear, 
Or d:\rtin^ on the goal outftripp'd the gale, 
Or wheePd the chariot in its mid career, 

Or itrenuous wreltled hard with many a tough 
compeer. 
At other times he pried thro' nature's (lore, 
Wnate'cr (lie in th' ethereal round contains, 
Whatever (he hides beneath her verdant floor, 
The vegetable and the mineral reigns ; [mains, 
Or elie he Icann'd the globe, thofe fmall do- 
Where reftleis mortals Inch a turmoil keep, 
Its fe;is,its floodsjits mountains, and its plains, 
But more he fearch'd the mind, and rous'd 
from fleep 

Thofe moral feeds whence we heroic alliens reap. 

Nor would he fcorn to ftoop from high pur fuiti 
Ofheavenly truth,andpra6lifewhatlhetaught, 
Vain is the treei)t knowledge without fruits 
Sometimes in hand the Ipade or plough he 
caught, [fraught 

Forth-calling all with which boon earth is 
Sometimes he plied the ftrong mechanic tool. 
Or reard the fabric from the fineli" draught 5 
And oft he put himfelf to Neptune's Ichool, 
Fighting with winds and waves on the vex'd 
ocean pool. 
To folace then thefe rougher toils, he tried 
To touch the kindling canvas into lifej 
With nature his creating pencil vied. 
With nature joyous at the mimic ftrife; 
Or, to fuch (liapes as gracM Pygmalion's wife 
He hew'd the marble 5 or with varied fire, 
He rous'd the trumpet and the martial fife. 
Or bade the lute fweet tendernefs infpire; 
Or veries fram'd that well might wake Apollo's 
lyre. 
Acccmpllili'd thus he from the woods issued, 
Full of great aims, and bent on bold emprize ; 
The work which long he in his breail had, 

brev/'d, 
Now to perform he ardent did devife; 
To wit, a barbarous world to civilize. 
Earth was till then a boundlefs forell v/ild ; 
Nought to be i'een but favage wood and ikies j 
No cities nourilb'd arts, no culture fmiPd, 
No government, no laws, no gentle manners mild . 

A rugged wight, the worft of brutes was man : 
On his own wretched kind he ruthlefs prey'd: 
The ftrongeil ftijl the weakell over-ran; 
In ev'ry country mighty robbers fway'd, 
-And guile and ruflmiforce were all their trade. 
Life was a fcene cf rapine, want, and woe; 
Which this brave knight, in noble anger, made 
To fv/ear, he v.ould the rafcal rout overthrow, 
For, by the pow'rs divine, it (nould no more be fo 

It would exceed the purport of my fong. 
To fay how this hejl fun from drient climes 
Came beaming life and beauty all along. 
Before him chacing indolence and crimes. 
Still as he pafs'd, the nations he fublimes, 
Aiid calls forth arts and virtues with his ray 



Then Egypt, Greece, and Rome their golden 
Succeflive, had; but now in ruins grey [times 
They ly to (lavifh floth and tyranny a prey. 

To crown his toils, Sir Induftry then fjjread 
The fweliinglail, and made for Britain's coali, 
A lylvan life till then the natives led. 
In the brown (hades and rreenwood forefl. loft, 
Allcarelefs rambling where it lik'd them moll: 
Their wealth the wild deer bouncing thro' 

the glade: 
They lodg'd at large, and liv'd at nature's cofl ; 
Save fpear and bow, withouten other aid; 
Yet not the Roman ileel their naked breall dif- 

may'd. 

He lik'd the foil, he llk'd the clement flcies. 
He lik'd the verdant hills and flow'ry plains. 
Be this my great, my chofen ifle (he cries) j 
This, wh:ift my labours Liberty fuftains, 
This queen of ocean all affault dildains. 
Nor lik'd he lefs the genius of the land. 
To freedom apt and perfevering pains: 
Mild to obey, and gen'rous to command, 
Temper'd by formJng heaven with klndeft 
firmeft hand. 
Here, by degrees, his mafter-work arofe. 
Whatever arts and indultry can frame; 
Whatever finifh'd agriculture knows, [came. 
Fair queen of arts', from heaven itfelf who 
When Eden flourifh'd in unfpottcd fame. 
And. Hill with her fweet innocence we find 
And tender peace, and joys v/ithout a name. 
That, while they ravifii, tranquillize the mind. 
Nature and art at once, delight and ufecombin'd. 
Then towns he quicken'd by mechanic arts. 
And bade the fervent city glow with toil ; 
Bade focial commerce raife renowned marts. 
Join land to land, and marry foil to foil. 
Unite the poles, and without bloody fpoil 
Bringhome of either Ind the gorgeous ftores j 
Or, fiiould defpotic rage the world embroil, 
Bade tyrants tremble on remotell: fliores; 
While o'er th' encircling deep Britannia's thun- 
der roars. 

The drooping Mufes then he weftward call'd. 
From the fam'd city * by Propontic fea. 
What time the Turk the enfeebled Grecian 

thrail'd; [free. 

Thence from theircloiller'd walks he fetthem 
•And brought them to another Cailalie, 
Where Ifis many a famous nouriling breeds; 
Or where old Cam foft paces o'er the lea 
In penfive mood, and tunes his Doric reeds, 
The whilll his flocks at large the lonely fliep- 

herd feeds. 
Yet the fine arts were what he finifli'd leaft. 
For why ? thy are the quintelfence of all ; 
The growth of labouring time, and flow en- 

creafl. ; 
Unlefs, as feldom chances, It fhould fall. 
That mighty patrons the coy fiftcrs call 
Up to the Cuafliine ofuncumbrr'd eafe, [thrall. 
Where no rude care themounting thought may 

And 
* Con.lantinople. 



452 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IJ. 



Andwherethey nothing have to do bnt pleafe: 
Ah ! gracious God ! thou know'ft they alk no 
other fees. 

But now, alas ! we live too late in time : 
Our patrons now even grudge that little claim, 
Except to fuch as fleek the foothing rh5'me; 
And yet, forfooth, they wear Maecenas' name: 
Poor ions of puft-up vanity, not fame. 
Unbroken fpirits cheer! ftill, ftill remains 
The eternal patron. Liberty; whofe flame, 
While fhe protects, infpires the nobleft ftrains. 
The heft, and fweeteft far, are toil-created gains, 

Whenas the knight had fram'd inBritain-land 
A matchlefs form of glorious government, 
In which the fov'reign laws alone command, 
Laws 'ftablifh'd by the public free confent> 
Whofe majefty is to the fceptre lent; 
When this great plan,with each dependent art. 
Was fettled firm, and to his heart's content, 
Then fought he from the toil fome fcene topart, 
And let life's vacant eve breathe quiet thro' the 
heart. 

For this he chofe a farm in Deva's vale, 
Where his long alleys peep'd upon the main; 
In this calm feat he drew the healthful gale, 
Herernix'd the chief,thc patriot,and the fwain. 
The ha])py monarch of his fylvan train, 
Here, fided by the guardians of the fold, 
He walk'd his rounds, and cheer'd his bled 

domain : 
His days, the days of undain'd nature, roU'd, 
Replete with peace and joy, like patriarchs of old. 

Witnefs,ye lowing herds, who gave liim milk; 
Witnefs, ye flocks, whofe woolly veftments far 
Exceed foft India's cotton, or her lilk; [car, 
Witnefs, with autumn charg'd, the nodding 
That homeward came beneath fw6et evening's 
Or of S^eptember moons the radiance mild, [fiar; 
O hide thy head, abominable war ! 
Of crimes and ruflian idienefs the child! 
From heaven this life yfprung, from hell thy 
glories wild ! 

Nor from his deep retirement banifh'd was 
The muflng care of rural induftry. 
Still as with grateful change the feafons pafs, 
New fcenes arife, new land Icapes ftrike the eye. 
And all the enliven'd country beautify : 
Gay plains extend where marfhes flept before ; 
O'er recent meads the exulting ftreamlets fly; 
Dark frowning heaths grow bright withCeres' 
ftore, [the fiiore. 

And woods embrown the fteep, or wave along 

As nearer to his farm you made approach. 
He polifh'd nature with a finer hand: 
Yet on her beauties durft not art encroach; 
- 'Tis art's alone thefe beauties to expand. 
In graceful dance immingled, o'er the land, 
Pans, Pales, Flora, and Pomona play'd: 
Here too, brifk gales tlie rude wild common 
fann'd. 



An happy place: where iree and unafraid, 
Amid the fiow'ring brakes each coyer creature 

fl-rayM. 
But in prime vigor what can laft foray? 
That foul-enfeebling wizard Indolence, 
I whilom fung, wrought in his works decay: 
Spread far and wide was his curs'd influence j 
Of public virtue much he dull'd the fenfe,- 
Even much of private; ate our fpirit out. 
And fed our rank luxurious vices ; whence 
The land was overlaid with many a lout ; 
Not, as old fame reports, wife, generous, bold> 

and ftout. 
A rage of pleafure madden'd ev'ry breaft, 
Down to the loweft lees the ferment ran: 
To his licentious wifti each mull be blefs'd. 
With joy be fever'd ; fnatch it as he can. 
Thus vice the ftandard rear'd; her arrier-ban 
Corruption caird,and loud ftie gave the word, 
" Mind, mind yourfelvesl why Ihouid the 

" vulgar man, 
" Thelacqueybe morevirtuousthan his lord? 
" Enjoy this fpan of life! 'tis all the god safl-brd." 

The tidings reach'd to where, in quiet hall, 
The good oldknightenjoy 'd well -earn'drepofe. 
" Come, come, Sir Knight! thy children on 

" thee call ; 
" Com.e, fave us yet, ere ruin round us clofe; 
'' The demon Indolence thy toil o'erthrows." 
On this the noble colour fl:ain'd his cheeks, 
Indignant, glowing thro' the whitening fnows 
Of venerable eld ; his eye full fpeaks [breaks. 
His ardent foul, and from his couch at once he 

I will (he cried), fo help me, God ! deltroy 
That villain Archimage. — His page then 
He to him call'd, a nery-footed boy, [ftright 
Eenempt Difpatch. *' My fteedbeatthegate, 
" My bard attendiquick,bringthenetof Fate." 
This net was twifl:ed by the lifters three; 
Which when once caft o'er harden'd wretch, 

te<o late 
Repentance comes: replevy cannot be 
From the ftrongiron grafp of vengeful delliny. 

He came, the bard, a little druid wight, 
Of withered afpeft; but his eye was keen. 
With fweetnefs mix'd. In rulfet brown be- 
As is his After in the copfes green *, [dight. 
He crept along, unpromifing of mien. 
Gj-ofs he who judges fo. His foul was fair. 
Bright as the children of yon azure fheen. 
True comelinefs, which nothing can imp.iir, 
Dwells in the mind : all elfe is vanity and glare. 
Come (quoth the knight), a voice has reach'd 

mine ear: 
The demon Indolence threats overthrow- 
To all that to mankind is good and dear: 
Come, Philomel us ; let us inftant go, 
O'erturn his bowers, and lay his caftlelow. 
Thofe men, thofe wretched men^ who will be 

flaves. 



* The Nightingale* 



Muft 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, D E S C R I P T I V E, &c. 



433 



Nfuft drink a bitter wrathful cup of woe: 
But fome there be, thyfoni:f,asfronitheirgr:ives, 
^lall raife. Thrice happy he ! who without ri- 
gour faves. 
Jfluing forth, the knight beftrode his fteed, 
Of ardent bay, and on whofe front a ftar 
Shone blazing bright: fprung from the gene- 
rous breed 
That whirl of aftive day the rapid car. 
He pranc'd along, diftlaining gate or bar. 
MeantiiTie,the bardonnulk-vvhite paifreyrodej 
An honeft (ober beaft, that did not mar 
H>s meditations, but full foftly trode: 
And much they moraliz'd as thus yferetheyycde. 
They talk'd of virtue, and of human blifs; 
What e\ih fo rit for m.m to fettle well r 
And ftill their long refearches met in this, 
This truth of truths, which nothing can refel: 
" From virtue's fount the purelljoys out-well, 
** Sweet rills of thought that cheer the con- 

" fcioub foul ; 
" While vice pours forth the troubled llreams 

*' of hell, 
" The which, howe'erdifguisM,atlaftwithdole 
" Will through the tortured breaft their fiery 
" torrent roll." 
At length it dawn'd, that fatal valley gay, 
O'er which high wood-crown'd hills their 

fummits rear. 
On the cool height awhile our palmers ftay, 
Andfpiteevenofthemfelves their fenfes cheery 
Thentotiiewizard'swonnetheirllepstheyfteerv 
I.ike a green ifle, it broad beneath them fpread, 
With gardens round, and wandering currents 

clear, 
And tufted groves to (hed the m.eado^v bed, 
Sweet airs and ibng : and without hurry all 
feem'd glad. 
** As God fhall judge me, knight, we mull for- 
(Thehalf-enraptur'dPhileinelus cried) [give 
*• The frail good man deluded here to live, 
*• And in thefe groves his mulir.g fancy hide. 
" Ah! nought is pure. It cannot he denied, 
" That virtue ftill fome tinclure has of vice, 
*•' And viceof virtue. What fiiould then betide, 
" But that our charity be not too nice ? 
*' Come, let us thofe we can to real blifs entice." 

" Ay,licker (quoth theknight) all flefii irf frail, 
** To pleafant fin and joyous drdliance bcntj 
"But let not bi utiih vice of this avail, 
*' And think to 'fcape deferved punilhment. 
" Juftice were cruel weakly to relent ; 
«* From mercy's felf {lie get her lacrtd glaive: 
*• Grace be to thofe wlio can, and will repent: 
" But penance long, and dreary to the Have. 
« Who mult in floods of lire his grois foul fpirit 
** lave." 

Thus,holdinghighdifcourre,theycametowhejc 
The curied carle was at his wonted trade j 
Still tempting heedlefs men into his lh.nie, 



In witching wife,, as I before have faid. 
But when he iiiw, in goo<lly geer array'd, 
The grave majcftic knigiir approaching nigh. 
And by his fide the bard fo lage and ihiid, 
His count'nance fell; yet oft hisunxiousTeye 
Mark'd them, like wily fox who roolted ccck 
doth fpy. 
Nathle/s,\vith fc'vgnW refpeiTtjhebade giveback 
Therabble-rout,:'.ndwelcom'd them full kiiid; 
Struck with the noble twain, they were notflack 
His orders to obey, and fall behind. 
Then he refum'd his fcngj and uiiconfin'd 
Pour'd all his mufic, ran thro' all his ftrings: 
With magic dull their eyne he tries to blind, 
And virtue's tender airs o'er nature iliiigs. 

What pity bafe his long who fo divinely fnigs 1 
Elate in thought, he counted them his own. 
They liften'd lb intent with fix'd delight: 
But they initead, as if tranfinew'd to Itone, 
Marvel'd he could with fuch fweet art unite 
The lights and (hades of manners, wrong and 

ri^ht. 
Meantnne, the fdly crowd the charm devour. 
Wide prefllng to the gate. Sv/ift on the knight 
He darted fierce, to drag him to his bov/er, 

Who back'ning (hunn'd his touch, for well lie 
knew its power. 
As in throng'd amphitheatre of old. 
The weary Retiarius* trapped his foe ; 
Ev'n fo the knight, returning on him bold. 
At once involv'd him in the net of woe. 
Whereof I mention made not long ago. 
Enrag'd at firft, he fcorn'd fo weak a jail. 
And leap'd.and flew, and flounced to and fro; 
But when he found that nothing could avail, 

He fat him felly down, and gnaw'd his bitter nail. 

Alarm'd, the inferior dem.ons of the place 
Rais'd rueful fliricksand hiileous yells around; 
Black Itormycloudsdeform'dthewelkin's face. 
And from bet;eath was heard a v/alling found. 
As of infernal fprights in cavern bound ; 
A folemn fadnefs ev'ry creature llrook, 
And lightnings ila{h'd,and horror rock'd tl»e 

ground j [mlfh'd look. 

Huge crowds on crowds out-pour'd with ble- 

As if on time's iall verge this frame of things 

had Ihook. 
Soon as the (liort-liv'd tempeft was yfpent, 
Steam'd from the jaw? of vex'd Avernus' hole. 
And hudrd the hubbub of the rabblement, 
Sir Induftry the lirft calm moment Hole: 
" There muft (he cried) amid fo valt a Ihoal 
"' Be Ibme who are net taint-'d at the heait, 
" Not poifon'd quite by this fame villain's 

" bowl : [part : 

" Come then, my bard, thy heavenly fire im- 

" Touch foul with foul, till forth the laten^t 

" fpirit ilart." 
The bard obey'd ; and taking from his fide. 
Where it in feemly fort depending hung. 



* A Cladi^itcr, who m:ide wd ot 2 net. v,-hich he threw ever kis aJverfary. 

Ff 



His 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



434- 

His Britifh harp, its fpeaking ftrings he tried, ! 
The which with Ikilt'ul touch'^he deftly Itrung, 
Till tinkling in clear fymphony they rung. 
Then, as he felt the Mufes come along, 
Light o'er the cci d^ his raptur'd hand he flung, 
And play'd a prelude to liis rifing fong: 
The vvhilft, like midnight mute, tea thoulands 

round him throng. 

Thus ardent burft his ftrain 

*♦ Ye haplefs race, 
*' Dire-labouring here to fmother reafon's ray, 
** That lights our Maker's image in our face, 
** And gives us wide p'er earth unqueilion'd 

** fway; 
" What is the ador'd Supreme Perfeftion, fay? 
" What, but eternal never-refting foul, 
** Almighty power, and all direfting day } 
" By whom each atom ftirs^ the planets roll 5 
*' Who fills, furrounds, informs, and agitates 

** the whole ! 

" Come, to the beaming God your hearts 
" unfold ! [alone 

" Braw from its fountain life ! 'Tis thence 
" We can excel. Up from unfeeling mold,. 
*' To feraphs burning round the Almighty's 

" throne, 
" life rifing lllll on life, in higher tone, 
" Perfe^ion forms, and with perfeftion blifs. 
" In univerfal nature this clear fiiewn, 
"" Not needeth proof: to prove it were, I wis, 
** To prove the beauteous world excels the 
" brute abyfs. 

" Is not the field, with lively culture green, 

. •** A joyous fight more than the green morafs? 

" Do not the Ikies, with aftive other clean, 

** And fann'd by iprightly zephyrs, far fur- 

" pafs [mafs, 

** The foul November fogs, and flumb'rous 

" With which lad Nature veils her drooping 

" face ? [glafs, 

*' Does not the mountain-llream, as clear ^s 

" Gay dancing on, the putrid pool difgrace? 

*** The fame in all holds true, bat chief in hu- 

** man race. 

** It was not by vile loitering in eafe [art, 
*' That Greece obtain'd the brighter palm of 
" That foft yet ardent Athens learn'd to pleafe, 
**': To keen the v/it, and to fublime the heait, 
.^** In all fupreme ! complete in every part 1 

' ** It was not thence majefric Rome arofe, 
** And o'er the nations fhook her conquering 

" dart;. . 
" For fiuggard's brow the laurel never growsj 

<* Renown is not the child ©f indolent repofe. 

** Had unambitious mortals minded nought, 
" But in loofe joy their time to wear awayj 
" Had they alone the lap of dalliance fought, 
<* Pleas'don her pillow their dull heads to lay, 
" Rude nature's ftate had been our ftate to- 

'•' day; 
•' No cities e'er their tow'ry frO'nts had rais'd, 
'' No arts had made us opulent and gay j 
5 



Book IL 



« With brother brutes the human race had 

** graz'd J 
** None e'er had foar'd to fame, none honour'd 

*' been, none prais'd. 
" GreatHomer's fong had neverfirM the bread 
" To thirft of glory, and heroic deeds j 
" Sweet Maro's niufe, funk in inglorious reft, 
" Had filent flept amid the Mincian reeds : 
** The wits of modern time had told their 

" beads, 
" And mcnkifh legends been their onlyftrains: 
" Our Milton's Eden had lain wrapt in weeds, 
" Our Shakefpeare ftroll'd and laugh'd with 

'* Warwick fwains; [plains. 

Ne had mygmafter Spenfercharra'd hisMulla'b' 

" Dumb too had been the fage hiftoric mufe, 
*' And perifird all the fons of ancient fame; 
" Thofe ftarry lights of virtue, that ditfufe 
*' Through the dark depth of time their vivid 

" fiame, 
*' Had all been loll with fuch as have no name. 
" Who tlien had fcom'd his eafe for other's 

*' good? 
" Who then had toil'd rapacious men to tame? 
" Who in the public breach devoted Itood, 
' And for his country's caufe been prodigal of 
" blood ? 
" But fhould to fame your hearts unfeeling be, 
" If rigbt I read, you pleafure all require : 
" Then hear how beft may be obtain'd this 

" fee, 
** How beft enjoy'd this nature's wide dehi-e. 
" Toil, and be glad! let induftry infpire 
" Into your quicken'd limbs her buoyant 

« breath ! 
** Who docs not aQ: is dead : abfbi-pt entire 
** In miry floth, no pride, no joy he hath j 
* Oleaden-hearted men, to be in love with death? 
" Ah! what avail the lacgeft gifts of Heaven 
" When droopinghealth and fpirits go amifs ? 
" How taftelefs~then whatever can be given \ 
" Health is the vital principle of blifs, 
" And exercife of health. In proof of this, 
*' Behold the wretch, who flugs his life away, 
" Soon fwallow'd in difeafe's lad abyfs; 
*• While he whom toil has braced, or manly 
" play, ' [as day. 

c< Has lightas air each limb, each thought as clear 
** O who can fpeak the vigorous joys of health ? 
" Unclogg'd the body, unobfcur'd the mind ; 
<' The morningrifes gay; with pleafingftealth, 
•* The temperate evening falls ferene and kind. 
•* In health tlie wifer brutes^truegladnefs find. 
"Seel how the younglings frifk along the 
" meads, [wind ; 

" As May comes on, and virakes the balmy 
** Rampant with life, their joy all joy exceeds : 
" Yet what but high-ftrung health this dancing 
** pleafaunce breeds ? 

" But here, inftead, is fofter'd every ill, 
" Which or diftemper'd mindsorbodiesknow. 
" Come then, my kindred Ipirits ! do not fpill 

" Your 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, Ac. 



435 



" Your talents here. This place isb\jt a (how 
** Whofe charms delude yoa to the den of woe : 
" Come, follow me, I will dire*^: you right, 
** Where pleafure's rofes void of lerpents 

** grow, [k^ight, 

*' Sincere as fweet ; come, follow this good 

*' /\nd you will blefs the day that brought him 

" to your fight. 
*' €ome he will lead to courts, and fome to 

*' camps i 
** To lenates fome, and public fage debates, 
** Where, by the folemn gleam of midnight 

" lamps, [ftates: 

*' The world is pois'd, and managed mighty 
?* To high-dilcovery fome, that new-creates 
** The face of earth ; fome to the thriving 

" mart; 
" Some to the rural reign, and fofter fates ; 

* " To the fweet mufes fome, who raife the 

♦' heart: 
** All glory fhall be yours, all nature and all art. 
" There are, I fee, who liften to my lay, 
*' Who wretched ligh for virtue, but defpair. 
** All may be done, (methinks I hear them 

" fiy) [fair: 

** Even death defpis'd by generous actions 
** All, but for thofe who to thefe bowers re- 
** Their very power dilfoIvVl in luxury, [pair, 
" To quit of torpid fluggiihnefs the lair, 
" And from the powerful anus of llotb get 

« fr^c [bei 

*^ 'Tis rifing from the dead^^Alas !— It cannot 

*' Would you then learn to diflipate the band 

" Of thefe huge threatening difficulties dire, 

" That in the weak man's way like lions 

« (land, 
* His foul appal, and damp his rifing fire ? 
** Refolve, relblve, and to be men afpire. 
*' Exert that nobleit privilege, alone 
" Here to mankind indulged : controul dcfire : 
** Let godlike Reafon, from her fovereign 

*' throne, [is done. 

* Speak the commanding word — ;Iwill ! — audit 
" Heavens 1 can you then thus wafte, in 

" Ihameful wife, 
** Your few important days of trial here? 
** Heirs of eternity ! yborn to rife 
" Through endlefs itates of being Hill more 

" near 
*< To blifs approaching, and perfeftion clear; 
** Can you renounce a fortune fo fublime, 
" Such glorious hopes, your backward ileps 

" to fteer, {and flime ? 

" And roll, with viJeft brutes, through mud 

" No ! no !~Your heaven -to ucbM hearts dif- 

** dain the fordid crime '." 
"Enough! enough!" they cry'd-r-llraight 

from the crowd 
The better fort on wings of tranfport fly, 
As when amid the lifelefs fummits proud 
Of Alpine cliffs, where to the gelid iky 
Snows pird on fnows in wint'ry torpor ly. 
The rays divine of vernal Phoebus play; 



Th' awaken'd heaps, in ftreamlets from on 
Rous d into ai^ion, lively leap away, [high, 
Glad-warbling through the vales, in their new 
being gay. 

Not lefs the life, the vivid joy ferene, 
That hghted up thefe new created men, 
Than that which wings th' exulting fpiritclean. 
When, juft delivered from this fleflily den, 
Jt foaring feeksits native Ikies agen. [pow'rs. 
How light its efience ! how unclogg'd its 
Beyond the blazon of my moral pen ! 
Even fo we glad forfook thefe finful bowers, 
Even fiich enraptur'd life, fuch energy was ours. 

But far the greater part, with rage enflam'd, 
Dirc-mutter'd cijrfes, and blafphem'd high 

Jove, 
** Ye fons of hate! (they bitterly exclaimed) 
" What brought you to this feat of peace and 

« love i 
" While with kind nntare,here amid thegrove, 
" We pafs'd the harmlefs fabbath of our 

" time, 
** What to difturb it could, fell men, emoye 
" Your barbarous hearts ? Is happinefs a 

" crime? [fublime.'" 

'* Then do the fiends of h^l rule in yon heaven 

" Ye impious wretclies,"* quoth the knight 

in wrath, 
^* Your happinefs behold I"— ^Then ftraight a 

wand 
He wav'd, an anti-magic power that hath. 
Truth from illufive falfehood to command. 
Sudden, the landfcape finks on ev'ry hand; 
The pure quick ilreams are marfliy puddles 

found; [ftand; 

On baleful heaths the groves all blackened 
And o'er the weedy foul abhorred ground, 
Snakes, adders, toads, each loathfome .creature 

crawls around. 

And here and there, on trees by lightning 

fcath'd, 
Unhappy wights who loathed life yhung: 
Or, in frefh gore and recent murder bath'd. 
They welt'ring lay; or ^Ife, infuriate flung 
Into the gloomy flood, v/hile ravens lung 
The funeral dirge, they down the torrent 

rowl'd: 
Thefe, by diftemper'd blood tomadnefs ftung. 
Had doom'd tliemfelves; whence oft, when 

night controuPd [howl'd. 

The world, returxiing hither their fad fpiiits 

Meantime a moving fcene was open laid ; 
That lazar houfe, I whilom in my lay 
Depainted have, its horrors deep difplay'd, 
And gave unnumber'd wretches to the day, 
Who tofling there in fqualid mifery lay. 
Soon as of facred light the unwonted fmile 
Pour'd on thefe living catacombs its ray. 
Through the drear caverns Itretchingmanv k 
mile, [woes a while. 

The fick uprais'd their heads, and dropp'd their 
F f 2 «* ^heavenl 



436 



ELECxANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IL 



" O heaven ! (they cried ) and do we once more 

♦' Tee 
" Yon bkfled funand this green earth To fair? 
" Arewe from noi i'oined arapsofpeft-hou fe free ? 
" Anddiinkour fouls the ivveet ethereal air? 
** Othoul or Kn!ght,orGod!vvhoholdefrthere 
" That fiend, oh keep him in eternal chains! 
*' But what for usj the children of defpair, 
*' Brought to the brink of hell, what -hope 
" remains? • [pains." 

«' Repentance does itfelf but aggravate our 

The gentle Knight, who fiw their rueful cafe, 
Let fall adown his filver beard fbme tears. 
" Certes (quoth he) it is not even in grace 
" T' undo the paft, and eke your broken years: 
*' Nathlefs,to nobler worlds Repentance rears, 
" With humble hope, her eye 5 to her is given 
*' A pow'r the truly contrite heart that cheers; 
" She quells the brand by which the rocks 
" are riven} [Keaven. 

** She more than merely foftens, (he rejoices 

*' Then patient bear the fufferings you have 

*•' earned, 
'• And by thefe fufferings purify the mind ; 
" Let wifdom be bypalt mifcondu<5l learn'dj 
*♦ Or pious die, with penitence rcfign'd ; ' 
** And to a life more happy and refin'd, 
*' Doubt not, you fliall new creatures yet arife. 
*' Till then, you may expeil: in me to find 
*' One who will wipe your Ibrrov,? from your 

" eyes ; 
*' One who will foothe your pangs, and wing 

" you to the ficies." 

They filent heard, and pour*d their thanks in 

tears. ^ [tone) 

" For you (refum'd the Knight with Iterner 

♦' Whoie hard dry hearts th' obdurate demon 

" fears, [groan; 

*' That villain's gifts w^ill coft you many a 

*' In dolorous manfion long you muft bemoan 

** His fatal charms, and weepyour ftains away: 

" Till foftand pure as in fan t good nefs grown. 

** You feel a perfect change: then,whocanfay, 

** VVhat grace mayyet fnine forth in heaven'^ 

" eternal day?" 

This /aid, his ppw'rful wand he wav'd anew; 
Inibnt, a glorious angel-train defcends. 
The Charitits, to wit, ofrofyhue; 
Sweet love their looks a gentle radiance lends; 
And with feraphic flame compaflion blends. 
At once, delighted, to thf:ir charge they iiy : 
When, lo! a goodly hofpilal afcends ; 
In which they bttde each lenient aid be nigh, 

That could the fick-bed fmoothe of tiiat lad 
company. 
It waa a v/orthy edifying fight. 
And gives to human kind peculiar grace. 

' To fee kind hands attending day and night, 
W'th tender rninidry, from p!ace to plr.ce. 
Some prop ihehead ; Ibme from tlie pallid face 
Wipe oil the faint cold ciewsweak nature Iheds: 
Sgnie reach the healiiig draught: the whilft, 
to clufe 



The fear fupreme around their fo-ften'd beds. 
Some holy man by prayer all op'ning Keaven 
dilpreds. 

Attended by a glad acclaiming train, 
Of thofe he refcued had from gaping hell, 
Then turned the Knight, and, to his hall again 
Soft-pacing, fought of Peace the moHy cell: 
Yet down his cheeks the gems of pity fell, 
To fee the helplefs wretches that remained, 
There left thro' delves and defarts diretoyell; 
Amaz'd, their looks with pale difmay were 
ftain'd, 
And fpreading wide their hands they meek re- 
pentance feignM. 
But. ah ! their fcorned day of grace was paft ■ 
For (horrible to tell !) a defart wild [vaftj 
Before them ftretch'd, bare, comfortlefs, and 
With gibbets, bones, and carcafes defil'd. 
There nortrim field,nor livelyculture fmil'd; 
Nor waving iliade was feen, nor fountain fairj 
But fancis abrupt on fands lay loofely pil'd, 
Thro' which they fioimdering toil'd with 
painful care, 
WHilft Phcebus fmote them fore, and fir'd the 
cloudlefs air. 

' Then, varying to a joylefs land of bogs, 
The fadden'd country a grey wafte appear' (Tj 
Where nought butputridftreamsand noifome 

fogs 
For ever hung on drizzly Aufter"s beard ; 
Or elfe the ground by piercing Caurus fear'd. 
Was jaggM with froit, or heap'd with glazed 

fnow : 
Thro"" thefe extremes a ceafelefs round they 

By cruel fiends ftill hurried to and fro, 
Gaunt Beggary, and Scorn, with many hell- 
hounds moe. 

The firft was with bafe dunghill rags yclad, 
, Tainting the gale, in which they fluttered Ilghtj 
,Of morbid hue his features, funk and fad; 
His hollow eyne (liook forth a fickly light : 
And o'er his lank jaw-bone, in piteous plight. 
His black rough beard was matted, rank and 

vile; 
Direful to fee ! and heait-appalling fight ! 
Meantime foul fcurf and blotches him defile; 
And dogs, where'er he went, (till baiked all tlie 
while. 
The other was a fell defpightful fiend : 
Hell holds noneworfein b;inefulbow'r below: 
By pride, and wit, and rage, and rancor keen'dj 
Of Man alike if good or bad the foe: 
With nofe up-turn'd, he always madeafhow 
As if he fmelt fome naufeous fcent; his eye 
Was cold and keen, like blait from boreal Ihow; 
And taunts he calten forth moll bitterly, [fry. 
Such were the tv.-ain that otf drove this ungodly 
Epen Co tbrour.hBrentford town,atownof mud. 
An herd of briltly fwine is prick'd along; 
The filthy bealls, that never chew the cud. 
Still grunt and f<iueak, and fing their troublous 
foii^» And 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



437 



Andofttheyplungethemfelvesthemireamong; 
But ay the ruthlcfs driver goads tliem on, 
And ay of barking dogs the bitter throng 
Makes them renew their unmelodioiis mean; 
Ke ever find they relt from their uiirefting fone. 



55- 



To the Memory of Sir Ifaac Nenvton. 

Thomson. 
Infcrihed to the Ri^bt Honourable 
Sir Robert U^alpofe, . 
Shall the great fml of Newton quit this earth, 
To mingle with his Itars ; and every Mafe, 
Afronifti'd into filence, (hun the weight 
Of honours due to his illuftrious name ? 



The tide revertive, unattraf^ed leaves 
A yellow wafte of idle faiids behind. 

Then breaking hence, he took his ardent 
Thro' the blue infinite; and ev'ry ftar, [flight 
Which the clear concave of a winter's night 
Pours on the eye, oraftronomic tube, 
Far-llretching fnatches from the dark abyfs. 
Or fuch as farther in fucceirive Ikies 
To fancy lliine alone, at his apprdtch 
Blaz'd into funs, the living centre each 
Of an haiTnonious fyftem : all comhin'd. 
And rul'd unemng by that fingie pow'r 
Which draws the ftone projected to the ground. 

O unprofufe magnificence divine ! 



But what can man r — Even novvthe fens of light, O wifdom truly perfe6l ! thus to call 

In drains high warbled to feraphic lyre, [From a few caufes fuch a Ibhenie of things. 

Hail his arrival on the coail of blifs. i Effects fo various, beautiful, and grear. 

Yet am I not deterr'd, though high the theme, | An univerfe complete f and, O belovd 

And fung to harps of angels ; for with you, I Of Heaven, whofe we!l-purg*d penetrative eye, 

Kthereal flames! ambitious I afpirc j The myliic veil tranfpiercing, inly fcann'd 

In Nature's general fymphony to join. [gueftrjThe rk'ing, moving, wide-eltablilh'd frame. 

And what new w-onders can you fhew your He, firlt of men, with awful wing purfued 
Who, while on this dim fpot, where moitals toil The Comet thro' the long elliptic curve, 
Clouded in dull, from Motion's fimple laws As round innum'rousworidshe wound hisway; 

Till, to the forehead of our evening fky 
Return'd, the blazing wonder glares anew. 
And o'er the trembling nations /hakes difmay. 
The heavens are all his own ; from the wild 
Of whirling vortices and circling fphcres, [rule 
To their firft great llmplicity relior'd. 
The fchcols altonifti'd ftocd; but found it vsin 
To combat itill with deraoriltratiou llront:. 
And, unawaken'd, dream beneath the blaze 
Of truth. At once their pleafing vifions fied. 
With the gay (hadows of the morning mix'd. 
When Newton rofe, our philofophic fun- 

The aerial flow »f found was known to hira. 
From whence it fidl in wa%'}' circles breaks. 
Till the touch 'd organ takes the meflage in. 
Nor couid the darting beam, of fpeed immenfe 
Efcape his fwift puriuit, aod meaiuring eye. 
Even light itfelf, which ev'ry thing dil'plays, 
Shone undifcover'd, till his brighter mind 
Untwifted all the fiiining robe of day ; 
And from the whitening uhdiilinguilh'd blaze 
Colledting ev'ryray into his kind. 
To the chami'd eye educ'd the gorgeous train 
Of parent^colours. Firli the flaming re<i 
Sppjng vivid forth; the tawny orange next ; 
And next delicious yellow, by whole lide 
Fell the kind beams of ali-refreOiing green; 
Then the pure bluT, that fwelis autumnal ikies, 
Ethereal play'd; :md then, of ladder hue, 
EmergV the decpea'd indico, as when 
[The heavy-ikitted evening droops with froftj 
I While tht lall gleamings of refrafbed light 
I Died in the fainted violet away. 
Thefe, when the clouds diftii the rofy ftow' ■, 
Shine out diftinct adown the wat'r/ bowj 
While o'er our heads tlie dewy vifion bendi 
Delightful, melting on the fields beneath. 
Myriads of mingling dyes from thefe refult 
Aiid myriads Itill remain— Infinite fource 
Of beaut}', ever-iufuiiii, t&cr utw ! 

If 3 im 



Could trace tl:e fecret hand of Providence 
Wide- working thro' this univerfal frame. 

Have ye not liften'd, v.'hile he bound the funs 
And planets to their fpheresr th' unequal talk 
Of human kind till then. Oft had they rolPd 
CJ'er erring man the year, and oft difgtac'd 
The pride of fchoois, before their courfe was 
Full in its caufes and efFe6ts, to hira, [known 
A ll-piercing fage ! who fat not down and dream'd 
Komantic fchemes, defended by the diji 
Of fpecious v.ords, and tyranny of names j 
But, bidding his amazing mind attend, 
And, with heroic patience, years and years 
Deep fearching, faw at lall tiic fyftera dawn. 
And fliine, of all his race, on him alone, [llrong! 
What were his raptures then ! how pure ! how 
And what the triumphs of old Greece and Rome, 
By his dimlninrd, but the pride of boys 
In Ibme fmail f:-ay victorious! when in'ftead 
Of Ihatter'd parcels of this earth ufurp'd 
By violence unmanly, and fore deeds 
Of cruelty and blood, Nature herlelf 
Stood all-fubdued by him, and open laid 
Her ev'ry latent glory to his view. 
AH intelleftual eye, our folar round 
Firft gazing thro', he, by the blended pow'r 
Of gravitation and projection, faw 
The whole in filent harmony revolve. 
From unalTifted vifion hid, the moons. 
To cheer remoter planets numerous form'd. 
By him in all their mingled trafts v/ere feen. 
He aifo fix'd our wand'ring queen of night ; 
Whether ike w:mes into a fcanty orb. 
Or, waxing broad, with her pale ftiadowy light. 
In a foft deluge overflows the Iky. 
Her ev'ry motion clear difcerning. He 
Adjulled to the mutual main, and taught 
Why now the mighty mafs of water fvveils 
Refiftiefs, heaving on the broken ro:ks, 
Aiid the full liver turning \ till again 



438 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



Did ever poet Image aught fo fair, [brook! 
Drearning in whifpering groves by the hoarfe 
Or prophet, to whole rapture heaven defcends ! 
Even now the letting fun and (hifting clouds, 
Seen , Greenwich, from thy lovely heights, declare 
How juft, how beauteous the refra6Hve law. 

The noifelefs tide of time, all bearing down 
To vail eternity's unbounded Tea, 
Where the green illands of the happy fhine. 
He llemm'd alone : and to the fource (involvM 
Deep in primaeval gloom) afcending, rais'd 
His lights at equal diftances, to guide 
Hiftorian, wilder'd on his darkfome way. 

But who can number up his labours? who 
His high diicov'ries fing? wlien but a few 
Of the deep ftudying race canfrretch their minds 
To what he knew: in fancy's lighter thought 
How lli>'.il the Mufe then grafp the mighty theme? 
What wonder thence that his devotion fweird 
Refponlive to his knowledge? for could he, 
Whofe piercing mental eye dilFufive faw 
The finilh'd univerlity of things, 
In all its order, magnitude and parts. 
Forbear incefilint to adore that Pow'r 
Who fills, fuftains, and actuates the whole? 

Say, ye who beft can tell, ye happy few, 
Who f;ivv him in the fofteit lights of life, 
All unvvithheld, indulging to his friends 
The vail unborrow'd treasures of his mind. 
Oh fpeak the wondrous man! how mild, how 
How greatly humble, how divinely goodi[calm, 
How tirm eitabliih'd on eternal truth j 
Fervent in doing well, with ev'ry nerve 
Still prelhng on, f rgetful of the pail, 
And panting for perfi^Slion: far above 
Thpfe little cares and vifionai'y joys 
ThAt lb perpkx the fond impaflion'd heart 
Of ever-cheated, ever-trufting man ! 

And you, ye hopelefs gloomy-minded tribe. 
You, who, unconfcious of thofe nobler flights 
That reach impatient at immortal life, 
Againft the prime endearing privilege 
Of being dare contend, fay, can a foul 
Of fuch extenfive, deep, tremendous pow'rs, 
Enlarging flill, be but a finer breath 
Of fpirits dancing thro' their tubes awhile. 
And then for ever loft in vacant air? 

But hark! methinks I hear a warning voice. 
Solemn as when fome awful change is come, 
Sound thro' the world — " 'Tis done! the mea- 
"fure'sfuil; [flones, 

'*• And I refign my charge."— Ye mould' ring 
That build the tow'ring pyramid, the proud 
Triumphal arch, the monument elfac'd 
By ruthlefs ruin, and wliate'er fupports 
The worlhinp'd name of hoar antiquity, 
Down to the duft ! wliat grandeur can ye boaft. 
While Newton lifts his column to the flcies. 
Beyond the wafte of time ? Let no weak drop 
Be Ihed for him. The virgin in her bloom 
Cut olf, the joyous youth, and darling child, 
Tliefis are the tombs that claim the tender tear 
And elegiac fong. 3ut Newton calls 
P'or other notes of gratulatioa high. 



That now he wanders thro' thofe endlefs world* 
He here fo well defcried, and wond'ring talks^ 
And hymns their Author vvith Vis glad compeers, 
O Britain's boalt ! whether with angels thou 
Sitteft in dread difcourfcj or fellow-blell, 
Wh\3 joy to fee the honour of their kind; 
Or whether, mounted on cherubic wing. 
Thy fwift career is with the whirling orbs, 
Comparing things with things, in rapture loft. 
And grateful adoratioh, for that light 
So plenteous ray'd into thy mind below, 
From Light himfelf ; O look with pity down 
On human kind, a frail erroneous face ! 
Exalt the fpirit of a downward world ! 
O'er thy deje6led country chief prefide. 
And be her Genius callM! her ftudies raife, 
Corre6l her manners, and infpire her youth: 
For,tho' depra v'd andfunk,fhebroughttheeforthj 
And glories in thy name; fhe points thee out 
To all her fons, and bids them eye thy ftar: 
While in expectance of the fecond life. 
When time Ihall be no mor^!, the fecred duf^ 
Sleeps with her kings, and dignifies the fcenCv 



§ 56- Hymn on Solitude. Thomson. 
Hail, mildly-pleafmg Solitude, 
Companion of the wile and good : 
But from whofe holy piercing eye 
The herd of fools and villains fly. 

Oh ! how I love with thee to walk. 
And liften to thy whifper'd talk. 
Which innocence and truth imparts. 
And melts the moll obdurate hearts! 

A thoufand fliapes you wear with eafe* 
And ftill in ev'ry (hape you pleafe. 
Now wrapt in fome myfterious dreamj^ 
A lone philofopher you leem ; 
Now i^uiek from hill to vale you fly. 
And now you fweep the vaulted Iky. 
A fnepherd next you haunt the plain, 
And warble forth your oaten ftrain j 
A lover now, with all the grzce 
Of that fweet paflion in your face: 
Then, calm'd to friendlhip, you affume 
The gentle-looking Hartford's bloora, 
As, with her Mufidora, flie 
(Her Mufidora fond of thee) 
Amid the long withdrawing vale 
Awakes the rival'd nightingale. 

Thine is the balmy breath of moriTj 
Juft as the dew-l>€nt role is boruj 
And while meridian fervors beat 
Thine is the woodland dumb retreat; 
But chief, when evening fcenes decay* 
And the faint landfcape fwims away. 
Thine is the doubtful foft decline. 
And that heft hour of mufmg thine. 

Defcending angels blefs thy trainj 
The virtues of the fage and fwain ; 
Plain innocence, in white array 'd. 
Before thee lifts her fearlefs head : 
Religion's beams around thee Ihine, 
And" cheer thy glooms with light divine: 

About 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, 8cc. 



439 



About thee fports fweet Liberty j 
And rapt Urania fings to thee. 

Oh, let me pierce thy fecret cell. 
And in thy deep receffes dwell. 
Parhaps from Norwood's oak-clad hill, 
When meditation has lier fill, 
I juft may calt my carelefs eyes 
Where London's i'piry turrets rife; 
Think of its crimes, its cares, its pain. 
Then (hield me in the woods again. 



^ 57. Hymn to Darknefs. Yaldem. 
Darkness, thou firft great parent of us ail. 

Thou art our great original ; 

Sincefrom thy univerralvvomb[rpri;jg come. 
Does all thou fliad'll below, thy numerous off- 
Thy wondrous birth is even to Time unknown, 

Or, like eternity, thoud'ft none; 

Whilft Light did its firft being owe 
Unto that awful Ihade it dares to rival now. 

Say, in what diftant region doll thou dwell, 

To Reafon inacceflible ? 

From form and duller matter free. 
Thou foar'ft above the reach of man's philofophy. 

Involved in thee, we firft receive our breath. 
Thou art our refuge too in death: 
Great Monarch 0^ the grave and womb ! 

Where'erourfoulsniallgo,totheeourbodiescome. 

The filent globe is ftruck with awful fear, 

Wlien thy majeftic (hades appear: 

Thou doft compofe the air and fea, [thee. 
And Earth a fabbath keeps, facred to reft and 
In thy ferener ijiades our ghofts delight, 

And court the umbrage of the night ; 

In vaults and gloomy caves they ftray. 
But fly the morning beams, and ficken at the day. 
Though folid bodies dare exclude the light, 

Nor will the brighteft ray admit; 

No fubftance can thy force repel, 
Thou reign'f' deaths below, doft in the centre 

dwell. 
The fparkling gems, and ore in mines below, 

To thee their beauteous luftre owe; 

Tho"" form'd within the tomb of night, 
Bright as their fire they ftiine, with native rays 
of light. 

When thou doft raife thy venerable head, 
And art in genuine night array'd. 
Thy negro beauties then.delight j 

Beauties, like polifli'd jet, with their own dark- 
nefs bright. 

Thou doft thy fmiles Impartially beftow. 
And know'ft no difTrence here below : 
All things appear the fame by thee, 

Tho'Ligiit diftinftion makes,thougiv'ftequality. 

Thou, Darknefs, art the lover's kind retreat, 
And doft the nuptial joys complete; 
Thou doft infpire them with thy (hade, 

Giv'ft vigour to the youth, and warm'ft the 
yielding maid. 



Calm as the blefs'd above the anchorites dwell 
Within their peaceful gloomy cell ; 
Their minds with heavenly joys are fiU'd; 

The pleafures Light denies, thy Ihades for ever 
yield. 

In caves of night, the oracles of old 
Did all their myfteries unfold: 
Darknefs did firft Religion grace, 

GaveterrorstotheGod,andreverencetotheplace. 

When the Almighty did on Horeb ftand. 
Thy ftiades inclos'd the hallow'd land, 
In clouds of night he was array 'd. 

And venerable darknefs his pavilion made. 

When he appeared arm'd in his powVand might, 
He veird the beatific light; 
When, terrible with majefty, [thee. 

In tempefts he gave laws, and clad himlclf in. 

Ere the foundation of the earth was laid. 
Or brighter firmament was made ; 
Ere matter, time, or place was known, 

Thou, Monarch Darknefs, fway'dft thefe fpa- 
cious realms alone. 

But now the moon (tho' gay with borrow'd 
Invades thy fcanty lot of Night : [light) 
By rebel fubje6ls thou'rt betray'd, 

The anarchy offtarsdepofe their monarch, Shad 

Yet fading Light its empire muft refign. 
And Nature's pow'r fubmit to thine : 
An yniverfal ruin (hall eredt thy throne, 

AndFate confirm thykingdom evermorethyown 



§ 58. Education, West, 
ffritten in imitation of the Style and Manner cf 

Spenfer's Fairy ^een. 
Infcribed to Lady Langham^ ividoifj of Sir Ja* 

Langhamt Bart. 
** Unum ftndium vere liberale eft, quod liberum facit. 
" Hoc fapientise ftudium eft, fublimc, forte, mag- 
" nanimum : caetcra pufilla et pnerilia, funt.-^PIus 
" fcire velle quam fit fatis, intemperantias genus eft. 
" Qijid, quod iftaliberalium artium confe£tatio mo- 
*« leftos, verbofos, intempeftivos, fibi placentes 
" facit, et ideo non dicentes neceffaria, quia fuper. 
« vacua didicerunt." Sen. Ep. %%. 

O GOODLY Difcipline! from Heaven yfprung, 
Parent of Science, queen of Arts refin'd ! 
To whom the Graces and the Nine belong. 
Oh ! bid thofe Graces, in fair chorus join'd 
With each bright virtue that adorns the mind. 
Oh ! bid the Mufes, thine hannonious train, 
Who by thy aid erft humaniz'd mankind, 
Infpire, direfV, and moralize the ftrain [gain. 
That doth effay to teach thy treafures how to 

And thou, whofe pious and maternal care. 
The fubftitute of heavenly Providence, 
With tend'reft love my orphan life did rear. 
And train me up to/nanly ftren^th aod fenf». 
With mildeft awe and virti^ous mfluence 
Direfting my unpraflis'd wayward feet 
To the fmooth walks of Truth r^nd Innocence, 
Where Happinefs heartfelt. Contentment fwett, 
Philofophy divine, aye hold their bleii retreat; 
F i 4 Tf ou, 



44^ 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



Ihou^moflbdov'djtTi oft honoured, moftrever'd ' 
Accept this Verfe, to thy large merit due! 
And bhiine ine not, if, by each tie eridear'd 
Of-naiiure, gratitude, and friendiliip true, 
Ti)e whiics this in oral thefis I purliie, 
And trace the plan of goodly nurture* o'er, 
I biing thy modeit virtues into view, 
And p?-ou.dly boaftthat from thy p>recious ilore, 
Which ^r<}i enrich'd nay heart, I drew this facred 

lore. 
Ar:d thus, I ween, thus iliall I bevt repay 
The valii'd gifts thy careful love beftow'd, 
If Jmiiuting thee well as 1 may 
I labour to diifufe tb/ important good, 
Till this great" truth by all be underllood — 
" That all the pious duties which we owe 
*' Our pcu-ents, friends, our country, and our 
*' Ti)e feeds of ev'ry virtue here below, [God, 
'* From difcipl ine alone and early culture grow." 

CANTO 1. 

THE ARGUMENT. 

The Knight, as to P?cuia's f houfe 

.He hisyoinis; fon conveys, 
Is fta'ul by Ciiftom, with him fights, 

And his vain pride difdays. 

A GENTLE knight there was whofe noble deeds 
O'er Fairyland by Fame were blazon'd round; 
P"or warlike enterprize and fageareedsj 
Among the chief alike was he renown'd, 
Wl;ence with the marks of higheft honours 
By Gloriana, in domeftic peace, [crown'd 

T^hnt port to which the Vv'ife are ever bound, 
He anchored was, and changed the tofLng feas 
Of buftling bufy life for calm fequeiter'd eafe. 
There in domeilic virtue rich and great, 
As evil in, public, 'mid his wide domain 
Long in primeval patriarchal ftate, 
The^iord, the judge, the father of the plain 
Ke dwelt: and with him in the golden chain 
Of wcddtd faith yiink'd a matron lage 
Aye dwelt, fweet partner of his joy and pain ! 
Sv^'eet charmer of his youth, friend of his age, 
{rhiird Co improve hisblifs,his forrows to afuiage! 

Fjcm this fair union, not of fordid gain. 
But merit fimilar and mutual love, 
True fource of lineal virtue, fprung a train 
Of yonths and virgins, like the beauteous grove 
Which round the temple of Olympic Jove 
Begirt with youthful bloom the parent trte§j 
The facred olive, whence old Eiis wove 
Her verdant crowns of peaceful vi61ory. 
The gutrdonsll of bold ftrcngth audJ\vit"ta6livity 

So round their noble parents goodly rofe 
Thefe. gen'rcus felons y they with watchful care 

*■ Nurture, ed\Kation. j P^edia js a Greek v\ord, fi 



Still as the fwelling palfions 'gan difclofe 
The buds of future virtues, did prepare 
With prudent culture the young flioots to rear. 
And aye in this endearing pious toil 
They by a palmer^ fageinllrufted were, [while 
Who from deep thought and lludiousfearch ere* 
Had learnt to mend the heart and till the human 

foil. 
For by celeftial Wifdom whilom led 
Thro' all the apartments ofth' immortal mind. 
He viewdthe fecret (lores, and mark'd the Ited** 
To judgment, wit, and memory, alfign'dj 
Arid now fenfation and refle61ion join'd 
To fill with images iier darkfome grotte. 
Where varioufly disjointed or combined. 
As reafon, fancy, or opinion, wrought, [thought. 
Theirvarious mafks they play'd,andfedherpenii ve 

Als tf thro' the fields of Science had he ftray'd 
With eager fearch, and fent his piercing eye 
Thro' each learn'd fchool,each philofophic fhade. 
Where Truth and Virtue erft were deem'd to lie. 
If haply the fair vagrants he mote H fpy. 
Or hear the mufic of their charming lore; 
But all unable there to fatisfy^ 
His curious ibul, he turn'd him to explore 
The facred writ of Faith, to learn, believe, adore. 

Thence foe profefs'd of Falfehood and Deceit, 

Thofe fly arthicers of Tyranny, 

Aye holding up before uncertain feet 

His faithful light to knowledge. Liberty, 

Mankind he led to civil pohcy. 

And mild Religion's charitable lav/. 

That Iram'd by Mercy and Benignity 

The perlecuting fword forbids to draw. 

And free-created fouls with penal terrours awe, 

Ne with the glorious gifts elate and vain 

Lock'd he his wifdom wp in churlifh pride, _ 

But ftooping from his height would even deigrv- 

The feeble Heps of infancy to guide: 

Eternal glory him therefore betide ; 

Let ev'jy gen'rous youth his praife prcclairn, 

Who wand 'ring thro' theworld 's rudeforeftwide. 

By him hath been ytaught his courfe to frame 

'loVirtue'sfweetabodesandheavenafpiringFame! 

For this the Fairy knight with anxious thought 
And fond paternal care his counfel pray'd, 
And him of gentleft courtefy befbught 
His guidance to vouchfafe and friendly aid. 
The while his tender offspring he convey'd 
Thro' devious path-s to that lecure retreat 
Where fa£.e Fa:dia with ca^.h tuneful maid 



On a wide mount had fix'd her rural feat, 
'Mid fiow'ry gardens plac'd.untrod by vulgarftet. 
And now forth-pacing with his blooming heir. 
And that fame virtuous palmer |,hem to guide, 
ifyins tdi'Catioii. t Areeds, counfeb;. 

§ Pa,cr.t-t>er, ihf fnaed oli've,'] This tree grew in the Altis, or facred grove oF Olympic Jupiter, at 
Olynipi.-3, having:, as the Eleans pretended, bpn originally planted there by Hercules. It was eiteemeU 
facitd ; and fropi that were taken the Olympic crowns. 
|j Guerdons, 'rewards. 
«T i';>.lmsr, pilsiim. The perfon here fignified is Mr. Locke, charaaerizcd by his works. 



St«(d, place, ilation. 



ff Als/ alfo, further. 



\X Mete, might. 



Arni'd 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &£- 



441 



Was erft npthrown, if fo it mote attain, 
Like that poetic mountain, to be liiglit^ 
riie noiile Teat of Learning's goodly train; 
Diereto, the- more to captivate the fight 
It like a garden fair molt curioufly was dight**^ 
In figurM plots \vith leafy walls enclos'd, 
By meafure and by rule it was outl.ty'd. 
With lymmetry fo regular difbos'd 
That plot to plot Hill anfwer'd ftiade to ftiadej 
Each correfpondent twain alike array'd 
With like embelliQmients of plants and flow'rs. 
Of llatues, vafes, fpouting founts, that play'd 
Thro' fliells of Tritons their afcending fhow'rs. 
And labyrinths involv'd and trelice-woveu 

bow'rs. 
There likewife mote be Ceen on ev'ry fide 
The yew obedient to the planter's will, 
And fhapely box of all their branching pride 
Ungently fliorne, and with prepoil'rous fkill 
To various beails and birds of fundry quill 
Transform'd,and human fhapesof monftrousfize. 
Huge as that giant race who hill on hill[prizef f. 
High-heaping, fought with impious vain em- 
Deipiteof thund'ringjove to fcale the Ikepyikies. 
Als other wonders of the fportive (hears 
Fair Nature mifadorning there were found 
Globes, fpiral columns, pyramids, and piers. 
With fprouting urns and budding llatuea 
And horizontal dials on the ground [crown'd. 
In living box by cunning artifts trac'd. 
And gallies trim on no. long voyage bound. 
But by their roots there everanchor'dfaft, [blaft. 
All IX were their beiljnng fails outfpread to ev'ry 
O'er all appear'dthemoiintain'^ forked brows 
V.'jtli terralLes on terrafies upthrown, 
And all along arrang'd in order'd rows 
And viftos broad the velvet Hopes adown 
The ever verdant trees of Daphne fhone ; 
But aliens to the clime, and brought of old 
From Latian plains and Grecian Helicon, 
They ihrunk and languifti'd in a foreign mould. 
By changeful fummers ftarv'd, and pinch'd by 

winter's cold. 
Amid this verdant grove with folemn ftate. 
On golden thrones of antic form reclin'ti. 
In mimic majefty Nine Virgins fat. 
In features various as unlike in mind : 
Als boalted they themfelves of heavenly kind. 
And to the fweet Parnailian Nymphs allied; 
Thence round their brows the Delphic bay they 

tvv'in'd, 
And matchingwith high names their apifh pride, 
0''er ev'ry learned fchool aye claim'd they to 

prefide. 
In antic garbs (for modern they difdain'd) 
By Greek and Koman artifts whilom ^ made. 
Of various w-oofs and varioufiy diltain'd 
With tints of ev'ry hue were they array'd; 

* Thews, manners. f Fain, earneil, eager. J Brakes, briers. ^ Lond, land. 

P Km pighr, placed. ij Highc, called, named. ** Ditjhr, dreft. 

,ft Empnze,eiuer|»rire, attempt. j; All, uled Uetiueutly by the o^U Englifli poets for ailhcugh. 

^§ Vv'hilum, formerly. 

And 



Arm'd all to point, nnd on a courfer fair 
Ymounted high, in military pride, 
liis little train before he flow did ride. 
Him eke behind a gentle 'fquire enfues. 
With his young lord aye marching fide by fide. 
His counlellor and guard in goodly thews*, 
Who well had been brought up and nurs'd by 

ev'ry Mufe. 
Thus as their pl^afmg journey they purfu'd. 
With cheerful argument beguiling pain. 
Ere long defcending from an hill they view'd 
Beneath their eyes outftretch'd a fpacious plain 
That fruitful Ihew'd and apt for ev'ry grain, 
Forpaftures,vines,and flow'rs, while Nature fair 
Sweet fniilingall around with count'nance fain f 
Seem'd to demand the tiller's art and cave 
Her wildnefs to correft, her lavifli wafte repair 
Kight good I ween and bounteous was the foil. 
Aye wont in happy feafon to repay 
With tenfold ufury the peafant's toil, ^: 
But now it was ruin all and wild decay; 
Untill'd the garden and the fallow lay, [grown, 
The flieep-fliorne down with barren brakes| o'er- 
The whiles the merry peallmts fport and play 
All as the public evil were unknown. 
Or ev'ry public care from ev'ry breafl was flown. 
Altonifn'd at a fcene at once fo fair 
And fo deform'd, with wonder and delight 
At man's negleit ?nd Nature's bounty rare. 
In fludious thought awhile the Fairy knight 
Bent on that goodly lond§ his eager fight. 
Then forward ruih'd impatient to defcry 
What towns and caftles therein were empightH; 
For towns him li^emM and caftles he did fpy [eye. 
As to tir horizon round he ftretch'd his roaming 
Nor long way had they travell'd ere they cr.me 
To a wide Itream that with tumultuous roar 
Amongli rude rocks itswindingcourie did frame, 
Black 'd was the wave and fordid, cover'd o'er 
With angry foam, and fl:ain'd with infants' gore: 
Thereto, along th' unlovely margin Itood 
A birchen grove that weaving from the ftiore 
Aye call upon the tide its falling bud, 
And with its bitter juice empoiibn'd all the flood. 

Kight in the centre of the vale cmpight 
Not diftant far a forked mountain roie, 
In outward form preienting to the fight 
That fam'd Parnallian hill on whofe fair brows 
The Nine Aonian Siilers wont repofe, 
Lift'nirig to fweet Caltalia's founding ilream, 
Which thro'theplainsofCirrhamurm'ring flows; 
But this to that compared mote juftly leem 
Me fittinghaum for gods;,ne worthy man's efteem. 

For this, nor founded deep nor fpreflden wide, 
Nor high uprais'd above the level plain. 
By toiling art thro' tedious years applied, 
From various parts compil'd with Itudious pain, 



442? 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



B o K ir , 



And here and there ambitioufly difplay'd 
A purple fhred of fome rich robe, prepar'd 
Eril by the Mufes or th' Aonian Maid, 
To deck great Tullius or the Mantiian bard, 
Which o'er each motley velt with uncouth 

fplendour glar'd. 
And well their outward vefture did exprefs 
The bent and habit of their inward mind, 
Affefting Wifdom^s antiquated drefs. 
And ufages by time calt far behind: 
Thence to the charms of younger Science blind, 
The cuftoms, laws, the learning, arts, and phrafe, 
Of their own countries they with fcorn declined 
Ne facred Truth herfelf would they embrace 
Un vvasrante'd, unknown in their forefathers days. 
T\Ims ever backward calling their furvey 
To Rome's old ruins, and the groves forlorn 
Of elder Athens, which in profpeft lay [turn 
StretchM out beneath the mountain, would they 
Their bufy fearch, and o'er the rubbifh mdUrn, 
Then ^athYing up with fuperftitious care 
Each little fcrap, however foul or torn, 
In grave harangues they boldly would declare, 
This Ennius, Varro, this the Stagirite, did wear- 
yet under names of venerable found, ^ [rod. 
While o'er the world they ftretch'd their awful 
Thro' all the provinces of Learning own'd 
For teachers of whate'er is wife and good; 
Als from each region to their drad* abode 
Came youth unnamber'd, crowding all to tafte 
The Itreams of Science, which united flow'd 
A lown the mount from nine rich fources caft. 
And to the vale below in one rude tCHTent palt. 
O'er ev'ry fource, prote-clrefs of the ttream, 
One of thofe Virgin Sifters did prefide, 
Who dignifying with her noble name 
Her proper flood, aye pour'd into the tide. 
The heady vapours of fcholaftic pride, 
Defpotical and abje6V, bold and blind, 
Fierce in debate, and forward to decide. 
Vain love of pruile with adulation join'd, 
And diJlngenuous fcorn and impotence of mind. 
Extending from the hill on ev'ry fide, 
In circuit vaft a verdant valley fpread, 
Acrofs whofe uniform flat bolbm glide 
Ten thoufand Jireams, in winding mazes led 
By various fluicesYrom one common head; 
A turbid mafs of waters, vaft, profound! 
Hight of Philology the lake, and ted 
By that rude torrent which with roaring found 
Came tumbling from the hill, and ilow'd the 

lev-el round. 
And ev'ry \Y,here this fpatious valley o'er, 
F.i:l by each ftream was feen a n«n«;rous throng 
OfbeardlelsltriplingSjtothebirch-crown'dfliore 
By nur(es, guardians,'fathers, dragg'd along, 
Who helplefs, meek, and innocent of wrong. 



Were torn reluftant from the tender fide 
Of their fond mothers, and by faitoursf ftrong. 
By povv'r made infolent and hard by pride, [tide. 
Were driv'n with furious rage, and lalh'd into the 
On the rude bank with trembling feet they Itood, 
And cafting round their oft reverted eyes. 
If haply they mote 'fcape the hated flood, 
Fill'd all the plain with lamentable cries: 
But far away th' unheeding faflier flies, 
Conftrain'd his ftrong compunftions to^reprefoj 
While clofe behind, alTuming the difguife 
Of nurt'ringCare andfmiling Tendernefs,[pref5. 
With fecret fcourges arm'd thofe grifly faitours 
As on the fteepy margin of a brook. 
When the young Sun with flowry Maia rides. 
With innocent difmay a bleating flock 
Crowd back affrighted at the rolling tides. 
The (hepherd-fwain at firft exhorting chides 
Their feely J fear; at length, impatient grown, 
With his rude crook he wounds their tender fides. 
And, all regardlefs of their piteous moan, [down» 
Into the dafliing wave compels them furious 

Thus urg'd by maft'ring fear and dolorous teen§ 

Into the current plung'd that infant crowd: 

Riglit piteous was the fpeftacle I ween. 

Of tender ftrijjlings ftain'd with tears and blood. 

Perforce conflifting with the bitter flood, 

And lab'ring to attain the diftant fhore. 

Where holding forth the gown of manhood ftood 

The Siren Liberty, and evermore 

Solicited their hearts with her enchanting lore. 

Irkfome and long the palTage was, perplex'd 
With rugged rocks, on which the raving tide 
By fudden burfts of angry tempefts vex'd 
Oft dadi'd the youth,whofeftrength mote ill abide 
With head uplifted o'er the waves to ride ; 
Whence many wearied ere they had o'erpalt 
The middle ftream (for they in vain have tried) 
Again return 'd aftounded |) and aghaft, 
Ne one regardful look would ever backward caft. 
Some, of a rugged more enduring frame. 
Their toilfome courle with patient pain purfu'd. 
And tho' withmanyabroifeand muchel^ blame. 
Eft hanging on the rocks, and eft embru'd 
Deep in the muddy ftream, with hearts fubdu'd. 
And quail'd by labour, gain'd the fhore at laftj 
But in life's pra£tis'd lear** unfkill'd and rude. 
Forth to that forked hill they filent pac'd. 
Where hid in fludious fhades their fruitlefs hours 

they wafte. 
Others of rich and neble lineage bred, 
Tho' with thecrowd to pafs the flood conftrain'd. 
Yet o'er th« crags with fond indulgence led 
By hireling guides, and in all depths fuftain'd, 
Skimm'd lightly o'er the tide,undipt,unftain'd. 
Save with the fprinkling of the wat'ry fpray. 
And aye their proud prerogative maintain'd 



* Drad, dreadful. 

t Faitour, ,doer,.fr.o;n/«»Vf, to do, nnd/j./, deed; 
% Seely, fimplc. § Teen, pain, 5ri«f. 

** Lcax, learmng. 



commonly ufed by Spenfer in a bad fenfe. 
II Aftounded, aftoniftied, fl Muchel, much. 

Of 



Book IT. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, ^c. 



443 



Of ignorance, and eafe, and wanton play. 
Soft harbingers of vice aaui premature decay. 

A few, alas j how few I by Heaven's high will 
With ilibtle fpirits endowM and linews ftrong, 
Albe* fore matedf by the rempefts fhrill 
That bellow'd fierce and rife the rocks among, 
By their own native vigour borne along, 
Cut brilkly thro' the waves, and forces new 
Gath'ring from toil, and ardour from the throng 
Of rival youths, outftript the laboring crew, 
And to the true Parnaile| and Iviraven-throng'd 
glory Rew. 

Dire was the tumult ! and from ev'ry fliore 
Difcordant echoes ftruck the deat'en''d ear, 
Heart^thrillingcrieSjWith fobs and fingults§ fore 
Short interrupted, the imploring teAr, 
And furious itripes and angry threats fevere, 
ConfusMly mingled with the jarring found 
Of all the various fpeeches that whilere|j 
On Shinars's widefpread champaign did aftound 
High Babel's builders vain, and their proud 
works confound. 

JVIuch was the knight empafiion'd at the fcene; 
But more his blooming fon, whofe tender brealt 
Empierced deep with fympathizing teea 
On his pale cheek the figns of drad imprefs'd. 
And fiird with tears his eyes, which fore d if- 
ibJpto his fire he raised in mournful wife, [trefs'd, 
Who with fweet fmiles paternal foon redrefs'd 
His troublous thoughts, and clear'd each fad 

furnriife: 
Then turns his ready fleed,and onhisjourncyhies. 

But far he had not march'd ere he was ftay'd 
By a rude yoice, that like th"" united found 
Of fhouting myricids thro the valley bray'd 
And ftiook the groves, the floods, and folid 
The diltant hills rebellow'd all around. [ground} 
** Arreft, fir Knight,'' it cried, " thy fond career, 
" Nor with prelumptuous difobedience wound 
•' That awful majefty which all revere! 
" In my commands, fir iCnight, the voice of 
" nations hear.'* 

Quick turn'd the knight, and faw upon the plain 
Advancing towards him, with impetuous gait, 
And vifage all inflam'd with fierce dildain, 
A monftrous giant, on whofe brow elate 
Shone the bright enfign of imperial ftate; 
Albeit lawful kingdom he had none 
But laws and kingdoms wont he oft create, 
And oft times over both eredt his throne, 
While fenates, priefts, and kings, his fovran ^ 

fceptre own. 
Cuftom he hight, and aye in ev'ry land 
Ufurp'd dominion with defporic I'way 
O'er all he holds, and to his high command 

• Albe, although. f MateJ, amazed, fcareJ. ♦ ParnafTe, Parnanus. 

§ Singulis, fighs. II Whilere, formerly. fj Sovran, for fovereign. 

** The Lacedemonians, in order to make tlicT children hardy, and endure p;>in Avith- conftancy and 
courage, were acciTftomed to caufe th^m to he fcourged very feverely. ♦* And 1 ray (elf," fays Plutarch, 
ia his Life of Lycurgus, ** liave feen fevera! of them endure whipping to death at the foot of the altar cxf 
I>janai furmtmed Othia." f f Lay, mead. :^ J Embay *d, bached, dipt, ff) Stour, trouble, misfortune, Sec. 

And 



Conllrains ev'n ftubborn Nature to obey. 
Whom difpoflelfing oft he doth aflay 
To govern in lier right; and with a pace 
So foft and gentle doth he win liis way. 
That file unwares is caught in his embrace; 
And tho' defiour'd and thraird nought feels her 
foul difgrace. 

For nuit'ring even from their tendereft age 
The docile Ions of men withouten pain» 
By diiciplines and rules to every Itage 
Of life accommodate, he doth them train 
Infenfibly to wear and hug his chain j 
Als hi<; behells or gentle (>.r fevere. 
Or good or noxious, rational or vain. 
He craftily perfuades them to revere 
As inltitutions lage and venerable lear, 

Proteftor therefore of that forked hill, 
And mighty patron of thofe Siilers Nine, 
Who there enthron'd with many a copious rill. 
Feed the full dreams that thro' the valley fliine. 
He deemed wa?, and aye with rites divine. 
Like thofe which Sparta's ** hardy race of yore 
Were wont perform at fell Diana's ftirine, 
He doth conftrain his vaffals to adore 
Perforce their facred nam^s, and learn their fa- 
cred lore. 

And to the Fairy knight now drawing near 
With voice terrific and imperious mien 
(All was he wont lefs dreadful to appear [feen) 
When known and pradis'd than at dillance 
And kingly ftretching forth his fceptre fiieen. 
Him he comrnandeth upon threaten'd pain 
Of his difpleafure high and vengeance keen. 
From his rebellious purpole to refrain, [train. 
And all due honours pay to Learning*'s rev 'rend 

So faying, and foreftalling all rsplf} 
His peremptory hand vrithout delay. 
As one who little car'd to jultify 
His princely will, long us'd to boundlefs fway, 
Upon the Fair)'' youth with grer^t difmay 
In ev'ry quaking limb convuls'd he lay'd. 
And proudly ftalking o'er the verdant lay f f. 
Him to thole fcientinc ftreams convey'd. 
With many his young compeers, therein to be 
embay'd J];. 

The knight his tender fon^s diflrefsful fl:our§§ 
Perceiving, fwift to his alliilance flew, 
Ne vainly fcay'd to deprecate that pow'r 
Which from lubmifllon aye more haughty grew: 
For that proud giant's force he wHely knew 
Not to be meanly dreaded, nor defied 
With rafh prefumption; and with courage true. 
Rather than ftep from virtue's path afide. 
Oft had he fingly fcorn'd his all-difmaying 
pride. 



444 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book Tt. 



e; his conrfer hot 
coach'd his vengefal 



And nov/, dlfdaining pai 
Ke riercely prick'd, and 

fpear, 
Wherewith the givint he To rudely Tmotj 
That him perforce conftrain'd to wend * arrcar; 
Who much abafli'd at fach rebuke fevere, 
Yet his accuflom'd pride recov'ring loon. 
Forthwith his raafify fceptre 'gan uprear, 
For other warlike weapon he had none, 
Ne other him behov'd to quell his boldefl fonef . 
With that enoiTnous mace the .Fairy knight 
So fore he bet J that all his armour bray'd§,' 
To pieces well nigh riv'n with the might 
Of fo ternpelluous llrokes $ but he was (lay'd, 
And ever with delib'rate valour weigh'd 
Tiie fudden changes of the doubtful fray, 
From cautioui prudence oft deriving aid, 
V/hen force unequal did him hard aluiy; 
So lightly from his (teed he Isap'd upon the lay. 
Then fwifily drawing forth his trenchant ;| blade, I Thereat the multitude that flood around 



They, when their bleeding king they did behoJd 
And faw an armed knight him (landing near. 
Attended by that palmer fage'and bold, 
Whofe vent'rous fearch of devious truth ivhilerc 
Spread thro' the realmsof learninghorroarsdrear, 
Yfeize<l were at firft with terrors great, 
And in their boding hearts began to fear 
Diilenfion fa6lious, controverfial hate, 
And innovations Itninge, in Cuilom's peaceful 

ftate. 
Bu<-when theyfowthe knight his fauchionfheatli, 
And climbing to his fteed ma:-ch thence away 
With all his hoftile train, they 'gan to breathe 
With freer fph it, and v/ith afpedt gay 
Soon chac'd the gathering clouds of black afi-ay : 
Als their great monarch, cheered with the view 
Of myriads who confefs his fovran fvvay. 
His ruffled pride began to plume anew' 
And oil his bugle clear a ftrain of triumph blew. 



High o'tr his head he held his fenceful fnieldj 
And warily forecailing to evade 
The giant's furious arn:i about him wheel'd. 
With reftlefs fteps aye traversing the field. 
And ever as his foe's intemperate pride 
Thro' rage defencelefs mote advantage yield, 
With his (harp fword fo oft he did him gride ^, 
That his gold-fandal'd feet in crimfon floods 
were dyM. 

His bafer parts he maim'd with many a wound; 
But far above his utmoil: reach- were pi 



ight** 
The forts of life j ne never to confound 
With utter ruin, and abolilh quite 
A pow'r fo puillant, by his fingle might 
Did he prefume to hope: himfelf alone 
From lavvlefs force to free in bloody fight 
Fie flood, content to bow to cuflom's throne, 
So reafbn mote not blufh his fovran rule to own, 

So v.'ell he warded and fo fiercely prefl 
Jiis foe, that weary wax'd he of the fray. 



Sent up at once a univerfal roar 
Of boiilrous joy: the fudden-burfting found. 
Like the explofion of a warlike llore 
Of nitrous grain, th' affli(5led welkin §§ tore : 
Then turning tow'rds the knight with Icoffin^s 
Heart-piercing infults and revilings fore, [lewd,- 
Loud burils of laughter vain, and hilTes rude 
As thro' the throng he pafs'd his parting fteps 
purfued. - 

Als from that forked hill, the boafted feat 
Of fludious Peace and mild Philofophy, 
Indignant murmurs mote be heard to threat, 
Mufl'ring their rage 5 eke baleful Infamy, 
Rous'd from her den of bafe obfcurity 
By thofe fam'd Maidens Nine, began to found 
Her brazen trump of black'ning obloquy, 
WhileSatire,withdarkcloudsencorapafs'd round 
Sharp fecret arrows fhot, and aim'd his back ta 
wound. 

But the brave Fairy knight no whit diftnay'd. 



Yet nould he algatesff lower his haughty creil,i Held on his peaceful Journey o'er the plain 



But mafking in contempt his fore difraay, 
Difdainfuily released the trembling prey 
As one unworthy of his princely care; 
Then proudly cafling on the warlike Fay |J 
A fmilp of fcorn and pity, thro' the air 
'Gan blow his fhriliinghorn; theblaflwas heard 

afar. 
Eftfoons aflonifh'd at th' alarming found, 
The (isrnal of diltrefs and hoilile wrong, 
Confus'dly trooping from all quarters round, 
Came pouring o'er the plain a numerous throng 
Of ev'ry fex and order, old and young, 
The vaffals of great Cuftom's wide domain, 
V/ho to his lore ini^r'd by ulage long 
His ev'ry fummons heard with pleafure fiiin. 
And felt his ev'ry v.'ound with fympathetic pain. 



With curious eye obierving, as he ftray'd 
Thro' the wide provinces of Cuftom's reign. 
What mote afrefli admoni/h him remain 
Fall by his virtuous purpofe ; al! around 
So many objefts mov'd his jufc difdain. 
Him feem'dthat nothing ferious, nothing found. 
In city, village, bow'r, or caflle, mote be found. 

In village, city, caflle, bow'r, and hall. 
Each fex, each age, each order and degree, 
Fo vice and idle fport abandon'd all. 
Kept one perpetual gen'ral jubilee, 
Ne futfer'd ought riillurb their merr}'- glee; 
Ne fenfe of private lofs, ne public woes, 
Rellraint of law, religion's dmd decree, 
Inteltinedefolation, foreign foes, [vullive throes. 
NorHeaven'stempefluousthreatSjUorearth'scon- 



• Wend arrear:, move backwards. j- Fwie, foes. 

II Trench^HU, rutring. C Gride, cut, hack- 

•j-f Noufd he algac^s,wovild not by any means. 



X Bet, beat. § Bray'd, refounded. 

** Fight, plac'd. 
Fay, Fairy. §§ Welkin, fky. 



Book 11. 



DIDACTIC, D E S C R 1 P T I V E, &Q, 



445 



But chiefly they whom Heaven's difpofmg haiid 
Had feated high on Fortune's upper ilage, 
And placed within their call the I'acred band 
That waits on Nurture and Inli:ru6lion lage, 
If haply their wife hefts* nicte them engage 
To climb th 



To Pleafure's num'rous temples, that beiide 
The glilfning Itreams, or tufted groves among^ 
To ev'ry idle foot ftood open wide, 
And ev'ry gay defirewith various joys fuppHed. 

Forthereeach heart with diverfe charms to move 



•o knowledge to more^noble praixe, i-pj^^ ^^ enchantrefs fummon'd all her train; 



And, as they mount, enlighten ev'ry age 
With the bright influence of fair virtue's rays, 
Wiiich from the awful heights of grandeur 
brighter blaze: — 

They, O perverfe and bafe ingratitude ! 

Defpifnig the great ends of Providence, 

For which above their mates they were endued 

With wealth, .authority, and eminence, 

To the low fer vices of brutal fenle 

Abiis'd the mean: of pleafures more refin'd, 

Of knowledge, virtue, and beneficence; 

And, fett'ringon her throne th' immortal Mind, 

Theguidance of her realmto pafTions wildrefign'd. 

Hence, thoughtlefs, (hamelefs,rfccklers, fpiritlefs, 
Nought worthy of their kind did they elfay, 
But, or benumb'd with palfied idlenel's. 
In merely living loiter'd life away. 
Or by falfe tafte of pleafure led altray. 
For ever wand'ring in the fenfual bow'rs 
Of feverifh Debauch and luitful Play, 
Spent on^ignoble toils their aftive pow'rs, 
And witli untimely blaits difeas'd their vernal 

hours. 
E'en they to whom kind Nature did accord 
A frame more delicate and purer mind, 
Tho' the foul brothel and the wine-llain'd board 
Of beaftly Comus loathing they declined, 
Yet their foil hearts to idle joys reiignM; 
Like painted in (efts thro' the fummei" air 
With ra)idom tiight aye ranging unconfin'd. 
And tafting ev'ry flow'r and blofTora fair 
Withouten any choice, vviLhouten any care. 

For choice them needed none who only fought 
With vain amulements to beguile the day; 
Andwhe.reforefhouldtheytake or care or thought 
WhomNature prompts andFortuae calls. to play? 
** Lords of the earth, be happy as ye may ! " 
So learn'd, fo taught, the leaders of mankind 
Th' unreafoning vulgar willingly obey. 
And, leaving toil and poverty behind, [find, j 
Kan forth by different ways the blifsful boon to 

Nor tedious was the fearch; for ev'ry where. 



Alluring Venus, queen of vagrant love, 
iThe boon companion Bacchus, loud and vain, 
jAnd tricking Hernies, god of fraudful gain, 
1 Who when blind P'ortune throws directs the die. 
And I^hosbus, tuning his foft Lydian llrain 
To wanton motions and the lover's figh, [ry. 
And thought-beguiling (hew andmalking revel- 
Unmeet afTociates thefe for noble youth 
Who to true honour m.eaneth to afpire, 
And for the works of virtue, faith and truth. 
Would keep his manly faculties entire; 
The which avizing well the cautious fire 
From that foft Siren land of pleafaunce vain 
With timely hafte was minded to retire, 
Or ere the fweet contagion mote attain [flain. 
His fon's unpra6f:is'd heart, yet free from vicious 

So turning from that beaten road afide, 
Thro' many a devious path at length he pac-d. 
As that experienc'd palmer did him guide 
Till to a mountain hoare they came at laft, 
VVhofe high-rais'd brows, with fylvan honours 
Majeftically frown'd upon the plain, [grac'd. 
And over all an awful horror caft; 
Seem'd as thofe villas gay it did difdain, [train. 
Which fpangled all the vale like Flora's painted 

The hill afcendcd ftraight, erewhile th'^y came 
To a tall grove, whole thick embow'ring fliade. 
Impervious to the fun's meridian flame. 
E'en at mid-noon a dubious twilight made. 
Like to that fober light which, difarray'd 
Of all its gorgeous robe, with blunted beams 
Thro' windows dim with holyafts pourtray'd 
Along fome cloi(ler'd abbey faintly gleams, 
Abllrafting the rapt thought from vain earth- 
muling themes. 
Beneath this high o'erarching canopy 
Of cluft'ring oaks, a fylvan colonnade. 
Aye liiVning to the native melody 
Of birds "fweet echoing thro' the lonely fliade, 
jOn to the centre of the grove they Itray'd; 
'which in a fpacious circle op'ning round. 
Within its flielt'ringarms fecnrely laid, 



As nigh great Cuftom's royal tow'rs the knight. Difclos'd to fudden view a vale profound, 



Pafs'd thro' th' adjoining hamlets, mote he hea 

The merry voice of fefcival delight 

Saluring the return of morning briyjit 

With matin revels by the mid-day hours 

Scarce ended, and again with dewy night 

In cover'd theatres or leafy bow'rs, [pow'rs. 

OiT'rIng her ev'ning vows to Pleafure's joyous 

And tvtr on the way jr.Qte he efpy. 

Men, women, children, a pvomiicuous throng 

Of rich, poor, wife, and fnnplCj low ar,d high, 

^y land, by water, palling 2Lye along 

With murmurs, anticks, mulic, dance and foag, 

* ^efts, behefts,^ precepts, ceraniaiitis. 



V/ith Nature's artlefs fmiles and tninquil beau- 
ties crown 'd. 
There on the bajGs of an ancient pile, 
Whofe crofs-furmounted fpire o'erlook'd the 
A venerable matron they erewhile [wood, 

Djfcover'd have betide a murm'ring flood, 
Reclining in right fad and penfive mood: 
Retir'd within her own abftradled brealt, 
She Icem'd o'er various woes by turns to brood, 
Thewhich her chajigingclieer by turns exprefs'd. 
Now glowmg with difdain, with grief now over- 
keft.f 



f Overkefy, for overcsTt. 



Her 



t 



446 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IT. 



Her thus immers'd inanxiousthoughtsprofound 
AVhen as the knight perceivM, he nearer drew, 
To weet what bitter bale did her altound, 
And whence th* occafion of her anguilh grewj 
For that right noble matron well he knew. 
And many perils huge and labours fore 
Had for her lake endur'd, her vaflal true. 
Trained in her love, and pradis'd eveiTnore 
Her honour to refpe6V, and reverence her lore. 
** O deareft Drad I" he cried, " fair Ifland Queen! 
" Mother of heroes ! Emprefs of the main 1 
" What means that Itormy brow of troublous 

" teen, [train 

" Sith* heaven-born Peace, with all her fmiling 
*• Of Sciences and Arts, adorns thy reign 
« With wealth and knowledge, fplendour and 

''renown? plain! 

** Each port how throng'd ! how fruitful ev'i-y 
** How blithe the country', and how gay the 

" town ! 
** While Liberty fecures and heightens ev'ry 

" boon V 
Awaken'd from her trance of penfive wo 
By thefe fair flattering words, fhe rais'dher head, 
And bending on the knight her frowning brow, 
" Mock'll tlK)u my forrows, Fairy Son?" ihe faid j 
*' Or is thy judgment by thy heart mifled 
" To deem that certain which thy hopes fuggeft? 
•* To deem them full of life and luliihead f 
*f Whofe cheeks in Hebe's vivid tints are drefsM, 
** And with joy's carelefs mien and dimpled 

^' Imiies jrapreis'd J 
P Thy unfufpeOiing heart how nobly good 
*' I know, how foijguine in thy country's caufe, 
^S And mark'd thy virtue iingty how it flood 
.'.* Th' aflaults of mighty cuftom, which o'erawes 
A' The fai ij.t and tim' rous mi n d,and oft witlidraws 
" From Reafon's lore th' ambitious and the vain. 
^' By the fweet lure of popular applaufe, 
^' Againfl their better knowledge to maintain 
" The lawlefs throne <^ 'Vice or Folly's childilh 

" reign. 
" How vaft his influence, how wide his fway, 
*' Thyftlf erewhiie by proof didft underfland, 
" And Ikw'it, as thro' his realms thputook'ft thy 

" way, 
" How vice and folly had o'erfpread the land: 
** And canft thoa then, G Fair>- Son! demand 
** The reafon of my wo? or hope to eafe 
*< The throbbihgsofmyheartwithfpeechesbland, 
f* And words more apt my forrows to increafe, 
« The once-dear names of wealth, and liberty, 

*' and peace? 
" Peace, wealth, and liberty that noblefl boon, 
** Are bleffmgs only to thewife and good; 
«* To weak and vicious minds their worth un- 

*' known, 
«* And thence abu*'d, but ferve io furnifli food 
«« For riot and debauch, and fire the blood 
" With high-fpic'd luxury, v»hencellrife,debate, 
" Ambition, envy. Faction's vip'rous brood, 



" Contempt of order, manners profligate, [ftate. 
" The fymptoms of a foul, difeas'd and bloated 
" Ev'n Wit and Genius, with their learned train 
*' Of Arts and Mules, tho' from heav'n above 
" Defcended, when their talents they profane 
" To varnifli folly, kindle wanton love, 
" And aid eccentric fceptie pride to rove 
" Beyond celeftial truth's attraftive fphere, 
" This moral fyllem's central fun, aye prove 
" To their fond votaries a curfe fevere, 
** j^nd only make mankind more obftlnately err. 
" And ftand my foas herein iVom cenfure clear? 
^' Have they confider'd well and underftood 
" The ufe and import of thofe blelfings dear 
'* Which the great Lord of Nature hath beftow'd 
'* As well to prove as to reward the good ? • 
" Whence are thefe torrents then, thefe billowy 
" Of vice, in which as in his proper flood [leas 
" The fell Leviatiian licentious plays, 
" And upon fliipwreck'd Faith and linking Vir- 

*' tue preys? 
" To you, ye noble, opulent, and great! 
" Witli friendly voice I call and honelt zealj 
** Upon your vital influences wait 
" The health and licknefs of the common weal : 
*' The maladies you caufeyourfdves muft heal. 
" In vain to the unthinking harden'd crowd 
" Will truth and rea'ibn make their j ft ft. appeal, 
" In vain will lacred wifdom ciy aloud, [blood. 
" Andjuftice drench invainhervengeful fwordin 
" With you muft reformation firft take place: 
" You are the head, the intelleftual mind 
'^ Of this vsft body politic, whofe bafc 
" And vulgar limbs to drudgery conllgn'd, 
" All the rich ftores of fcience have reiign'd 
" To you, that, by the craUfman's various toil, 
" The fea-worn mariner and fweating hind, 
" In peace and affluence maintain'd, the while 
" You for yourielves and them may dreft the 

** mental foil. 
" Bethink you then, my children ! of the truft 
" In you repos'd ; ne let your heaven-born mind 
" Confume in pleafure or unaftive ruft, 
■" But nobly roufe you to the talk aifign'd, 
" The godlike tallv, to teach and mend mankind * 
'* Learn, that ye may inftruft: to virtue lead 
" Yourfelves the way j the h^rd will crowd be- 

" hind, 
'•* And gather precepts from each worthy deedr 
" Example h a leflbn that all men can read. 
*' But if (to all or moft I do not fpeak) 
In v:un and fenfual habits now grown old 
The ftrong Circaean charm you cannot break, 
** Nor reaflume at will your native mould X, 
" Yet envy not the ftate you could not hold, 
" And take compaffion on the riling agej 
" In them redeem your errors manifold, 
" And by due diicipline and nurture fage 
" In virtue's lore betimes your docilefonsengage, 
*' You chiefly who like me in fecret naourn 
" The prevalence of cuftora lewd and vain. 



• Sith, fir.ce. f Lv;ftihead, ftrong health, vif our. X Mould, feape, form. 



•-'And 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



4^7 



** And you who the' by the rude torrent borne 
*' Unwillingly along, you yield with pain 
** To his beheRs, and acl what you difdain, 
*' Yet nourifti in your hearts the gen'rous love 
** Of piety and truth, no more reft rain 
** The manly zeal, but all your fmews move 
** The prefent to reclaim, the future race im- 
" prove. 

•*.Eftfoons by your joint efforts fliall bequell'd 
'* Yon haughty giant, who fo proudly fways 
** A fceptre by repute alone upheld, 
** Who where he cannot di6tates ftraight obeys; 
" Accuftom'd to conform his flatt'rin^ phrafe 
•* To numbers and light-plac'd authority 
"Your party he will join, your maxims pralfe, 
«* And, drawing after all his menial fry, 
•' Soon teach the gen'ral voice 5^our a6t to ratify. 
*' Ne for th'atchievement of this great emprize 
^* The want of means or counfel may ye dread ; 
** From my twinrdaughters'fruitfui wombs fhall 
" A race of lettered fages deeply read [rife 
^' In learning's various writ, by whom yled 
•^ Thro' each vvcllrcultui-'d plot, each beauteous 

" grove, 
^ Where antic wifdom whilom wont to tread, 
^' With mingled glee and prodt may ye rove, 
*' And cull each virtuous plant, each tree of 

*' knowledge prove. 

^* Yourfelves with virtue thus and knowledge 

*' fraught; 
•' Of what in ancient days of good or great 
*' Hiftorians, bards, philofophers, have taught, 
** Join'd with wliatever elfe of modern date 
*' Maturer judgment, fearch more accurate, 
" Difcover'd have of Nature, Man and God, 
•' May by new laws reform the timcrworn liate 
" Of cell-bred dlfcipline_, and fmoothe the road 
" That leads thro' learning's vale to wifdom's 

" bright abode. 

*' By you invited to her fecret bow'rs, 

" Then (hall Pa^dia re-afcend her throne, 

** With vivid laurels girt and fragrant ^owVsj 

** Whilefromthcirforkedmountdefcendingdown 

f' Yon fupercilious pedant train (hall own 

^' Her empire paramount, ere long by her 

" Ytaught a lefion in their fchools unknown, 

" To learning's richell treafure to prefer 

•" The knowledge of the world and nun's great 

" bufinef§ there. 
** On this prime fcience, as the final end 
** Of all her difcipline and nurt'ring care, 
-' Her eye Paedia fixing, aye (hall bend 
" Her ev'ry thought and effort to prepare 
** Her tender pupils for the various war 
** Which vice and folly Ihall upon them wage 
" As on the perilous march of life they fare, 
*' With prudent lore fore-arming ev'ry age 
" 'Gainll Pleafure's treach'rous joys and Pain's 

" embattled rage. 
" Then (hall my youthful fons, to wifdom led 
" By fair example and ingenuous praife, 
" With willing feet the paths of duty tre«d, 



" Thro' the world's intricate or rugged ways, 
" Conduced by Religion's facred rays, 
' Whole foul-invigoratine: influence 
" Shall purge their minds from all impure allays 
** Of fordid felfi(hnefs, and brutal fenCej [lence. 
" Andfwell th'ennobled heart with bleft benevo- 
'* Then alfo (hall this emblematic pile, 
" By magic whilom fram'd to fympathife 
" With all the fortunes of this changeful ifle, 
" Still as my (bus in fame and virtue rife, [(kies 
" Growwith their growth, and to th' applauding 
*' It's radiant crofs uplift ; the while to grace 
'* The multiplying niches frelh fupplies 
" Of worthies (hall fucceed, with equal pace 
" Aye following their fires in virtiie's glorious 
" race." 

Fir'd with th' idea of her future fame. 
She rofe majeftic from her lowly ftead. 
While from her vivid eyes a Iparkling flame 
Outbeaming, with unwonted light o'erfpread 
That monumental pile, and, as her head 
To ev'ry front (lie turn'd, difcover'd round 
The venerable forms of heroes dead. 
Who for their various merit, erft renown 'd. 
In this bright faneofglory(hrinesof honourfound. 
On thefe that royal dame her rayifli'd eyes 
Would often feaft; and ever as flie fpied [rife. 
Forth from the ground the length'ning Itruclure 
With new-plac'd ftatues deck'd on ev'ry (ide, 
Her parent breaft would fwellwithgen'rouspride. 
And now with her in that fequefter'd plain 
The knight a while conftraining to abide. 
She to the Fairy youth with pleafure fain 
Thofefculptur'd chiefs did flicw, and their greaj 
lives explain. 



§ 59. A Birth -Day Thought, 
C4N I, all-gracious Providence! 

Cai> I deferve thy care ? 
Ahi no: I've not the lead: pretence 

To bounties which I (hare. 
Have I not been defended ftill 

From dangers and from death j 
Been Me preferv'd from ev'ry ill 

E'er fince thou gave me breath. ? 
I live once more, to fee the day 
■ That brought nie firit to light; 

! teach my willing heart the way 

To take thy mercies right, 
Tho' dazzling fplendor, pomp, and (how. 

My fortune has denied ; 
Yet more than grandeur can beftovr 

Content hath well fupplied. 
No ft rife has e'er difturb'd my peace. 

No mis'ries have 1 known j 
And, that I'm blefs'd with health and eafe. 

With humble thanks I own. 

1 envy no one's birth or fame, 

Their titles, train, or drefs j 
Nor has my pride e'er ftretch'd its aim 
I Beyond what I polfefs. 
' I aflc 



44S 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



I aflc and wilh, not to appear 

More beauteous, rich, or gayj 

Lord make riie wifer ev'ry year. 
And better ev'ry day. 



§ 6a 



A Moral Rejleclhn, Jfrhten on the firjl 
Day of the Year \-j9>z. 

Seventeen Hundred Eighty-one 

Is now for ever pall : 
Seventeen Hundred Eighty-two 

Will fly away as faft. 
But whether life's uncertain fcenc 

Shall hold an equal pace; 
Or whether death fiiall come between. 

And end my mortal race: 
Or whether ficknefs, pain, or health. 

My future lot fliall be; 
Or whether poverty or wealth. 

Is ail unknown to me. 
One thincT I know, that needful 'tis 

To watch v.'ith careful eycj 
Sirkce ev'ry feafon Ipept amifs 

Is regifter'd on high. 
Too well I know what precious hours 

My wayward paflions walte ; 
And oh! I find my mortal powers 

To dufl and darknefs hafte. 
Earth rolls hsr rapid feafons round. 

To meet her Hnal fire; 
But virtue is with glory crown'd, 

Tho' fans and ftars expire. 
What awful thoughts ! what truths ftjblime ! 

What ufeful leflbn this ! 
O I let me well improve my time 1 

Oh ! iet me die in peace ! 



§ 6l. The Triumph' of J/is, cccafi07ied hy Ifis, an 

Elegy. T. W A R T N . 
Quid mihi ncfcio Quam,propno cumTybriile, Romam 
Semper in ore geris? Refcrunt fi vera parenles, 
Hanc Urbeminfano nullus qui M;irte petivlt, 
L.Ttatiis viobfie recUt. Neo Numma bedem 
Deftituent,—- Claudiav 

On clofingilov/'rs when genial gales diffufe 
The fragrant tribute of refreihing dews ; 
When chants the miik-maid at lier balmy pall. 
And. weary reapers whiftie o'er the vale ; 
Charm'dby the murmurs of the quivering (bade, 
O'er Ifis' willow-fringed banks I llray'd: 
Aiul calmly rauiing through the twihght vvay, 
In penfive mood I frnm'd the Doric lay. 
When lo 1 from op'ning clouds a golden gleam 
Pour'dfudden fplendors o'er the Ihadov/yiheam; 
And fronj the Vv-ave arole its guardian queen, 
Known by her fwecping Hole of gloiry green ;\ 
Vv'hile in the coral crown that bound her brov,' 
VVas wove the Delphic laurel's verdant bough. 

As the fmooth. furface cf the dimply flood 
The filver-ilipper'd virgin lightly tiodj 

7 



From her loofe hair the dropping dew /he prefs'd. 
And thus mine ear in accents mild addrefs'd: 

No more, my fon, the rural reed employ. 
Nor trill the tinkling ftrain of empty joy; 
No more thy lovc-refounding fonnets fuit 
To notes of pall'ral pipe or oaten flute. 
For hark! high-thron'd on yon majeftic wallr/ 
To the dear 5/1 ufe aflliiSted Freedom calls : 
When Freedom call;;, and Oxford bidsthee fing;. 
Why liays thy hand toftrikcthefoundingftring;? 
While thus, in Freedom's and in Phoebus' fpite. 
The venal fons of flavifli Cam unite; 
To fliake yon towers when malice rears lier creft. 
Shall all my fons in filence idly reit? 

Still fmg, O Cam, your fav'rite freedom's caufe. 
Still boaft of freedom, while you break her laws ; 
To Pow'r your fongs of gratulation pay j 
To Courts addrefs loft flatteiy's fervile lay. 
What tlio' your gentle Mafon's plaintive verfe 
Has hung with fweeteft wreaths Mu(eus' hcrfe; 
What tho' your vaunted bard's ingenuous woe. 
Soft as my llream, in tuneful numbers flowj 
Yet ftrove his Mufe, by fame or envy led, 
To tear the laurels from a lifter's head? — — 
Mifguided youth ! with rude unclallic rage 
To blot the beauties of thy whiter page; 
A rage that fullies e'en thy gulitlefs lays, 
And blafts the vernal bloom of half thy bays. 

Let * * * boaft the patrons of her name, 
Each fplendid fool of fortune and of fame: 
Still of preferment let her Ihine the queen. 
Prolific parent of each bowing dean : 
Be hers each prelate cf the pamper'd cheek. 
Each courtly chaplain, fan6lify'd and lleek : 
Still let the drones of her exhauftlefs hive 
On rich phiralities fupinely thrive: 
Still let her fenates titled ilaves revere, 
Nor dare to know the patriot from the peer; 
No longer charm'd by virtue's lofty long,. 
Once heard fage Milton's manly tones among, 
Where Cam, meand'ring thro' the matted reeds, 
With loit'ring wave his groves of laurel feeds. 
'Tis ours, my fon, to deal the lacred bay. 
Where honour calls, and juftice points the way } 
Towearthewell-eara'd wreath that merit brings, 
j And fnatch a gift beyond the reach of kings. 
. I Scorningand llorn'd by courts, yonMufe'sbow'r 
■Still nor enjoys nor leeks the Imile of pow'r. 

Though wakeful vengeance watch my ciyftal 
Tho periecution wave her iron wing, [fpring, 
And o'er yon fpiry temples as (he flies, 
" Thofe deftin'd leats be mine," exulting cries; 
Fortune's fair fmiles on Ills ftill attend ; 
And, as the dews of gracious heaven defcend 
Unalk'd, unfeen, in ftill but copious Ihow'rs, 
Her ftores on me fpontaneous bounty pours. 
See,Science walks with recent chaplets crown'd; 
With Fancy's llrain my fairy Ihadcs refoundj 
My Mufe divine Itiil keeps her cuitom'd ftate, 
Tne mien ere6f, and high majeftic gait: 
Green as of old each oliv'd portal (iniles, 
f\nd ftill the graces build my Grecian piles; 
My gothic ipires in ancient glorvvrife, 
^. nd dare with wonted pride to ruili into the fkies, 

E'ea 



4 O O K Hi 



Didactic, descriptive. &« 



4^i 



E'en late when Ridel ifte's delegated train 
Aufpicious (bone in Ills' happy pFain; [flirine, 
When yon proud * dome f:iir learning's amplest 
Beneath its attic roofs receiv'd the Nine 5 
Was rapture mute, or ceas'd the glad acclaim, 
To Radcliffe due, and Ifis' honour'd name ? 
What free-born crouds adnrn'd the felliveday, 
Nor blufh'd to wear my tributary bay I 
How each brave breallwith honeftardoursheav'd, 
When Shelton's fane the patriot band receiv'd j 
While, as we loudly hail'd the chofen few, 
Rome's awful fenate rulh'd upon the view! 

O may the day in latell annals (hine, 
That made a Beaufort and an Harley mine ; 
That bade them leave the loftier fccne awhile, 
The pomp of guil-jlefs ftate, the patriot toil. 
For bleeding Albion's aid thefage design, 
To hold fliort dalliance with the tuneful-Nine ! 
Then muflc left her filver fphere on high, 
And bore each ftrain of triumph from the (ky ; 
Sweird the loud fong, and to my chiefs around 
Pour'd the full peans of melliiious found. 
My Naiads blythe the dying accents caught, 
And lirtening danc'd beneath their pearly grot : 
In gentler eddies play'd my confcious wave, 
And all my reeds their fofteft whifpers gave; 
Each Jay with brighter green adorn'd my bow'rs. 
And breath'd a freflier fragrance on my flow'rs. 

But lo ! at once the pealing concerts ceafe, 
And crowded theatres are hufh'd in peace. 
See, on yon fage, how all attentive .(land, 
To catch his parting eye, and waving hand. 
Hark ! he begins with all a Tully's art, 
To pour the diftates of a Cato's heart, [fpire, 
SkiU'd to pronounce what nobleil thoughts in- 
He blends the fpeaker's with the patriot's fire ; 
Bold to conceive, nor tim'rous to conceal. 
What Britons dare to think he dares to tell. 
'Tis his alike the ear and eyes to charm, 
To win with adion, and with fenfe to. warm. 
Untaught in iiow'ry periods to difpenfe 
The lulling founds of fweet impertinence : 
In frowns or fmiles he gains an equal prize, | 
Nor meanly r,ars to fall, nor creeps to riic ; 
Bids happier days to Albion be reftor'd, 
Bids ancient jultice rear her radiant Avord ; 
From me, as from my country, claims applaufe, 
And makes an Oxford's a Britannia's caiife. 

VVhile arms like thefe my iledfdt fages wield, 
While mine is Truth's impenetrable Ihield ; 
Say, fliall the puny champion fondly dare 
To wage with force like this fcholallic war ? 
Still vainly fcribble on v*rith pert pretence. 
With all the rage of pedant impotence ? 
Say, ftiall I fofter this domeftic peft, 
This parricide, that wounds a mother's breaft ? 
, Thus in Ibme gallant fhip that long has bore 
Britain's viftorious crofs from fhore to ihore. 
By chance, beneath her clofe fequefter'd cells 
Some low-horn worm,a lurking mifchief dwells; 
Eats his blind way, and faps with fecret guile 
The deep foundations of the floating pile. 

* Tlje RadcliiFe Library. 



In vain the foreft lent its ftateliefl: pride, 
Rear'd her tall mart, and fram'd her knotty fide; 
The martial thunder's rage in vain (lie ftood, 
With ev'ry con 11161 of the ftormy flood ; 
More fure the reptile's little arts devour 
Than wars, or waves, or Eurus' wintry pow'r*- 

Ye fretted pinnacles, ye fanes fublime. 
Ye tow'rs that wear the mofCy veft of time ! 
Ye maffy piles of old munificence. 
At once the pride of learning and defence; 
Ye cloifters pale, that length'ning to the light 
To contemplation, fl:ep by (tep, invite; 
Ye higharc'd walks, where oft the whifpers 

clear 
Of harps unfeen have fwept the poet's ear; 
Ye temples dim, where pious duty pays 
Her holy hymns of ever-echoing praife; 
Lo! your lov'd Ifis, from the bord'ring vale> 
With all a mother's fondnefs bids you hail !— - 
Hail, Oxford, hail ! of all that's good and great> 
Of all that's fair, the guardian and the feat; 
Nurfe of each brave purfuit, eachgen'rous aim. 
By truth exalted to the throne of fame ! 
Like Greete in fcience and in liberty. 
As Athens learn'd, as Lacedemon free ! 

Ev'n now, confefs'd to my adoring eyes^ 
In awful ranks thy gifted fons arife. 
Tuning to knightly tale his Britifh reeds, 
Thy genuine bards immortal Chaucer leads: 
Ml? hoary head o'erlooks the gazing quire, 
And beams on all around celeftial tire. 
With graceful (tcp fee Addifon advance. 
The fweet-eft child of Attic elegance : 
See Chillingworth the depths of doubt explore^ 
And Selden ope the rolls of ancient lore: 
To all but his belov'd embrace de-ny'd, 
See Locke read Reafon, his majeftic bride: 
See Hammond pierce religion's golden mine. 
And fpread the trctifur'd itores of Truth divine. 

All v\ ho to Albion gave the arts of peace, 
And befl the labours plann'd of letter'd eafe ; 
Who taught with truth,or with perfuafion mov'd^ 
Whofooth'dwithnuraberSjOrwithfenfeimprov'd, 
Who rang'd the pow'rs of reafon, or refin'd 
A.11 that adorn'd or humaniz'd the mind; 
Each prieft of health, that mix'd the balmy bowl. 
To rear frail rnan, and ftay the fleeting (bul j 
All crowd around, and, echoing to the fky. 
Hail! Oxford, hail! with filial tranfport cry. 

And fee yon lapient train ! with lib'ral aim, 
'Twas theirs new plans of liberty to frame ; 
And on the gothic gloom of flavifh fway 
To fhed the dawn of intellei5lunl da3^ 
With mild debate each m.ufmg feature g]ov.'5, 
And well-weigh'd counfels mark their meaning 

brows. 
" Lo! thefe the leaders of thy patriot line,'* 
A Raleigh, Hamden, and a Somers fliine.- 
Thefe from thy fouice the bold contagion caught. 
Their future fons the great example taught ; 
While in each youth th' hereditary flame 
Still blazes, unextinguifli'd, and the fame 1 



Cg 



Nor 



%]h 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II« 



Nor all the tafKS of thonghtfr.l peace engage, 
'Tis thine to form the hero as the fige. 
I fee the fable-fuited prince advance 
With liliescrovvn\i,thefpoils of bleedingFrancej 
Edward. The Mufesin yon cloifter's (hade 
•Bound onliis maiden thigh the martial bhide: 
Bade him the ftecl for Britilh freedom draw ; 
And Oxford taught the deeds that Creiiy (aw. 

And fee, great father of the lacred band, 
The * Patriot King before me feems to Itand. 
He, by the bloom of this gay vale beguiTd, 
That cheer'd with lively green the Ihaggy wild, 
Hither of yore, forlorn forgotten maid, 
The Mufe in prattling infancy convey'd; 
From Vandal rage the helplels virgin bore, 
And fix'd her cradle on my friendly fhore: 
Soon grew the maid beneath his foft'ring hand, 
Soon llream'd her bleilings o'er the enlightened 
land. [dwell 

Though rnnple was the dome, where firll to 
She deign'd, and rude her early Saxon cell, 
Lo! now {he holds her ftatein fculptur'd bowr'?, 
And proudly lifts to heaven her hundred tow'rs. 
'Twas Alfred firft, with letters and with laws, 
Adorn'd, as he advanc'd, his country's caufer 
He bade relent the Briton's ftubborn foul. 
And footh'd to foft fociety's contronl 
A rough untutor'd age. With raptur'd eye 
EiMe he views his laurePd progeny: 
Serene he fmiles to find, that not in vain 
He form'd the rudiments of learning's reign : 
Himfelf he marks in each ingenuous breafl, 
With all the founder in the race exprefs'd ; 
Gonfcious he fees fair Freedom ftill fm-vive 
In yon bright domes, ill-fated fugitive I 
(Glorious, as when the Goddefs pour'd the 
UnfuUy'd on his ancient diadem) ['neam 

\Vell pleas'd, tlxit at his own Pierian fprings 
She reits her weary feet, and plumes her wings ; 
That here at laft ihe takes her dellin\i ftand. 
Here deigns to linger ere (he leave the land. 



§ 6i. hjfcription in a Hermitage^ at Anfiey-Uad^ 
in IFarixickJhire. T. W a r x o n . 

T>ENEATH this stony roof reclin'd, 
-*-^ I footh to l^eace my penfiVe mind : 
And while to fhade my lowly cave, 
^Embow'ringelms their umbrage wavej 
And while the maple difh is mine, 
The beechen cup, unft'ain'd with winej 
I fcorn the gay licentious crowd. 
Nor heed the toys that deck the proud* 
Within my limits lone and ftill, 
The blackbird pipes in artlefs trill 
Faft by my couch, congenial gueft, 
The wren has wove her mofly neft; 
From bufy fcenes and brighter fkies j 
To lurk with innocence, (he flies j 
Here hopes in fafe repofe to dwell. 
Nor aught fufpefts the fylvan cell. 

* Alfred. 



At morn I take my cuftom'd round, 
To mark how buds yon Ihrubby mound. 
And ev'ry op'ning primrofe count 
That trimly paints my blooming mount: 
Or o'er the fculptures, quaint and rude, 
That grace my gloomy folitude, 
I teach in winding wieaths toltray 
Fantaltic ivy's gadding fpray* 
At eve, within yon ftudious nook, 
1 ope my brafs-embofied book, 
Pourtray'd with many a holy deed 
Of martyrs, crown'd with heavenly meed* 
Then, as my taper waxes dlmy 
Chant, ere I fleep, my mcjfur'd hymn; 
And, at the clofe, the gleams behold 
Of parting wings bedropt with gold. 
While fuch pure joys my blifs create. 
Who but would fmile at guilty ftate? 
Who but would wilh his holy lot 
In calm Oblivion's humble grot ? 

Who but would caft his pomp away. 
To take my ftaff and amice gray ; 
And to the v.'orld's tumultuous ftage 
Prefer the blamelefs hermitage ? 



§ 6"^. Monodjt ixjriiten near Stratford upon 
A^'on. T. W A RT o N . 

A VON, thy rural views, thy paftures wild, 
^ ■*■ The willows that o'erhang thy twilight edgc^ 
Their boughs entangling with th' embattlecl 

fedge 5 
Thy brink with watry foliige quaintly fring'd. 
Thy fnrface with reile(3:ed verdure ting'd. 
Sooth me with many a penfive pleafure mild. 
But while I mufe, that here the bard divine 
Whofe lacred dull.yon high arch'd aiiles inclofe. 
Where the tall windows rife inftately row* 
Above ih' etubow'ring fhade. 
Here iirft, at Fancy's talry circled flirine. 
Of dailies pied ins infant off 'ring made; 
Here plavful yet, in ftripiing years unripe, 
Fram'd of thy reeds a Ihriil and artlefs pipe: 
Sudden thy beauties, Avon, all ^Tz fled. 
As at the waving of fome magic wand ; 
An holy trance my chanued fpirit wings, 
And awful Ihapes of warriors and of kings 
People the bufy mead, 

Like fpedres fwarraing to the wizard's hall ; 
And flowly pace,and point wdth tremblinghani 
The wounds ill-cover'd by the purple pall. 
Before m.e Pity feems to lland 
A weeping mourner, fmote w^ith anguifh fore^ 
To fee Misfortune rend in frantic mood 
His r^be with regal woes embroider'd o'er. 
Pale terror leads the vifionar}'- band. 
And fternly fliakes his fceptre, dropping blood. 

§ 64. On 'the Death of King George the Second, 

T. Wartow, 

Co ftream the forrows that embalm the brave, 
'^ The tears that fcieucelheds on Glory 'sgrave { 



S« 



Book IT* 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



4;» 



^o pure the vows which clafTic duty pays 
To blefs another Brunfwick's rifing rays! 

O Pitt, if cholen drains have power to fteal 
Thy watcliful breait awhile from Britain's weal j 
If votive verfe, from facred Isis fent, 
Might hope to charm thy manly mind, intent 
On patriot phins, which ancient freedom drew, 
Awliile with fond attention deign to view 
This ample wreath, which all th' affembled Nine 
With skill united have confpir'd to twine. 

Yesjguideandguardian of thy country's caufe! 
Thyconfcious heart fliall hail with jull applaufe 
The duteous Mufe, whofe hafte ofricious brings 
Her blamelefs ofi^ring to the ftirine of kings : 
Thy tongue, well tutor'd in hilloric lore, 
Can fpeak. her office and her ufe of yore: 
For fuch the tribute of ingenuous praife 
Her harp difpens'd in Grecians golden days; 
Such were the palms, in ifles of old renown, 
She cuird, to deck the guiltlefs monarch's crown; 
When virtuous Pindar told, wlthTufcan gore 
How fceptred Hiero fbin'd Sicilta's fnore, 
Or to mild Theron's raptur'd eye difclos'd 
Bright vales, where fpirits of the brave repos'd : 
Yet ftill beneath the throne, unbrib'd, flie fat 
The decent handmaid, not the flave, of llatej 
Pleas'd in the radiance of the regal name 
To blend the luftre of her country's fame: 
For, taught like ours, Ihe dar'd with prudent pride 
Obedience from dependance to divide ; 
Though princes claimed her tributaiy lays, 
With truth fevere fhc temper'd partial praife 
Confcious (lie kept her native dignity. 
Bold as her flights, and as her numbers fvee. 

And furc, if e'er the mufe indulged her [trains, 
With jull regard to grace heroic reigns. 
Where could her glance a them.e of triumph own 
So dear to fame as George's trophy'd throne ? 
At whofe firm bafe thy itedfaft foul afpires 
To wake a mighty nation's ancient fires: 
Afpires to baffle Faftion's fpecious claim, 
Roufe England's rage, and giveherthunderaim: 
Oncemorethemainherconqu'ringbannersfweep, 
Again her Commerce darkens all the deep. 
Thy fix'd refolve renews each firm decree 
That made, that kept of yore, thy country free 
Call'd by thy voice, nor deaf to war's alarms. 
Its willing youth the rural empire arms: 
Again the lords of Albion's cultur'd plains 
March the firm leaders of their faithful fwains j 
As erft (lout archers, from the farm or fold, 
Flam'd in the van of many a baron bold. 

Nor thine the pomp of indolent debate, 
The war of words, the fophiflries of Hate: 
Nor frigid caution checks thy free defign. 
Nor flops thy flream of eloquence divine: 
For thine the privilege, on few beftow'd, 
To feel, to think, to fpeak, for public good. 
In vain Corruption calls her venal tribes ; 
One common caufe, one common end prefcribes : 
Nor fear nor fraud or fpares or fcreens the foe, 
But fpirit prompts, and valour llrikes the blow. 



O Pitt, while hpnour points thy Hb'ral plan, 
And o'er the Minifler exalts the Man, 
Ifis congenial greets thy faithful fway. 
Nor fcorns to bid a (tatefman grace her lay. 
For 'tis not Hers, by faife connetlions drawn 
At fplendid Slavery's fordid fhrine to fawn j 
Each native effort of the feeling breafl 
To friends, to foes, in equal fear, fupprefl: 
'Tls not for her to purchafe or purfue 
The phantom flwours of the cringing crew: 
More ufeful toils her ffcudious hours engage. 
And fairer lefTons fill her fpotlefs page : 
Beneath ambition, but above di (grace. 
With nobler arts fhe forms the riling race: 
With happier taH-^s, and lefs refin'd pretence, 
In elder times, flit woo'd Munificence 
To rear her arched roofs in regal guife, 
And lift her temples nearer to the flcies; 
Princes and prelates fl. etch'd the focial hand 
To form, ditfufe, and fix, her high command : 
From kings fhe claim'd, yet fcorn'd to feek, the' 
prize; [wife. 

From kings, like George, benignant, jufl, and 

* Lo, this her genuine lore. — Nor thou refufe 
This humble prefent of no partial Mufe 
From that calm Bow'r*, which nurs'd thy 

thoughtful youth 
In the pure precepts of Athenian truth : 
Where firfl the form of Britifh Liberty 
Beani'd in full radiance on thy mufmg eye ; 
That form, whofe mien fublime, with equal awe. 
In the fame fliade unblemifh'd Somers faw : 
Where once (for well fhe lov'd the friendly grove 
Which ev'ry claffic Grace had learn'd to rove) 
Her whifpers wak'd fage Harrington to feign 
The bleflings of her vifionary reign ; 
That reign, which now, no more an empty theme. 
Adorns Philofbphy's ideal dream, 
But crowns at lafl:, beneath a George's fmlle. 
In full reality this' favoured ifle. 

^6^. On the Marriage of ths King, mdcclxi.' 
to her Majejfy. T. Wart on. 

TX^HEN firfl the kingdom to thy virtues due 

* * Rofe from che billowy deep in diftant view; 
When Albion's ifle, old Ocean's peerlefs pride, 
Tow'r'd in imperial flate above the tide j 
What bright ideas of the new domain 
Form'd the fair profpe6l of thy promisM reign ! 

And well with confcious joy thy breafl: might 
That Albion was ordain'd thy regal feat : [beat 
Lo! this the land, where Freedom's facred rage 
Has glow'd untam'd thro' many a martial age. 
Here patriot Alfred, flrain'd withDanifh blood, 
Rear'd on one bafe the king's, the people's good : 
Here Henr^-^'s archers fram'd the flubborn bow 
That laid Alanzon's haughry helmet low; 
Here walk'd the flame, that itiil fuperior braves 
The proudeft threats of Gaul's ambitious flaves : 
Here Chivalry, ftern fchool of valour old, 
Her nobleft feats of knightly fame enroll'd j 



* Trinity College, Oxford 5 in which also Lotd Somers, and Sit Janaes i^ar^ington, authot of thf 
Ocean a, were educalfd. 1 



4S^ 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



BdoK 11. 



Heroic champions caught the cisricn's c?M, 
And thronged the teali iiiEd ward's baniier'd hall; 
While chiefs, like George, approved in v/orth 

alone, 
Unlocked chafte Beauty's adamantine zone. 
Lo 1 the fiiniM ille, which hails thy chofen iway. 
What fertile fields her temp'rate funs difplay! 
Where Property fecures the confcious Avain, 
And guardsjwhile Plenty gives, the golden grain : 
Hence with ripe Itores her villages abound, 
Her airy downs with fcatter'd Ihecp refound; 
Fre(h are her paftures with unceafmg rills, 
And future navies crovrn her darkfome hills. 
To bear her formidable glory far, 
Behold her opulence of hoarded war? 
See, from her ports a thoufand banners ftream^ 
On ev'ry coaft her vengeful lightnings gleam! 
Meantime, remote from Ruin's armed hand. 
In peaceful majelty her cities Ibndj 
Wlwfe fplendid domes and buly ftreets declare 
Their firmeft fort, a king's parental care. 
. And oh! bleil Queen, if e'er the magic pow'rs 
Of warbled truth have won thy muhng hours j 
Here Poefy, from awful days of yore^ 
Has pour'd her genvvine gifts of raptur'd lore. 
Mid oaken bow'rs,v with holy verdure wreathed. 
In Driiid-fongs her folemn fpirit breath'd: 
While cunning Bards at ancient banquet3 sung 
Of paynim foes defied, an;d: trophies hung. 
Here Spenfertun'd his myftrc rainftrelfy. 
And drefs'd in fairy robes a Qiieen like Thee. 
Here, boldly mark'd with ev'ry living hue, 
Nature's unbounded portrait Shakefpeare drew : 
But chief the dreadful group of huma-fi v*'oes 
The daring artift's tragic pencil chofe; 
Explor'd the pangs that rend the royal breaft, 
Xhofe wounds that lurk berieath the tiiiued vetc. 
Lo ! this the land, whence Miltou's raufe of lire 
High foar'd to fteal from heaven a feraph's lyre j 
And told the golden ties of wedded love 
In facred Eden's amaranthine grove. 

Thine too 1 majeftic Bride, the favo ar'd clime, 
Where Science fits enfnrin'd in roofs fublime. 
O m.ark, how green her wood of ancient bays 
O'er Ifis' marge in many a chaplet ftrays ! 
Thither, if haply forne diflinguifh'd fiow'r 
Of theferaix'dbioom.s from that ambrofial bow'r 
Might catch thy glance,and, rich inNatare'shue, 
En; wine thy diadem with honour due; 
If feemly gifts the train of Phccbus pay, 
To deck imperial Hymen's feftive day; 
Thither thyfelf fnall haile, and mildly deign 
Totrearivvithnymph-likefteptheconfciousplain; 
Pleas'd in the mufe's nook, with decent pride, 
To throv/ tlie fceptred pall of flate afide. 
Nor from thefliade Ihall George be long aws^z, 
■Whld.iclaimsCharlotta'slove,andcourtslierll"aY. 

Thefe are Britannia's prades. Deign to trace 
•''Vith rapt refieftion Freed.om'^ fav'nte race ! 
Jiut though the gen'roor. ille, in arts and anns, 
ThiLs nand-Z^prerae in Nature's clioiceif charms.; 
Tho' George and Conqueit guard her lea-girt 

t'nrcne, 
One l-^ippier blslUng; fdll Hi? calls her own; 



And, pro)id to cull the faired wreath cf FaTue, 
Crowns her chief honours with a Charlotte's 
name. 



§ 66. Gn the Birth of the Prinre of JFc^fer. 

T. WARTOIi. 

Wriiisn after the Infiallat'ion at Windfor, in ttt 
fame year. 

Imperial Dome of Edward wife and brave T 
'■■ Where warlike Honoux's brighteft banners 
wave ; [deeds. 

At whole proud tiits^ unmatch'd for hardy- 
Heroic kings have frown'd on barbed fteeds; 
Though now uo more thy crefted chieti; advance 
In arm'd array, nor gralp the glit'ring lance j 
Though Knightliood. boafls the martial pomp 

no more 
That graeVi its gorgeous fefti vals of yore : 
Say,^oafciousDome,ife'ertbymarlhali\iknightS 
So nobly deek'd their old niajeilic rites 
As when, high-thron'd amid thy trcphy'drnrine^ 
George fhcne the leader of the garter'd li-ne ? 

Yet future triu-mphs, Windfor, ftill remain f 
S til i may thy bow'rs receive as brave a train: 
For lo! to Britain and her iavour'd Pair 
Heaven's high command has lent a lacred Heir! 
Him the bold pattern of his patriot lire 
Shall fill with early fame's in>mortal fire: 
In life's freHi fpring ere buds the promis'd prime, 
Kis thoughtsfk-rllraount to virtue's meed fublimxes 
The patriot fire Ihall catch, with fure prelage. 
Each lib'ral omen of his op'nhig age ; 
Then to thy courts fliall lead, with eonfcious joy-y 
111 ilrlpling beauty's bloom, the princely boy; 
Thei-e firmly wreathe the Braid of htavenly dye, 
Trae valour's badge, around his tender thigh. 

Meantime, thy royal piles that rife elate 
With many an antique tow'r, in mafly ftate. 
In the young ciiarnpion's muling mind Ihall raife 
Vail images of Albion's elder days ; 
While, as around his eager glance explore? 
Thychambers,roughwithwar'seonftru<5tedltorev 
Rude helms, and bruifed Ihields, barbaric fpoils 
Of ancient chivalry's undaunted toi.s; 
Amid the dufky trappings hung on high, 
Young Edward's fable mail (hall Itrke his eye-, 
Shall fire the 3/outh to croAvn his riper years 
With rival delfys, and a new poiftiers; 
On the fame wall, the fame triamphal bafe. 
His own vifrorious monuments to place. 

Nor can a fairer kindred title move 
His emulative age to glory's love 
Than Edward, laureate prince. In lettered truth, 
Oxfoi d, fage mother, Ichooi "d his Ihudious youtlu 
Her fimple inifitutes and rigid lore 
Ths royal nuriling u-nreiuctant bore; 
Nor Pju.nn'd, at penfive eve, with ionelbmepEce, 
Thecioiller'sinooii-ligiit-chcqner'dlioortotracej 
Ncr fcorn'd to make the fun, at matias due, 
Stream through the itoried windows holy hue. 

Andoh,youngPrij\ce,be thine his moral praLfe; 
Nor feek m fields of bleed his warrior bays. 

War 



loox II. 



DIDACTIC. DESCRIPTIVE, Sec. 



4Si 



War has its charms terrific. Far and wide I Nor haunt the crowd, nor tempt the main 
Whenftandsth'embattledhoftinbanner'dpride; For /"plendid care and guilty r^ain ! 



O'er the vext plain when the fhrill clanpors run. 
And the long phahmx liafhes in the fu i: 
When now no dangers of the death ful day- 
Mar the bright fcene, nor break the tirm array j 
Full ofc too rafhly g-jows with fond delight 
The youthful brea(i,and aiks the future %hti 
Mor knows that Horror's form, a Ipcitre wan, 
Stalks yet rmfeen, along tke gieamy varv 



When morning's twilight tin6hjr'd beam 
Strikes their low thatch with llanting- gleam. 
They rove abroad in ether blue, 
To dip the fcythe in fragrant i\tw ^ 
The fheaf to bind, the beech to fell, 
That nodding (hades a craggy dell. 

Midft gloomy glades, in warbles clear, 
i Wild nature's fweetell notes they hear j 
^ _ On green untrodden banks they view 
Of fpecious fame thy Itedfall feet betray i'' ' [The hyacinth's neglected hue : 
Be thine domeftic glory's radiant calm, I In their lone haunts and woodland rbunds^ 

Be thine the (ceptre wreath'd with many a palm : 1 They fpy the fquirrel's airy bounds ; 
Be thine the throne with peaceful emblems hung, ' And llaitle from her aflien fpray. 



May no fuch rage be thine ! no dazzling r 



ay 



Acrofs the gleii, tl>e fcreaming jay : 
Each native charm their lleps explore 
Of folitude's fequefter'd ftore. 
For them the moon with cloudlefs ray 
Mounts, to illume their homeward way; 
Their weary fpirits to relieve. 
The meadows incenfe breathe at eve. 
! No riot mars the/ fmiule fare 



The fiiver lyre to milder conqueits ifrung ! 

Inftead of glorious feats achiev'd in arms, 
Bid rifingarts difplay their mimic charms: 
Jull to thy corjutry's fame, in tranquil days, 
Kecord the pafr, and roufe to future praile : 
Before the pub.ic eye, in breathing brafs. 
Bid thy fam'^d father's mighty triumplis pafs: 
Swell the broad arch with haughty Cuba's fall, 
And clothe v/ith Minden's plain th'hilloric hall. jThat o'er a glimm'ring hearth they <hare; 
Then mourn not, Edward's Dome, thine an- | But when the curfew's meafur'd roar 

cient/boalt, } Duly, the dark'ning valleys o'er. 

Thy tournamerits and lifted combats loft '! i Has echo'd fr^m the diftant town. 

From Arthur's iioard, no more, proud caftle, iThey wifh no beds of cygnet-down, 

mourn 
Adventuroiis Valour's gothic trophies torn ! 
Thofe el-in charms, that held in magic night 



Its elder fam.e, and dimm'd its geiuiine light 
At length diftblve in Truth's meridian ray. 
And the bright Order burfts to perfe^^l day : 
The niyftic round, begirt with bolder peers, 
On Virtue's baie its refcued glory rears j 
Seei Civil Pro'.vefs mightier a£ls achieve; 
Se£5. meek Humanity di.li:refs relieve ; 
Adopts the Worth that bids the confli6^ceafe, 
And claims its honours from the Chie^r s of Peaice. 



§ 67. OiU to ZUep. T, Wahton. 
N this my penfive pillow, gentle Sleep ! 
T>t\Qt\xh., in 9^1 thy downy pli.micige dr^ft 



O 

Wipe with thy wing thele eyes that wake-to weep, , 

And place thy crown of poppies on my breaft. Haftes to confume iite's golden prime: 



No trophied canopies, to clofe 
Their drooping eyes in quick repofe. 

Their little fons, v^'ho fpread the b'-^om 
Of health around the clay-built room. 
Or tlirough the primros'd coppice Itray, 
Or gambol in the new-mown hay ; 
Or quaintly braid the cowflip-twine, 
Or drive afield the tardy kine \ 
Or haften fi-om the fuitry hill 
To loiter -at the lliady rill 4 
Or climb the tall pine'-s gloomy creft 
To rob the raven's ancient neft. 

Their humble porch Avith honeyed ilow'rs 
The curling woodbine's ftlade embow'rs; 
From the trim garden's thymy mound 
Their bees in bufy fwarms refound. 
Nor fcii Dii'eafe, before his time. 



fteep my fenfes in oblivion's balm,, 
Andfooth my throbbing puife with lenienthandj 
This tempeft of my boiling blood becalm! 
Defpair grows mild at thy fuprerae command. 
Yet ah ! in vain, familiar with the gloom, 
And fudly toiling through the tedious night, 

1 feek fweet llumber, while that virgin bloom. 
For ever ho v 'ring, haunts my wretched fight. 
Mor would the dawning day my forrows charm : 
Black midnight, and the radiant noon .alike 
To me appear, while with uplifted ann 
Peath ftands prepar'd, but ftiil delays, to ftrike. 

^ 68. The Ha?nlety luritten in Which^juosdForeJ}. 

T. Warton. 
'TThe hinds hov/ bleft, who ne'er beguil'd 
•*• To <iuit their iiasnkt's hawthorn-wild, 



But when their temples long have wore 
The filver crown of treifes hoar ; 
As ftudious ftill calm peace to keeji. 
Beneath a fiow^ry turf they fieep. 

( 6q. Od^. The Firjl of ^priL T. Warton, 
iVXriTH dalliance rude young Zephyr wood 
I *^ * Coy May. Fuii rit witn kmd cxcule " 

The boiii'rous boy the Fair denies, 

Or with a fcornful fmile complies. 
Mindful of difafter paft, 

And flirinking at the northern blaft, 

Tiie fleety ftorm returning ftiil, 

The morning hoar and ev'ning chill j 

Reluctant comes the timid Spring. 

Scarce a bee, with airy ring. 

Murmurs the bioflbm'd boughs around. 

That clothe the £:urdeir$ loutheHi boui.d : 



^S3 



Scarce 



454 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Bo 



IL 



Scarce a fxkly flraggling flovv'r 
Decks the rough caitle's rifted tow'r: 
Scarce the hardy primrofe peeps 
From the dark delPs entangled ileeps : 
f)'er the field of waving broom : 
Slowly ihoots the golden bloom : 
And, but by fits, the furze-clad dale 
Tinctures the tranfitory gale; 
While from the flirubb'ry's nak'd maze, 
"Where the vegetable blaze 
Of Flora's brighteft ""broidery fhone, 
Ev'ry chequered charm is flown j 
Save that the lilac hangs to view 
It^ burfting gems in clufters blue. 

Scant along the ridgy land 
The beans their new-born ranks expand : 
The frefli-turn'd foil with tender blades 
Thinly the fprouting barley fhades : 
Fringing the foreft's devious edge, 
Half rob'd appears the hawthorn hedge j 
Or to the dillant eye difplays 
Weakly green its budding fprays. 

The fwallow, for a moment feen, 
Skims in hafle the villag-e green : 
From the grey moor, on feeble wing, 
The fcreaming plovers idly fpring : 
The butterfly, gay-painted foon. 
Explores awhile the tepid noon. 
And fondly truflis its tender dyes 
To fickle funs and flatt'ring fkies. 

Fraught with a tranfient, frozen fliow'r. 
If a cloud fhould haply lowV, 
Sailing o'er the landfcape dark. 
Mute on a fudden is the lark 5 
But when gleams the fun again 
O'er the pearl -befprinkled plain, 
And from behind his wat'ry veil 
Looks through the thin-defcending hail. 
She mounts, and lefs'ning to the fight, 
Salutes the biythe return of light, 
And high her tuneful track purfaes 
Mid the dim rainbow's fcatter'd hues. 

Where in venerable rows 
Widely waving oaks i«clofe 
The moat of yonder antique hall, 
Swarm the rooks with clam'rous call j 
And, to the toils of nature true. 
Wreath their capacious nells anew. 
Mufing through the lawny park. 
The lonely poet loves to mark 
How various greens in faint degrees 
Tinge the tall groups of various trees j 
While, carelefs of the changing year. 
The pine cerulean, never fear, 
Tow'rs diftinguilh'd fiom the reft, 
And proudly vaunts her winter veft. 
Within fome whifpering ofier ifle, 
Where Glym's low banks neglefted fmilej 
And each trim meadow ft:ill retains 
The wint'iy torrent's oozy fl:ains : 
Beneath a willow, long forfook. 
The fiflier feeks his cuftom'd nook ; 
And burfl:ing thro' the crackling ihdge 
That crowns the current's cavern'd edge, 



He ftiartles from the bordering wood 
The bafliful wil4-duck's cai-ly brood. 

O'er the broad downs, a novel race, 
Frilk the lambs, with faltering pace. 
And with eager blcetings fill 
ri>e fofs that (kirts the beacon'd hill. 

His free-born vigour yet unbroke 
To lordly man's iifurping yoke. 
The bounding colt forgets to play : 
Baiking beneath the noontide ray, 
And llretch'd among the daifies, pride 
Of a green dingle's fioping fide : 
While far beneath, where nature fpreads 
Her boundlefs length of level meads, 
Inloofe luxuriance taught to ftray 
A thou(and tumbling rills inlay 
With filver veins the vale, or pafs 
Redundant thro' the fparkling grafs^ 

Yet, in thefe prefages rude, 
Midft herpe^ifive folitude, 
Fancy, with prophetic glance, 
Sees the teeming months advance j 
The field, the fore ft, green and gay. 
The dappled flope, the tedded hay j 
Sees the reddening orchard blow. 
The harveft wave, the vintage flowj 
Sees June unfold his glofly robe 
Of thoufand hues o'er all the globe; 
Sees Ceres grafp her crown of cofn, 
And plenty load her ample horn. 

§ 70. Oiie, The Suicide. T. Warton, 
"Deneath the beech, whofe branches bare 
-*-* Smit vnth the lightning's vivid glare, 
O'erhang the craggy road, • 

' And whlftle hollow as they wave j 

Within a folitary grave, 
A wretched Suicide holds his accurs'd abode, 
Lower'd the grim morn, in murky dies 
Damp iliift;s involv'd the fcowling fkies. 

And dimm'd the ftruggling day ; 
As by the brook that ling'ring laves 
Yon rufli-grown mosr with fable waves, 
Full of the dark refolve he took hisfullen way, 
I mark'd his defultory pace, ' 
His geftures ftrange, and varying face. 

With many a mutter'd found ; 
And ah! too late aghaft I view'd 
The reeking blade, the hand embru'd ; 
He fell,and groaning grafp'd in agony the grouncj. 
Full many a melancholy night 
He watch'd the flow return of light j 

And fought the pow'rs of fleep. 
To fpread a momentary calm 
O'er his fad couch, and in the balm [fteep. 
Of bland oblivion's dews his burnrng eyes to 
Full oft, unknowing and unknown. 
He wore his endlefs noons alone. 

Amid the autumnal wood : 
Oft was he wont in hafty fit, 
Abrupt the focial board to quit, 
And gaze with eager glance upon the tumbling 
flood. 

Beckoning 



Book II, 



DIDACTIC, DES^CRIPTI VE, Sec. 



4;^ 



Beck"'ning the wretch to t<1rments new, 
Defpair, for ever in his view, 

A fpeftre pnle, appear'd^ 
While, as the ihaJes of eve arofe 
And brought Jhe day's unwelcome cJofe, 
More horribleand huge hergiant-fiiapefliertar'd. 

* Is this,' milbiken Scoin will cry, 

* Is this the youth, whole genius high 

Could build the genuine rhyme ? 
•Whofe bolbm mild the fav'ring Mufe 

* Had itoj-'d with all her ample views, 

« Parent of fidrell deeds, and purpofes fubllme ?' 
Ah ! from the Mufe that bofom mild 
Ey treacherous magic was beguii'd, 

To llrike the deathful blow: 
She fill'd his fofc ingenuous mind 
With many a feeling too refined, [woe., 

And rous'd to livelier pangs his wakeful fenle of 

Though dooraM hard penuiy to prove. 
And the (harp Itiiigs of hopelefs love j 

To griefs cons^enial prone. 
More wounds than nature gave he knew, 
While mifery's form his fancy drew 
In dark ideal hues, and horrors not its own. 

Then wifh not o'er his earthly tomb 
The baleful nighrfhade's luriil bloom 

To drop its dcvadiy dew: 
Nor, oh ! forbU the twilled thorn. 
That riulely binds his turf forlorn, [anew. 
With fpring's green-fwelling buds to vegetate 

What though no marble-piled buft 
Adorn his defolated dull. 

With fpeaking fculpture wrought ? 
Pity fliall woo the weeping Nine 
To build a vifionary flirine, [brought. 

Hung with unfading flovv'rs, from faiiy regions 

What though refas'd each chanted rite ? 
Kere vievvlefs mourners; (hall delight 

To touch the Ihadowy fhell : 
And Petrarch's harp, that wept the doom 
Of Laura lofl, in early bloom. 
In melancholy tones ihall ring his penfive knell. 

To footh a lone unhallow'd ihade, 
This votive dirge fad duty paid, 
Within an ivy'd nook ; 
- Sudden the half-liink 01b of day 

More radiant ihot its parting ray, [took : 
And thus a cherub-voice my charm'd attention 

* Forbear, fond bard, thy partial praife j 

* Nor thus for guilt in fpecious lays 

* The wreath of glory twine; 

* In vain with hues of gorgeous glow 

* Gay Fancy gives her veil to flow, [confine. 
< Unlels Truth's matron-hand the floating folds 

* Juft Heaven, man's fortitude to prove, 

* Permits through life at large to rove 

* The tribes of hell -Horn woe ; 

* Yet the fame pow'r that wifely fends 

* Life's fierceft ills, indulgent lends [foe. 
•Religion's goWenftiieidto break th' embattled 



* Her aid divine h.-'.d lull'd to reft 

* Yon foul Itlf-niurrherer's throbbing breaft, 

* And llay'd the rifing ftonn: 
' Had bade the fun oi" hope appear 

* To gild x[\c darken'd hemifphere, [fonn. 
* And give the wonted bloom to nature's blalled 

* Vain man! 'tis Heaven's prerogative 

' To take, what flrft it deign'd to give, 
*Thy tributary breath: 

* In awful expectation plac'd, 

* Await thy doom, nor impious hafle 

' To pluck from God's right hand his inftril- 
* nients- of death.' 



§71. Oiie. Sent to a Friend on Us leaving a fa* 
'VGurite Village in Hampjkire. T. Warton. 

A H, mourn thy lov'd retreat! No more 
^^ Shall claflic fteps thy fcenes explore I 
When morn's pale I'ays but faintly peep 
O'er yonder oak-crown 'd airy fl:eep. 
Who now fhall climb its brows, to view 
Thy length of landfcapes ever new ; 
Where fummer flings, in careleis pride. 
Her varied veflure far and wide ? 
Who mark, beneath, each village-charm. 
Or grange, or elm-encircled farm : 
The tlinty dove-cote's crowded roof, 
Watch'd by the kite that fails aloof: 
The tufted pines, whofe umbrage tall 
Darkens the long-dei'erted hall : 
The vet'ran beech, that on the plain 
Colle6ls at eve the playful train : 
The cot that fmokes with early fire,. 
The low-roof 'd fane's embofom'd fpire ? 
Who now fliall indolently ftray 
Through the deep foreil's tangled way \ 
Pleas'd at his cullom'd ta(k to find 
The well-known hoary-trefled hind. 
That toils with feeble hands to glean 
Of wither'd boughs his pittance mean? 
Who mid thy nooks of hazle fit. 
Loll in fome melancholy fit ; 
x^nd lift'ning to the raven's croak. 
The diihnt flail, the falling oak ? 
Who, through the funfhine and the fhowV, 
Defcry the rainbow-painted tow'r ? 
Who, wandering at return of May, 



Catch the firil cuckc 



,'ernal 



lay 



Who, mufing walte the fummer hour. 
Where high o'er-arching trees embow'r 
The gralTy lane fo rarely pac'd. 
With azure flow'rets idly grac'd ? 
Unnotic'd now, at twilight's dawn 
Returning reapers crofs the lawn : 
Nor fond attention loves to note 
The wether's bell from folds remote : 
While own'd by no poetic eye. 
Thy penfive evening fhade the flcy ! 

YoYy lo ! the bard who rapture found 
From ev'ry rural fight or Ibund ; 
Whofe genius warm, and judgment chafte. 
No charm of genuine nature pals'd j 

Gg4- Who 



45<5 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II, 



Who felt the Mufe's pureft fires, 
Far from thy tavour'd haunt retires ; 
Who peopled all thy vocal bow'rs 
With Ihadowy Ihapes and airy powers. 

Behold, a dread repofe refumes, 
As erft, thy fad fequellerM glooms ! 
From the deep dell, where Ihaggy roots 
Fringe the rough brink with wreathed flioots, 
Th' unwilling genius llies forlorn, 
His primrofe-chaplet rudely torn. 
With hollow Ihriek the nymphs "forfake 
Thepathlefs copfe, and hedge-row brake. 
Where the delvM mountain's headlong fide 
Its chalky entrails opens wide, 
On the green fummit, ambufh'd high, 
No longer echo loves to lie, 
No pearl -crown'd maid, with wily look, 
Rife beck'ni ng from the reedy brook. 
Around the glow-worm's glimm''ring bank, 
No fairies run in tiery rank j 
Nor brufti, hal f-feen, in ahy tread, 
The violet's unprinted head. 
Uut Fancy, from the thickets brown, 
The glades that wear a confcious frown. 
The foreft-oaks, that pale and lone 
Nod to the blall with hoarfer tone, 
Rovigh glens, and fullen waterfalls, 
Hev bright ideal offspring calls. 

So by fome fage inchanter's fpell, 
(As old Arabian fables tell) 
Amid the folitary wild. 
Luxuriant gardens gaily fmifd : 
From fapphire rocks the fountains ftream'd. 
With golden fruit the branches beara'd j 
Fair forms,. in ev'ry wondrous wood. 
Or lightly tripp'd, or foleran ftood ; 
And oft, retreating from the view, 
Betray'd at diftance, beauties new : 
While gleaming o'er tlie crifped bow'rs 
Rich fpires aroie, and fparkling tow'rs. 

If bound on fervice new to go, 
The mafier of the magic fnovv 
His tranfitory charm withdrew. 
Away til' illufive landfcape flew: 
Dun. clouds obfcur'd the groves of gold. 
Blue lightning fmote the blooming mold : ' 
In vifionary glory rear'd, 
The gorgeous calUe dilappear'd : 
And a bare heath's unfruitful plain 
Ufurp'd the wizard's proud domain. 



§ 72. 'The Art of prefer ■■vin^ Hi alth. ArsmtrQNG, 

BOOK I. AIR. 

DAUGHTER of Paean, queen of ev'ry joy, 
Hygeia*j whole indulgent fmiles fuilains 
The various race luxuriant nature pours. 
And on th' immortal elTences bellows 
Immortal youth ; aufpicious, O defcend ! 
Thou, cheerful guardian of the rolling year. 



Whether thou wanton'ft on the we Hern gale. 
Or fliak'ft the rigid pinions of the north, 
Diifufeil life and vigour thro' the tracls 
Of air, thro' earth, and ocean's deep domain* 
When thro' the blue lerfenity v>i hcr.ven 
Thy pow'r approaches, all the waiteful heft 
Of pain and ficknefs, fqualid and deform'd, 
Confounded fink into the ioathfome gloom. 
Where in deep Erebus invoiv'd the iiends 
Grow more profane. Whatever fhapes of death. 
Shook from tJie hideous chambers of the globe. 
Swarm thro' the ihuddjeringair: v.diate verplague* 
Or meagre fimine breeds, or with fiow wings 
Rife from tl^e putrid wat'iy element^ 
The dam.p waile foreft, i:;iotioniefs and rank. 
That hiiothers earth and allthebreathlefs winds. 
Or the vile carnage of th' inhuman field 5 
Whatever baneful breathes the rotten fouth ; 
Whatever ills, th' extremes or fudden change 
Of cold and hot, or moift and dry produce \ 
They fly their pure effulgence : they, and all 
The fecret poifons of avenging Heaven, 
And all the pale tribes halting in the train 
Of vice and needlefs pleafure : or if aught 
The comet's glare amid the burning iky. 
Mournful eclipfe, or planets ill combin'd. 
Portend difaftrous to the vital world. 
Thy falutary pov.''r averts their rage, 
Averts the general bane: and but for thee 
Nature would licken, nature ibon would die. 
Without thy cheerful aftive energy 
No rapture fwells the breafl, no poet fings. 
No more the maids of Helicon delight. 
Come then with me, O goddefs, heavenly-gay! 
Begin the fong; and let it fweetly flow, 
And let it wirely teach thy wholefome laws : 

* How beir the fickle fabric to fupport 

* Of mortal man ; in healthful body how 

* A heathful-mir.d the longell to maintain.' 
'Tis hard, in fuch a Itrife of rules to chufe 
The beft, and thofe of moft extenfive ufe \ 
Harder in clear and animated fong 

Dry philolophic precepts to convey. 
Yet wiih thy aid the fecret wilds I trace 
Of Nature, and with daring fteps proceed 
Tr.ro' paths the Mufes never trod before. 

Nor fhould I wander doubtful of my way, 
Had I the lights of that lagacious mind 
Which taught to check the peftilential fire. 
And oueli ths deadly Python of the Nile. 
O thou, bclov'd by all the graceful arts, 
Thou, long the fav'rite of the healing powers, 
Indulge, O Mead ! a well defign'd eltay, 
How'er imperfeft \ and permit that I 
My little knowledge with my country (hare. 
Till you the rich Afclepian ilores unlock. 
And with new graces dignify the theme. 

Ye who amid this feverilh world would wear 
A body free of pain, of cares a mind. 
Fly the rank city, fiiun its turbid air j 



* Hygeia, the goddess of Health, was, according to the genealogy of the heathen deities, the 
daughter of .^scul^iusj who, as we;l a» ApoiiO; was distinguished bytiie name of Psean. 

5reath5 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



4^7 



Breathe not the chaos of eternal fmoke 
And volatile corruption, trom the dead, 
The dying, iick'niiig, aiid the living world 
Exhal'd, to luUy heaven's tranl'parent dome 
With dim mortaliLy. It is not Air 
Thatfronia thouJand lungs reeks back to thine, 
Sacfed with exhalations rank and tell, 
The fpoil of dunghills, and the-; putrid thaw 
Of nature, when from Ihape and texture Ihe 
Relapfes into fighting elements : 
It is not Air, but floats a naufeous mafs 
Of all obfceue, corrupt, oifenllve things. 
Much moiitjre hurtsj but here a fordid bath, 
"With oily rancour fraught, relaxes more 
The folid frame than iimple moiitu^-e can, 
Befide, immur'd in many a fuUen bay 
That never felt the freihnefs of the breeze. 
This numbering Deep remains, and ranker grows 
With fickly relt: and (tho' the lungs abhor 
To drink the dun fuliginous abyfs) 
Did not the acid vigour of the mine, 
Koird from fo many thundering chimneys, tame 
The putrid lleams that over-1'warm the (ky. 
This cautlic venom would perhaps corrode 
Thofe tender cells that draw the vital air, 
In vain with all their uu'^luoas riiis bedew'd j 
Or by the drunken venous tubes, tiiat yawn 
In countiel's pores o'er all the pervious Ikin, 
Imbib'd, would poifon the baliamic blood. 
And roufe the heart to ev'ry fever's rage. 
While yet you breathe, away the rural wilds 
Invite; the mountains call you, and the vales; 
The woods, the ftreams, and each ambroilal 
That fans the ever-undulating fky; [breeze 
A kindly Iky 1 whofe fottering pow'r regales 
Man, bea:l, and ail the vegetable reign, [hniles 
Find then fome woodland fcene where Nature 
Benign, Vv-here all her honelc children thrive. 
To us there wanes not many a happy feat; 
Look round the Imiling land, fuch numbers rife 
We hardly fix, bewildered in our choice. 
See where, enthroned in adamantine ftate, 
J*roQd of her hards, imperial Windfor iits ; 
There choofe thy ieat, in fome afpiring grove 
Faft by the (lowly- winding Thames ; or v/here 
Broader Tne laves fcur Richmond's green, retreats 
(Richmond, that fees an hundred villas rife 
Rural or gay). Oh ! from the fumnier's rage, 
Oh! wrap me in the friendly gloom that hides 
Umbrageous Ham ! But, if the bufy Town 
Attract thee ftid to toil for pow'r or gold. 
Sweetly thou may'il thy vacant hours poflefs 
In Hampilead, courted by the weftern wind ; 
Or Greenwich, v/aving o'er the winding flood; 
Or lofe the world amid the fyivan wilds 
Of Dulwich, yet by barbarous arts uufpoil'd. 
Green rile the Kentifli hilig in cheerful air; 
But on the marfhy plains that tilTex fp reads 
^iuild not, nor reit too long th/ wandering feet. 
For on u ruitic throne of dewy turf, 
With baneful fogs her aching temples bound, 
Quartana there prefides : a meagre riend. 
Begot by Eurus, when his brutal force 
.gpmprefs'd the ilothful Naiad of ^he fens. 



From fuch a mixture fprung, this fitful peft 
With feverilh l)la!ls fubdues the fick'ningland: 
Cold tremors come, with mighty love of reit, 
Coiivulfive yawnings, laiutudcand pains 
That Itingtheburthen'd brows, fntigue the loins. 
And rack the joints, ainl ev'ry torpid innb ; 
Then parching heat I'ucceeds, till copious fwcat* 

erflow : a (hort relief from fonueV ills. 
Beneath repeated fhockr. the wretches pine: 
The vigour finks, the habit melts away; 
The cheerful, pure, and animated bloom 
Dies from the face with fqualid atrophy 
Devour\l, in fallow melancholy clad. 

And oft the Ibrcerels, in her fated v/rath, 
Reftgns them to the furies of her train : 
The bloated Hydrops, and the yellow fientJ 
Tinged with her own accumulated gall. 

In queft of fites, avoid the mournful plain 
Where oilers thrive, and trees that love the 
Where many lazy muddy rivers flow : [lakej 
Nor, for the wealth that all the Indies roll, 
Fix near the marlhy margin of the main. 
For from the humid foil, and wat'ry reign. 
Eternal vapours rife; the fpungy air 
Forever weeps; or, turgid with the weight 
Of waters, pours a founding deluge down. 
Skies fuch as thefe let ev'ry mortal Ihun 
Who dreads the dropfy, pally, or the gout. 
Tertian, ^orrofive fcurvj'', or nioilt catarrh j 
Or any other injury that grows 
From raw-fpun fibres idle and unftrung. 
Skin ill perfpiring, and the purple flood 
In languid eddies loit'rlng into phlegm. 

Yet not alone from humid fkies we pine; 
For air may be too dry. The fubtle heavfen. 
That winnows into dull the blafted downs. 
Bare, and extended wide v.'ithout a (Iream, 
Too fail: imbibes th' attenuated lymph, 
Which, by the fiirface, from the biood, exhales. 
The lungs grow rigid, and with toil eiTay 
Their flexible vibrations ; or inflam'd, 
Their tender ever-moving ftrucfure thaws. 
Spoird of its limpid vehicle, the blood . 
A mafs of lees remains, a drofly tide 
That flow as Lethe wanders thro' the veins 5 
Una6tive in the fervices of lire, 
Unfir to lead its pitchy current through 
The fecret mazy channels of tiie brain. 
The melancholy Fiend (that worft deipair 
Of phylic) hence the ralt-complexion'd man 
Purfues, whofe blood is dry, whoi'e iihrcs gain 
Too ifretch'd a tone: and hence in climes a duit 
So fudden tumuks leize the trembling nerves, 
And burning fevers glow with double rage. 

Fly, if you can, theie violent extremes 
Of air, the wholefome is nor moilt nor dry. 
But as the pow'r of chooling is denied 
To half mankind, a further talk enfue's ; 
How bell to mitigate thefe fell extremes, 
How breathe unhurt the withering element. 
Or hazy atmofrhere : tho' cuitom tnouids 
To ev'ry clime the fbft Promethean clay ; ' 
And he who fii-ft the fogs of Elfex breath'd 
(So kind is natiy? air) may in the fens 

1 Of 



4S3 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II, 



Of Efiex from inveterate ills revive 
At pure Montpelier or Bermuda caught. 
But, if the raw and oozy heaven offend. 
Correal the foil and dry the fources up 
Qf wat'ry exhalation j v.ide and deep 
Condu(5l your trenches thro' the quaking bog; 
Solicitous, with all your winding arts, 
Betray th** unwilling lake into the ftreamj 
And weed the foreit, and invoke the winds 
To break the toils where ftrangled vapours lie; 
Or thro' the thickets fend the crackling flames. 
Meantime at home with cheerful fires difpel 
The humid air: and let your table fmoke 
With foiid roaft or bakM ; or what the herds 
Of tamer breed fupply ; or what the wilds 
Yield to the toilfome pleafures of the chace. 
Generous your wine, the boaft of ripening years, 
But frugal be your cups ; The languid frame, 
Vaf)id and funk from yefterday's debauch, 
Shrinks from the -cold embrace of wat'ry hea- 
But neither thefe, nor all Apollo's arts, [vens. 
Difarm the dangers of the dropping Iky, 
Unlefs with exercife and manly toil [blood. 
You brace your nerves, and fpur the lagging 
The iatt'ning clime let all the fons of eafe 
Avoid ; if indolence would wifh to live, 
Go, yawn and loiter out the long flow year 
In fairer fkies. If droughty regions parch [blood, 
The (kin and lungs, and bake the thickening 
Deep in the waving foreft choofe your feat, 
Where, fuming trees refrelh the thirfty air; 
And wake the fountains from their fecret beds, 
And into lakes dilate the rapid ft ream. 
Here fpread your gardens wide ; and let the cool, 
Th? raoift relaxing vegetable ftore 
Prevail in each repaft : your food liipplied 
By bleeding life,^be gently wafted down, 
By foft decoction and a mellowing heat. 
To liquid balm; or if the folid mafs 
You choofe, tormented in the boiling wave j 
That thro' the thirfty channels of the blood 
A fmooth diluted chyle may ever flow. 
The fragrant dairy from its cold recefs 
Its ne6lar acid or benign will pour 
To drown your thirll; or let the mantling bowl 
Of keen flierbet the fickle tafte relieve. 
For with the vicious blood the fimple ftream 
Will hardly mingle ; and fermented cups 
Oft diffipate more moifture than they give. 
Yet when pale feafons rife, or winter rolls 
His horrors o'er the world, thou may 'ft indulge 
In feaft more genial, and impatient broach 
The mellow cafk. Then too the fcourging air 
Provokes to keener toils than fultry droughts 
Allow. But rarely we fuch fkies blafpheme. 
Steep'd in continual rains, or with raw fogs 
Bedew'd, our feafons droop : incumbent ftill . 
A pond' rous heave^i o'erwhelms the finking foul: 
Lab'ring with ftorms, in heapy mountains rife 
Th' embattled clouds, as if the Stygian fhades 
Had left the dvmgeon of eternal night. 
Till black with thunder all the South defcends. 



Scarce in a fhow'rlefs day the heavens indulge 
Our melting clime; except the baleful Eaft 
Withers the tender fpring, and fburly check* 
The fancy of the year. Our fathers talk 
Of fummers, balmy airs, and fkies ferene. 
Good Heaven ! for what unexpiated crimes 
This difmal change ! The brooding elements 
Do they, your pow'rful minifters of wrath, 
Prepare fome fierce exterminating plague? 
Or is it fix'd in the decrees above 
That lofty Albion melt into the rnain ? 
Indulgent nature ! O difiblve this gloom ! 
Bind in eternal adamant (he winds 
That drown or wither : give the genial Weft 
To breathe, and in its turn the fprightly North i 
And may once more the circling feafons rule 
The year; not mix'd in ev'ry monftrous day \ 

Meantime, the moi ft malignity to fiiun [paign 
Of burthen'd fKies, mark where the dry cham- 
Swells into cheerful hills; where raarjorum 
And thyme, the love of bees, perfume the air ; 
And where the * cynorrhodon wdth the rofe 
For fragrance vies ; for in the thirfty foil 
Moft fragrant breathe the aromatic tribes. 
There bid thy roofs high on the bafking fteep 
Afcend; there light thy hofpitable fires, 
And let them fee the winter morn arife ; 
The fummer evening blufhing in the weft: 
While with umbrageous oal^s the ridge behind 
O'erhung, defends you from the bluft'ring 

north, 
And bleak affliftion of the peevifh eaft. 
Oh! when the growling winds contend, and all 
The foxmding foreft fluftuates in the ftorm j 
To fink in warm repofe, and hear the din 
Howl o'er the fteady battlements, delights 
Above the luxury of vulgar fieep. 
The murmuring rivulet, and the hoarfer ftrain 
Of waters rufliing o'er the flippery rocks. 
Will nightly lull you to ambrofial reft. 
To pleafe the fancy is no trifling good, 
Where health is fludied ; for whatever moves 
The mind with calm delight, promotes the jufl 
And natural movements of th'harmonious frame. 
Befides the fportive brook for ever ftiakes 
The trembling air, that floats from hill to hill. 
From vale to mountain, with inceflfant change 
Of pureft element, refrefhing ftijl 
Your airy feat, and uninfe6j;ed gods. 
Chiefly for this I praife the man who builds 
High on the breezy ridge, whofe lofty fides 
Th' ethereal deep with endlefs billows chafes4 
His purer manfion nor contagious years 
Sharll reach, nor deadly putrid airs annoy. 

But may no fogs, from lake or fenny plain. 
Involve my hill ! And wherefoe'er you build; 
Whether on fun-burnt Epfom, or the plains 
Wafli'd by the filent Lee; in Chelfea low, _ 
Or high Blackheath with wint'ry winds afTail'd, 
Dry be your houfe; but aiiy more than warm. 
Elfe ev'ry breath or ruder wind Avill ftrike 
Your tender body thro' with rapid pains ! 



* The wild rose, or that which grows on the common brier. 



Fierce 



Book II. DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE 

Fitrce coughs will teafe you, hoarllniefs bind 



8cc, 



459" 



your voice, 
Or moill Gravedo load your aching brows. 
Thefe to defy, and all the fates that dwell 
In cloiller'd-air, tainted with iieaming life, 
Let lolty cieiings grace your ample rooms j 
And itili at a/ure noontide may your dome 
Jit ev'ry window diink the liquid Iky. 

Need we the iiinny (ituation here, 
And theatres open to the fouth, commend ! 
Here, where the morning's milty breath in fells 
More than the torrid noon f How lickly grow. 
How pale, the plants in thofe ill-fated vales 
That, circled round with the gigantic heap 
Of mountains, never felt, nor ever hope 
To feel, the genial vigour of tlie fun \ 
While on the neighb'nng hill the rofe inflames 
The verdant fpringj in virgin beauty blows 
The tender lily, languiftiingly fweet; 
O'er ev'ry hedge the wanton woodbine roves. 
And autumn ripens in the lummer's ray. 
Nor lefs the warmer living tribes demand 
The foft'ring fun ; whole energy divine 
Dwells not in mortal fire ^ whofe gen'rous heat 
Glows thro' the mafs of groiier elements, 
And kindles into life the pondVous fpheres. 
Cheer'd by the fond invigorating warmth, 
We court thy beams, great majelty of. day ! 
If not the foul, the regent of this world, 
l^irlt-born of heaven, and only lefs than God ! 

BOOK II. DIET, 



Enough of Air. A defert fubje£l: now, 
Jlougher and wilder, rifes to my fight. 
A barren wafte, where not a garland grows 
To bind the Mufe's brow; nor even a proud 
Stupendous folitude frowns o'er the heath. 
To roufe a noble hon-or in the foul : 
But rugged paths fatigue, and error leads 
Thro' endlefs labyrinths the devious feet. 
J^arewell, ethereal fields ! the humbler arts 
Of life: the Table and the homely Gods 
Demand my fong. Elyfian gales, adieu ! [f.ow. 

The blood, the fountain whence the fpirits 
The genVous ftream that waters ev'ry part. 
And motion, vigour, and warm life conveys 
To every particle that moves or lives; 
This vital fluid, through linnumber'd tubes 
Pour'd by the heart, and to the heart again 
Kefunded; fcowg'd for ever round and round: 
Enrag'd with heat and toil, at lall forgets 
Its balmy nature; virulent and thin 
It grows; and now, but that a thoufand gates 
Are open to its flight, it would deftroy 
The parts it cherifh'd and repair'd before, 
Befides, the flexible and tender tubes 
Melt in the mildefl: moft neftareous tide 
That ripening nature rolls; as in the ftream 
Its crumbling banks: but what the vital foyce 
Of plaftic fluids hourly batters down. 
That very force, thofe pbftic particles 
Rebuild: fo mutable the Itate of man. 
For this the watchful appetite was ^Iven, 



Diily with frefli materials to repair 

This unavoidable expence of life, 

This neceflary walte of flcih and blood. 

Hence the concodive pow'rs, with various art. 

Subdue the cruder aliments to chyle; 

The chyle to blood ; the foamy purple tide 

To liquors, which thro' finer arteries 

To ditierent parts their winding courfe piarfuej 

To try new changes, and nevv' forms put on. 

Or for the public, or fome private ule. 

Nothing fo foreign but th' athletic hind 
Can labour into blood. The htm gry meal 
Alone he fears, or aliments too thin ; 
By vi'lent powers too ealily liibdued. 
Too loon expeli'd. His daily 4abour thaws 
To friendly chyle the nK)ft rtbelli'.'us mafs 
That fait can harden, or the fhioke of years; , 
Nor does his gorge the rancid bacon rue, 
Nor that which Ceitria feuds, tenacious pafte 
Of fblid milk. Btit ye of fofter clay. 
Infirm and delicate 1 and ye who wafte 
With pale and bloated Uoth the tedioiis day I 
Avoid the ftubbprn element, avoid 
The full repaft; and let lagacious age 
Grow wifer, leflbn'd by the dropping teetlt. 

Half fubtiliz'd to chyle, the liquid food 
Readieft obeys th' alfimilating powers j 
And loon the tender vegetable mafs 
Relents ; and foon the yonng of thofe that tread 
The ftedfall earth, or cleave the green ahyfs. 
Or pathlefs fky. And if the lleer muft fall. 
In youth and languine vigour let him die j 
Nor Itay till rigid age or heavy ails 
Abfoive him ill-requited from the yoke. 
Some with high forage and luxuriant eafe 



Indulge the veteran ox ; but wiier thou, 
From the bald mountain or the barren dowjj* 
Expe6l the flocks by frugal nature fed; 
A race of purer ♦jlood, with exercife 
Refin'd, aftd fcanty i'ave -. for, old or young 
The Itaird are never healthy, nor the cramin'd. 
Not all the culinary arts can tame 
To wholfotne food th' abominable growth 
Of reft and gluttony; the prudent tafte 
Rejefts like bane fuch loathfome lufcioufnefs. 
The languid ftomach curfes even the pure 
Delicious fat, and all the race of oil; 
For more the oily aliments relax 
Its feeble tone; and with the eager lymph 
(Fond to incorporate with all it meets) 
Coyly they mix, and fliun with flipp'ry wiles 
The woo'd embrace. The irrtlbluble oil. 
So gentle late and blandiihing, in floods 
Of ran.cid bile o'erflows : what tumults hence. 
What horrors rife, were naufeous to relate. 
Choofe leaner viands, ye whole jovial make 
Foo faft the g^jmmy nutriment imbibes: 
Choofe ibber meals, and roule to adlive life 
Your cumbrous clay; por on th' enfeebling 
Irrefblufe, protract the morning hotirs. [down. 
But let the man, whofe bo cs are thinlyclad, 
Wi.th cheerful eafe and ft^ccu'ent repalt 
Improve his flender habit. Each extreme 
From the bleft mean of fanity departs. 

I could 



'4^~ 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS. 



BctiK ir» 



I could relate what table this demands 
Or that complexion j ^vhat the various povv'rs 
Of various foods ^ but tifty years would roll, 
And fifty more, before the tale were done. 
Belldes, there often larks Ibme namelei's, ftrange, 
Peculiar thing; nor on the Ikin difplay'd, 
Felt in the puile, nor in the habit ieen; 
Which finds a poifon in the food that moft 
Thetemp'ratuieaife6ts. There, are, whofe blood 
Jmpetuous rages thro' the turgid veins, 
"Who better bear the liery fruits of Ind 
*rhau the moiit Melon, or pale Cucuniber. 
Of chilly nature others fly the board 
Supplied with (laughter^ and the vernal pow'rr; 
For cooler, kinder, fuilenance implore. 
Some ev'n the gcn''rous nutriment detelt 
Which in the Ihell, the deeping embryo rears. 
Some, more unhappy itiil, repent tiie gifts 
Of Pales— foft, delicious, and benign 5 
The balmy quinteifcnce of ev'ry ilow'r, 
Andev'ry grateful herb that decks the fpririg j 
The foU'ring dew of tender fprouting life ; 
The beft refe^ftion of declining age ; 
The kind reilorative of thofe vvho lie 
Half dead, and panting froni the doubtful fcrife 
Of nature ftruggling in the grafp of death. 
Try all the bounties of this fertile globe, 
There is not inch a falutary food 
As fuits with ev'ry frOmach. But (except 
Amid the mingled mafs of fiih and fowl, 
And boird and bakM, you hefitate by which 
You funk opprefs'd, or whether not by all). 
Taught by experience, foon you may diicern 
What plexfes ; what oifends. Avoid the cates 
That lull the ficken^d appetite too long; 
Or heave with fevei'ifh flufhings all the fxce, 
Uurn in the palms, and parch the rough'ning 

tongue; 
Or much diminifh or too muc*h increafe 
Th' expence, which nature's wife oeconomy. 
Without or wafte or avarice, maintains. 
Such cates abjur'd, let prowling hunger loofe, 
And'bid the curious palate roam at will; 
They fcarce can err amid the \arious ftores 
That burll the teeming entrails of the world. 

Led by fagacious taite, the ruthlefs king 
Of beafts on blood and fiaughter only lives j 
The tiger, form'd alike to cruel raeals, 
Would at the manger (larve : of milder feeds, 
The generous horfe to herbage and to grain 



Is this for pleafure? Learn ajufter tafte; 
And know that temperance is true luxury. 
Or is it pride ? Purfue fome nobler aim : 
Djfinifs your parafites, who praife for hire; 
And earn the fair eftetm of honeft men, [yours. 
Whole praife is fame. Form'd of fuch clay as 
The lick, the famiili'd, ihiver at your gates. 
Even modc'll want may bleis your hand unfeeu, 
Tho' hulh'd in patient wretchednefs at home. 
Is there no virgin grac'd with tv'ry charm 
But that which binds the mercenary vow ? 
No youth of genius, whofe neglefted bloora 
Unfofter'd fickens in the barren fhade ? 
No worthy man, by fortune's random blows^ 
Or by a heart too gen'rous and humane, 
Conftrain'd to leave his happy natal feat. 
And ligh for wants more bitter than his own ? 
There are, while human rniferies abound, 
A thoufand ways to wafte fuperiluous wealth. 
Without one fool or flatterer at your board. 
Without one hour of ficknefs or difgufi. 

But other ills th' ambiguous feait purfue, 
Belides provokins; the lafcivious tafte. 
Such various foods, tho** harmlefs each alone. 
Each other violate ; and oft we fee 
What ftrife is brew'd, and what pernicious banc. 
From combinations of innoxious things. 
Th' unbounded tafce I mean not to confine 
To heimit^'s diet, needlefsly fevere. 
But would you long the fweets of health enjoy^ 
Or hufband pleafure; at one impious meal 
Exhauft not half the bounties of the year. 
Of ev'iy realm. It matters not meanwhile 
How much to-morrow differ from to-day j 
So far indulge: 'tis fit, befides, that man. 
To change obnoxious, be to change inur'd. 
But ftay the curious appetite, artd tafte 
With caution fruits you never tried before. 
For want of ufe, the kindeft aliment 
Sometimes oifends ; while cuftom tames the rage 
Of poifon to mild amity with life. 

So Heaven has form'd us to the general tafte 
Of all its gifts, fo cuitom has improv'd 
This bent of nature, that few fimple foods. 
Of all that earth, or air, or ocean yield. 
But by excefs oitend. BeyOnd the fenfe 
Of light refeftion, at the genial board 
Indulge not often ; nor protraft the feaft 
To dull fatiety ; till foft and flow 
A drowfy death creeps on, th' expanilve foul 



Confines his wifh ; tho' fabling Greece refound Opprefs'd, and fmother'd the celeftial fire 



The Thracian fteeds with human carnage wild 
Prompted by inftinft's never-erring pow'r 
Each creature knows its proper aliment} 
But man, th' inhabitant of ev'ry clime, 
With all the commoners of nature feeds. 
Directed, bounded, by this powV within. 
Their cravings are well aim'd : voluptuous Man 
Is by fuperior faculties milled, 
Mifled from pleafure e'en in queft of joy. 
Sated with nature's boons, what thoufands feek. 
With difhcs tortur'd from their native tafte, 
And mad variety, to fpur beyond 
Its wifer will the jaded appetite I 



The ftomach, urg'd beyond its arrive tone. 
Hardly to nutrimental chyle fubdues 
The fofteft food; unfinifli'd and deprav'd. 
The chyle in all its future wand'rings owns 
Its turbid fountain ; not by purer ftreams 
So to be clear'd, but foulnefs will remain. 
To fparkiing wine Vv'hat ferment can exalt 
Th' unripen'd grape ? Or what mechanic fkill 
From the crude ore can fpin the duftilc gold? 

Grofs riot treafures up a wealthy fund 
Of plagues ; but more immedicable ills 
Attend the lean extreme. For phyfic knows 
How to diiburdeu the tog tumid veiiis, 



ii O K If, 



DIDACTIC D E S C RI P T I V E, &c. 



45t 



Ev'n how to ripen the half-lubour'd biood: 
Bat to unlock the elemental tubes, 
Collaps'd and Ihrunk with lo.ig inanity. 
And with balfamic nutriment renal r 
The dried and worn out habit, were to bid 
Old age grow green, and wear a iecond Ipring ; 
Or the tall alh, long ravifhM from ihe ion, 
Thrft' withered veins imbibe the venial dew. 
When hunger calls, obey ; nor often wait 
Till hunger (harpen to corrofive pain : 
For the keen appetite will fealt beyond 
What nature well can bear ; and one extreme 
Ne'er without danger meets its own reverie. 
Too greedily th' exbauiled veins abforb 
The recent chyle, and load enfeebled pow'rs 
Oft to th' extinction of the vital flame. 
To the pale cities, by the firm fet liege 
And famine humbled, may this verle be home. 
And hear, ye hardieft fons that Albion breeds 1 
Long tofs'dand familh'd on the wint'ry mala ; 
The war Ihook ofr, or hofpitable Oiore 
Attain'd,with temp'rance bear the ibock of joy : 
Kor crown with feiii ve rights th' aafpicious day : 
Suchfeafts mightprove moreiatal than tr?e waves. 
Than war or famine. While the vital fire 
Burns f-jebly, heap not the green fuel on ; 
But prudently foment the wand'ring fpark 
With what the fooneft feels its kindred touch : 
Be frugal e'en of that j a little give 
At firlt: that kindled, add a little more; 
Till by delib'rate nonrifhing, the iiame 
Reviv'd with all its wonted vigour glows. 

Eut tho' the two (the full and the jejune) 
Extremes have each their vice; it much avails 
Ever with gentle tide to ebb and flow 
From this to that : fo nature ieai ns to bear 
W^hatever clunce or headlong appetite 
May bring. Belides, a meugre day fubdues 
The cruder clods by ilotb or luxury 
Collected, and unloads the wheels of life. 
Sometimes a coy averfion to the feaft 
Conies on, while yet no blacker omen low'rs; 
Then is a time to fhun the tempting boai'd. 
Were it your natal or your nuptial day. 
Perhaps a fail fo feaibnable iiaives 
The latent feeds of woe,, which rcoted once 
Might coll you labour. But, the day return'd 
Of fcllal luxuiy, the wife indulge . - 

Moll in the tender vegetable breed ^ 
Then chiefly when the fummer beams inflame 
The bi'azen heavens, or ang^y Sirius ihcds 
A fev'rifh taint thro' tlie Itill guiph of air. 
The raoill cool viands then, and flowing cap 
Jrom the frefli dairy-virgin's lib'ral hand. 
Will iave your head from harm,lho' round the 

worW 
The dreaded * Caufos roll his wafleful fires. 
Pale humid Winter loves the gen'rous board. 
The meal more copious, and a warmer fare; 
And longs with old wood and old wine to cheer 
His quaJong heart. The feafons which divide 
Th' emp:r«s of iieat and cold^ by neither claim'd, 



Influenc'd by both ; a middle regimen 
Iropofe. Thro' autumn's languifliing doinala 
Dcfcending, nature by degrees invites 
To growing luxury. But from the depth 
Of winter when ih' invigorating year 
Emciges; when Favonia:«, fluih'd with love, 
Toyfui and )oung, in ev'ry breeze defcends 
More warm and wanton on his kindling bridej 
Then,fliepherds, then begin to (pare yourflockv^ 
And learn, with wife humanity, to check 
The lull of biood. 2'«Iow pregnrtut earth commits 
j A various oflspring to th' indulgent Iky : 
Now bounteous nature feeds with lavilh band 
jThe prone creation ; yields what once fuiKc'd 
iTheir dainty fov'i-eign, when the world we* 

young. 
Ere yet tne barb'rous thirft of blood had feiz'd 
JThe human breaft. Each rolling month matures- 
jThe food tliatfuits it mod ; fodoes each clime* 
i Far in the horrid realms of winter, where 
Th' eltabliUrd ocean heaps a monftrous w^ilc 
I Of fhining rocks and mountains to the pole, 
f There lives a hardy race, whofe piaineil want* 
Relentlels earth, tiieir cruel iiep mctlier. 
Regards net- On the wafre of iron fields^ 
tJntam'd, int:-afi:able, no bai-veils wave; 
Pomona hates tliem, and ti;e clowniih god 
Who teiidii the garden. In tiiis frozen worlJ 
Such cooling gifts were vain : a fitter meai 
Is earn'd witii eafe ; for here the fruitful fpavF» 
Of Ocean rwarms,and heaps tlieir genial board 
With gen'rous fare and luxury profuie. 
Thefe are their bread, tiie only bread they know^; 
Thele, and theb: willing flave, the deer tliat crops 
The (hrubby herbage on their meagre hills. 
Girt by the burning zone, not thus the SoutU 
Her fvvarthy fons in either Ind maintains ; 
Or thirfly Libya, fi-om whole fervid loins 
The lion burils, and ev'r}- fiend that roams 
Th' a.^righted wilde.nefs. The mountain herd, 
Aduft and dry, no fweet repafl: affords; 
UoT does the tepid main fuch kinds produce. 
So perfefi, fo delicious, as the Ihoals 
Of icy Zembla. Raihly where the 'olocd [tala 
Brews fev'rifli frays ; where fcarce t!ie tubes fui- 
Its tumid fervour and temped:uou> courle, 
Ivind Nature tempts not to fuch gifts as thefs. 
But here in livid ripsnefs meks the grape j 
Here, fiaifh'd by invigorating funs. 
Thro' the green (hade the gcldea^range 2I0WS ! 
Spontaneous here the turgid melon yields 
A gen'rous pulp; the coco iwells on high 
With milky riches ; and in horrid mail 
The crifp ananas wraps its poignant fweetit 
Earth's vaunted progeny ; in ruder air 
Too coy to fiouriLh,.ev'n too proud to Vive, 
Or hardly rais'd by artificial fire 
To vapid life. Here, with a mother^s fmilc. 
Glad Amalthea pours a copious horn : 
Here buxom Ceres reisns : th' ata:r:nal fea 



In boundlefs billows fluctuates o'er their pla: 



plains. 



What fuits the cliniats beil, what fuits. the mcu. 



^ The burning Fersf, 



Na: 



^Bt 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



To 1 ill 



Nature proFafes moil, and molt the tade 
Demands. The fountain, edg'd v.ith racy wine 
Or acid fruit, bedews their thirily fouls. 
The breeze eternal breathing round their limbs 
Supports in eUe intolerable air; 
While the cool palm, the plnntain, and the grove 
That waves on gloomy Lebanon, afTuage 
The torrid hell that beams upon their heads. 

Now come, ye Naiads, to the fountains lead; 
Now let me wander thro' your^elid reign. 
I barn to view th^ enthufiaftic wilds 
By mortal elfe untrod. I hear the din 
Of waters thund'iing o'er the ruinM cliffs, 
"With holy rev'^rence I approach the rocks [fong. 
Whence glide the ftreams renownM in ancient 
Here from the defert clown the rumbling fteep 
Firftfprings the Nile; here burfts the founding Po 
In angry waves ; Euphrates hence devolves 
A mighty flood to water half the eaft ; 
And there, in Gothic folitude reclin'd, 
The cheerlefs Tanais pours his hoary urn. 
What folemn twilight, what ftupendous (hades, 
Enwrap thefe infant floods ! Thro' ev'ry nerve 
A facred horror thrills, a pleafliig fear 
Glides o'er my frame. The fo reft deepens round; 
And,. more gigantic ftill, th' impending trees 
Stretch their extravagant arms ath wart thegloom. 
Are thefe the confines of fome fairy world, 
A land of Genii? Say, beyond thefe wilds 
What unknown nations, if indeed beyond 
Aught habitable lies? And whither leads, 
To whai llrange regions, or of blifs or pain, 
That fubterraneous way ? Propitious maids, 
Condu6l me, while with fearful fteps I tread 
Thistremblingground. The tafic remains toflng 
Your gifts (fo Paean, fo the pow'rs of health 
Command) to praife your cry ftal element; 
The chief ingredient in Heaven's various works; 
Whofe flexile genius fparkles in the gem, 
Grows firm in oak, and fugitive in winej" 
The vehicle, the fource, of nutriment 
And life to all that vegetate or live. 

O comfortable ftreams ! With eager lips, 
And trembling hand, the languid thirfty quaff 
New life in you : frefli vigour fills their veins. 
No warmer cups the rural ages knew ; 
None warmer fought the fires of human kind 
Happy in temperate peace 1 Their equal days 
Felt not th" alternate fits of fev'rifti mirth 
And fick dejection. Still ferene and pleas'd, 
They knew no pains but what the tender foul 
With pleafure yields to, and would ne'er forget. 
Bleft with divine immunity from ails, 
Long centuries they liv'd ; their only fate 
Was ripe old age, and rather fleep than death. 
Oh ! could thofe worthies from the world of gods 
Return to vifit their degen'rate fons. 
How would they fcorn the joys of modern time, 
* With all our art and toil improv'd to pain ! 
Too happy they ! But wealth brought luxuiy, 
And luxury on floth begot difeafe. [difdain 

^enrn temp'rance, friends ; and hear without 

♦ Hippocrates. 



Ttie choice of water. Thus the Coan * fage 
Opin'd, and thus the learn'd of ev'ry fchool: 
What leaft of foreign principles part!^kes 
Is b-'t; thelighteft then; what bears the toncit 
Of fire the leaft, and fooneft mounts in airj 
The moft infipid, the moft void of fmell, 
Sucli the rude mountain from its horrid fides 
Pours dovvu ; fuch waters in the fandy vale 
For ever boil, alike of winter frofts 
And fummer's heat fecure. The cryftal ftream, 
Through rocks refounding,or for many a mile 
O'er the chaf 'd pebbles hurid, yields wholefome, 
pure, [thawS;, 

And mellow draughts; except when winter 
And half the mountains melt into the tide. 
Tho' thirft were ne'er fo refolute, avoid 
The fordid lake, and all fuch drowfy floods 
As fill from Lethe Belgians flow canals 
With reft corrupt, with vegetation green 5 
Squalid with generation, and the birth 
Of little monfters, till the pow'r of fire 
Has from profane embraces difengag'd 
The violated lymph. The virgin ftream. 
In boiling, w^aftes its finer foul in air. 

Nothing like fimple element dilutes 
The food, or gives the chyle fo foon to flow. 
But where the ftomach, indolently given. 
Toys with its duty, animate with wine 
Th' infipid ftream: tho' golden Ceres yields 
A m.ore voluptuous, a more fprightly draught ; 
Perhaps more active. Wine unmix'd, and all 
The gluey floods that from the vex'd abyfs 
Of fermentation fpring ; with fpirit fraught. 
And furious with intoxicating fire ; 
Retard conco6lion, and prefei-ve unthawM 
Th'embodiedmafs. You fee what countlefsyears^ 
Embalm'd in fiery quinteflence of wine, 
The puny wonders of the reptile world, 
1 he tender rudiments of life, the Aim 
Unravellings of minute anatomy. 
Maintain their texture, and unchang'd remain* 

We curfe not wine ; the vile excefs we blame. 
More fruitful than th' accumulated board 
Of pain and mJfery. For the fubtle draught 
Fafter and furer fwells the vital tide ; 
And with more aftive poifon, than the floods 
Of grofl'er crudity convey, pervades 
The far remote meanders of our frame. 
Ah ! fly deceiver! branded o'er and o'er. 
Yet ftill believ'd 1 exulting o'er the wreck 
Of fober vows ! But the Parnafiian Maids 
Another time, f perhaps, ftiall fing the joys. 
The fatal charms, the many woes, of wine ; 
Perhaps its various tribes and various pow'rs. 

Meantime, I would not always dread the bowl, 
Nor ev'r}'- trefpafs fliun. The fev'rifti ftrife, 
Rous'd by the rare debauch, fubdues, expels 
The loit'ring crudities that burthen life j 
And, like a torrent full and rapid, clears 
Th' obftrufled tubes. Befides,this reftlefs world 
fti full of chances, which by habit's pow'r 
To learn to bear, is eafier than to fliun. 



t See Book IV. 



Ah} 



BodicIT. DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 

Ah! when ambition, meagre love of gold, 
Or I'acred country calls, with mellowing wine 
To mollten well' the thirfty fuifrages j 
Say how, unfeafon'd to the midnight frays 
Of' Comus and his rout, wilt thou contend 
With Centaurs lon^ to hardy deeds iniir'd? 
Then learn to revel, but by ilow degrees \ 
By flow degrees the liberal arts are v/on, 
AndHercuies grew ftrong. But when you fmooth 
The brows of care, indulge your feftlve vein 
In cups by well-iiiform\i experience found 
The leafi: your bane, and only with your friends 
There are fweet follies ; frailties to be feen 
By friends alone, and men of gen'rous minds. 

Oh feldom may the fated hours return 
Of drinking deep ? I would not dirily tafte, 
Except when life -declines, ev'n fober cups. 
Weak witiiering age no rigid law forbids, 
With frugal ne61:ar, fmooth and How, with balm 
The faplefs habit daily to bedew. 
And give the hefitating wheels of life 
Glihlier to play. But youth has better joys: 
And is it wife, when youth with pleafure flows. 
To fquander the reliefs of age and pain ? [goal 

What dext'rous thoufands juft within the 
Of wild debauch direct their nightly courfe! 
iPerhaps no fickly qualms bedim their days, 
No morning admonitions fhock the head. 
But, ah ! what woes remain ! Life rolls apace, 
And that incurable dileafe, old age, 
in youthful bodies more feverely felt, 
More fternly aftive, fhakes their blafted prime, 
Except kind Nature by Ibme haily blow 
Prevent the ling'ring fates. For know, whate'er 
Beyond its natural fervour hurries on 
The fanguine tide; whether the frecjuent bowl, 
"High feafon'd fiire, or exercife to toil 
Protrafted ; fpurs to its lafl: stage tirM life. 
And fows the temples with untimely fnow. 
When lif^ is new, the duftile fibres feel 
The heart's increafmg force; and day by day. 
The growth advances: till the larger tubes. 
Acquiring (from their * elemental veins 
CondensM to folid chords) a firmer tone, 
Suflain, and jufl fuftain, th' impetuous blood. 
Here (tops the growth. With overbearing pnlfe 
And prefTure, ftill the g.-eat deftroy thefmall ; 
Still with the ruins of the frnall grow flrong. 
Life glows meantime amid the grinding force 
Of vifcous fluids and elaiHc tube.^ ; 
Its various funftions vigoroufly are plied 
By ftrong machinery ; and in folid health 
The man confirmM long triumphs o'er difeafe. 
But the full ocean ebbs ; there is a point, [tend. 
By nature fix'd, whence life mufl downwards 
For ftill the beating tide confolidates 
Tlie Itubborn velTels, more reludant ftill 

* In the human body, as well as in those of other animals, the larger blood-vessels are composed of 
smaller ones; which, by the violent motion and pressure of the fluids in the large vessels lose their cavi- 
tiies by degrees, and degenerate into impervigus chords or fibres. In proportion as these small vessels be- 
come solid, the larger must of course grow less extensile, more rigid, and make a stronger resistance to 
the action of the heart and force of the blood. From this gradual condensation of the smaller vessels, and 
consequent rigidity ©f tUe larger ones, the progress wf the human body from infancy to oid agels accounted 
for. ' 

Behold 



To the weak throbs^of th' ill-fupnorted heart. . 

This languifl"iing,thefestrengLirning by degree* 

To hard unyielding, unelaiUc bone. 

Thro' tedious channels the congealing flood 

Crawls lazily, and hardly wanders on : 

It loiters still ; and now it ftirs no more. 

This is the period few attain, the death 

Of nature. Thus (fo Heaven ordain'd it) life 

Destroys itlelf: and, could thefe laws have 

chang'd, 
Neftor might now the fates of Troy relate, 
And Homer live immortal as his fong. 

What does not fade ? The tow'r that long^ 

had ftood 
The crufh of thunder and the warring winds. 
Shook by the flow but fure deftroyerTime, 
Now hangs in doubtful ruins o'er its bale j 
And flinty p}ramids, and walls of brafs, 
Defcend: the Babylonian fpires are funk; 
Achaia, Rome, and Egypt moulder down. 
Time makes the liable tyranny of thrones, 
And tottering empires rufli by their own weight* 
This huge rotundity we tread grows old, 
And all thofe worlds that roll around the fun. 
The fun himfelf fhall die, and ancient night 
Again involve the defolate abyfs. 
Till the great Father thro' ttje lifelefs gloon* 
Extend his arm to light another world, 
And bid new planets roll by other knvs. 
For thro' tl>e regions of unbounded fpace. 
Where unconfin'd Omnipotence has room. 
Being, in various fyftems, fluctuates ftill 
Between creation and abhorr'd decay j 
It ever did, perhaps, and ever will. 
New worl:^s are ftill emerging from the deep;. 
The old defcending, in their turns to rife. 

BOOK III. EXERCISE. " 

Thro' various toils th' adventurous. Mufe has 
pafs'd; 
But half the toil, and more than half, remains* 
Rude is her theme, and hardly fit for fong , 
Plain, and of little ornament ; and I . 
But little praftis'd in the Aonian arts. 
Yet not in vain fuch labours have we tried. 
If aught thefe lays the fickle health confirm. 
To you, ye delicate, I write; for you 
I tame my youth to philofophic cares, 
And grow ftill paler by the midnight lamp; 
Not to debilitate with timorovis rules 
A hardy frame ; nor needlefsly to brave 
Inglorious dangers, proud of mortal ftreilgth, 
Is all the lefTon that in wholefome years [ftow'd. 
Concerns the ftrong. His care were ill be- 
Who would with warm effeminacy nurfe 
The thriving oak which on the mountain's brow 
Bears all the blaft.s that fweep the win'try heaven. 



4Pf 



ELEGANT EXTRACT!?, 



13 



OOK 



m 



behold the labourer of the glebe, who toils I Rolls toward the weilerh main. Hail, facrel 
In duR, m mill, in cald and iultry ikies : j May liiil thy hofpitable fwains be bleic [flood I 

Save but the grain from mildews and the flood, In ruraJ innocence; thy mountains Hill 

Teem with the fleecy race; thy tunefni woods 
For ever flourilh j and thy vales look e;ay 



Kqught anxious he what lickly ftars :i{'cend. 
He knows no lavvs byEfculapins given, 
He ftudies none. Yet him nor midnight fogs 
Infeit, nor thole en I'-enonrd (hafts that fly 
When rapid Siriiis flres th' autumnal noon. 
His habit pure with plain and temperate meals, 
iRobuil with labour, and by cuiloni Iteel'd 
To ev'17 casualty of varied life ; 
Sei-ene he bears the peeviih Eailern blaft, 
J^iid iininfei5ted breathes the mortal South. 

Such the reward of rude and fober life. 
Of labour fuch. By health the pealant's toil 
Js well repaid, if exercife were pain 
Indeed, and temperance pain. By arts like thefe 
jLacohia nurs'd of old her hardy fons; 
AndRome's unconquer'd legions urg'dtheir way 
Unhurt, thro' ev'ry toil, in ev'ry clime. 

Toil, and be ftrong. By toil the flaccid nerves 
Grow .flim, and gain a more compared tone j 
The greener juices are by toil fubdued, 
Mellow'd and fubtiliz'd; the vapid old 
Expell'd, and all the rancour of the blood. 
Come, my companions, ye who feel the charms 
Of mature and the year; come, let us ftray 
Where chance or fancy leads our roving walk: 
Come, while the Ibit.voluptuoj.is breezes fan 
The fleecy heavens, enwrap the limbs with balm, 
And ilied a charming iangour o''er the ibul. 
Nor when bright Winter lows with prickly frofl: 
The vigorous ether, in unmanly warmth 
Indulge at home; nor even when Eurus' blafts 
This way and that convolve the lab'ring woods. 
My libei-al walks, fave when the Ikies in rain 
Or fogs relent, no feafon fliould confine 
Or to the clofrer'd gallery or arcade. [fource 
Go, climb the .mountain: from the ethereal 
The cheerful morn 
he exulting fteed. 
Already, fee, the deep-mouth'd beagles catch 
The tainted mazes j and, on eager fport 
Intent with emulous impatience try 
Each doubtful trace. Or, if a nobler prey 
Delight yon more, go chafe the defp'rate deer; 
And thro' its despeil folitudes awake 
The vocal foreil with the jovial horn. 

But if the breathlefs chace o'er hill and dale 
Exceed your flirength, a fport of lefs "fatigue*, 
Not lefs delightful, tlie prolitic ftreani 
Affords. Tiie cryfcal rivulet, that o'er 
A flony channel rolls its rapid maze, [bounds 
Swarms witli tlie filver fvy. Such thro' the 
Of paftoral Staucrd, runs the brawling Trent; 
Such Eden, fprung from Cumbrian mountains; 
fuch [flream 

The Efk, o'erhung with Vv^oods ; and fuch the 
On wh'>fe Arcadian banks I firfl drew air, 
Liddal; till now, except in Doric lays 
TurnM to hermurmursby her lovc-fick fwains, 
Unknown in fonir: tho' not a purer Hreani/ 



Imbibe the recent gale. 
Beam.so'erthe hills; gomount 



With painted meadows, and the golden grain ! 
Oft, with thy btooming fons, when life was ne\v> 
Sportive and petulant, and eharm'd with toys. 
In thy tranfparent eddies have I lav'dj 
Oft trac'd with patic-nt Heps thy fairy banks^ 
With the well-imitated fly to hook 
rhe eager trout, and, with the flender line 
And yielding rod, folicit to the fnore [clouds 
The iLruggling panting prey ; while vernal 
And tepid gales oblc;ur'd the ruffled pool, 
Andfromthe deeps call'dforththevvanton 1 warmsii 
Form'd on the Saraian fernowl, or thofe of Indj 
There are who think thelb paitimes fcarce hu- 
Yet in my mind (and not relentlefs I) [manej 
His life is pure that wears no fouler fl:ains* 
But if thro' genuine tendernefs of heart, 
Or fecret want of reliih for the game. 
You fhun the glories of the chace, nor care 
To haunt the peopled ftream; the garden yields 
A foft amufement, an hujuane delight. 
To raife th' infipid nature of the ground. 
Or tame its lavage genius to the grace 
Of carelefs fweet rulticity, that feem.s 
The amiable refult of happy chance. 
Is to create : and gives a godlike joy j 
Which every year improves. Nor thou difdairt 
To check the lav.lefs riot of the trees. 
To plant the grove, or turn the barren mould* 
O happy he, whom, when his years decline, 
(His fortune and his fame by worthy means 
Attained and equal to his moderate mind : 
His life approv'd by all the wife and good, 
Even envied by the vain) the peaceful groves 
Of Epicurus, from this itormy world. 
Receive to relt, of all ungrateful cares 
Abfolv'd, and facied from the felfifli crov.^d ! 
Happielt of men, if the fame foil invites 
A. chofen few, companions of his youth. 
Once fellow-rakes perhaps, now rural friends; 
With whom in eafy commerce to purfue 
Nature's free charms, and vie for fylvan fame I 
A fair ambition, void of ftrife or guile. 
Or jealoufy, or pain to be outdone. 
Who plans th' enchanted garden, who dire6ls. 
The viflo bell, and heft ccndu61:s the flream j 
Whofe groves the fafteft thicken and afcend ; 
Whom flrft the welcome fpringfalutes; who fhe ws 
The earlieft bloom ; the fweetell, proudellchatma 
Of Flora ; who bell gives Pomona's juice 
To match the fprightly genius of champaign. 
Thrice happy days in rural bus'nefs pafs'd ! 
Blefl winter nights ! when, as the genial fire 
Cheers the wide hall, his cordial family 
With foft domeftic arts the hours beguile, 
And pleaflngtalk, that ftarts no timorous fame, 
With witlefs wantonnefs to hunt it down j 
Or through the fairy-land of tale or fong 



m _ 
Thro' meads more fiowVy, or more romuutic 1 Delighted wander, in ficlitious fates 

grovei, ■ Engag'd, and all that ftrikeshlimanity: 



nil. 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, Sec. 



4-3; 



Till, lolt In fable, they the ftenling liour 
or timely reft foiii^et. Sometimes^ \at eve, 
His neighbours lift the h'.tch, and hleJ's unbid 
His fefbal roof; while, o'er the light renalt 
And fprightly cups, they mix ia soci tl joy, 
And, tlifo' the maze of Cfinverfation, trace 
Whatever amuses or improves the mind. 
Sometimes at eve (for I delight to tnfte 
The native zeft and ilavoar of the fruit 
Where It nse grows wild, md takes of no jr.nnare) 
The decent, honeft, cheerful hulbandman 
Should drown his lab;)ur3 in my friendly bowl, 
And at my table find himself at home. 

Wlurce'er you llady, in whatever you fweat. 
Indulge your talte. ijome love the manly foils; 
The tennis fome ; and fome the graceful dance : 
Others, more hardy, range the purple heath 
Or naked Itubble, vvhere^from field to tield 
The Ibunding coveys urge their laboring fiightj 
Eager amid the rifing cloud to pour 
The gun's unerring tlnmder: and there are 
Whom ftill the meed* of the green archer charms. 
He chooles beft, whole labour entertains 
His vacant fancy molt : the toil you hate 
Fatiguesyoufoon,andfcarceimprovesyourlimbs 

As beauty ftill has hlemifh, and the mind 
The moft accomplilh'd its imperfect \\d$^ 
Few bodies are tliere of that happy mould 
But fome one part is weaker than the reft : 
The legs perhaps, or arms, refuie their load, 
Or the cheft labours. Theie alliduoully, 
But gently, in their proper arts em ploy M, 
Acquire a vigour and fpringy activity 
To which they were not born. But weaker parts 
Abhor fatigue and violent difcipiine. 

Begin with gentle toils; and, as your nerves 
Grow firm, to hardier by juft fteps'afpire. 
The prudent, ev'n in ev'ry moderate walk. 
At firft but iiiunter, and by llovv degrees 
Increase their pace. This doctrine of the wife 
Well knows the mnfter of the trying ftecd. 
Firft from the goal the manag'd couriers play 
On bended reins ; as 3'ct the fKilful youth 
Reprefs their foamy pride: but ev'ry bre:ith 
The race growls warmer, and the tempest fwells j 
Till all the fiery n^ettle has its way. 
And the thick thunder hurries o'er the plain. 
Wlien all at once from indolence to toil " 
You fpring, the fibres by the halty ihock 
Are tir'd and crack'd, before therrunduous coats, 
Comprelli'd, can po;:r the lubricating baiiu. 
Befides, collected in the paffive veins, 
The purple raafs a fudden torrent rolls, 
O'erpow'rs the heart, and deluges the lungs 
With dangerous inimdation : oft the fouixe 
Of fatal woes; a cough that foams with blood, 
Afthma, and feller peripneumot^y f , 
Or the flow minings of the heftic fire. 

Th' athletic fool, to whom what heaven denied 
Of foul is well compenfited in limbs. 
Oft, from his rage or brainlefs frolic, feels 



His vegetation and brute force decay. 
The men of better clay and finer niould 
Know natiH'e, feel tjje human dignity, 
And fcorn to vie with oxen or with apes. 
Purfu'd prolixly, e'en the gentieft toil 
Is wafte of health : repol'e by fmall fatigue 
Is earn'd ; and (where your kabit is not prone 
Fo thaw) by the firft moifture of the brows : 
The fine and (ubtle fpirits coft too much 
To he profus'd; too much tiie roljid balm. 
But when the hard varieties of life 
You toil to learn, or try the dufty chace. 
Or the Wc-yrm deeds of lome important day: 
riot from the field, indulge not yet your limbs 
fa wiih'd repole ; nor court the fanning giJe, 
Nor tafte the I'pring. Oh ! by the facred tears 
Of widows, orj^hans, mothers, fillers, fires, 
Forbear 1 no other peftilence has driven 
Such myriads o'er th' irremeable deep. 
^Vhy this fo fital, the fagacious Mufe 
Thro' nature's cunning labyrinths could trace. 
But there are fecrets which who knows not now. 
Mull, ere he reach them, climb the heavy Alps 
Of fcience, and devote feven years to toil. 
Befides, I would not ftun your patient ears 
With what it little boots you to attain. 
He knows enough, the mariner, whoknov/s 
Where lurk the Ihelves, and where the whirl- 
pools boil, 
What figns portend the ftorm -. to fubtler minds 
He leaves to fcan from what myfterious caufe 
Charybdis rages in th' Ionian wave ; 
Whence thole impetuou.s currents in the main. 
Which neither oar nt)r fail can ftem ; and why 
The rongh'ning deep expects the ilorm, as lure 
As red Orion mounts the flirouded heaven. 

In ancient times,when Rome with Athens vied 
For polilh'd luxury and ufeful arts ; 
All hot and reeking from th' Olympic ftrife. 
And warm Paleftra, in the tepid bath 
Th' athletic youth rela .'d their wearied lir:bs. 
Soft oils bedew'dthem, with the grateful pow'rs 
Of nard and cailia fraught, to footh and heal 
Tlie cherilh'd nerves. Our lefs voluptuous clime 
Not much invites us to fuch arts as thefe. 
'Tis.notfor thofe whom gelid Ikies embrace. 
And chilling fogs ; wiioie perfpiration feels 
Such frequent bars from Eurus and the North; 
'Tis not for thofe to cultivate the ikin 
Too ibft, or teach the recremental fume 
Too foft to crowd thro' fuch precarious ways ; 
For thro' the fmall arterial mouths, that pierce 
In endlefs millions the cloie-woven Ikin, 
The bafer fluids in a conftaiit ftrearn 
Eicape, and viewlefs melt into the winds. 
While this eternal, this moft copious walle 
Of blood, degen'rate into vapid brine. 
Maintains its wonted meafure, all the pow'rs 
Of health befriend you, all the wheels of lifa 
With eafe and pleafure move; but this reftraia'd 
Or more or lefs, fo more or leis you feel 



* This word is much used by some gf the old EngHsh poets, and signifies reicard or prize. 
f The inflammation of the lunj;-:, 

Hh 



The 



466 



ELEG AiSTT 

from this fatal fource 



EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



The fun6lions labour 
What woes defcend is never to be fimg. 
To take their numbers were to count the fands 
That ride i^n whirlwind the parch'd Libyan air 5 
Or waves that, when the bluft'ring North em- 
broils 
The Baltic, thunder on the German fhore. 
Subjeft not then, by foft emollient arts, 
This grand expence, on which your fates depencC 
To ev'r)' caprice of the fky ; nor thwart 
The genius of your clime: for from the blood 
Leaft tickle rile the recremental fteams, 
And lep.fl obnoxious to the Ityptic air, [pores 
Whidi breathe thro' llraiter and more callous 
The tempered Scythian hence half naked treads 
His boundleis fnows, nor rues th' inclement 
And hence our painted anceftors defied [heaven: I Now while the ftomach from the full repafl: 



With this external virtue age maintains 
A decent grace; without it, youth and charms 
Are loath lome. • This the venal Graces know j 
So doubtlefs do your wives: for married fires, 
As well as lovers, Hill pretend to talle; 
Nor is it lefs (all prudent wives can tell) 
To lofe a hufband's than a lover's heart. 

But now the hours and fealbns when to toil 
From foreign themes recall my wand'ring fong. 
Some labour fading, or but (lightly fed, 
To lull the grinding ftomach's hungry rage, 
Where nature feed« too corpulent a frame j 
'Tis wifely done : for while the thirfty 4'eins, 
Impatient of lean penury, devour 
The treafur'd oil, then is the happieft time 
To fnake the lazy balfara from its cells. 



TheEail ; nor curs'd, like us, their fickle Iky. 

The body, moulded by the clime, endures 
Th' equator heats cr hyperborean frolt; 
Except, by habits foreign to its turn, 
Unwiic ycu counteract its forming pow'r. 
Rude at the firit, the winter ftiocks 3^ou lefs 
By long acquaintance: (lady then your Iky, 
Form to its manners your obfequious frame, 
And learn to fuffer what you cannot Ihun. 
Againft the rigours of a damp cold heaven 
To fortify their bodies, fome frequent 
The gelid ciitern; and, where nought forbids, 
I praife their dauntiefs heart j a frame fo fteerd 



Subiides, bat ere returning hunger gnaws, 
Ye leaner habits, give an hour to toil ; 
And ye whom no luxuriancy of growth 
Oppreffes yet, or threatens Loopprefs. 
Bui from the recent meal no labours pleafe, 
Of limbs or mind. For now the cordial powVs 
Claim all the wand'ring fpirits to a work 
Of ftrong and fubtle toil and great event, 
A work of time ; and you may rue the day 
You hurried, with untimely exercife, 
A half-concocled chyle into the blood. 
The body overcharged with unflucus phlegm 
Much toil demands: the lean elaftic lefs. 



Dreads not the cough, nor thofe ungenial blafts Whilev/interchills the blood, and bindstheveins, 
"^' ' ^ > — • --,,.., •■• No labours are too hard} by thofe you 'fcape 

The (low difeaies of the torpid year, 
Endlefs to name ; to one of which alone. 
To that which tears the nerve?, the toil of Haves 
Is pleafure. Oh, from fueh inhunian pains 
May all be free who merit not the wheel ! 
But from th^ burning Lion when the fun 
Pours dov/n his fultiy wrath ; nowv/hile the blood 
Too much already maddens in the veins. 
And all the finer fluids thro' the ildn 
Explore their flight; me, near the cool eafcade 
■ Reclined, or faunt'ring in the lofty grove, 
No needlefs flight occafioa fnouid engage 
To pant and fweat beneath the fieiy noon. 
Now the frefli rnorn alone and mellow eve 
To (liady walks and active rural fports 
Invite. But, while the chilling dews defcend^ 
May nothing tempt you to the cold embrace 
Of humid ikies ; tho' tis no vulgar joy 
To trace the horrors of the folemn wood 
While the foft ev'ning (addens into night; 
Tho' the fweet Feet of the vernal groves 
Melts all the night in ftrains of am'rous woe. 

The {hades defcend, and midnight o'ertheworld 
Expands her fabie wings ; great Nature droops 
Thro' all her works. Nov.- happy he whofe toil 
Has o'er his languid pow'rlefs limbs diifus'd 
A plealing laflitude: he nor in vain 
Invokes the gentle Deity of dreams. 
His powers the moll voluptuoufly dilTolve 
In foft repofe : on him the balmy dews 
Of fieep with. doirHe nutriment defcend. 
But v,ouid vou fweeti V waile the blank of night 

In 



That breathe the Teriian or fell Rheumaiifm; 
The nerves fo temper'd never quit their tone; 
Nachronic languors haunt fuch hardy breaih. 
But all things have their bounds: and he who 
By daily ufe the kindefl: regimen ^mc^es 

Eflential to his health, fliould never mix 
With human kind, noi'art nor trade purfue. 
He not the hfe viciflitudes of life 
Without fome fliock endures; ill-fited he 
To want the known, or bear unufual thingi>. 
Befides, the pow'rful remedies of pain 
(Since pain in fpite of all our care will come) 
Should never with yourprofp'rous days of health 
Grow too familiar: for by frequent ufe 
The ftrcjigeit med'cines lofe thcirhealing pow'r. 
And e'en the furefl: poifons theirs to kill. 

Let thofe who from the frozen Ar<5LOs reach 
Parch'd Mauritania, or the fultry well, 
Or the wide flood thro' rich Indoltan roU'd, 
Plunge thrice a day, and in the tepid wave 
Untwift their fl:ublx)rn pores ; that full and free 
Th' evaporation thro' the foften'd tkin 
May bear proportion to the fv/elling blood: 
So ihall they 'fcape the fever's rapid flames. 
So feel untainted the hot breath of hell. 
With us, the man of no complaiut dernands 
The warm ablution, jufl; enough to clear 
The fluices of tlie fKin, enough to keep 
The body facred from indecent foil. 
Still to be pure, ev'n did it not conduce 
(-^s much it does) to health, were greatly worth 
Your daily pains. 'Tis this adorns th.e;^rich; 
The w.ant of this is Poverty's worll woe; 



Book IT, 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, Sec. 



4^7 



In deep oblivion ; or on Fancy's wings 
Vifit the panidile oi" happy dreams, 
And waken cheerful as the lively morn 5 
Opprds not nature finking down to veil 
With fealh too late, too Iblid, or too full; 
Bat be the fir(l conco(51ion half matur'd 
Ere you to mighty indolence reiign 
Your paiilve faculties. He from the toils 
And trouble of the day to heavier toil [rocks 
Retires, -whom trembling from the tovv'r that 
Amid the clouds, or Calpe's hideous height, 
The bufy demons hurl, or in the main 
O'erwheim, or bury Itruggiing under ground. 
Not all a monarch's luxury the woes 
Can counterpoife of that moft wretched man, 
Whofe nights are iliaken with the frantic fits 
Of wild Orelles ; whofe delirious brain, 
Stung bytheFurieSjWorkswith poifon'd thought; 
While pale and monllrous panting fliocks the 
And mangled confcioufnefs bemoans itfelf [foul. 
For ever torn, and chaos floating round. 
What dreams prefage, what dangers thefe or 
Portend to fanity, tho' prudent leers [thofe 
Reveal'd of old, and me^^i of deathlefs fame. 
We would not to the luperftitious mind 
Suggeil new throbs, new vanity of fear : 
'Tis ours to teach you from the peaceful night 
To banifh omens and all reftlefs vioes. 

In Ihidy fome protract the filent hours, 
Which others confecrate to m.irth aod wine: 
And fleep till noon, and hardly live till night. 
But furely this redeem.s not from the fhades 
One hour of life. Nor does it nought avail 
What {tai'on you to drowiy Morpheus give 
Of th' ever-varying circle of the day; 
Or whether, thro' the tedious winter gloom, 
You tempt the midnight or the morning damps. 
The body, frelh and vigorous from repofe. 
Defies the early fogs ; but, by the toils 
Of wakeful day exiiaufted and unltrung. 
Weakly refills the night's unwholefome breath -. 
The grand difcharge, th' efiuiion of the fi^in, 
Slowly impair'd, the languid maladies 
Creep on, and thro' the fick'ning funClions fteal. 
So, when the chilling Eafc invades the fpring. 
The delicate NarciiTus pines away 
In he6lic languor, and a (low difeafe 
Taints all the family of flow'rs, condemned. . 
To cruel heavens. But why, already prone 
To fade, fhould beauty cherilh its own bane ? 
Oh fhame! oh pity ! nipt with pale Quadrille 
And midnight cares, the bloom of Albion dies ! 

By toil fubdued, the warrior and the hind 
Sleep fafl and deep: their aflive fundions fbon 
With generous Itreams the fnbtle tubes fupply; 
And foon the tonic irritable nerves 
Feel the frefli impulfe, and awake the foul. 
The fons of Indolence with long repofe 
Grow torpid ; and, with flowed Lethe drunk, 
Feebly and ling'ringly return to life. 
Blunt ev'ry fenfe, and pow'rlefs ev'ry limb. 
Y'e prone to fleep (whom fleeping moil annoys) 
On the hard mattrafs or elaftic couvh [floth ; 
Extend yeur limbs, and wean yourielf from 



Nor grudge the lean proje6lor, of dry brain 
And fpringly nerves, the b'andifliments of 
Nor envy while the buried Bacchanal [down; 
Exhales his furfeit in prolixer dreams. 

He without riot, in the balmy feaft 
Of life, the,wants of nature has fupplied. 
Who riJes cool, ferene, and full of foul. 
But pliant nature more or lefs demands 
As cuflom fonns her; and all fudden change 
She hates of habit, ev'n from bad to good, 
[f faults in life, or new emergencies 
From habits urge you by long time confirmed. 
Slow may the change arrive, and ftage by ftage j 
Slow as the fhadow o'er the dial moves, 
Slow as the Healing progrefs of the year. 

Obferve the circling year. How unperceiv'd 
Her feafons change! Behold, by flow degrees. 
Stern Winter tam'd into a ruder Spring; 
The ripen'd Spring a milder Summer glows; 
Departing Summer fheds Pomona's ftore; 
And aged Autumn brews the Winter florm.^ 
Slow as they come, thefe changes come not void 
Of mortal fhocks: the cold and torrid reigns. 
The two great periods of th' important year. 
Are in their firfl approaches feldom fafe: 
Funereal Autumn all the fickly dread. 
And the black fates deform the lovely Spring. 
He well advis'd, who taught our wifer fires 
Early to borrow Mufcovy's warm fpoils, 
Ere the firfl froft has touch'dthe tender blade j 
And late refign them, tho' the wanton Spring 
Should deck her charms with all her filler' s_ rays. 
For while the effluence of the fkin niaintains 
Its native meafure, the pleuritic Spring 
Glides harmlefsby; and Autumn, fickto death 
With fallow quartans, no contagion breathes. 

I in prophetic numbers could unfold 
The omens of the year : what feafons teem 
With what difeaiesj what the humid South 
Prepares, and what the Demon of the Eaft: 
But you perhaps refufe the tedious fong. 
Eefides, whatever plagues, in heat, or cold. 
Or drought, or moifture dwell, they hurt not 
Skill'd to correal the vices of the fky, [you, 
And taught already how to each extreme 
l~o bend your life. But fnould the public banc 
Infect you; or fome trefpafs of your^ovvn, 
Or flaw of nature, hint mortality :_ 
Soon as a not unpleafing horror glides 
Along the (pine, through all your torpid limbs ; 
When firfl the head throbs, or the 11 omach feels 
A fickly load, a weary pain the loins, 
lie Celliis call'd: the rates come rufhing on } 
The rapid fates admit of no delay. 
While wilful you, and fatally fecure, 
Expe6l to-morrow's more aufpicious fim. 
The growing pell, whole infancy was weak 
And eafy vanquifh'd, with triumphant fway 
O'erpow'rs your life. For want of timely care, 
Millions have died of medicable wounds. 

Ah ! in what perils is vain life engag'd ! 
What flight negle^ls, what trivial faults, deitroy 
The hardieil frame ! Of indolence, of toil, 
We die ; of want, of fupeifliiity : 

H h 2 The 



468 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



IL 



The all-furrounding heaven, the vital air, 
Is big with death. And, tho* the putrid South 
Be Ihut 5 tho' no convuUive agony- 
Shake, from the deep foundation of the world, 
Th' imprifon'd plagues, a lecret venom oft 
Corrupts the air, the water, and the kind, 
What livid deaths has fad Byzantium feen ! 
How oft has Cairo, with a mother's woe 
Wept o'erherflaughter'dfons and lonely llreets! 
Even Albion, girt with lefs malignant ikies, 
Albion the poison of the gods has drank. 
And felt the fting of moniters all her own. 

Ere yet the fell Plantagcnets had Ipent 
Their ancient rage at Bofworth's purple field ; 
While, for which tyrant England fhould receive- 
Her legions in incelhious murders mix'd, 
And daily horrors j till the fates were drunk 
With kindred blood by kindred hands protus'd 
Another plague of more gigantic arm 
Arofe ; a monfter never known beforq 
Reared from Cocytus its portentous head. 
This rapid fury not, like other pefts. 
Purfued a gradual courfe, but in a day 
Rufli'd as a ftorm o'er half the aftoni(h'd ifle, 
And ftrew'd with fudden carcafes the land. 

Firil thro' the flioulders, or whatever part 
Was feiz'd the ilrlt, a fervid vapour fprung. 
Widi ralh combuftion thence the quiv'ring 
Shot to the heart,and kindled all within : [fpark 
And foon the furface caught the fpreading fires. 
Thro' all the yielding pores the melted blood 
. Gutird out in linoky fweats ; b ut nought affuagM 
The torrid heat within, nor aught reliev'd 
The ftomach's anguifii. With incelTant toil, 
Defperate of eafe, impatient of their pain. 
They tofs'd from fide to fide. In vain the itream 
Ran full and clear, they burnt and thirlled ftill ; 
The relllefs arteries with rapid blood 
Beat ftrong and frequent. Thick and pantingly 
Tke breath was fetch'd, and with huge lab'rings 
At laft a heavy pain opprefs'd the head, [heav'd: 
A wild delirium came; their weeping friends 
Were ftrangers now, and this no home of theirs. 
Harafs'd with toil on toil, the finking povv^'rs 
Lay proftiate and o'erthrown ; a pondYous fleep 
Wrapp'd all the fenfes up : they fiept and died. 

In fome, a gentle horror crept at firlt 
O'er all the limbs ; the fluices of the ficin 
'U'"ithheld their moifture, till by art provok'd 
The fweats o'erfiow'd, but in a clammy tide: 
Now free and copious, now reflrain'd and flow; 
Of tinctures various, as the temp'rature 
Had mix'd the blood, and rank with fetid 
As if the pent-up humours by delay [Iteams: 
Were grown more fell, more putrid, andmalign. 
Here lay their hopes (tho' little hope remain'd), 
With full effuficn of perpetual fweats 
To drive the venom out. And here the fiites 
Were kind, that long they linger'd not in pain. 
For who furviv'd the fun's diurnal race. 
Role from the dreary gates of hell redeem'd : 
Some the fixth houropprefs'd,and fome the third. 

Of many thoufands few untainted fcap'd j 
Of thofe infe6led fewer 'fcap'd alive] 



Of thofe who liv'd fome felt a feeond blow ; 
And whom, the feeond fpar'd a third de'J:roy'd» 
Frantic witii fear, they fought by flight to (hua 
The fierce contagion. O'er the mournful land 
Th' infected city pour'd her hurrying fwarmsr 
Rous'd by the fiames that fir'd her feats around, 
Th' infe6ted country rufii'd into the town. 
Some, fad at liome, and in the defert fome, 
Abjur'd the fatal comn^ierce of mankind 
In vain : where'er they fled the fiites purfued. 
Others, with hopes more fpecjpus, crofs'd the 
To feek protecfion in fiir diliant ikies; [main, 
j But none they found. It feem'd the general air, 
I From pole to pole, from Atlas to the Eafl:, 
! Was then at enmity with Englifli blood. 
; For, but the race of England, all were {:\fe 
' In foreign climes; nor did this fury talie [tain'd. 
The foreign blood which England then con- 
: Where fliould thery fly ? The circumambient 
I heaven 

I Involved them ftill; and ev'ry breeze was bane, 
'Where find relief? The lalutary art 
I Wa'? mute ; tmd, ftartled at the new difeafe, 
iln fearful whifpers hopelefs omens gave. 
!To heaven with fuppliant rites they fent their 
I pray'rs ; [priv'd j 

I Heaven heard them not. Of ev'ry hope de- 
Fatigued with vain refources ; and fubdued 
jWith woes refiftlefs and enfeebling fear; 
iPafiive they funk beneath the weighty blow. . 
; Nothing but lamenta!;le founds were heard, 
\ Nor aught was feen but ghaftly views of death. 
' Infeftiotis horror ran from face to fiice, 
; And pale defpair. 'Twas all the bus'nefs thei^ 
To tend the lick, and in their turns to die. 
In heaps they fell : and oft one bed, they fay, 
iThe fick'ning, dying, and the dead contained ^ 
) Ye guardian gods, on whom the fates depend 
Of tort'ring Albion ! ye eternal fires [pow'r* 
That lead thro' heaven the wand'ring year! ye 
That o'er the encircling elements prelide ! 
May nothing worfe than what this age has feen. 
Arrive ! Enough abroad, enough at home, 
; Has Albion bled. Here a diflemper'd heaven 
Has thinn'd her cities ; from thofe lofty clip's 
That awe proud Gaul, to Thuie's wint'ry reign : 
, While in the well, beyond th' Atlantic foam, 
: Her bravefl: fons, keen for the fight, have died 
The death of cowards and of common men: 
S unk void of wou.ids.andfairn without renown. 
\ But from thefe views the weeping Mufes turn, 
: And other themes invite my wand'ring fong. 

' BOOK IV. THE PASSIONS. 

' The choice of aliment, the choice of air, 
:The ufe of toil, and ail external things. 

Already fung; it now remains to uace 
; What good, what evil, from ourfelves proceeds, 
' And how the fubtle principle within 
; Infpires with health, or mines with flirange de- 
[The pafiive body. Ye poetic fliades, [cay 

iThat know the fecrets of the world unfeen, 
' Aflift my fong ! for, in a doubtful theme 

Engag'd, I wander thro' myflierious ways. 

There 



Book H. 



DIDACTIC, 



There is, they fay (and I believe there is), 
A fpark within us ofth' itnmo.ral fire, 
That animates and niouhls the groiler frame 
And when the body jinks, e-fcipes to heaven 



Its native feat, and mixes u'ith the Gods. 

Meanwhile this heavenly particle pervades 

Tlie mortal elements j in cv'ry nerve 

It thrills v/ith pleafure, or grows mad with pain : 

And, in its fecret conclave, as it feels 

The body's woes and joys, this ruling pow^r 

Wields at its will the dull material world, 

And IS the body's health or malady. 

By Its own toil the grofs corporeal frame 
Fatigues, extenuates, or dcftroys itfelf. 
Nor jefs the labours of the mind corrode 
The iolid fabric: for by fuhtie parts, 
And viewlefs atoms, fecret Nature moves 
The mighty wheels of this flupendous world. 
By lubtle fluids pour'd thro' fubtle tubes. 
The nat'ral, vital, fundions are perform'd, 
By the/e the ftubborn aliments -are tam'd; 
The tolling heart dillributes life and llrength ; 
Thefe the Itill-crumblingtVame rebuiid,and thefe 
Are loilin thinking, and diiiblve in air. 

But 'tis not Thought (for ilill the foul's 
employ'd), 
lis painiul thinking, that corrodes omv clay. 
All day the vacant eye without fatigue 
Strays o'erthe heaven and earth ; butlong intent 
On microfcopic arts its vigour fails. 
Juft fo the mind, with various thought araus*d. 
Nor aches i.tielf, nor gives the body pain. 
But anxious Study, Difcontent, and Care, 
Love without hope, and Hate without revenge. 
And Fear, and Jealoufy, fatigue the foul, 
Engrols the fubtle miniJlers of life, 
And fpoil the lab'ring funaioiis of their fhare. 
Hence the lean gloom that Melancholy wears, 
The lover's palenefs, and the (allow hue 
Of Envy, Jealouly, the meagre itare 
Of iore Revenore: the canker'd body hence 



D E S C R I P T I V E, &c. 4^9 

And wield the thunder of Demoflhenes. 
The chcft lb cxercis'd improves its Itrength ; 
And quick vibrations thro' the bowels drive 
The relUels blood, which in unaftive days 
Would loiter elfe thro' unelaltic tubes. 
Deem it not trifiing while I recommend 
What poflure fuits -. to ftand and fit by turns. 
As nature prompts, is belt. But o'er your leaves 
To lean for ever, cramps the vital parts. 
And robs the fine machinery of its play. 

'Tis the great art of life to manage well 
The reillefs mind. For ever on purfuit 
Of knowledge bent, itilarves the grolfer pow'rs: 
Quite unemploy'd, againft its own repofe 
It turns its fatal edge, and (harper pangs 
Than what the body knows embitter life. 
Chiefly where Solitude, fad nurJc of Care, 
To (ickly mufing gives the penflve mind, 
There NIadnefs enters : and the dim-eyed Fiend, 
Sour Melancholy, night and day provokes 
Her own eternal wound. The fun grows pale 5 
A mournful vifionary light o'erfpreads 
The cheerful face of nature; earth becomes 
A dreary defert, and heaven frowns above. 
Then various lliapes of curs'd illufion rife: 
Whatever the wretched fears, creating Fear 
Form.s out of nothing; and with monilers teem 
Unknown in hell. The proftrate foul beneath 
A load of huge imagination heaves; 
And all the horrors that the murd'rer feels 
With anxiousflutt'ringswake the guiltlefsbreaft# 

Such phantoms Pride in Iblitary fcenes. 
Or Fear, on delicate Self-love creates. 
From other cares abfolv'd, the bufy mind 
Finds in yourlelf a theme to pore upon; 
It finds you miferable, or makes you fo. 
For while yourfelf you anxioufly explore, 
Timorous Self-love, with lick'ning Fancy's aid, 
Prefents the danger that you dread the mod. 
And ever galls you in your tender part. 
Hence fome for love, and fome for jealoufy. 



venge: 
Betrays each fretful motion of the mind, [day | For grim religion fome, and fome for pride, 
^ The iirong built pedant, who both night and I Have lofl: their reafon; fome for fear of want. 
Feeds on the coarfell fare the fchools beftow, I Want all their lives ; and other's ev'ry day. 
And crudely fattens at grofs Durman's (lall ; I For fear of dying, fufler worfe than death. 
O'erwihelm'd with phlegm lies in a dropfyJAh! from your bolbms banifln, if you can. 
Or (inks in lethargy before his time. [dro\vn'd,iThofe fatal guefl-s; and firil the demon Fear, 
With youthful ftudies you, and arts that pleafe. That trembles at im])oflible events, 

Leil aged Atlas fhould refign his load. 



pieal 
but not fitigue. 
I 



Employ yaur mind ; anuiie 
Peace to each drowfy metaphyuc (age . 
And ever may all heavy fylienis reit ! 
Yet fome there are, ev'n of elaftic parts. 
Whom ilrong and obftinate ambition leads 
Thro' all the rugged roads of barren lore, 
And gives to reliih what their gen'rous tafte 
Would elfe refufe. But may noV thirft of fame. 
Nor Jove of knowledge, urge you to fatigue 
With conftaut drudgery the lib'ral foul. 
Toy with your books Zand, as the various fits 
Of humour leize you, from Philofophy 
To fable (hift, from ferious Antonine 
To Rabelais' ravings, and from p role to fong. 
While reading pleafes, but no longer, read; 
And read aloud refounding Homer's llrain, 



And heaven's eternal battlements rulh down* 
Is there an evil worfe than Fear itfelf? 
And what avails it that indulgent Heaven 
From mortal eyes has wrapt the woes to come, 
If we, ingenious to .torment ourfelves. 
Grow pale at hideous fictions of our own ? 
Enjoy the prefent ; nor with needlefs cares 
Of what may fpring from blind Misfortune's 

womb. 
Appal the fureft hour that life beftows. 
Serene, and mailer of yourfelf, prepare 
For what may come, and leave the reft to Heaven. 

Oft from the body, by long ails miftun'd, 
Thefe evils fpring, the moft important health, 
That of the mind, defti"oy j and when the min< 
H h 3 The; 



47® 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II, 



They firfl invade, the confcious body foon 
In fympathetic langui{hment declines. 
Thefe chronic paiTions, while from real woes 
They rife, and yet without the body's f:iult 
Infelt the foul, admit one only cure j 
Diyerfion, hurry, and a refllefs life : 
Vain are the confolations of the wife ; [pain. 
In vain your friends would reafon down your 
O ye, whofe fouls relentlefs love has tam'd 
To foft dillrefs, or friends untimely flain 1 
Court not the luxury of tender thought ! 
Nor deem it impious to forget thofe pains 
Tl^iat hurt the living, nought avail the dead. 
Go,''foft enthufiaft ! quit the cyprefs groves. 
Nor to the rivulet's lonely moanings tune 
Yourfad complaint. Go,feek the cheerful haunts 
Of men, and mingle with the buitling crowd ; 
Lay fchemes for wealth, or pow'r, or fame, the 

wifli 
Of noble minds, and pufh them night and day, 
Or join the caravan in quell of fcenes 
New to your eyes, and fhifting ev'ry iiour, 
Beyond the Alps, beyond the^Apcnnines. 
Or, more adventurous, rufh into the field 
Where war grows hot; and, raging thro' the flcy, 
The lofry trumpet fwells the maddening foul 5 
And in the hardv camp and toilfome march 
Forget all fofter and lefs manly cares. 

But moft too paflive, when tlie blood runs low. 
Too w^eakly indolent to ftrive whh pain, 
And bi-avejy by refifting conquer Fate, 
Try Circe's arts, and in the tempting bowl 
Of poifon'd ne6br fvveet oblivion drink. 
Struck by the powerful charni,the gloom dilTolves 
In empty air 5 Elyfium opens round. 
A pleafnig phrenfy buoys the lightened foul, 
And Iknguine hopes dilptl your fleeting carcj 
And vs'hat vv^as difficult and what was dire, | 

Yields to your prowefs and fupericr ftars : l 

The happieft you of all that e^r were mad, ; 
Or are, or iliajl be, could this folly laft. • 

But foon your heaven is gone ; a heavier gloom ' 
Shuts o'er your head: and, as the thKnd'ringi 

ftrcam, . ! 

Swoln o'er its banks with fudden mountain rain, ■ 
Sinks from its tumult to a iilent brook; j 

So, when the frantic raptures in your breaft i 
Subfide, you languifh into mortal man: i 

You fleep, and waking find yourlelf undone. ! 
For, prodigal of life, in one rafli night 
You laviih'd mart than might fupport three days. I 
A heavy morning comes; your cares return I 
With tenfold rage. An anxious ftomach well | 
May be endur'd ; fo may tlie throbbing heart: i 
But fuch a dim delirium, iuch a dream. 
Involves you ; fuch a dailardly defpair | 

Unmans your foul, as madd'ning Pentheus felt! 
When, baited round Cithasron's cruel fides. 
He faw two funs, and doable Thebes, afcend. 
You curfe thefluggifh Hortjyoucurfe the wretch, 
The felon, with unnat'r;?! mixture firil 
'Who dar'd to violate the virgin wine. 
Or on the fugitive Cham.paign ycu pOur 
A thoufaud curfes j for to heaven it rapt 



You foul, tq plunge you deeper in defpair. 
Perhaps you rucev'n that divined gift, 
The gay, ferene, good-natur'd Burgundy, 
Or the frefti fragrant vintage of the Rhine ; 
And wi{h thatHeaven from mortals had withheld 
The grape, and all intoxicating bowls. 

Befides, it wounds you fore to recoUeft 
What follies in your loofe unguarded hour 
Efcap'd. For one irrevocable word, 
Perhaps that meant no harm, you lofe a friend; 
Or in the rage of wine your baity hand 
Performs a deed to haunt you to your grave. 
Add, that your means, your health,' your parts 

decay : 
Your friends avoid yoii; bnitifhly transform'd, 
They hardly known you ; or, if one remains 
To wifn you well, he wifnes you in heaven. 
Defpis'd, unwept, you fall ; who might have left 
A facred, cherilh'd, fadly-pleafing name; 
A name Itill to be utter'd with a figh. 
Youf laft ungraceful fcene has quite effac'd 
All feafe and mem'ry of your former worth. 

How to live happieft ; how avoid the pains. 
The difappojntments, and difgufts of thofe 
Who would in pleafure all their hours employ ; 
The precepts here of a divine old man 
I could recite. Tho' old, he ftili retain'd 
Kis manly fenfe and energy of mind. 
Virtuous and wife he was, but not fevere ; 
He itill remember'd that he once was young; 
His eafy prefence check'd no decent joy. 
Him ev'n the difiblute admir'd: for he 
A graceful loofenefs, when he pleas'd, put on; 
And laughing c®uld inftruct. Much had he read. 
Much more had feen ; he iiudied from the life. 
And in th' original perus'd mankind. 

Vers'd in the woes and vanities of life. 
He pitied Man : and much he pitied thofe 
Whom falfely-fmiling Fate has curs'd with means 
To dilupate their days in queft of joy. 
Our aim is happinefs : 'tis yours, 'tis mine. 
He fiiid; 'cis the purfuit of all that live: 
Yet few attain it, if 't was e'er attain'd. 
But they the wideft wander from the mark. 
Who thro' the fiowVy paths of faunt'ring joy 
Seek this coy goddefs ; that from ftage to Itage 
Invites us (tiii, but fliifts as we purfue. 
For, not to name the pains that pleafure brings 
To counterpoife itfelf, relentlefs Fate 
I-'orbids that we thro' gay voluptuous wilds 
Should ever roam; and were the fates more kind. 
Our narrow luxuries would foon be ftale. 
Were thefe exhauftlefs. Nature would grow fick ; 
And cloy'd with pleafure, fqueamitlily complain 
That all was vanity, and life a dream. 
Let nature reft : be bufy for yourfelf. 
And for your friend ; be bufy ev'n in vain, 
Rather than teafe her fated appetites. 
Who never fafts, no banquets e'er enjoys; 
Who never toils or v.-atches, never fleeps. 
Let nature reft: and when the tafte of joy 
Grows keen, indulge; but fhun fatiety. 

'Tis not for mortals always to be bleft. 
Biit him the ieaft the dull or painful hours 

Of 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE. &c. 



47 » 



Of life oppreA, whom fober Senfe condu61s. 
And Virtue, thro' this labyrinth we tread. 
Virtue and Senfe I mean not to disjoin; 
Virtue and Senfe are one: and, truil me, ftill • 
A faithlefs heajt betrays the liead unfound. 
Virtue (for mere good-nature is a fool) 
Is Senfe and Spirit, with Humanity : 
'Tis Ibmetiraes angry, and its frown confounds.; 
*Tis ev'a vindiftive, but in vengeance juft, 
Knaves fain would Jaugh at it; fome great ones 
But at his heart the raoit undaunted fon [dare ; 
Of fortune dreads its name and awful charms. 
To nobleft ufes this determines wealth ; 
This is the folid pomp of profp'rous days. 
The peace and flielter of adveiiity. 
And, if you pant for gloiy, build your fame 
On this foundation, which the fecret fhoek 
Defies of Envy and all-fappingTime. 
The gaudy glofs of Fortune only ihikes 
The vulgar eye ; the fuff' rage of the wife, 
The praife that's worth ambition, is attained 
By fenfe alone, and dignity of mind. 

Virtue, the Itrength and'beauty of the foul, 
Is the belt gift of Heaven 5 a happinefs 
That ev'n above the fmiles and frov/ns of fate 
Exalts great Nature's favourites; a wealth 
That ne'er encumbers, nor to bafer hands 
Can be trans ferr'd: it is the only good 
Man juftly boafts of, or can c:dl his own. 
Riches are oft by guilt and bafenefs earn'd ; 
Or dealt by chance, to lliield a lucky knave, 
Or thr6w a cruel fun-(hine on a fool. 
But for one end, one much-neglefted ufe, 
Are riches worth your care, for Nature's wants 
Are i'tWy and without opulence iuppiied) -. 
This noble end is, to produce the ibul ; 
To ihcw the virtues in the faireil light; 
To make humanity the minilter 
Of bounteous Providence: and ter.ch th: breaft 
That gen'rous luxury the gods enjoy 

Thus, in his gra\'er vein, the friendly fage 



Or ncrlit an 



Sometimes declaim'd. 

taught 
Truths as rehn'd as ever Athens heard; 
And (Itrange to teiii) he prasftis'd whitt 

preach'd. 



he 



Skill'd 



ie paffion?, how to check their Avay 



He knew, as far as reafon can controul 
The lawlefs pow'rs. But other cares are mine: 
Form'd in the fchool of Psan, I relate 
What painona hurt the body, what improve : 
Avoid them, or invite them, as you may. 

Know then, whatever cheerful and i'ere:ie 
Supports the mind, fuppoi:t5 the body too. 
Hence, the moil vital movement mortals feel 
Is Hope, the balm and life-blood of the foul ; 
It pleales, and it lalh. Indulgent Heaven 
Sent down the kind delufion, thro' the paths 
Of rugged life to lead us patient on. 
And make our happieil flate no tedious thing. 
Our greateft good, and what we leaft can fpare, 
Is Hope; the lalt of all our evils. Fear. 

But there are painons grateful to the breaft. 
And yet no friends to lil'e; perhaps they pleafe 



Or to excefs, and dinTipate the foul ; [clown, 
Or while they pleafe, torment. The ftubborn 
The ill tam'd rudian, and pule ufurer, 
(If love's omnipotence fuch hearts can mould) 
May Ihfely mellow into love; and grow 
Refin'd, humane, and gen'rous, if they can. 
Love in fuch bofoms never to a f:mlt 
Or pains or pleafes. But, ye iiner foul?, 
Fonn'd to fotVluxary, and prumpt to thrill 
With'all the tumults, all the joys and pains, 
That beauty gives ; with caution and referve 
Indulge the fweet delbroyer of repoie, 
Nor court too much theQueen of charming cares. 
For, while the cherifn'd poifon in your breaft 
Femients and maddens ; lick with jealoufy, 
Abfence, diilrull, or even with anxious joy, 
The wholefotne appetites and pow'rs of life 
DilTolve in languor. The coy ftomach loaths 
The genial board; your cheerful days are gone; 
The gen'rous bloom that flufli'd your cheeks is 
To fighs devoted, and to tender pains, [fled. 
Peniive you lit, or folitary ftray, 
And walte your youth in m.ufmg. IMufmg firll 
Toy'd into care your unfufpefting heart; 
It found a liking there, a fportful fire, 
And that fomented into ferious love; 
Which muling daily ftrengthens and improve* 
Thro' all the heights of fondnefs and romance; 
xAnd you're undone, the fatal fhaft has fped. 
If once you doubt whether you love or no; 
Fhe body v/ailes away ; th' infefted mind, 
Diiloiv'd in female tendernefs, forgets 
Each manly virtue, and grovv-s dead to fame. 
Sweet Heaven ! from fuch intoxicating channs 
Defend ail worthy breaits! Not that I deem 
Love alwaj's dangerous, always to be fhunn'd. 
Love well repaid, and not too weakly funk 
In wanton and unm.anly tendernefs, 
Adds bloom to health; o'er ev'ry virtue Uieds 
A gay, humane, and amiable gnice. 
And brightens aU the ornaments of man. 
But fruitlefs, hopelefs, difippointed, rack'd 
With jealouly, iatigued with houe and fear. 
Too ferious, or too languifjiingly fond. 
Unnerves the body, and unmans the foul. 
And fome have died for love, and fome run mad; 
And ibme with defp'mte hand tiiem (elves have 

Some to extinguiili, others to prevent, [llain. 
A m.ad devotion to one dang'rous Fai:*, 
Court all they meet ; in hopes, to diHipate 
The cares of love amongft an hundred bride.>>\ 
Th' event is doubtful : for there are who i\<.\d 
A. cure in this ; there are v.'ho find it not. 
'Tis no relief, alas ! it rather galls 
The wound, to thofe who are iincerely Tick. 
For while from fev'riili and tumultuous joys 
The nerves grow languid, and the foil fubfides. 
The tender fdiicy fmarts with ev'r}' fting. 
And what was love before is madnefs now. 
Is health your care, or luxury your aim .' 
Be temperate iHll : when Nature bids, obeyj 
Her wild impatient fallies bear no curb: 
Rut when the prurient habit of delight. 
Or loofe imagination, fpurs you on 

H.h 4 To 



47* 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II, 



To deeds above your ilrength, impute it not 
To Nature ; Nature all compulfion hates. 
Ah ! let not luxury nor vahi renown 
Urge you to feats you well might fieep without; 
To make what fhould be rapture a fatigue, 
A ted'ous talk 5 nor in the wanton arms 
Or twining Lais melt your manhood down. 
For from the colliquation of fott joys 
Howchang'dyouril'e ! theghoilof wliatyou was ! 
Languid and melancholy, gaunt and wan, 
Your veins exhaulbed, and your nerves unllrung 
SpoilM of its balm and fprightly zeit, the blood 
Grows vapid phlegm: along the tender nerves 
(To each llight impuife tremblingly awake) 
A fubtle fiend that mimics all the plagues, 
Rapid and reftlefs, fprings from part to part. 
The blooming honours of youryouih are fallen ; 
Your vigour pines 5 .your vital povv'rs decays 
Dlieafes haunt you; and untimely age 
Creeps on, unfocial, impotent, and lewd. 
Infatuate, impious epicure ! to wafte 
The ftores of pleafu^e^ cheerfulnefs, and health 
Infatuate all who make delight their trade, 
And coy perdiiion ev'ry hour purliie. 

Who pines with love, or in lafcivious flames 
Confumes, is with his own confent undone: 
He chcofes to be wretched, to be mad, 
And warn'd proceeds and wilful to his fate. 
But there's a paffion, w^hofe tempeftuous fway 
Tears up each virtue planted in the breait, 
And fliakes to ruin proud Philofophy. 
For pale and trembling Anger rufhes in, 
"With faltering fpeech,and eyes that wildly Hare 
Fierce as the tiger, madder than the feas, 
Defperate, and arm'd with more than human 

ftrength 
Hov/ foon the calm, humane, and pnlifird man 
Forgets compunftion, and ftarts up a fiend ! 
Who pines in love, or waltes with fdent cares, 
Fnvy, or ignominy, or tender grief, 
Slowly defcends, and lingering, to the fhades. 
But he whom anger flings, drops, if he dies, 
At once, and rufhes apople6tic down j 
Or a fierce fever hurries him to hell. 
For, as the body thro' unnumber'd firings 
Reverberates each vibration of the foulj 
As is t'le paflion, fuch is flill the pain 
The body feels ; or cronic, or acute. 
And oft a fudden florni at once o'erpow'rs 
The life, or gives your reafon to the winds. 
Such fiites attend the rafh alarm of fear. 
And fudden grief, and J'age, and iiidden joy. 

There are, meantime, to whom the boillVous fit 
Is health, and only fills the fails of life; 
For where the mind a torpid winter leads. 
Wrapt in a body corpulent and cold. 
And each clogg'd funftion lazily moves on, 
A generous fally fpurns th' incumbent ioad. 
Unlocks the breaft, and gives a cordial glow. 
But if your wrathful blood is apt to boil, 
Or are your nerves too irritably flrung, 
W^ave all difpute j be cautious if you joke. 
Keep Lent for ever, and forfwear the bowl ; 
For one ralh moment fends you to the fhades 



Or fhatters ev^y hopeful fcheme of life. 
And gives to horror all your days to come. 
Fate, arm'd with thunder, fire, and ev'ry plague 
That ruins, tortures, or dlltra6ls mankind. 
And makes the happy wretched, in an hour 
O'erwhelms you not with woes fo horrible 
As your own vvrathjUor gives more fudden blows. 
While choler works, good friend, you may be 
wrong; 
Diflrufl" yourielf, and fieep before you fight. 
'Tis not too late to-morrow to be brave j 
If honour bids, to-morrow kill or die. 
But calm advice againll a raging fit 
Avails too little; and it braves the pow'r 
Of all that ever taught in pi'ofe or fbng, 
To tame the" fiend that fieeps a gentle lamb. 
And wakes a lion. Unprovok'd and calm. 
You reafon well, fee as you ought to fee, 
And wonder at the madnefs.of mankind ; 
SeizM v»-itii the common rage, you foon forget 
The fpe'culation of your wifer hours. 
Befet with furies of ail deadly fhapes. 
Fierce and infidious, violent and fiow. 
With all that urge or lure us on to fiite,' 
What refuge fiiall we feek, what arms prepare ? 
Where reafon proves too weak, or void of voiles. 
To cope with fubtle or impetuous powers, 
I would invoke new oaffions to your aid; 
With indignation would extinguifii fear. 
With fear or generous pity vanquifh rage, 
And love with pride ; and force to force oppofe. 
There is a charm, a pow^'r that fways the breaft j 
Bids every pafiion revel or be fiill; 
Infpires with rage, or all your cares difTolves; 
Can footh dillraftion, and almoft deipair; 
That pow'r is Mufic: far beyond the ttretch 
Of thofe unmeaning warblers on our ft 'ge; 
Thofe clumfy heroes, thofe fat-headed gods. 
Who move no n;u7ion juftly but contempt; 
Who, like our dancers (light indeed and firong!) 
Do wond'rous feats, but never heard of grace. 
The fault is our"s ; we bear thofe monflrous arts : 
Good Heaven ! we praife them ; we v,ith loudeit 

peals 
Applaud the fool that highefl lifts his heels. 
And with infipid fliovv of rapture die 
Of idiot notes impertinently long. 
But he the Mufe's laurel juflly fliares, 
A poet he, and touch'd with Heaven's own fire, 
Who with bold rage, or folemn pomp of founds. 
Inflames, exalts, and ravifhes the foul ; 
Now tender, plaintive, fweet almofl to pain. 
In love difTolves you; now in fprightly flrains 
Breathesa gay rapture thro' your thrilling breafl. 
Or melts the heart with airs divinely fad. 
Or v/akes to horror the tremendous firings. 
Such was the bard whofe heavenly ftrains of old 
Appeas'd the fiend of melancholy Saul. 
Such was, if old and heathen fame fay true. 
The man who bade the Theban domes afcend. 
And tam'd the favage nations with his fong; 
And fuch theThracian, whofe harmonious lyre, 
Tun'd to foft woe, made all the mountains weep j 
Sooth 'd ev'n th' ine.xorable pow'rs of Hell, 

And 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC. DESCRIPTIVE, Sec. 



473 



-And half redeemed his loft Eurydice. 
Miific exalts each joy, alhiys each grief, 
Expels dileufes, Ibttens evVy pain, 
Svibdiies the rage of poi.on, and the phgue; 
And hence the wife of ancient days ador'd 
One pow'r of phylic, melody and fong. 



§ 73. OJe on the Spring. Gray. 

T o ! where the rc^y-bofom'd Hours, 
-'-' Fair Venus' train, appear; 
Difcloi'e the long-expecSied iiow'rs. 
And wake the purple year ! 
The Attic warhler pours her throat, 
]lefpun{lvc to the cuckoo's note, 
The untaught harmony of Ipring; 
While, whUp'ring pieafure as they fly, 
Cool 2ep*hyrs thro"" the clear blue Iky 
Their gathered fragrance tiing. 

Where'er the oak's thick branches ftretch 

A broader, browner ihade; 

"Where'er the rude and 

O'erc.inopies the glade; 

Befide fome water's rufliy brink 

With me the Mufe fhall fit, and think 

(At euie reclin'd in rullic fhite) 

How vain the ardour of the crowd. 

How low, how little are the proud. 

How indigent the great ! 

Still is the toiling h?.nd of Care; 

The panting herds repofe : 

Yet, l"uirk, how thro' the peopled air 

The bufy murmur glows ! 

The inlect youth are on the wing, 

Eager to taite the honey'd fpring, 

And float amid the liquid noon : 

Some lightly o'er the current ikim. 

Some fhew their gaily gilded trim 

Quick glancing to the lun. 

To Contemplation's fober e3'e 

Such is the race of man ; 

And they that creep, and they that fly,. 

Shall end where they began. 

Alike the bufy and the g;:y 

But flutter thro' lite's little day, 

In fortune's varying colours drest: 

Brufli'd by the hand of roug-h mifchance. 

Or chill'd by age, their aiiy dance 

They leave, in duft to refl:. 

Methinks I hear, in accents low, 

The iportive kind reply : 

Poor moi-alist ! and what art thou ? 

A folitary fly ! _ 

Thy joys no glitt'ring female meets, 

No hive haft thou of hoarded fweets. 

No painted plumage to difplay ; 

On hafty wings thy youth is flown ; 

Thy fun is fet, thy ipring is gone— 

We frolic while 'tis May, 



§ 74. OJe on the Death of a Favcufhe Catf 
dro^'nt'd in a 'Tub of Gold Fijhes. i} R a Y. 

'HP WAS on a lofty vafe's fide, 
-*■ Where China's gayeil art had dyed 

The a/.uie flow'rs that blowj 
Demureft of the tabb}^ kind, , 
The penfive Seliuia, reclm'd, 

Gaz'd on the lake below. 

Her confcious tail her joy declar'd; 
The fair round face, the Jhowy beard, 

The velvet of her paws ! 
Her coat that v/ith the tortoife vies. 
Her ears of jet, and em'rald eyes. 

She faw, and purr'd applaufe. 

Still had fhe gaz'd ; but 'raidfl the tide 
Two ar,gel forms were feen to glide. 

The Genii of the ilream : 
Their icaly armour's Tyrianjiue, 
Thro' richeft purple, to the view 

Betray'd a golden gleam. 

The haplefs nymph with wonder faw: 
A wliifker firlt, and then a claw, 

With many an ardent wifii. 
She ftretch'd in vain to reach the prize: 
What female heart can gold defpile ? 

What cat's averfe to hlh ? 

Prefumptuous maid ! with looks intent 
Again the ilri^tcii'd, again ftie bent, 

Nor knew the gulpli between : 
(Malignant Fate lat by and fmil'd) ; 
The flipp'ry verge her feet beguil'd. 

She tumbled headlong in. 

Eight times emerging from the flood. 
She mew'd to ev''ry wat'ry god, 

Souie Ipeedy aid to fend. 
No Dolphin came, no Nereid ftirr'd; 
Nor cruel Tom nor Sufan heard : — 

A fav'rite has no friend ! 

From hence, ye beautiei, undecelv'd. 
Know, one faife ftep is ne'er retriev'd. 

And be with caution bold. 
Not all that tempts your wand'ring eyes?-. 
And heedlefs hearts, is lawful prize \ 

Nor all that glitters, gold. 



§ IS- 



Ode on a diflant Profpe£l of Eton College, 

GitAV. 



Y^ ciiftant fpires, ye antique tow'rs, 
-^ That crown the wat'ry glade, 
Where grateful Science fl:ill adores 
Her Henry's holy fliade ; 
And ye, that from the flrately brow 
vjf Windfor's heights th' expanfe below 
Of grove, of lawn, oi mead furvey, 
Whofe turf, whole fhade, whofe flow'rs among 
Wanders the hoary Thames along 
His f:lver-windingway I 

Ak 



474 



E L E G A N 1' EXTRACT S. 



Book LI, 



Ah happy hills ! ah pleafing fhade ! 

Ah fields belovM in vain ! 

Wliere once my carelefs childhood ftray'd, 

A Itranger yet to pain ! 

I feel the gales that from you blow 

A momentary blifs beltow; 

As, waving frefli their ghdfome wing, 

I^Iy weary foul they feem to footh, 

And, redolent of joy and youth. 

To breathe a fecond fpring. 

Say, flither Thames, for thou haft Ceen 

Full many a fp rightly race, 

Difporting on thy margent green. 

The paths of pleafure trace ; 

Who foreraoft now delight to cleave. 

With pliant arms, thy glaily wave ? 

The captive linnet v,'hich enthrall ? 

What idle progeny fucceed 

To chafe the roiling circle's fpeed. 

Or urge the flyins^ ball ? 

While fome on earned bufmefs bent 

Their murmuring labours ply 

'Gainft graver hours that bring conltioint 

To fweeten liberty : 

Some bold adventurers difdain 

The limits of their little reign, 

And unknown regions dare defcry: 

Still as they run they look behind,. 

They hear a voice in evYy wind. 

And fnatch a fearful j#y. 

Gay hope is theirs, by fancy fed, 
Lefs pleallng when pofieft j 
The tear forgot as foon as (hed. 
The funfhine of the breair: 
Theirs buxom health of rofy hue. 
Wild wit, invention ever new. 
And lively cheer, of vigour horn ; 
The thoughtlefs day, the eafy night. 
The fpirics pure, the {lumbers light. 
That Ay th' approach of morn. 

Ahs ! regardiefs of their doom. 

The little vidtims play! 

No fenfe have they of ills to come. 

Nor care beyond to-day. 

Yet fee, how all around 'em wait 

The minifters of human fate, 

And black Misfortune's baleful train ! 

Abj iTiC ,v them where in ambufn ftand, 

To feize their prey, the murd'rous band! 

Ah, tell them they are men ! 

Thefe fliall the fury pafHons tear. 
The vultures of the mind, 
Difdainful anger, pallid fear-. 
And (hame that fkulks behind ; 
Or pining love ihall wafte their youth, 
Or jeabufy with rankling tooth,' 
That inly gnav/s the fecret heart j 
And envy wan, and faded care, 
Grim-vifag'd ccnifortleCs defpair. 
And forrow's picrcini; dart. 



Ambition this (liall tempt to rife j 
Then whirl the v/retch from high, 
To bitter fcorn a facrifice, 
And grinning infamy. 
The ftings of falfehood thofe (hall try, 
And hard unkindnefs' alter'd eye, 
That mocks the tear it forc'd to flow j 
And keen remorfe with blood defil'd. 
And moody madnefs laughing wild 
Amid fevereil woe. 

Lo ! in the vale of years, beneath, 

A grifiy troop are leen, 

The painful family of Death, 

More hideous than their queen : 

This racks the joints, this fires the reins. 

That ev^ry labouring llnew flraini, 

Thole in the deeper vitals rage ; 

Lo ! poverty, to fill the band. 

That 'nambs the foul with icy hand: 

And flow con fuming age. 

To each his fuff 'rings : all are men. 

Condemned alike to groan ; 

The tender for another's pain, 

Th' unfeeling for his own. 

Yet, ah ! v/hy Ihould they know their fete f 

Since forrow never comes too late. 

And happinels too fwiftly flies. 

Thought would defl:roy their paradife. 

No more — where ignorance is blifs, 

'Tis foliy to be wife. 



§ 76. Ode to Ad-verfity. Grey. 

T^AUGHTER of Jove, relentlefs pow'r, 
-*-^ Thou tamer of the human breaft, 
Whofe iron fcourge and tort'ring hour 
The bad affright, afilia the befl: ! 
Bound in thy adamantine chain, 
The proud are taught to taHe of pain; 
And purple tyrants vainly groan 
With p.ings uiifelt before, unpitied and alone. 

When firil thy Sire to fend on earth 
Virtue, his darling cliild, defign'd. 
To thee he gave the heavenly birth. 
And bade to form her infant mind. 
•I Stern rugged nurfe ! thy rigid lore 
With patience many a year ihe bore ; 
What foiTow w.?«, thou badMl: her know. 
And from her own Qie learnt to melt at others woe. 

Scar'd at thy frown terrific, fly 
Self- pleafing Fc!I\'"s idle brood, 
V/ild laughter, nolle, and thoughtlefs joy. 
And leave us leifare to be good. 
Light they dlfperfe; and with them go 
The fummer- friend, the fiatt'ring foe; 
By vp.in profperity recelv'd, [liev'd. 

To her they vow their truth, and are again be- 

■^Vifdom in fable garb array'd, 
{ Immers'd in rapt'rous thought profound, • 

j And MeL'i]:icho!y, filent maid, 

' With leaden eye that iovcs the grouad, 

; Still 



Book II, 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, Sec. 



47? 



Still on thy folemn fteps attend , 
Warm Charity, the general friend, 
With Juftice, to herff If fevere, 
And Pity, dropping foft the fadly-pleafing tear. 

Oh, gently on thy fuppliant's head, 
Dread Goddefs, lay thy chalt'ning hand ! 
Not in thy Gorgon terrors clad, 
Nor circled with the vengeful band 
(As by the impious thou art feen) 
With thund'ring voice, and threatening mien, 
With fcreaming Horror's fun'ral cry, 
Defpair, and fell Difeafe, and ghailly Poverty. 

Thy form benign, O Goddefs, wear. 
Thy milder influence impart 5 ^ ' 
Thy philofophic train be there 
To foften, not to wound, my heart. 
The generous fpark extinft revive } 
Teach me to love, and to forgive j 
Exa6t my own defefts to fcan ; 
What others are,to feel j and known myfelf a man. 



§ 77. 7'he Progre/s of Poejy. A Pindaric Ode. 

Gray. 
I. I. 

A WAKE, ^olian lyre, awake, 
•^~^ And give to rapture all thy trembllngftrings. 
From Helicon's harmonious fprings 
A thoufend rills their mazy progrefs take : 
The laughing flow'rs that round them blow. 
Drink life and fragrance as they flow. 
Now the rich ftream of mufic winds along, 
Deep, majeft;ic, fmooth, and ftrong. 
Thro' verdant vales, and Ceres' golden reign : 
Now rolling down the fteep amain. 
Headlong, impetuous, fee it pour; [roar. 

The rocks and nodding groves re-bellow to the 

I. 2. 

O fovereign of the willing foul. 
Parent of fweet and folemn-breathing airs. 
Enchanting fliell ! the fullen cares 
And frantic paflions hear thy foft controul. 
On Thracia's hills the Lord of War 
Has curb'd the fury of his car. 
And dropp'd his thirily lance at thy command. 
Perching on the fceptred hand 
Of Jove, thy magic lulls the feather'd king 
With rufiled plumes, and flag2;ing wing : 
Quench'd in dark clouds of flumber lie 
The terror of his beak, and lightning of his eye. 
I. 3. 
Thee the voice, the dance obey, 
Temper'd to thy warbled lay. 
O'er Idalia's velvet green 
The rofy-crowned loves are ^Qen 
On Cytherea's day. 

With antic fports, and blue-eyed pleafures, 
Friflcing light in frolic mealures j 
Now purfuing, now retreating, 
. Now in circling troops they meet; 
To brilk notes in cadence beating. 
Glance their many-twinkling feet. 



Slow melting ftrains their Queen's approach de- 
clare : 
Where'er flie turns, the Graces homage pay. 
With arms fublime, that float upon the air. 
In gliding ftate (he wins her eafy way: 
O'er her warm cheek, and rifmg bofom, move 
The bloona of young dcflre, and purple light of 
love. 

II. I. 
Man's feeble race what ills await! 
Labour, and penury, the nicks of pain, 
Difeafe, and Ibrrow's weeping train ; 
And death, fad refuge from the Itorms of fate t 
The fond complaint, my fong, diiprove. 
And jullify the laws of Jove. 
Say, has he given in vain the heavenly Mufe ? 
Night and all her flckly dews. 
Her fpecf res wan, and birds of boding cry. 
He gives to range the dreary flcy. 
Till down the eaflern clifl's afar 
Hyperion's march they fpy,and glitt'ring fliafti 
of war. 

IL 2. 

In climes beyond the folar road, [roam. 

Where Ihaggy forms o'er ice-built mountains 
The Mufe has broke the twilight gloom, 
To cheer the ihiv'ring native's dull abode. 
And oft, beneath the od'rous inade 
Of Chili's boundlefs forells laid, 
She deigns to hear the fa3'age youth repeat, 
Tn loofe numbers, wildly fweet. 
Their feather-cin61:nr'd chiefs, and duflcy loves. 
Her track, where'er the goddefs roves. 
Glory purfues, and gen'rous fliame, [flame, 
Th' unconquerable mind, arid freedom's holy 

U. 3. 
Woods, that wave o'er Delphi's Iteep j 
Ifles, that crov^'n th' Egean deep j 
Fields, that cool Ilifius laves. 
Or where Ma^ander's amber waves 
in ling' ring lab'rinths creep, 
Kow do your tuneful echoes languifli ! 
Mute but to the voice of anguifh ! 
Where each old poetic mountain 
Infpiration breath'd around; 
Ev'rv fnacle and hailow'd fountain 
Murmured deep a folemn found : 
Till the fad Nine, in Greece's evil hour, 
Left their ParnafTus for the Latian plains: 
Alike they fcorn the pomp of tyrant pow'r. 
And coward vice, that revels in her chains. 
When Latium had her lofty fpirit lofi:, [coaft. 
They fought, O Albion ! next thy fea-encircled 

IIL I. 

Far from the fun and fummer gale. 
In thy green lap was Nature's darling laid, • 
What time, where lucid Avon fl:ray'd. 
To him the mighty mother did unveil 
Ker awful face : the dauntlefs child 
Stretched forth his little arms and fmil'd. 
This pencil take, (Ihe faid), whofe colours clear 
Richly paint the v«rnal year; 

Thine 



476 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II, 



Thine too thefe goldeij keys, immortal boy! 

71iis can unlock the gates of" jo)'; 

Of" horror, that, and thrilling fears. 

Or ope the lacred Iburce of iymp.ithetic tears. 

III. 2. 

Nor fecond he, that rode fublinie 
ITpon the feraph wings of ecftafy, 
7"he fecrets of th' any is to fpy. 
He pafs'd the (laming bounds of place: and time, 
The living throne, the iapphire blaze. 
Where angels tremble while they gaze, 
lie fiiw : but, blafted with excefs of light, 
Clos'd his eyes in endlel's-night. 
Behold, where Dryden's kis prefumptiiouscar 
Wide o'er the fields of giory bear 
Two courfcrs of ethereal race, [founding pace. 
With necks in thunder cloth'd, and long re- 

III. 3. 

Hark, his hands the lyre explore ! 
Bright-eyed fancy, hov'ring o'er, 
Scatters from her piftur'd urn 
Thoughts that breathe, and v/ords that burn. 
But», ah I tis heard no more — 
O lyre divine ! what daring fpirit 
Wakes thee now r Tho' he inherit 
Nor the pride nor ample pinion, 
Tiiat the Thtban eagle bear, 
Sailing with fupren-je dominion 
Thro' the azure deep of air; 
Yet oft before his infant eyes woald run 
Such forms as glitter in the Mufe's ray. 
With orient hues, unborrcw'd of the iiin, 
Yet (hail he mount, and keep his diltant way 
Beyond the limits of a vulgar fate, [Great ! 
Beneath the Good liow far — but far above the 



^ -;%, The Bard, A Pindaric Ode. Gray. 
' I.- I. 
' T^ uiN feize thee, ruthlefs king! 

* ■'^ Confnfion on thy banners waitl 

* Tho' fann'd by conquefc's crimfon wing, 

* They mock the.'ii-awiih idle^tate ! 

* Helm, nor hauberk''^' tv%i(ted mail, 

* Nor even thy virtues. "Tyr?int. (liall avail 

* To fave thy fecret foul from "nightiy fVars,.. 

* From Cambria's cnrfe, from Cambria's tears !' 
Such were the founds that o'er the crefted pride 
Of the fird: Edward fcatttr'd wild difmay. 

As dowm the deep of Snowdon's (haggy Me 
He wound with toilfome march his long array. 
Stout Glo'iler ftood aghaft in fpeechlefs trance .- 
To arms! cried Mortimer, and couch'dhis qui- 
vering lance. 

I. 2. 

On a rock whofe haughty brow 
Frowns o'er old Conway ""s foaming flood, 
Rob'd in the fable garb of woe. 
With haggard eyes the poet (tood 
(Loofe his beard, and hoary hair 
Stream'd, like a met&or, to the troubled air), 
2 



And with a m.after's hand, and p^-ophet's fire. 
Struck the deep forrows of his lyre. 

• Kaik, how each giant-pak and deO.rt cave 

' Sighs to the torrent's awful voice beneath ! 
' O'er thee. O Wmg\ their hundred arras the/ 

* wave, 
' Revenge on thee in hoarfer murmurs breathe j 
' Vocal no more, (ince Cambria's fatal day, 
' To high-born Hoel'sharp, oribft Llewellyn's 

I. 3. [i^«y. 

' Cold is Cadwa-lo's tongue, 

' That hudi'd the ftornriy main: 

' Brave Unen (leeps upon his craggy bed: 

' Mountains, ye mourn in vain 

• Modred, whofe magic fong 

' Made huge Plinlimraon 'bow his cloud-topp'd 
' On dreary Ai^von's fnore they lie, [head. 

' Smear'd with gore, and ghaitly pale ; 

• Far, far aloof th' affrighted ravens fail: 

' The famiiili'd eagle Icream.s, and paffes by. 

' Dear loft companions of my tuneful art, 

*i Dear, as the light that vlf:ts thefe fad eyes, 

' Dear, as the ruddy drops that v/arra my heart, 

' Ye died amidft your dying country's cries— 

' No more I weep. ' They do not deep. 

' On yonder cliifs, a grKiy band, 

' I fee them fit: they linger yet, 

' Avengers of their native land: 

' With me in dreadful harmony they Join, 

' And weiive \Vith bloody hands the ti/fueof thy 

I[. I. i^'^^' 

*' Weave the warp, and weave the v.-oof, 
" The winding-fheet of Edward's race : 
" Give ample room, and verge enough 
" The chara<5le:s of hell to trace. 
'•' Mark the year, and mark the night, 
" When Severn fnali re-echo with affright 
'* The (hrieks of death, thro' Berkley's roofs that 
" Shrieks of an agonizing king! Iring: 

" She-wolf of France, with unrelenting fangs, 
" That tear'd: the bowers of thy mangled mate, 
" From thee beborn, who o'er thy country hangs 
" The fcourge of heaven. What terrors round 

" him wait ! 
" Amazement in his van with (light combin'd, 
'' And foiTOvv's faded form, and Solitude behind. 



Might 



II. 2. 

Vi6tor, raisjhty Lord, 



!" Low on his fun'ral couch he lies! 

I " No pitying heart, no eye, aif ord 

!" A tear to grace his oblequies. 

I " Is the fable warrior fled ? 
" Thy fon is gone. He reds among the dead. 
^' The fwarm that in thy noon-tide beam were 
*• Gone to falule the riling morn. [born ? 

"Fair laughs the morn,andfoft the zephyr blows, 
" White proudly riding o'er the azure realm 
'' In gallant trim the gilded vefTel goes ; 
*' Youth on the prow, and pleafure at the helm; 
" Regardlefs of the fweeping whirlwind^s fway, 
*' That, hufh'd in gri.ii repofe, expels his even- 



ing prey. 



n. 3' 



Book II. DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE. &c 

"■.3-. 

Fill high the fparkling bowl, 



477 



•* The rich repail prepare, 

" Reft of a crown, he yet may fliare the feaft: 

** Cloie by the regal chair 

*' Fell thirft and famine Icowl 

" A baleful finile upon theii- bafHed guefl. 

*' Heard ye the din of battle bray, 

*' Lance to lance, and horfe to horfe ? 

" Long years ofhavoc urge their (leilin'd conrfe, 

*' And thro' the kindred Iquadroni' mow their 

" way. 
*' Ye tow'rs of Julius, London's lading (hame, 
" With many a foul and midnight murder ied, 
** Revere his conforms faith, his father's fame, 
** And i'pare the meek ufurper's holy head. 
" Above, below, the rof'e of Ihovv, 
*' Twin'd with her bluthing foe we fpread j 
" The bridled boar in infant gore 
*' Willows beneath the thorny fnade. 
*' Now,brothers, bending o'er th'accurfed loom, 
*' St;imp we our vengeance deep,^ and ratify his 

*' doom. 

XXL I. 

** Edward, lo I to fudden fate 
•' (Weave we the woof. The thread Is fpun.) 
** Half of thy heart we confecrate. 
^" The web is wove. The work is done.)" 

* Stay, oh flay! nor thus forlorn, 

* Leave me unbled, unpitied, here to- mourn: 

* In yon bright track, that fires theweftern fkies, 

* They melt, they vaniih from my eyes. 

* But oh ! what Iblemn fcenes on Snowdon's 

< hei^-ht 

* Defcending flow their glitt'rlng fkirts unroll ? 

* Vifions of glory, fpare my aching light ! 

* Ye unborn ages, crowd not on my Ibul ! 

* No more our long-loft Arthur v.'e bewail. 

* All-hail, ye genuine kings, Britannia's ifTue, 

* hail! 

III. 2. 
* Girt with many a baron bold 

* Sublime their ftarry fronts they rcarj 

' And gorgeous dames, and ftatcfmen old 

* In bearded majefty, appear. 

* In the midfi: a form divine ! 

* Her eye proclaims her of the Briton-line j 

* Her lion-port, her av^'e-commanding face, 

* Attemper'd fweet to virgin grace. 

* What firings fymphonious tremble in the air! 

* What drains of vocal tranfport round her play! 

* Hear from the grave, great Talielfin, hear j 

* They breathe a foul to animate thy clay. 

* ^Bright Rapture calls, and, foaring as die fmgs, 
i Wavesinthe eye of Heaven her many -colour'd 

* wings. 

III. 3- 

< The verfe adorn again 

* Fierce War, and faithful Love, 

« And Truth fevere, by fairy Fiction drefs'd, 

* In bufkin'd meafures move 

< Pale Grief, and pleafing Pain, 



' With Horror, tyrant of the throbbing bread. 

' A voice, as of the cherub-choir, 

' Gales from blooming Eiien bear; 

' And dilhmt warblings leilcn on my ear, 

' That lod in long futurity cxph-e. [cloud, 

* Fondimpiousman ! think'll thou yon fanguine 
' Rais'd by thy breath, has quench'd the orb or 

* To-morrow he repairs the {golden flood, [day t 
' And warms the nations with redoubled ray. 

' Enough for me : with joy I fee 

* The diif 'rent doom our fates aflign. 
' Be thine Defpair, and fceptred Carej 

' To triumph, and to die, are mine, [height. 
Fie fpoke; and, headlong from the mountain's 
Deep in the roaring tide he phmg'd to endlefs 
nieht. 



§ 7g. Th-e Fatal SiJIers. An Ode, Gray. 
"M; ow the dorm begins to low'r 
■'-^ (Hade, the loom of hell prepare) j 
Iron fleet of arrowy Ihow'r 
Hurtles in the darken'd air. 
Glit'ring lances I'.re the loom. 
Where the dufky warp we drain. 
Weaving many a foldier's doom, 
Orkney's. woe, and Randver's bane. 
See the gridy texture grow ! 
('Tis of human entrails made) 
And the weights that play below. 
Each a gafping warrior's head. 
Shafts for fhuttles, dipt in gore, 
Shoot the trembling cords along ■. 
Sword, that once a monarch bore. 
Keep the tifiue clofe and drong. ' 

Mida, black terrific maid, 
Sangrida, and Hilda, fee ! 
Join the wayward work to aid: 
'Tis the woof of victory. 
Ere the ruddy fun be fet, 
Pikes mud fhiver, jav^lings ling, 
Blade with clatt'ring buckler meet. 
Hauberk craih, and helmet ring. 
(Weave the crimfon web of war.) 
Let us go, and let us fly, 
Where our friends th« condi6t fhare. 
Where they triumph, v/here they die. 
As the paths of fate we tread. 
Wading thro' th' enfanguin'd field, 
Gondula, and Geira, fpread 
O'er the youthful king your fhieldi. 
We the reins to flaughter give. 
Ours to kill, and ours to fpare : 
Spite of danger he fhall live. 
(Weave the crimfon web of war.) 

They, whom once the defert beach 
Pent within its bleak domain. 
Soon their ample fvvay diall ftretch) 
O'er the plenty of the plain. 

Low the dauntlefs earl is laid, 
GorM with many a gaping wound s 



Fatti 



478 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



Fate demands a nobler head ; 
Soon a king fhall bite the ground. 
Long his lofs fhall Eirin weep, 
Ne'er ag-ain his likenefs feej 
Long her drains in fonow fteep, 
Strains of immortality ! 
Horror covers ^11 the heath. 
Clouds of carnage blot the fun. 
Sillers, weave the web of death. 
Sillers, ceafe ! the work is done. 
Hail the talk, and hail the hands ! 
Songs of joy and triumph fmg: 
Joy to the viftorious bands j 
Triumph to, the younger king. 
Mortal, thou that hear'il the tale. 
Learn the tenour of our fcng. 
Scotland, through each winding vale. 
Far and wide the notes prolong. 
Sifters, hence with fpurs of fpeed ! 
Each her tbund'ring faulchion wield ; 
Each beftride her fable fteed. 
Hurry, hurry, to the field ! 

§ 80. Tbe Defcent oj 0dm. An Ode. Gray. 
T Tprose the king of men with fpeed, 
*-^ And faddled ftraight his coal-black fteed : 
Down the yawning fteep he rode. 
That leads to Hela's drear abode. - 
Him the dog of darknefs fpied: 
His fliaggy throat he open'd wide; 
While from his jaws, with carnage fiU'd, 
Foam and human gore diftill'd. 
Hoarfe he bays with hideous din. 
Eyes that glow, and fangs that grin ; 
And long purfues, with fruitlefs yell. 
The father of the powerful fpell. 
Onward ftill his way he takes 
(The groaning earth beneath him (hakes), 
Till full before his fearlefs eyes 
The portals nine of hell arife. 

Right againft the eaftern gate, 
By the mofs-grown pile he fat. 
Where long of yore to deep was laid 
The duft of the prophetic Maid. 
Facing to the northern clime. 
Thrice he trac'd the Runic rhyme; 
Thrice pronouncM, in accents dread; 
The thrilling verfe that wakes the dead; 
Till from out the hollow ground 
Slowly breath'd a fullen found. 

PROPHETESS. 

What call unknown, what charms, prefume 
To break the quiet of the tomb ? 
Who thus affiicls my troubled fprite, 
And drags me from the realms of night? 
Long on thefe mould'ring bones have beat 
The winter's fnow, the fummer's heat, 
The drenching dews, and driving rain! 
Let me, let me fleep ^gain. 
Who is he, with voice unbleft. 
That calls me from the bed of rejl? 



ODIN. 

A traveller to thee unknown 
Is he tl'.at calls, a warrior's fon. 
Thou the deeds of light (halt know; 
Tell me what is done below, 
For whom yon glittering board is fpread, 
T)rt'k for whom yon golden bed ? 

PROPHETESS. 

Mantling in the goblet fee 
The pure bev'rage of the bee ; 
O'er it hangs the faield of gold: 
'Tis the drink of Balder bold. 
Balder's head to death is given. 
Pain can reach tiie Sons of Heaven I 
Unwilling I my lips unclofe : 
Leave me, leave me to repofe. 

ODIN. 

Once again my call obey; 
Prophetefs, arife, and lay 
What dangers Odin's child await. 
Who the author of his fate ? 

PROPHETESS. 

In Hoder's hand the hero's doom; 
His brother fends him to the tomb. 
Now my weary lips I clofe: 
Leave me, leave me to repofe. 

ODIN. 

Prophetefs, my fpell obey ; 
Once again arile, and fay 
Who th' avenger of ills guilt. 
By whom (hall Hoder's blood be fpilt? 
p R o P H E T E s s. 

In the caverns of the Weft, 
By Odin's (ierce embrace compreft, 
A wondrous boy (hall Rinda bear. 
Who ne'er (liall comb his raven hair. 
Nor wa(h his vilage in the ftream, 
Nor fee the fun's departing beam, 
Till he on Hoder's corfe (hall (mile. 
Flaming on the funeral pile. 
Now my weary lips 1 clofe : 
Leave me, leave me to repofe. 

O DI K. 

Yet awhile my call obey; 
Prophetefs, awake, and (ay 
What virgins thefe, in fpeechlefs woe. 
That bend to earth their folemn brow. 
That: their flaxen trefles tear. 
And fnowy veils, that (ioat in air. 
Tell me whence their forrows rofej 
Then I leave thee to repofe. 

PROPHETESS. 

Ha ! no traveller art thou. 
King of Men, I know thee now! 
Mightieft of a mighty line— « — 

ODIN. 

No boding maid of (kill divine 
Art thou, nor prophetefs of good. 
But mother of the giant-brood ! 

PROPHETESS. 

Hie thee hence, and poaft at home 
That never (li:dl enquirer come 



T» 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



479 



To break my iron fleep again, 

Till Lok has bur ft his tenfold chain: 

Never, till fubltantial Night 

Has re-allum'd her ancient right ; 

Till wrapt in flames, in ruin'hurrd, 

Sinks the fabric of the world. 



O 



§ 8i. .The Triumphs of O^en, A Fragment. 

Gray 

(WEN'S praife demands ray fong, 
Owen fwift, and Owen ftrongj 
Faireft flow'r of Rodericks ftem 
Gwyneth's Ihield, and Britain's gem. 
He nor heaps his brooded ftores. 
Nor on all profufcly pours j 
Lord of ev'ry regal art. 
Liberal hand, and open heart. 

Big with hofts of mighty name, 
Squadrons three againft him can>ff ; 
This the force of Eirin hiding j 
Side by fide as proudly riding. 
On her fliadow long and gay 
Locklin ploughs thewat'iy wayj 
There the Norman fails afar 
Catch the winds, and join the war: 
Black and huge along they fweep, 
Burthens of the angry deep. 

Dauntlefs on his native fands 
The dragon-fon of Mona Itands s 
In glitt'ring arms and glory dreft. 
High he rcars his ruby crelL 
There the thund'rlng ftrckes begin, 
There the prefs, and there the din j 
Talymalfra's rocky fliore 
Echoing to the battle's rear. 
Where his glowing eye-balls turn, 
Thoufand banners round liim bum; 
Where he points his purple fpear, 
Hafty, hafty Rout is there ; 
Marking with indignant eye 
Fear to ftop, and fhame to fly.- 
There Confuiion, Terror's child 5 
Conflift fierce, and ruin wild \ 
Agony, that pants for breath 5 
Defpair, and honourable Death. 



From yonder realms of empyrean day 
Burfts on my ear th' indignant lay: 
There fit the fainted Sage, the Bard divine. 
The few whom Genius gave to fliine 
Thro' ev'ry unborn age, and undifcover'd clime. 
Rapt in celeftial tranfport they 5 
Yet hither oft a glance from high 
They fend of tender fympathy, 
To blefs the place where on their op'ning foul 
Firft the genuine ardour ftole. 
'Twas Milton itruck the deep-ton'd fliell; 
And, as the choral warblings round him fwell. 
Meek Newton's felf bends from his liate fublime. 
And nods his lioary head, and iiitens to the 
rhyme. 

" Ye brown o'er-arching grove?, 
'* That contemplation loves, 
" Where willowy Camus lingers with delight i 
'< Oft at the blulh of dawn 
" I trod your level lawn, 

" Oft woo'd the gleam of Cynthia filver-bright 
" In cloillers dim, far from the haunts of Folly, 
" With P'reedom by my fide, and foft-eyed 
Melancholy." 

But, hark ! the portals found, and pacing forth. 

With folemn iteps and (low, 

High Potentates, and Dames of royal birth. 

And mitred Fathers, in long order go : 

Great Edward, with the lilies on his brow 

From haughty Gallia torn ; 

And fad Chatillon, on her bridal morn . 

That wept her bleeding lovej and princely Clare| 

And Anjou^s heroine 5 and the paler Rofe, 

The rival of her crown and of her woesj 

And either Heniy there. 

The murder'd Saint, and the majcfl-ic Lord 

That broke the bonds of Rome 

(Their tears, their little triumphs o'er, 

Their human paffions now no more, 

Save Charity, that glows beyond the tomh)» 

All that on Granta's fruitful plain 

Rich ilreams of regal bounty pour'd. 

And bade thefe awful fanes and turrets rifd. 

To hail their Fitzroy's feiial morning comej 

And thus tiiey fpeak in foft accord 

The liquid language of the fkies: 



§[82. Ode on the Inftallation of tbi Duke 

Grafton. Irregular* Gray. 
** ILTence, avaunt ('tis holy ground) ! 
*'■*-*■ Comus, and his midnight crew, 
"^ And Ignorance with looks profound, • 
*' And dreaming Sloth of palid hue, 
" Mad. Sedition's cry profane, 
" Servitude that hugs her chain ; 
** Nor in thefe confecrated bow'rs 
*' Let painted Flatt'rv hide her ferpent-train 

" flow'rs, 
" Nor Envy bafe, nor creeping Gain, 
*' Dare the Mufe's walk to Itain, 
*' While bright-eyed Science watches round: 
*' Hence away, 'tis holy ground !'* 



./ 



" What is grandeur ? what is pow'r? 

" Heavier toil, fiiperior pain. 

" What the bright reward we gain ? 

" The grateful memory of the Good. 

" Sweet is the breath of vernal fliow'r, 

" The bee's collected treafures fweet, 

" Sweet mufic's melting fall, but fweeter yet 

'* The Hill frnall voice of Gratitude." 

Foremoft, and leaning from her gold'n cloudy 

The venerable Margaret fee.l 

" Welcome my noble fon (flie cries, aloud), 

" To this thy kindred train, and me: 

" Pleas'd in thy lineaments we trace 

" A Tudor's fire, a Bermfort's grace. 

" Thy lib'ral heart, thy judging eye, 

" The fjQw'r \inbeeded Ciail defcry. 



Ani 



4S0 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



B G o K It 



•' And hid It round henven's altars (lied 

" The fragrance of its bhifhing head: 

" Sliall raile from earth the latent gem 

*' To glitter on the diadem. 

** Lo, Granta waits to lead her blooming band: 

** Not obvious, not obtrufive, llie 

•' No vulgar praife, no venal incenfe flings ; 

*' Nor dares with courtly tongue refiu'd 

** Profane thy inborn royalty of mind : 

** She reveres herfelf and thee. [brow 

*' With modeft pride to grace thy youthfid 

" The laureate wreath, that Cecil wore, (he 

" And tathy juft, thy gentle hand brings, 

*' Submits the fafces of her fway, 

*• While fpirits bleft above, and men below, 

" Join with glad voicethe loud fymphoniouslay. 

" Thro' the wild waves, as they rcxw, 

" With watchful eye and dauntlefs mien 

*' Thy fteady courfe of honour keep, 

*' Nor fear the rocks, nor feek the fliore : 

** The ilar of Brunfwick fmiles i'erene, 

*' And gilds the horrors of the deep." 

§ 83. A Prayer for hidifference. Greville. 

/^FT I've implor'd the gods in vain, 
^-^ And pray'd till I've been weary ; 
For once I'll try my wilh to gain 
Of Oberon the Fairy. 

Sweet airy being, wanton fprite. 

That lurk'ft in woods unfeen, 
And oft by Cynthia's (\U&\' light 

Tripp'st gaily o'er the green ; 
If e'er thy pitying heart was mov'd. 

As ancient ftories tell, 
And for th' Athenian maid who lov'd 

Thou fought'st a wondrous fpell ; 

Oh deign once more t' exert thy pow'r! 

Haply fome herb or tree, 
Sovereign as juice of weflern flow'r. 

Conceals a balm for me. 

I aflc no kind return of love, 

No tempting charm to pleafe ; 
Far from the heart thofe g^ifts remove 

That fighs for peace and eafe : 

Nor peace nor eafe the heart can know. 

Which, like the needle true, 
Turns at the touch of joy or woe, 

But, turning, trembles too. 

Far as diftrefs the foul can wound, 

■"Tis pain in each degree : 
'Tis blifs but to a certain bound j 

Beyond, is agony. 

Take then this treacherous fenfe of mine, 

Which dooms me ftill to fmartj 
Which pleafure can to pain refine, 

To pains new pangs impart. 

Oh hafte to fhed the ikcred balm! 

My fhatter'd nerves new firing ; 
And for my gueft, ferenely calm. 

The nyn^ph Indifference bring. 



At her approach, fee Hope, fee Fear, 

See Expedhition fiy; 
And Difappointment in the rear. 

That blalts the promis'd joy. 
The tear which pit}^ taught to flow 

The eye fliall then difown j 
The heart that melts for others' woe 

Shall then icarce feel its own. 
The wounds which now each moment bleed. 

Each moment then fhall clofe 5 
And tranquil days fhall flill fuceeed 

To nights of calm repofe. 

faiiy elf! but grant me this, 
This one kind comfort fend j 

And io may never-fading blifs 
Thy flow'ry paths attend ! 

So may the glow-worm's glimm'ring light 

Thy tiny footlleps lead 
To fome new region of delight. 

Unknown to mortal tread: 
And be thy acorn goblet fill'd 

With heaven's ambrolial dew; 
From fweetclt, frelheft, fiow'rs diftill'd. 

That filed frelh fweets for you ! 
And what of life remains for me 

I'll ];afs in fbber eafe; 
Half-pleas'd, contented will I be. 

Content but half to pleafe. 

§ 84.. The Fairy s Anfwer to Mn. Cre^ille's 
Vrayer for Indifference. 

By the Countefs of C . 

TX^ITHOUT preamble, to my friend 

Thefe hally lines I'm bid to fend, 
Or give, if I am able: 

1 dare not hefitate to fay, 

TliO' I have trembled all the day — 
It looks fb like a fable. 

Lafl night's adventure is my theme ; 
And fhould it fltike you as a dream. 

Yet foon its high import 
Mull make you own the matter fuch. 
So delicate, it were too much 

To be compos'd in fport. 

The moon did fliine ferenely bright, 
And ev'ry liar did deck the night. 

While Zephyr fann'd the trees ; 
No more aifail'd my mind's repofe, 
Save that yon flream, which murmuring flows^ 

Did echo to the breeze. 
Enrapt in folemn thoughts I fate, 
Revolving o'er the turns of fate, 

Yet void of hope or fear ; 
When, lo! behold an airy throng. 
With lightefl fleps, and jocund fong, 

Surpris'd my eye and ear, 
A form fuperior to the reft 
His little Voice to me addrefs'd^ 

And gently thus began 2 



Boor II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



481 



** I've heard ilrange things from one of you, 
*'Pray tell me if you think 'tis truej 

*' Explain it if you can. 
" Such incenfe has perfum'd my throne! 
" S\ich eloquence my heart has won! 

*' I think I guefs the hand: 
" I know her wit and beauty too, 
*' But why flie fends a pray'r fo new 

" I cannot underitand. 
** To light fome flames, and fome revive, 
" To keep fome others jult alive, 

" Full oft I am implor'dj 
" But, with peculiar powV to pleafe, 
** To fupplicate for nought but eafe ! 

" 'Tis odd, upon my word I 
" Tell her, with fruitlefs care I've fought ; 
" And though my realms, with wonders fraught, 

" In remedies abound, 
'* No grain of cold indifference 
*' Was ever yet allied to fenfe 

" In all my fairy round. 
** The regions of the fky I'd trace, 
" ] 'd ranfack every earthly place, 

" Each leaf, each herb, each flowY, 
" To mitigate the pangs of fear, 
*' Difpell the clouds of black despair, 

" Or lull the restlefs hour. 
** I would be generous as I'm juflj 
" But I obey, as others must, 

" Thofe laws which fate has made. 
*' My tiny kingdom how defend, 
'* And what might be the horrid end, 

*' Should man my ftate invade? 
" 'Twould put your mind into a rage, 
** And fuch unequal war to wage 

** Suits not my regal duty ! 
** I dare not cliangc a first decree : 
*• She's doom'd to pleafe, nor can be free : 

*' Such is the lot of Beauty !" 
This faid, he darted o'er the plain. 
And after follow'd all his train: 

No glimpfe of him I find: 
But fure I am, the little fpritc 
Thefe ^yords, before he took his flight. 

Imprinted on my mind. 



§ 85. the Beggar's Petition. Anon. 



Hard is the fate of the infirm and poor! 

Here as I crav'd a morfel of their bread, 

A paniper'd menial drove me from the door 

To feek a flieltcr in an humbler fhed. 

Oh take me to your hofpitable dome! 

Keen blows the wind, and piercing is the cold I 

Short is my paflage to the friendly tomb. 

For I am poor, and miferably old. 

Should I reveal the fources of my grief. 

If foft humanity e'er touch'd your breaft. 

Your hands would not withhold the kind relief. 

And tears of pity would not be-reprefs'd, 

Heaven fends misfortunes; why fliould we re- 
pine ? 
'Tis Heaven has brought me to the ftate you feej 
And your condition may be foon like mine. 
The Child of Sorrow and of Mifery. 

A little farm was my paternal lot ; 
Then like the lark I fprightlyhail'd the morn: 
But, ah! oppreilion forc'd me from my cotj 
My cattle died, and blighted was my corn. 
My daughter, once the comfort of my age, 
Lur'd by a villain from her native home, 
Is caft abandon'd on the world's wide ftage. 
And doom'd in fcanty poverty to roam. 
My tender wife, fweec foother of my care! 
Struck with fad anguifli at the ftern decree. 
Fell, lingering fell, a vi6lim to defpair! 
And left the world to wretchednel's and me. 
Pity the forrows of a poor old man, [door, 
Whofe trembling limbs have borne him to your 
Whofe days are dwindled to the ihortest fpan ; 
Oh give relief and Heaven will blefs your llore! 



§86. Po/Z/'o. An Elegiac Ode\ nuritfen in the 
ff^ood near R CaJIkt 1762. Mickue. 

Hxc Jovem sen tire, deosque cunctoS, 

Spein bonam certauique doraum reporto. H:r. 

THE peaceful evening breathes her balmy 
Itore, 
The playful fchool-boyswanton o'er thegreen. 
Where fp reading poplars fhade the cottage-door. 
The villagers in ruilic joy convene. 

Amid the fecret windings of the wood. 
With folemn Ivleditation let me fl:rayj 

This is the hour when to the wise and good 
The heavenly maid repays the toils of day. 



your 

Thefe tatter'd clothes my poverty befpeak, 
Thefe hoary locks proclaim my lengthen 'd years; 
And many a furrow in my grief-worn cheek 
Has been the channel to a flood of tears. 
Yon houfe eredled on the rifing ground. 
With tempting afpect drew me from my road; 
For Plenty there a refidence has found. 
And Grandeur a magnificent abode. 



pi TV the forrows of a poor old man, 

^''"yourdodr"^ Hmbs have born him to! ^j,^ river murmurs, and the breathing gale 
Whofe days are dwindled to tlie (l.ortest fpan , I ti^!1"p"/ "'"^ gently- waving boughs among : 
nVi o-;,.^ r/n^r o^ri vi^-.. ^^ -n ui r n. I The ftar of evenins: summers o er the dale. 

Oh g,^ e relief, and Heaven will blefs your ftore I ^^^ j^^^^ ^^^ ^f^ ^^^^ ^^ j^^^^^^ ^j^^^^^ 

How bright, emerging o'er yon broom-clad 
height, 

The filver emprefs of the night appears ! 
Yon limpid pool reflects a ftream of light. 

And faintly in its breaft the woodland bears. 

The waters tumbling o'er their rocky bed, 
Solemn and confl:ant, from yon dell refound ; 
I i The 



^Si 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS. 



Be OK IT. 



The lonely hearths blaze o'er the diftant glade ; [ 
The bat, low- wheeling, Ikims the dulky 
ground, j 

Auguit and hoary, o'er the floping dale, ! 

TheGothic abbey i-ears its fculptuv'd tow'rsij 

Dull thro' the roofs reibui\ds the whiftihig gale,: 
Dai k ibiitude among the pillars low'rs. j 

Where yon old trees bend o'er a place of graves, j 
And folemn iliade a chapel's fdd remains, 

Whei-e you fcath'd poplar through the win- 
dows waves, 
And, twining round, the hoary arch fuftains. 

There oft, at dawn, as one forgot behind. 
Who longs to follow, yet unknowing where, 

Some hoaiy (hepherd, o'er his ftaffreclin'd. 
Pores on the graves, and lighs a broken pray'r, 

High o'er thepines,thatwiththeirdark'ning(hade 

Surround yon craggy bank, the caftle rears 
Its crumbling turrets; ftill its tow'ry head 

A warlike mien, a fullen grandeur wears. 
So, 'midft the fnow of age, a boaltful air 

Still Oil! the war-worn veteran's brow attends ; 
Still his big bones his youthful prime declare, 

Tho'trembiingo'er the feeble crutch he bends. 

Wildround thegatesthe dufkyvvall-flow'rs creep, 
Where oft the knights the beauteous dames 
have led, 

Gone is the bow'r, the grot a ruin'd heap, 
Where bays and ivy o'er the fragments fpread. 

*Twas here our fires, exulting from the fight. 

Great in their bloody arms,march'd o'erthelea, 
Eyeing their refcued fields with proud delight 



Now loft to them ! 
to me! 



and, ah ! how chang'd 



This bank, the river, and the fanning breeze, 
The dear idea of my Pollio bring j 

Sofhone the moon thro' these fofc-nodding trees, 
When here we wander'd in the eves of ipring. 

When April's fmiles the flow'ry lawn adorn. 
And modefl cowflips deck the flreamlet's fide ; 

When fragrant orchards to the rofeat morn 
Unfold their bloom, in heaven's own colours 
dyed: 

So fair a bloffom gentle Pollio wore, 

Thefe were the emblems of his healthful mind; 
To him the letter'dpage difplay'd its lore, 

To him bright Fancy all her wealth refign'd ; 
Him with her pureft flames theMufeendow'd, 

Flames never to th' illiberal thought allied: 
The facred fiirers led where Virtue glow'd 

In ail her charms j he law, he felt, and died. 
O partner of my infant griefs and joys! 

Bigwiththeicenesuovvpaftjmy heart o'erflows; 
Bid^ each endearment, fair as once, to rife. 

And dwells luxurious on her melting woes. 
Oft with the rifing fun. when life was new. 

Along the woodland have I nxim'djvith thee; 
Oft by the moon have brufh'd the e\eaing dew, 

When all was fearless innocence and glee. 



The fainted well, where yon bleak hill declines. 
Has oft been conf'cious of thole happy hours j 

But now the hill, the river crown'd with pines. 
And fainted well have loft their cheating 
pow'rs ; 

For thou art gone. My guide, my friend! oh 
where. 

Where halt .hou fied, and left me here behind ? 
My tend'rcst wish, my heart to thee was barej 

Oh now cut Oit each paiTage to ray mind! 

How dreary is the gulph! how dark, how void. 

The tracklefs fhores that never were repafs'dl 
Dread feparation ! on the depth untried, 

Hope falters, and the fbui recoils aghail ! 
Wide round the fpacious heavens I call my eyes : 

And fnall theie ftars glow witn immortal hre ? 
Still fhine the lifelefs glories of the ficies ? 

And could thy bright, thy living foul expire ? 

Far be the thought! The pleafures moll fublirae. 
The glow of friendthip, and the virtuous tear. 

The tow'ring wish that fcorns the bounds of 
time, 
Cliiird iri this vale of death, but languifh here. 

So plant the vine on Norway's wint'iy land. 

The languid llrauger feebly buds, and dies: 
Yet there 's a clime where Vn'tue fhall expand 
With srodiike ilrength beneath her native 
fkies ! 
The lonely fhepherd on the mountain's fide 

With patience waits the roiy-opening dayj 
The mariner at midnight's darkfome tiae 
■ With cheerful hope expects the morning ray: 
Thus I, on life's ftorm-beaten ocean tofs'd, 

In mental vifion view the happy fhore, 
Where PolJio beckons to the peaceful coait, 
Where fate and death divide the friends no 
more! 

Oh that fome kind, fome pitying kindred fhade. 
Who no wperhaps frequents tiiislolemngrove. 

Would tell tlie awful lecrets of the dead, 
And from my eyes the mortal lilm remove ! 

Vain is the wifli — yet furely not in vain 
Man's bofom glows witn that ceieicial fire 

Which fcorns earth's luxuries, which imiies at 
pain. 
And wings his fpirit witli fublime defire! 

To fan this fpark of heaven, this ray divine. 
Still, O ray foul! ftill be thy dear em.ploy; 

Still thus to wander thro' the fhades be thine. 
And fwell thy breait with vifionary joy! 

So to the dark-brow'd wood, or facred mount. 
In ancient da}s, the holy leers retir'd j 

And, led in viuon, drank at Siloe's tbunt, 
Wliiie riling ecilafies their bofcmsfir'u. 

Reflor'd creation bright before them rofe, ^ 
The burning deferts fmil'd as Eden's plains; 

One friendly fhade the wolf and lambkin chofe; 
The flow'ry mountain fung, 'MeSlah reigns!' 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c 



4^3 



Tho"" f^iinter raptuivs my cold breafl: infpire, 

Yet let me oft frequent this folcmu (cene; 
Oft to tiie abbey's IhritterVl walls retire, {tvveen. 

What time the moonlhine dimly gleams be- 
There, where the crofs in hoary ruin nods, 

Andweepingyeivso'^rHiadetheletter'dilones, 
While midnight hlence wraps thefedrearabodes, 

And fooths me wandering o'er my kindred 
bones. 
Let kindled Fancy view the glorious morn, 

When from the burning graves the juft fliall 
All Nature fmilingj and, by angels borne, [rife, 

Mefliah's crofs far blazing o'er the Ikies 1 

m mm u m 

^^7. TheTearsofScetland. Smollet. 

MOURN, haplef^ Caledonia, mourn 
Thy banifh'd peace, thy laurels torn! 
Thy fons, for valour long renown\l, 
Xie llaughter'd on their native ground: 
Thy hofpi table roofs no more 
Invite the ftranger to the door j 
In fmoky ruins funk they lie. 
The monuments of cruelty. 
The wretched owner fees, afar. 
His all become the prey of war: 
Bethinks him of his babes and wife; 
Then fmites his breaft, and curfes life. 
Thy fwains are famiih'd on tiie rocks. 
Where once they fed their v/anton flocks : 
Thy ravifh'd virgins fliriek in vain 3 
Thy infants perifli on the plain. 

W'hat boots it, then, in ev'ry clime. 
Thro' the wide-fpreading waiie of time, 
Thy martial glory, crown'd with praife, 
Still (hone with undiminifh'd bla-ze ? 
Thy tow'ring fpirit now is broke, 
Tiiy neck is bended to the yoke: 
What foreign arms could never quell. 
By civil v^gQ and rancour fell. 
The rural pipe, and merry lay, 
No more fhall cheer the happy day: 
No fbcial fcenes of g-ay deiight 
Beguile the dreary winter night : 
No {trains but thofe of forrov/ flow, 
And nought be heard but founds of woe j 
While the pale phantoms of the flain 
Glide nightly o'er the filent plain. 
Oh baneful caufe, oh fatal morn, 
Accurs'd to ages yet unborn ! 
The fons againll their fathers flood; 
The parent shed his children's blood. 
Yet when the rao-e of battle ceas'd. 
The viflor's foul was not appeas'd : 
The naked and forlorn mult feel 
Pevouring flames and murrl'ri ng flee! ! 
The pious mother doom'd to death, 
Forfaken, wanders o'er the heath; 
The bleak wind whiitles round her head. 
Her helplefs orphans cry for bread; 
Bereft of Ihelter, food, and friend. 
She views the (hades of night defcend j 



And, itretch'd beneath th' inclement fkie«, 
Weeps o'er her tender babes, and dies. 

Whilft the warm blood bedews my veins. 
And unimpair'd remembrance reigns j 
Refentment of my countiy's fate 
Within my filial breaft fhall beat j 
And, fpite of her infulting foe, 
My fympathizing \Qr{'e fhall ^ovr. 
■' Mourn, bapleis Caledonia, mourn 
'* Thy banifh'd peace, thy laurels torn !" 



§88. Ode to Mirth. Smollet. 

Parent of joy! heart-eafing Mirth! 
-*- Whether of Venus or Aurora born, 

Yet Goddefs fure of heavenly birth, 
Vifit benign a fbn of Grief forlorn: 
Thy glitt'ring colours gay 
Around him, Mirth, diipiayj 
And o'er his raptur'd fenle 
Diffufe thy living influence: 
So fhall each hill, in p\irer green array* d. 
And fl0wer-adorn'd in new-born beauty 
glow; [the fhade. 

The grove fhall fmooth the horrors of 
And Itreams in murmurs fliall forget to flow, 
Shine,Goddefs.fhhinevv'ith unremitted ray, [day. 
And gild {a fecond fun) with brighter beam our 

Labour with tliee forgets his pain, 
And a^ed Poverty can fmile with thee; 
If thou be nigh. Grief's hate is vain. 
And weak th' uplifted arm of tyranny. 
The morning opes on high 
His univerfai eye; 
And on the world doth pour 
His glories in a golden fhow'r, 
Lo ! Darknefstremhling'forethehoftileray, 
Shrinks to the cavern deep and wood forlorn : 
The brood obfcene, that own her gloomy 
fway, 
^ Troop in her rear,and fly th' approach of morn • 
Pale fliiv'ringghofts, that dread th' all-chearing 
light, _ [nighu 

Quick as the lightning's flafh glide to fepulchral 

But whence the gladd'ning beam 
That pours his purple Itream 

O'er the long proipect wide ? 
'Tis Mirth. I fee her fit 
In majefty of light, 

With Laughter at her fide. 
Bright-eyed Fancy hovering near 
Wide waves her glancing wing in air; 
And young Wit flings his pointed dart. 
That guiltlefs ftrikes the willing heart. 

Fear not now AvEiction's pow'r. 
Fear not now wild Paffion's rage; 
Nor fear ye aught, in evil hour. 
Save the tardy hand of Age. 
MowMirth hath heard the fuppliantPoet'spray'r: 
-nIo cloud that rides the bla(t fliall vex th<* 
troubled air« 
liz 1 89. 



'484 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Boor II, 



§89. Ode to Le-jm Water. Smollet. 

^^N Leven's banks, while free to rove, 
^^ And tune the rural pipe to love, 
I envried not the happieft Iwain 
That ever trod th' Arcadian plain. 

Pure ftream ! in whole tranfparent wave 
My youthful limbs I wont to lavej 
No torrents ftain thy limpid fource, 
No rocks impede thy dimpling courfe, 
That fweetly warbles o'er its bed. 
With white, round, polifti'd pebbles fpreadj 
While, lightly pois'd,the fcaly brood 
In myriads cleave thy cryftal flood : 
The fp ringing trout, in fpeckled pride j 
The falmon, monarch of the tide ; 
The ruthlefs pike, intent on warj 
The filver eel and mottled par. 
Devolving from thy parent lake. 
A charming maze thy waters make, 
By bow'rs of birch, and groves of pine, 
And hedges fiower'd with eglantine. 

Still on thy banks, fo gaily green. 
May num'rous herds and flocks be feenj 
And lalTes, chanting o'er the pail; 
And fliepherds, piping in the dale; 
And ancient faith, that knows no guile; 
And induftry, embrown'd with toil; 
And hearts refolv'd, and hands prepared, 
The bleffings they enjoy to guard. 



§ 90. Songeto jElhy horde of the Cajlel of Bry- 
jionueynne dates of yore , From Chatterton, 
under the name o/'Rowle y. 

C\^ thou, orr what remaynes of thee, 
^^ iElla, the darlynge of futurity, 
Lett thys mie fonge bolde as thie courage be. 
As everlaftynge to pofteritye. 

WhanneDacya's fonnes^vvhofe hayres of bloude . 

redde hue [ing due, 

X-yche kynge-cuppesbraftynge wythethe morn- 

Arraung'd ynne dreare arraie, 

Upponne the lethale dale, 
Spredde farreand wyde onne Watchets fhore; 

Than dyddft thou furioufc ftande. 

And bie thie valyante hande 
Beefprengedd all the mees wythe gore, 

Prawne bie thyne anlace felle, 
Powne to the depthe of helle 
Thoufandes of Dacyanns went ; 
Bryftowannes, menne of myghte, 
Ydar'd the bloudie fyghte, 
And a^ledd deeds full quent. 

Oh thou, whereer (thie bones attrefte) 

Thye Spryte to haunte delyghteth belle, 
Whetherr upponne the bloude-embrewedd 

Or whare thou kennft from farre '[pleyne, 

The dyfmall cryeofwarre. 
Or feeftfommemountaynemadeof corfeof fleyne ; 

Orr feell the hatchcdd ftede, 

Ypraunceynge o'er the mede, 



And neighetobeamenged thepoynftedd fpeeres> 
Orr ynne blacke armoure ftaulke arounde 
Embattel'd Bryftowe, once thie grounde. 

And glowe ardurous onn the Caftle fteeres j 

Or fierye round the mynfterr glare j 
Let Bryftowe ftylle be made thie care ; 

Guardeyttfrommefoemenne&confumyngefyre; 
Lyche Avones ftreme enfyrke ytte rounde, 
Ne lette a flame enharme the grounde, 

Tyllynne one flame all the whole worlde expyre. 



§91. BriJIoive Tragedie', or, The Dethe of Syr 
Charles Baivdin, 

Chatterton, under the name of Rov/tEY, 

HPhe feathered fongfter chaunticleer 
■*■ Had wounde hys bugle home. 
And told the earlie villager 
The commynge of the mome ; 

Kynge Edwarde fawe the rudie ftreakes 

Of lyght eclypfe the greie ; 
And herde the raven's crokynge throte 

Proclayme the fated daie. 

" Thou'rt ryght," quod hee,« for, by the Godde, 

" That fyties enthron'd on hyghe, 
" Charles Bawdin, and his fellowes twaine, 

« To-daiefliall fureliedie." 
Then wythe a jugge of nappy ale 

His Knyghtes dydd onne hymm waitej 
" Goe tell the traytour thatt to-daie 

" Hee leaves thys mortal! flate." 
Syr Canterlone thenne bendedd lowe. 

Wythe hart brymm-fuUe of woe ; 
Hee journey'd to the caftle-gate j 

And to Syr Charles dydd goe. 

But whenne hee came, his children twaine, 

And eke hys lovynge wyfe, 
Wythe brinie tears dydd wett the fioore, 

For goode Syr Charleses lyfe. 
" O goode Syr Charles!" fayd Canterlone, 

" Badde tydyngs I doe brynge." 
" Speke boldlie, manne," fayd brave Syr Charles, 

" Whatte fays thie traytour kynge ?'* 

" I greeve to telle : Before yonne fonne 

" Does fromme the welkinne flye, 
" Hee hath uponne hys honour Iworne 

*' Thatt thou flialt furelie die." 

" Wee all muft die," quod brave Syr Charles j 

" Of thatte I'm not affearde : 
" What bootes to lyve a little fpace? 

" Thanke Jefu, I'm prepar'd. 

" Butte telle thye kynge, formyne hee's not, 

" I'de fooner die to-daie 
" Thanne lyve hys flave, as manie are, 

*' Tho' I fliould lyve for aie." 

Thenne Canterlone hee dydde goe out. 

To telle the maior ftraite 
To gettall thynges ynne reddynefs 

For goode Syr Charleses fate, 

Thenne 



BookTl didactic, descriptive, &c. 



4'J 



Thenne Maifterr Canynge faughte the kynge, 

And felle down onne hys knee ; 
•* I'm come," quoth hee, " unto your grace 

" To move your clemencye." 

Thenne quod the kynge, "Your tale fpeke out; 

" You have been much oure friende j 
** Whatever youre requefte may bee, 

" We wylle to ytte attende." 
** My nobile liege ! all ray requell 

" Ys for a nobile knyghte, 
*♦ Who, tho' may hap he has done wronge, 

" He thoghte ytte ftylle was ryghte : 
** Hee has a fpoufe and children twaine, 

" Alle rewyn'd are for aie j 
** Yff thatt you are refolv'd to lett 

" Charles Bawdin die to dale."* 

" Speke nott of fuch a traytour vile," 

The kynge ynne fury fayde; 
" Before the evening ftarre doth ilieene, 

" Bawdin (hall loofe hys hedde : 

" Juftice does lou^lie for hym calle 

" And hee fhall have hys meede: 
*' Speke, Maifter Canynge! whatte thyngeelfe 

" Att prefent doe you neede ?" 
** My nobile liege!" eoode Canynge fayde, 

** Leave juftice to our Godde, 
•' And laye the yronne rule afyde, 

" Be thyne the olyve rodde. 

** Was Godde to ferche our hertes and reines, 

" The bell were fynners grete ; 
*' Chrift's vycarr only knowes ne /ynne. 

" Ynne alle thys mortall ftate. 

*' Let mercie rule thyne infante reigne, 

" 'Twylle faftethye crowne fulle furej 
** From race to race thy familie 

" Alle fov'reigns fhall endure: 
** But yff wythe bloode and flaughter thou 

" Beginne thy infante reigne, 
«* Thy crowne uponne thy childrennes brows 

" Wyll never lonng remayne." 

*' Canynge, awaie ! thys traytour vile 

" Has f corned my pow'r and meej 
*^ Howe canft thou thenne for fuch a manne 

** Intreate my clemencye ?'' 
** My noble liege ! the truly brave 

" Wylle val'rous aftions prize, 
** Refpeft a brave and nobile myndc, 

*' Altho' ynne enemies." 
** Canynge, awaie ! By Godde ynne heav'n 

" That dydd mee beinge gyve, 
•* I wyll nott tafte a bitt of breade 

** Whilft thys Syr Charles dothe lyve. 
♦* By Marie, and all Seinfles ynne heav'n, 

" Thys funne fhall be hys lafte." 
Thenne Canynge dropt a brinie teare. 

And from the prefence pafte. 

With herte brimm- fulle of gnawynge grief, 

Hee to Syr Charles dydd goe. 
And fatt hymm downe uponne a floolei 

And teare^ beganae to flowe. 



" We all muft die," quod brave Syr Charles j 
** Whatt bootes ytte howe or whenne ? 

" Dethe ys the fure, the certaine fate 
*' Of all wee mortall menne. 

" Saye why, my friend, thie honefl foul 

" Runs overr att thyne eye ; 
" Is ytte for my moft welcome doome 

" Thatt thou dolt child-lyke crye?'* 
Quod godlie Canynge, *' I do weepe, 

'* Thatt thou i'oe fbone muft dye, 
" And leave thy fonnes and helpiefs wyfe; 

*' 'Tis thys that wettes myne eye." 

" Thenne drie the teares thatt out thyne eye 
" From godlie fountaines fprynge j 

"Dethe I defpife, and alle the powV 
*' Of Edwarde, traytour kynge. 

" Whan throgh the tyrant's welcom mean* 

" I fhall refigne my lyfe, 
" The Godde I ferve wylle foon provyde 

" For bothe mye fonnes and wife. 

" Before I fawe the lyghtfome funne, 

" Thys was appointed mee ; 
*• Shall mortal manne repine orgruc^ge 

** What Godde ordeynes to bee ? 
" Howe oft ynne battaile have I ftoode, 

" Whan thoufands dy'd arounde j 
'* Whan fmokynge flreams of crimfon bloode 

*' Imbrew'd the fatten'd grounde 1 

" How dydd I knowe that ev'ry darte, 

** That cutte the airie waie, 
" Myghte notte finde paflage toe my harte, 

** And clofe myne eyes for aie ? 

" And fhall I now, for feere of dethe, 
*' Locke wanne and bee dyfmayed ? 

" Ne ! fromm ray herte ilie childlyflie feere, 
" Be alle the manne difplay'd. 

Ah, goddelyke Henrie ! Godde forefende, 
" And guarde thee and thyne fonne, 
" Yff 'tis hys wylle j but yff 'tis nott, 
*' Why thenne hys wylle be donne, 

My honefte friende, my faulte has been^ 
" To ferve Godde and mye prynce j 
" And thatt I no tyrae-ferver am, 
" My dethe wylle foone convynce. 

" Ynne Londonne citye was I borne, 

*' Of parents of grete note; 

My fadx-e d) dd a nobile arms 

" Emblazon^ onne hys cote : 
" I make ne doubte butt he ys gone 

" Where foone I hope to goe 5 

Where wee for ever fliall bee bleft, 

" From oute the reech of woe : 
" He taught mee juftice and the laws 

'^ Wyth pitie to unite ; 
«* And eke hee tau^hte mee howe to knowe 

" The wronge caufe fromm the ryghte: 

" Hee taught mee wythe a prudent hande 
" To feede the hungrie poore, 
Ne lette mye fervarits drive awaie 
*<'I'he hungrie fromme iily doore; 
lis *' And 



4^6 

" And none can fa^'t, butt all mye lyfe 

" I have hys wordyes kept; 
** And fumm'd the avSlyonns of the dai-e 

" Eche nyghte befoiC I flcpt. 
" I hr'.ve a fnoufe, ^ot afke of her 

« Yif I defyPd her bedde ? 
'*' I have a kynge, and none can Tale 

" Blacke trealon onne my hedde. 

" Ynne Lent, and onie the hoHe eve, 

,** Fromm fiefne I dydd refrayncj 
«' Whie fnouJd I thenne appeare difinayM 

" To leave thys worlde of payne ? 
•' Ne! haplefs Henrie ! I rejo5^ce, 

" I flialle ne fee ihye dethe; 
** Malle willynglie in thy juft caufe 

" Do I refign my brethe. 
*' Oh fickle people ! rewyn'd londe ! 

*' Thou wylt kenne peace ne moe ; 
** While Richard's fonnes exalt themfelves, 

" Thye brookes wythe bloude wylle flor/c. 

*' Sale, were ye tyr'd of god lie peace, 

" Andgodiie Henrie's reigne, 
" Thatt you dydd choppe your ^afie dales 

*'' For thofe of bloude and peyne ? 
*' Whatte tho' I onne a fledde bee dravj^ne, 

" And mangled by a hynde, 
** I do defye the traytour's pow'r, 

*' He can ne harm my mynde ; 

" Wyatte tho', upfioifted onne a pole, 

" Mye lymbes fhall rotteynne ayre, 
" And ne ryche monument of brafse 

*' Charles Bawdin's name fnal] bearj 
** Yet ynne the holie booke above, 

*' Whyche tyme can't eat awai, 
" There wythe thefervants of the Lorde 

" Mye name (hail lyve for aie. 
" Thenne welcome dethe ! for lyfe eterne 

" I Icve thys Aoitall lyfej 
«* Farewell, vayne worlde, and alle that's deare, 

" Mye fonnes and loving wyfe! 
** Now dethe as welcome to mee comes, 

" As e'er the month of Maie; 
*' Nor woulde I even v^'yA-.e to lyve, 

" Wyth my dere wyfe to fraie." 
Quod Canynge, " 'Tys a goodlie thynge 

" To bee prepar'd to die; 
*' And from thys worlde of peyne and grefe 

" To Godde ynne heaven to flie." 
And now^e the bell beganne to tolle. 

And claryonnes to Ibunde ; 
Syr Charles hee herde the horfes feete 

A-prauncyng onne the groundej 
And jufte before the officers, 

Hys lovynge wyfe came ynne, 
Weepynge unfeigned teeres of woe, 

Wythe loude and dyfmalle dynne. 
" Sweet Florence ! nowe I praie forbere, 

" Ynne quiet lett mee die; 
«* Praie Godde, that every ChrilUan foule 

** Maye kooke onne dethe as h 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, Hook IX. 

'< " Sweet Florence ! why thefe brinie tears j 
1 " Theye waflie my faule awaie, 
" And ahnolt make mee wifhe for lyfe, 

" Wyth thef, fwecte dame, to Itaie, 
" "Ty;. but a joiKnie I ihalle goe 

'* Un toe the lande of blyfle; 
" Nowe, a&a proofe of hiiibMnde's love, 

** Receive thys hclie kyffe." 
Thenne Florence, fauh'ringynne herfale, 

Tremhlynge theie wordyes fpoke, 
" Ah, cruele Edv/arde! Woudie kynge I 

" My herte ys weile n^ghe broke: 

" All, fvt'eete Syr Charles ! why wylt thou goe, 
*' Wythoute thye Icvyinge wyfe ! 

" The cruelle axe thatt ciittes thye necke, 
" Ytt eke fliall ende mye lyfe." 

And nowe theofHcers came ynne 



To brynge Syr Charles awaie, 
Who turnedd toe hys lovynge wyfe, 

And thus toe her dydd faie: 
'* I goe to lyfe, and nott to d^e ; 

" Trnfte thou ynae Godde above, 
" And teache thye fonnes to feare the Lorde, 

*' And ynne theyre hertes hyra- love; 
*' Teache them to runne the nobile race 

•' Thatt I theyre fader runne:. 
'• Florence! fliould dethe thee take — adieu! 

" Yee officers, lead onne." 
Thenne Florence rav'd as anie madde. 

And dydd lier treffes tere; 
" Oh! Ifeiie, my hufbande!" lordel and lyfe T' 

Syr Charles thenne dropt^teare; 
'Till tyredd oute wyth ravynge loud, 

Shee feilen onne the fiore; 
Syr Charles exerted a!le hys myghte, 

And march 'd fromm oute the dore. 
Uponne a fledde hee mounted thenne, 

Wythe lookes futie brave and fwete; 
Lookes, thatt enihoone ne moe concern. 

Thanne anie ynne the flrete. 

Before him went the council -menne, 

Ynne fcarlette robes and golde. 
And tafTds fpanglynge ynne the funne. 

Muche glorious to beholde : 
The Freers of Seinfte Auguflyne next 

Appeared to the fyghie, 
Alle cladd ynn homeiie raffett weedes,. 

Ofgodlie monkyfh plyghte: 

Ynn difFraunt partes a godlie pfaume 

Mofte fweetlie theye dydd chaunt ; 
Behynde theyre backes {yx. mynftrellcs camcy 

Who tun'd the flrunge bataunt. 
Thenne fyve-and -twenty archers came; 

Echone the bov/e dydd bende. 
From refeue of kynge Henries friends 

Syr Charles Yorr to defend. 
Bold' as a Ij'on came Syr Charles, 

Drawn onne a clothe-layde fledde. 
By two blacke ftedes ynne trappynges white, 

Wyth plumes uponne tliey re hedde: 

Behynde 



^O O K II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



4S7 



Beliynde hym five-and -twentye moe 

Of archers itronge and Itoiite, 
Wyth bended bowe ec'hone yune hande, 

Marched ynne goodlie route: 

Seinfte Jamefes Freers marched next, 

Echone hys parte dydd chaunr ; 
Behynde they re backes fyx mynllrelles came, 

Who tun'd the itrunge bataunt: 

Thenne came the maior and elderm.enne, 

Ynne clothe of fcnrlett deckt; 
And theyre attendyng menne echone, 

Lyke Eafterne jprinces trickt: 

And after them a multitude 

Of citizens dydd thronere; 
The wyndowes were all full of heddes, 

As hee dydd pafse aionge. 

And whenne hee came to the hyghe croiTe, 

Syr Charles dydd tuiue and faie, 
" O Thou, thatt faveft manne fromm.e fynne, 

" Wa'fh maye foule clean thys daye." 
Att the grete mynfter windov/e fat 

The kynge ynn mycle fcate, 
To fee Charles Bawdin goe aionge 

To hys moft vvekom fate. 

Soon as the fledde drewe nygh enowe, 
Thatt Edwardehee myghteheare, 

The brave Syr Charles hee dydd ftande uppe, 
And thus hys wor-des declare: 

" Thou feeft mee, Edwardel traytour vile! 

*•' Expos'd to infamie; 
" But be afTar'd, dilioyall manne! 

" I'm greaterr nov/e thanne thee. 

" Bye foule proceedyngs, murdre, bloude, 

*' Thou weareft nowe a crowne, 
*« And haft appoynted mee to dye, 

" By power nott thyne owne. 

«i Thou thynkeft I diall dye to-dale; 

*' I have becne dede 'till nowe, 
** And foone (liail lyve to v/eare a crowne 

" For aie uponne my browe : 

•* Whylft thou, perhapps for fome few yeares, 

*' Shalt rule thys fickle lande 
** To iett them knowe howe wyde the rule 

** 'Twixt kynge and tyrant hande : 

" Thye powV unjuft, thou traytour Have! 

" Shall falle onne thy owne hedde." 
Fromm out of hearyng of the kinge 

Departed thenne the fledde. 

Kynge Edw^rde's foule ruih'd tu hys face; 

Hee turn'd hys head aw ale, 
And to hys broder Gloucefier 

Hee thus dydd fpeke and faie: 
*' To him that foe-much -dreaded dethe 

" Ne ghaftlie terrors brynge, 
'< Beholde the manne! hee fpakethe truthe, 

" Hee's greater thazi a kynge ! 



" So Iett hym die!" Duke Richard fayde; 

" And maye echone our foes 
" Beude diiwne theyre neckes to bloudie exe, 

"And feedethe carr/on crowes.'* 
And now the horfes gentlie drewe 

Syr Charles uppe the hyghe hylle ! 
The exe dydd 'glifterr ynne the funne, 

Hys pretious bloude to fpylle. 
Syr Charles dydd uppe the fqaffold goe. 

As uppe a gilded carre 
Of viflorye, bye val'rous chiefs 

Gain'd in the bloudie warre: 
And to the people hee dydd fciie, 

" Beholde you fee mee dye 
" For fervynge loyally mye kynge, 

" Mye kynge mod rightfullie. 
'' As ionge as Edwarde rules thys lande, 

" Ne quiet you wylle knowe 5 
'* Your fonnes and hufbandes fliall be (layne, 

" And brookes withe bloude Ihalle ilowe. 
" You leave you re goode and lawfulle kynge, 

*' Whenne ynne adverfitye; 
" Lyke mee, untoe the true caufe ftycke, 

" And for the true caufe dye." 
Thenne hee, wyth preeiles, uponne his knees, 

A pray'r to Gcdde dydd make, 
Befeechynge hym unto hymfelfe 

Hys partynge fouie to take. 
Then knee.ynge downe, he layd hys heedet 

Moft feemlie onne the blockej 
Whyche vrom.me hys bodie fayre at once 

The able heddes-manne itroke ! 
And oute the bloude began ne to fiowe. 

And rounde the fcaffolde twynej 
And teares, enow to waftie 't awaie, 

Dydd flowe fromme each mann's eyne. 
The bloudie exe hys bodie fayre 

Ynnto foure parties cuttej 
And ev'rye parte, and eke hys hedde 

Uponne a pole was putte. 
One parte dydd rotte onne Kynwulph-hylle, 

One onne the m)'K^er-tower, 
And one from off the caftle-gate 

The crowen dydd devoure: 
The other onne Seynfte Powle's goode gate, 

A dreery fpeftacle ; 
His hedde was plac'd onne the hygh crofTe, 

Ynne hyghe- ft reete moft nobile. 
Thus was the end of Bawdin's fatej 

Godde profper long our kynge. 
And grant hee may, wyth Bawdin's foule, 

Ynne heaven Godd's mercie fyngel 



§92. 'Tbe Mynjirelles Songe in jTlllay a 'Tra-^ 
gytal Enterlude, Chatterton, &c. 

r\ ! SYNGE untoe my roundelaie, 

^-^ O ! droppe the biynie teare wythe mee, 

Daunce nemoe atte hallie dale, 

Lycke a reynynge (a) ryver bee. 



(a) Running. 



114, 



4S8 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



Mie love ys dedde, 
Gonne to hys deathe-bedde, 
Al under the wyllowe-tree. 
Black hys cryne (b) as the wyntere nyght, 
Whyte hys rode (c) as the fommer fnowc, 
Kodde hys face as the mornynge lyghte, 
Cale he lyes ynnc the grave belowe. 
Mie love ys dedde, 
Gonne to hys deathe-bedde, 
Al under the wyllowe tree. 
Swote hys tongue as the throftles note, 
Quycke ynne daunce as thought cann bee, 
Dette hys taboure, codgclle ftote, 
O ! hec lys bie the wyllowe tree. 
Mie love ys dedde, 
Gonne to hys deathe-bedde, 
Al under the wyllowe-tree. 
Harke! the ravenne flappes hys wynge, 
In the briered dell belowe j 
Harke ! the dethe-owle loude dothe fynge, 
To the nyghte-mares as theie goe. 
Mie love ys dedde, 
Gonne to hys deathe-bedde, 
Al under the wyllowe-tree. 
See! the whyte moone fheenes onne hlej 
Whyterre ys mie true loves fliroudej 
Whyterre yanne the mornynge fkie, 
Whyterre yanne the evcnynge cloude. 
Mie love ys dedde, 
Gonne to hys|deathe-bedde, 
Al under the v^ylloWe-tree. 
Heere, upon mie true loves grave, 
Schalle the baren fleurs be layde, 
Ne one hallie fcynfte to fave 
Al the celnefs of a mayde. 
Mie love ys dedde, 
Gonne to hys deathe-bedde, 
Al under the wyllowe-tree. 
Wythe mie hondes I'll dent the brieres 
Kounde hys hallie corfe to gre, 
Ouphante fairie, lyghte your fyres, 
Heere mie boddie ftille fchalle bee. 
Mie love ys dedde, 
Gonne to hys deathe-bedde, 
Al under the wyllowe tree. 
Comme, wythe acorne-coppe and thorne, 
Drayne mie hartys blodde awaie^ 
Lyfe and all yttes goodc I fcorne, 
Daunce bie nete, or feafte by daie. 
Mie love ys dedde, 
Gonne to hys deathe-bedde, 
Al under the wyllowe tree. 
Water wytches, crownede wythe reytes (^), 
JBere mee to yer leathalle tyde. 
Idle; I comme; mie true love way tes. 
Thos the damfelie Ipake, and dyed. 



fhj Hair. 

(cj Complexion. 

{dj Watcr-fla^s. 

{ej Endeavoured, 

ffj Freeze. 

{gj Undismayed. 



fhJ Armed, pointed. 
fiJUo'isted on high, raised, 
fjj Foes, enemies. 
(kj Fly. • 
f/J Head. 
(mj Stretched. 



W 



§ 93. Chorus inGoddivyn^aTragedie, 

Chatterton, &c. 

HAN Freedom, drelle yn blodde- fteyned 

vefte. 

To everie knyghte her warVe-fonge funge, 
Uponne herhedde wyldewedes were fpreddej 
A gorie anlace by her honge. 

She daunced onne the heathej 
She hearde the voice of deathe j 
Pale-eyned Affryghte, hys harte of filver hue. 
In vayne airayled('^^her bofom to acale(X) }[woe. 
She hearde onflemedC^^the fliriekynge voice of 
And fadnefTe ynne the owlette lliake the dale. 
She fliooke the burled (h) fpeere. 
On hie fhe jefte (i) her (heelde. 
Her foemen (j) all appere. 
And flizze('^^ along the feelde. 
Power, wythe his heafod (l) llraught (m) ynto 
the fkyes, [ftarre. 

Hys fpeere a fonne-beame, and hys fheelde a 
Aiyche (n) twaie (0) brendeyng (p) gron- 
fyres (q) rolls hys eyes, [to war. 

Chaftes('r^ with his yronne feete, and foundes 
She fyttes upon a rocke, 
She bendes before hys fpeere 
She ryfes from the Ihocke, 
Wieidyng her own yn ayre. 
Harde as the thonder dothe Ihe drive ytte on, 
Wytle fcillyefj^ wympied('/^ gits(u) ytte to 
hys crovvne, (ys gt>n, 

Hys longe iharpe fpeere, his fpreddyng fheelde 
He falles, andfallyngerolleththoufandes down. 
War, goare-faced war, bie envie burld (x)y 
ariftfj;, 
Hys feerie heaulme (z) noddynge to the ayre, 
Tenne bloddie arrowesynne hys llreynynge fyft. 



§ 94. Grongar Hill. Dyer. 

CiLENT Nymph! with curious eye, 
^ Who, the purple evening, lie 
On the mountain's lonely van. 
Beyond the noifeof bufy man. 
Painting fair the form of thing's. 
While the yellow linnet lings j 
Or the tuneful nightingale 
Charms the foreft with her tale j 
Come, with all thy various hues, 
Come, and aid thy filler Mufe. 
Now while Phoebus riding high. 
Gives luftre to the land and Iky, 
Grongar Hill invites my fong. 
Draw the landfcape bright and ftrong^ 
Grongar ! in whofe molfy cells, 
Sweetly mufmg Quiet dwells j 
Grongar! in whofe filent fhade. 
For the modeft Mufes made, 



(n) Like. 

fo) Two. 

(p) Flaming^. 

(q } Meteors. 

(r) Boats, stamps. 

(s) Closely. 



(t) Mantled, covered.' 
(u) Guides. 
(x) Armed. 
(u) Arose. 
(ij Htiiiiet. 



50^ 



Book II* 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



489 



So oft I have, the evening ftill, 

As the fountain of a rill. 

Sat upon a flow'ry bed. 

With my hand beneath my head, 

While ftray'd my eyes o'erTowy's flood, 

Over mead and over wood, 

From houfe to houfe, from hill to hill. 

Till Contemplation had her fill. 

About his chequered fides I wind, 
And leave his brooks and meads behind j 
And groves and grottos, where I lay. 
And villas fhooting beams of day. 
Wide and wider fpreads the vale, 
As circles on a fmooth canal : 
The mountains round, unhappy fate ! 
Sooner or later, of all height. 
Withdraw their fummits from the flcies, 
And leffen as the others rife. 
Still the profpeft wider fpreads. 
Adds a thoufand woods and meads j 
. Still it widens, widens ftill. 
And finks the newly-rifen hill. 

Now I gain the mountain's browj 
What a landfcape lies below ! 
No clouds, no vapours, intervene ; 
But the gay, the open fcene 
Does the face of Nature fhew 
In all the hues of heaven's bow ; 
And, fwelling to embrace the light. 
Spreads around beneath the fight. 

Old caftles on the cliffs arife, 
Proudly tow'ring in the ficies 5 
Rufliing from the woods, the fpires 
Seem from hence afcending fires : 
Half his beams Apollo fiieds 
On the yellow mountain heads, 
Gilds the fleeces of the flocks, 
And glitters on the broken rocks. 

Below me trees unnumber'd rife, 
Beautiful in various dyes t 
The gloomy pine, the poplar blue, 
The yellow beech, the fable yew: 
The flender fir that taper grows, 
The fturdy oak with broad fpread boughs j 
And, beyond the purple grove, 
Haunt of Phillis, queen of love ! 
Gaudy as the op'ning dawn, 
Lies a long and level lawn, 
On which a dark hill, fteep and high, 
Holds and charms the wand'ring eye. 
Deep are his feet in Towy's flood; 
His fides are cioth'd with waving wood j 
And ancient towers crown his brow. 
That caft:an awful look below ; 
Whofe ragged walls the ivy creeps. 
And with her arms from falling keeps: 
So both a fafety from the wind 
On mutual dependance find. 

'Tis now the raven's bieak abode, 
'Tis now th' apartment, of the toad ; 
And there the fox fecurely feeds, 
And there the pois'nous adder breeds, 
Concealed in ruins, raofs, and weeds ; 
While, ever and anon, there falls 
Huge heaps of hoary moulder'd walls. 



Yet time has feen, that lifts the low, 
And level lays the lofty brow, 
Has feen this broken pile complete, 
Big with the vanity of ftate: 
But tranfient is the fmile of Fate ! 
A little rule, a little fway, 
A fun-beam in a winter's day, 
Is all the proud and mighty have 
Between the cradle and the grave. 

And fee the rivers, how they run 
Thro' woods and meads, in fliade and fun ! 
Sometimes' fwift, foraetimes flow. 
Wave fucceeding wave, they go, 
A various journey to the deep. 
Like human life, to endlefs fleep ! 
Thus is Nature's vefture wrought. 
To inftrud our wand'ring thought j 
Thus flie drefi^es green and gay. 
To difperfe our cares away. 

Ever charming, ever new. 
When will the landfcape tire the view! 
The fountain's fall, the river's flow. 
The woody vallies, warm and low ; 
The windy fummit, wild and high. 
Roughly rufliing on the flcy ! 
The pleafant feat, the ruin'd tow'r. 
The naked rock, the ftiady bow'r ; 
The town and village, dome and farm. 
Each give each a double charm. 
As pearls upon an Ethiop's arm. 

See on the mountain's fouthern fide, 
Where the profpeft opens wide, 
Where the evening gilds the tide. 
How clofe and fmallthe hedges lie ! 
What ftreaks of meadows crofs the eye ! 
A ftep, methinks, may pafs the ftream. 
So little diftant dangers feem : 
So we miftake the future's face, 
Ey'd through Hope's deluding glafs. 
As yon fummits foft and fair, 
Clad in colours of the air, 
Which, to thofe who journey near. 
Barren, brown, and rough appear ; 
Still we tread the fi*me coarfe way ; 
The prelent 's ftill a cloudy day. 

O may I with myfelr agree. 
And never covet what I fee! 
Content me with a humble fliade. 
My passions tam'd, my wilhes laid ; 
For while our wiilies wildly roll. 
We banifli quiet from the foul : 
'Tis thus the bufy beat the air. 
And mifers gather wealth and care. 

Now, e'en now, my joys run high. 
As on the mountain turf I lie ; 
While the wanton Zephyr fings, 
And in the vale perfumes his wings j 
While the waters murmur deep; 
While the ftiepherd charms his flieep j 
While the birds unbounded fly, 
And with mufic fill the Iky, 
Now, e'en now, my joys run high. 

Be full, ye courts ! be great who will j 
Search for peace with all your Ikill , 

Open 



] 



490 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IL 



Open wide the lofty door. 

Seek her on the marble floor: 

In vain ye learch, she is not there; 

In vain ye fearch the domes 9f C:^e! 

Crinfs and flowers Quiet treads, 

On the meads and mountam -heads, 

Along with Pleafure cloie allied, 

Ever by each other's fide; 

And often, bv the miinn'ring rill. 

Hears th? thrafh, while all is fl-ill, 

Within the groves of Grongar Hill. 



■§95. A Monody on the Death of his Lady, 
By George Lord Lyttleton. 

• Ipse c^va solans aeprum t-~st'jdine amorem, 

• Te, dulcis c.^njux. te solo in I'ltore secum, 

• Te veniente die t? decedent- canebat.' 

A T len«;th efcao'd from ev'iy human eye, 
'^^ From evVy duty, ev'ry care, [(hare. 

That in my mournful thoughts might claim a 
Or force my tears their flowing ftream to dry; 
Beneath the gloom of this embow'ring fhade. 
This lon'^ retreat, for tender forrow m.ade, 
I now may give ray burden'd heart relief. 

And pour forth all my flores of grief 5 
OfgrieffurpaiTine every other woe, 
Far as the purest blifs, the happieli love. 
Can on th' ennobled mind beflow, 
Exceeds the vulgar joys that move 
Our grofs defires, inelegant and low. 

Ye tufted groves, ye gently- falling rills. 

Ye high o'erfliadowing hills, 
Ye lawns gay-fmiling vvith eternal green. 

Oft have you my LuC}' feen ! 
But never fhall you now behold her more: 

Nor will fhe nov/, with fond delight. 
And tafte refin'd, your rural charms explore. 
Cios'd are thofe beauteous eyes in endlefs night, 
Thofe beauteous eyes, v/herebeamingus'dtofnine 
Keafon's pureligiit, and Virtue's fpark divine. 

Oft would the Dryads of thefe woods rejoice 

To hear he;- heavenly voice; 
For her defpifmg, Vv'hen (lie deign'd to ling, 

The fweetefl fongfrers of the fpring; 
The woodlark and the linnet pleas'd no m.ore : 
The nightingale v^^as mute. 
And ev'ry fhepherd's flute 
Was caft in filent fcorn away, 
While all attended to her fweeter lay. 
* Ye larks and linnets, now refumic your fong: 
And thou, melodious Philomel, 
Again thy plaintive ftorv tell; 
For death has iVopp'd that tuneful tongue, 
Whofe mufic could alone your warbling notes 
In vain I look round, [excel 

O'er all the well-known ground. 
My Lucy's wonted footfteps to defcry; 
Where oft we us'd to walk; 
Where oft in tender talk 
We few the fummer fun go down the fky ; 



Nor by yon fountain's fide. 

Nor where its waters glide 
Along the valley, can fhe now be found: 
In all the wide-ftretch'd profpeft's ample 

No more my mournful eye [bound. 

Can aught of her efpy, 
Bat the fad facred earth where her deaf relics lie. 

O fiiades of Hagley, where is now your boaft ? 

Your bright inhabitant is lolt. 
You flie preterr'd to all the gay reforts 
Where female vanity might wilh to fhine. 
The pomp of cities, and the pride of courts. 
JHer mod eft beauties (hunn'd the public eye: 

To your fequefler'd dales. 

And flower- embroider'd vales. 
From an admiring world (he chofe to fly. 
With Nature thee retir'd, and Nature's God, 

The flent paths of wifdom. trod. 
And banifh'd every pafTion from her breafl:| 

Bat thofe, the gentlest and thebeft, 
Whofe holy flames with energy divine 
The virtuous heart enliven and improve, 
The conjugal and the maternal love. 

Sweet babes! who like thelittleplayfulfawrfs. 
Where wont to trip along thefe verdant 
By your delighted mother's side, [lawns. 
Who now your infant Iteps fnall guide? 
Ah ! where is now the hand,whofe tender care. 
To every virtue would have form'd your youth, 
And ftrew'd with flow'rs the thorny ways of 
truth ? 
O lofs beyond repair ! 
O wretched father! left alone, 
To weeep their dire misfortune, and thy own ! 
Hov;f]-iall thy weaken'd mind, opprei's'awith 
And, drooping o'er thy Lucy's grave, [woe, 
Perform the duties that you doubly owe, 
Now, flie, alas ! is gone, 
From follyand from vice their helplefs age to fave? 

Where were ye, Mufes, v/hen relentlefs Fate 
From thefe fond arms your fair difciple tore ; 
From thefe fond arms, that vainly flrove 
With haplefs, ineffeftual love. 
To guard her bofom from the mortal b:ow ? 
Could not your favouring pow'r,A6nian. 
maids. 
Could not,alas! yourpowerprolongherdate; 
For whom fo oft, in thefe infpiring (hades, 
OrunderCamden'smofs-clad mountains hoar. 
You open'dall your facred (lore; 
Whate'er your ancient fages taught. 
Your ancient bards fublimely t'nought. 
And bade her raptur'd breaft with all your fpirit 
glow? 

Nor then did Pindus or Caftalia's plain. 
Or Aganippe's fount, your fteps detain, 
Nor in the Thefpian valleys did you play; 

Nor then on Mincio's* bank 

Befet with ofier's dank. 



* The Mincio runs by Mantua, the birth-place of Virgil. 



Nor 



DIDACTIC, D E S C R I P T I V fi, &c. 



Boo?; II. 

Nor wliere Clitumniis* rolls his gentle 
ft ream, 
Nor where, through hanging^ woods. 
Steep Aniof pours his floods, 
Nor yet where Meles| or ir;rius§ ftray. 
Ill docs it now befeem, 
That, of your £)^uardian care bereft, 
To dire diCcafe and death your darling flio^ild 
be left. 
Now what avails it, that in early bloom. 
When light fantaftip toys 
Are all her fex's joys. 
With you fhe fearch'd the wit of Greece 
and Rome; 
And all that in her latter days, 
To emulate her ancient praife, 
Italians happy genius could produce; 
Or what the Gallic fire 
Bright fparkling could infpire, 
By all the Graces tempered and refin'd; 
Or what, in Britain's ifle, 
Moft f:ivour''d with your fraile. 
The powers of Reafon and of Fancy joinM 
To full perfection haTe confpir'd toraife? 

Ah ! what is now the ufe 
Of all thofe treafures that enrich'd her mind, 
To bbck OWivion's gloom for ever now con- 
fign'd ! 

At leaft, ye Nine, her fpotlefs name 

■"Tis yours from death to fave, 
And in the temple of immortal Fame 
With golden chara6lers her worth engrave. 

Come then, ye virgin fifters, come, 
And ftrevv with choicefb flow'rs her hal- 

low'd tomb; 
But foremoft thou, in fable veftment clad, 

With accents fweet and fad, 
Thou plainciveMufejwhom o'er his Laura's 
Unhappy Petra'xh call'd to mourn ; [urn 
O come, and to this fairer Lanra pay 
A more impafhon'd tear, a more pathetic lay ! 
Tell how each beauty of her mind and face 
Was brighten'd by ibme fweet peculiar 
How eloquent In ev'ry look [grace! 
Thto' her exprefRve eyes her foul diftinftly 
fpoke ! 
Tell how hermannersjby the w^orldrefln'd, 
Left all the taint of modifli vice behind, 
And made each charm of polifli'd courts 
With candid Truth's fimplicity, [agree 
And uncorrupted Innocence ! 
Tell how to more than manly fense 
She join'd the foft'ning influence 
Of more than female tendernefs: 
How,in the thoughtlefs days ofwealth and joy, 
Which oft the care of others' good dellroy ; 
Her kindly -melting heart, 



49» 



To eveiy want, and every woe, 
To guilt itielf when in diilrefs, 
The balm of pity would impart; 
And all relief that bounty could beflow! 
E'en for the kid or lamb, that pour'd its life 
Beneath the bloody knife, 
Her gentle tears would fall; [to all. 

Tears, from fweet Virtue's fource, benevolent 

Not only good and kind, 
But ftrong and elevated was her mind j 

A fpirit that with noble pride 

Could look fupcrior down 

On Fortune's imile or frown ; 
That could, without regret or pain, 
To Virtae's lov/ell duty faciifice 
Or Interefl or Ambition's higheit prize; 
That, injnr'd or offended, never tried 
Its dignity by vengeance to maintain;. 
But by magnanimous difdain. 
A wit that, temperately bright. 

With inofienfive light 

All pleaflng fhone; nor ever pafs'd 
The decent bounds thatVVil'dom's fbber hand. 
And fweet Benevolence's mild command. 
And bafhful Modeily, before it cafl. 
A prudence undeceiving, undeceiv'd. 
That nor too little nor too much beOev'd:; 
That fcorn'd unjuil Sufpiclon's coward fear. 
And, without v/eaknefs, knew to be fincere. 
Such Lucy was,- when in her fliireft days,. 
Amidft th' acclaim of univerfal praife. 

In life's and glory's frclhefl bloom, [tomb, 
De:^tb came remorfelefs on, and funk her to the 
So, where the filent flreams of Liris glide. 
In the foft bofbm of Campania's vale, 
When now the wint'ry tempefts all are fled. 
And genial fammer breathes her gentle gale. 
The verdant orange lift&its beauteous headj 
From ev'ry branch the balmy fiow'rets rife. 
On every bough the golden fruits are feen; 
"With odours fweet it fills the fmiling ikies. 
The wood-nymphs tend it, and th' Idalian 

queen: 
But, in the mldfl of all Its blooming pride, 
A fudden blalt from Apenninus blows. 

Cold with perpetual fnows; [and dies. 

The tender blighted plant fhrinks up its leaves, 

Arife, O Petrarch ! from th' Elyfian bow'rs. 

With never-fading myrtles twin'd, 

And fragrant with ambrofial flow'rs, 

Where to thy Laura thou again art join'd; 

Arife, and hither bring the filver lyre, 
Tun'd by thy fkllful hand. 

To the foft notes of elegant defire. 
With which o'er many a land 
Was fpread the fame of thy difafl'rous love; 
To me refign the vocal fliell. 



* The Clitumnusis a river of Umbria, the residence of Propertius. 

f The Anio runs through Tibur or TivoU, where Horace had a villa. 

+ The Meles is a river of Ionia, from whence Homer, suppose^ to be born on its banks, is called 



Mellisigenes, 
•§ The lUissus is a river sit Athens, 



And 



492 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II, 



And teach my forrows to relate 
Their melancholy tale io well. 
As may e'en things inanimate, [move. 
Hough mountain oaks, and delert rocks, to pity 

Whatwere,alas! thywoes,compar'dtomine? 
To thee thy miftrels in the blifsful band 

Of Hymen never gave her hand; 
The joys of wedded love were never thine. 

In thy domeftic care 

She never bore a fhare. 

Nor with endearing art 

Would heal thy wounded Jieart 
Of every fecret grief that felterM there : 
Nor did her fond affeftion on the bed 
Of ficknefs watch thee,and thy languidhead 
Whole nights on her unwearied arm fuftain, 

And charm away the fenfe of pain : 

Nor did Ihe crown your mutual flame 
With pledges dear, and with a father's tender 
name 

O beft of wives ! O dearer far to me 
Then when thy virgin charms 
Were yielded to my arms : 
How can my foul endure the lofs of thee? 
How in the world, to me a defert grown. 

Abandoned and alone. 
Without my fweet companion can I live ! 

Without thy lovely fmile. 
The dear reward of ev'ry virtuous toil, 
Whatpleafures now can pall'd Ambition give? 
E'en the delightful fenfe of well-earn'dpraife, 
Unfliar'd by thee, no more my lifelefs thoughts 
could raife. 

For my diftrafted mind 

What fuccour can I find? 
On whom for confolation (hall I call? 

Support me, ev'ry friend ; 

Your kind affiftance lend. 
To bear the weight of this oppreflive woe. 

Alas ! each friend of mine. 
My dear departed love, fo much was thine, 
Tliat none has any comfort to beftow. 

My books, the beft relief 

In every other grief. 
Are now with your idea fadden'd all: 
Each favourite author we together read 
My tortur'd jnemory wounds, and fpeaks of 
Lucy dead. 
We were the happieft pair of human kind: 
The rolling year its various courfe performed 

And back returned again; 
Another, and another, fmiling came, 
And faw our happinefs unchang'd remain. 

Still in her golden chain 
Harmonious Concord did our wishes bind; 
Our ftudies, pleafures, tafte the lame. 

O fatal, fatal ftroke ! 
That all this pleafmg fabric Love had rals'd 

Of rare felicity, 
On which even wanton Vice with envy gaz'd, 
And every fchemeofblifsourheartshadform'd, 
With foothing hope for many a future day, 

In one fad moment broke ! 



Yet, O my foul! thy rifing murmurs ftay; 
Nor dare th' all-wife Difpofer to arraign. 
Or againft his fupreme decree 
With impious grief complain, 
Thatallthy full-blown joys atoncefhould fade. 
Was his moil righteous will — ^and be that will 
obey'd. 

Would thy fond love his grace to hercontroul. 
And, in thefe low abodes of fin and pain. 

Her pure exalted foul, 
Unjuftly, for thy partial good, detain? 
N© — rather ftrive thy grovelling mind to raifc 

Up to that unclouded blaze, 
That heavenly radiance of eternal li^ht, 
In which enthron'd (he now with pity fees. 
How frail, how infecure, how flight, 
Is every mortal blifs ? 

Even Love itfelf, if rifin^ by degrees 
Beyond the bounds of this imperfe6l flate, 

Whofe fleeting joys fo foon muft end. 
It does not to its fovereign good afcend. 

Rife then, my foul, with hope elate. 
And feek thofe regions of ferene delight, 
Whofe peaceful path, and ever-open gate. 
No feet but thofe of harden'd Guilt fhall mifs: 
There Death himfelf thy Lucy ftiall reftore ; 
There yield up all his pow'r ne'er to divide you 
more. 



§ 96. A Winter Piece. Anon. 

Tt was a winter's evening,and fall came down 
-*■ the fnow, [blow; 

And keenly o'er the wide heath the bitterblaftdid 
When a damfel all forlorn, quite bewilder'd in 
her way, [fay: 

Prefs'd her baby to her bofom,and fadly thus did 

" Oh! cruel was my father, that Ihut his door 
on me [could fee ; 

And cruel was my mother, that fuch a fight 

And cruel is the wint'iy wind, that chills my 
heart Avith cold ; [for gold ! 

But crueller than all, the lad that left my love 

Hulh, hufli, my lovely baby, and warm thee in 
my breaft; [diftreft ! 

Ah, little thinks thy father how fadly we're 
For, cruel as he is, did he know but how we fare. 
He'd Ihield us in his arms from this bitter 
piercing air. 

ColdjCold mydeareft jewel ! thy little life is gone: 
Oh let my tears revive thee, fo warm that trickle 

down: [they fall: 

My tears that gufh fo warm, oh they freeze before 
Ah wretched, wretched mother ! thou 'rt now 

bereft of all." 

Then down Ihe funk defpairing upon the drift- 
ed fnow, [loud her woe: 

And, wrung with killing anguilh, lamented 

She kifs'd her babe's pale lips, and laid it by 
her fide; 

Then caft her eyes to heaven, then bow'd her 
head, and died. 

§97r 



JBOOK II. 



DIDACTIC, 



§.97. The School Mijirefs. In Imitation of Spenfer . 

Shenstone. 

Audita: voces, vagitus ct ingens, 
Infantumquc aninix fientes in limine primo. Virg, 

AH me ! full forely is my heart forlorn, 
To think how modeft worth negle6led lies, 
While partial Fame doth with her blafts adorn 
Such deeds alone as pride and pomp difguifej 
Deeds of ill fort, and mifchievous emprize : 
Lend me thy clarion, Goddefs ! let me try 
To found the praife of merit ere it dies j 
Such as I oft have chanced to efpy. 
Loft in the dreary {hades of dull obfcurity. 
In ev'ry village, raark'd with little fpire, [fame, 
Embower'd in trees, and hardly known to 
There dwells, in lowly (hade and mean attire, 
A matron old, whom we School-miftrefs 
name j 
Who boafts unruly brats with birch to tame : 
They, grieven fore, in piteous durance pent, 
Aw'd by the pow'r of this relentlefs dame, 
Andoft-times, on vagaries idly bent, [flient. 
For unkempt hair, or talk unconn'd, are forely 
And all in fight doth rife a birchin tree, 

WhichLearningnearherlittledomedidftow, 
Whilome a twig of fmall regard to fee, 

Tho' now fo wide its waving branches flow. 
And work the fimple vaffals mickle woe ; 
For not a wind might curl the leaves that 
blew; [low; 

But their limbs fhudder'd, and their pulfe beat 
And, as they look'd, they found their horror 
grew, 
And (hap'd it into rods, and tingled at the view 
So have I feen (who has not, may conceive) 
A lifelefs phantom near a garden placM j 
So doth it wanton birds of peace bereave, 
Of fport, of fong, of pleafure, of repaft : 
They ftart, they ftare, they wheel, they look 
aghaft ; 
Sad fervitude ! Such comfortlefs annoy 
May no bold Briton's riper age e'er tafte ! 
Ne fuperftition clog his dance of joy, 
Ne vifion empty, vain, his native blifs deftroy ! 
' Kear to this dome is found a patch fo green. 
On w^hich the tribe their gambols do difplay; 
And at the door impris'ning board is feen, 

Leftweaklywightsof fmallerfizefliouldllray, 
Eager, perdie, to balk in funny day ! [found, 
The noifes intermixM, which thence re- 
Do Learning's little tenement betray ; 
Where fits the dame, difguis'd in look pro- 
found [around. 
And eyes her Fairy throng, and turns her wheel 
Her cap, far whiter than the driven fnow 

Emblem right meet of decency does yield ; 
Her apron dyed in grain, as blue, I trowe. 

As is the Iiare-bell that adorns the field : 
And in her hand, for fceptre,fhe does wield 
Tway birchin fprays, with anxio\is fear en- 
twin'd, 



D E S C R I P T I V E, &c. 495 

With dark diftruft,and fad repentance fiU'd, 
And ftedfaft hate, and ftiarp affli6tion join'd, 
Andfuryuncontroul'd.andchaftifementunkind. 

Few but have kerm'd, in femblance meet pour- 
tray'd. 
The childifli faces of old ^ol's train. 
Libs, Notus, Aufter* : thefe in frowns arrayM. 
How then would fare on earth,orflcy,or main. 
Were the ftern God to give his (laves the rein f 
And were not (|ie rebellious breaits to quell. 
And were not ihe her (latutes to maintain. 
The cot no more,Iween,were deem'd the cell 
Where comely peace of mind and decent order 
dwell. 
A rulTet dole was o'er her fhoulders thrown j 

A rulfet kirtle fenc'd the nipping air j 
'Twas fimple rulTet, but it was her own, 

'Twas her owncountrybred the flock fo fair; 
'Twas her own labour did the fleece prepare. 
And, foothto fay , her pupils, rang'd around. 
Thro' pious awe did term it paffing rare j 
For they in gaping wonderment abound. 
And think, no doubt, (lie been thegreateft wight 
on ground. 
Albeit, ne flatt'ry did corrupt her truth 5 
Ne pompous title did debauch her ear ; 
Goody, good-woman, goffip,n'aunt,forfooth. 

Or dame, the fole additions (he did hear; 
Yet thefe (he challeng'd, thefe (he held right 
dear; 
Ne would efteem himaft as mought behove, 
Whofliouldnot honour'd eld with thefe revere; 
For never title yet fo mean could prove, 
Buttherewas eke a mind which did that title love. 
One antient hen flie took delight to feed. 
The plodding pattern of the bufy dame. 
Winch ever and anon, impell'd by need. 

Into her fchool, begirt with chickens, came; 
Such favour did her paft deportment claim s 
And if negle6t had lavifli'd on the ground 
Fragment of bread, (he would collect the fame; 
For well flie new, and quaintly cold ex- 
pound. 
What fin it were to wafte the fmalleft crumb (he 
found. 
Herbs too (lie knew, and well of each could 
fpeak. 
That in her garden fipp'd the filv'ry dew. 
Where no vain flow'r difclos'd a gaudy (Ireak, 

But herbs for ufe and phyfic not a few. 
Of grey renown, within thofe borders grew; 

The tufted bafil, pun-pi^ovoking thyme, 
Frefli baum, and marygold of che^ful hue. 
The lowly gill, that never dares to climb. 
And more I fain would fing, difdaining here to 
rhyme. 
Yet euphrafy may not be left unfung, 

Thatgivesdiraeyestowanderleaguesaround; 
And pungent radi(h, biting infant's tongue ; 
And plaintain ribb'd,that heals the reaper's 
wound i 



* The south-west wind, souUi, &c. 



And 



4^ 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



And marj'ram fwcet.in fhepherd's pofle foundj 

Aoid lavender, vvhofe ipikes of arure bloom 

Shall be, erewhile, in arid bundles bound, 

To lurk amidit the labours of her loom. 

And crown her 'kerchiefs clean with mickle rare 

perfume. [crown'd 

And here trim rofemarine, that whilom 

The dainticll garden of the proudeft peer, 
Ere, driven from its^^nvied fite, it found 

A facred Ihelter for its branches here. 
Where edg'd with gold its glitt'ring ikirts 
appear. 
O waflel days ! O cufton^^s meet and well 1 
Ere this was banifli'd from its lofty fphere ; 
Simplicity then fought this humble cell, 
Kor ever would fne more with thane and lord- 
ling dwell. 
Here oft the dame, on Sabbath's decent eve, 
Hymned fuch pfalms as Steenhold forth 
did m.ete. 
If winter 'twere fhe to her hearth did cleave : 

But in her garden found a fummer (eat: 
Sweet melody ! to hear her then repeat 

How Ifrael's fons, beneath a foreign king. 
While taunting foe-men did a fong entreat, 
All for the nonce untuning every ilring, 
Uplmng their ufelefs lyres — Imall heart had 
they to fing. 
Forfhe was jull, and friend to virtuous lore, 

Andpafs'dniuchtimeintrulyvirtuousdeed. 
And in thofe elfins' ears would oft deplore 
The times when Truth by Popifh rage did 
bleed, 
And tortious death w^as true Devotion's meedj 
And finiple Faith in iron chains did mouru, 
That nould on wooden image place her creed; 
And lawny fainti in fmould^ring fiama&jdid 
burn : [reTO-n. 

Ah! deareftLord! forefend thilkdays fhould e'er 
In elbow chair, like that of Scottifli ftem. 

By the iharp tocth of cank'ringEid defac'd, 
In which, when he receives his diadem, 

Ourfov'reignprinceandliefeilliv^geisplac'd, 

The matron fate : and fome with rank llie 

grac^d, 

The fource of children's and of ccurt'er's 

pride 1 [pafs'cl) 

Redrefs'd affronts (for vile affronts there 

And warn'd them not the fi-etful to deride. 

But love each other dear, whatever them betide. 

Right well ihe knew each temper to defer)*. 

To thwart the proud.and thefubmifs to raifej 
Some with vile copper prize exalt on high. 

And fomeentice withpittancefmallof praife^ 
And other fome with baleful fprig (he 'frays : 
E'en abfent, (hethereiusof pow'rdothhcid, 
While with quaint arts the giddy crowd Ihe 
fways 5 
Forewarn'd,if little bird their pranksbehold, 
'I'wiil whifper in ha: ear, and all the fcene un- 
fold. 



Lo! now with fiate fhe utters the command ! 

Ettfoons the urchins to their tafks repair j 

Their bocks of irature fmail,they take in hand. 

Which v.'ith pellucid horn lecured are, 
To fave from finger wet the letters fair. 

The work fogay that on their back is feen 

St. George s higii achievements does declare. 

On which thiik wight that has ygazing been. 

Kens the forth-coming red j unpleaiing'light, I 

v/een 1 

Ah ! luckiefs he, and born beneath the beam 

Of evil Har ! it irks me whiift I write I 
As erft the bard* by Muila's filver ftream. 
Oft as he told of deadly dolorous plight, 
Sigh'd as he fung, and did in tears indite ; 
For, brandilhing the rod, fhe doth begin 
To loofe tl;e brogues, the ilripling's late de- 
light ! 
And down they drop ; appears his dainty fkiE, 
Fair as the furry coat of whiteilermilin. 

O ruthful (cenel when from a nook obfcure 

His little {iCter doth his peril fee ; 
All playful as flie fate, fhe grows demure. 

She finds full foon her wonted fpirits fiee; 
She meditates a pray'r to fet him free ; 

Nor gentle pardon could this dame deny 

(If gentle pardon couid with dames agree) 

To her lad grief that fwells in either eye. 

And wrings her lo, that all for pity flse could die. 

No longer can flie now her flirieks command. 

And hardlv fhe forbears, thro' awful fear. 

To rufhen forth,and,with prefumptuous hand. 

To ftay har/h juftice in its mid career. 
On thee ihe calls, on thee, her parent dear! 

( Ahi too remote to wardtheiharaefalblow!) 
She fees no kind domeftic vilage near. 
And loon a fiocd of tears begins to flow. 
And gives a loofe at laif to unavailing woe. 
But,ah? what pen his piteous plight may trace? 
Or what device his icud laments explain ? 
The form uncouth of his difguifed face ? 

The pallid hue that dyes his looks amain ? 
Thepienteousfhow'rthatdoeshischeekdiitr.in? 
When he in abject wiie implores the darac, 
Ne hopeth aught of fweet reprieve to gain ; 
Or when from high Ihe levels well her aim. 
And, thro' the thatch, his cries each failiRg 
ilrcke proclaim. 
The other tribe, aghaii, with fore difmay 

Attend,andconn their talkswithmickie care. 
By turns, ailonied, ev'ry twig furvey. 

And from their fellows hateful wounds 
beware, 
Knoviing, I wift, how each the fame may Iharej 
Tid fear has taught them a performance 
meet. 
And to the well-known cheflrthe dame repair. 
Whence oft with fugar'd cates ihe doth 'em 
greet. 
And gingeroread y-rare j now, certes, doublj 
fweet I 



* Spenser. 



See» 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



49; 



See, to their feats they hye with merry glee, 

And in beleemly order litten there, 
All but the wiglit Ci' bum y-gailed j he 
Abhorrcth bench, andllooi, and ibmi, and 
chair [hair)^ 

(This hand in mouth y-iixed, that rends his 
And eke with fn ubs proiound, and heaving 
brealt, 
ConvuUionu intermitting! does declare 
Hisonevouswrong.hisdame'sunjullbeheft, 
And3Cornsherolfer'dlove,andlhunstobecarefs'd. 

His face befprent with liquid chryftal fhines 5 

H.s blooming f ice, thaulcemsapurpletlow'r, 
Which low to earth his drooping head decines, 

All fraear'd and fuilied by a vernal iliow'r. 
Oil the hard bofoms of defpotic pov/'r ! 

All, all but (he, the author of his Ihame, 
All, all but Ihe, regret this inournful hour: 

Yet hence the youth, and hence the fiow'r 
Ihall claim. 
If fo, I deem aright, tranfcending worth and fame. 

Behind fome door in melancholy thought, 

Mindleis of food, he, dreary caitiif! pines j 
Ne for his fellovs^s joy au nee careth ought. 

But to the wind ail merriment -I'efigns, 
And deems it (hame if he to peace inclines; 

And many a fuilen look afkaunce is feiit, 
Which for his dame's annoyance he deligns ; 

And ilill the more to plealure him Ihe's bent, 
The more doth he, perverfe, her ''haviour pall 
refeut. 

Ah me ! how m.uch I fear left pride it be ! 

But if that pride it be which thus inspires, 
Beware, ye dames ! with nice difcernment lee, 
Ye quench not too the Iparks of nobler lires : 
Ah ! better far than all the Mule's lyres 

(All coward arts) isvalour's gen'rousheatj 

The firm lix'd breait which fit and right re- 

. quires. 

Like Vernon's patriot foul, more jufily great 

Than craft tiiat pimps for ill, or iiovv'ry falfe 

deceit. 



Yet, 



nurs'd with fkill. 



what dazzlimi fruits 



appear 

E'en now ikgacious foreiight points to fliow 
A little bench of heedlefs bilhops here, 

And there a chancellor in embryo, 
Or bard fublime, if bard m»ay e'er be fo ; 
As Milton, Shakefpeare, names that ne'er 
fhall die ! 
Tho' novv he crawl along the ground fo low; 
Nor -vveeting how the mule ihould foar on 
high, ;_ [fly. 

Wiflieth, poor ftarv'ling elf! his paper kite may 



And this perhaps, who cens'ring the deiign. 
Low lays the house which that of cards 
doth build, 

Shall Dennis be, if rigid Fates incline; 
And many an epic to his rage Ihall yield, 

* Shrewsbury Cakes< 



And many a poet quit th' Aonian field: 

And,four'd by age, profound he (hall appear. 

As he who novv, with 'fdainful fury thrih'd. 

Surveys mine work, and levels many a fneer. 

And furls his wrinkly front, and cries, * What 

lluif is here!" 

But now Dan Phoebus gains the middle fky. 

And liberty unbars her priibn-door ; 

And like a rufhing torrent out they fly. 

And now the gralTy cirque han cover'd o'er 
With boiil'rous revei-rout and wild uproar. 

Athoufand ways in wanton rings they run. 
Heaven (hieid their fhort liv'd paltimes, I im- 
plore ! 
For well may Freedom, erft fo dearly won. 
Appear toBritifn elf more gladforae than the fun. 

Enjoy, poor imps I enjoy your fportive trade. 

And chafegayflies,andcullthefaireftflow'rs. 

For when my bones in grafs green fods are laid. 

For never may ye taft:e more carelefs hoursj 

In kiTightly cailles, or in ladies' bow'rs. 

O vain, to feek delight in earthly things ! 
But mofl: in courts, where proud Ambitioa 
tow'rs ; 
Deluded Vv'ight! who weens fair peace can 
fpring 
Beneath the pompous dome of kefar or of king. 

See In each fprite fome various bent appear! 

Thefe rudely carol mofl: incondite lay j 
Thofelaunt'ringon the green,with jocund leer^ 

Salute the ftran^er pafiing on his way: 
Some builden fragile tenements of clay; 

Some to the flanding lake their courfes bend. 
With pebbles fraooth, at duck and drake to 
play; 

Thilk to the huxter's fav'ry cottage tend. 
In pafl:y kings and queens th'allotted mite tofpend* 

Here, as each feafon yields a different fl:ore. 

Each feafon's fl:ores in order ranged been; 
Apples with cabbage-net y-cover'd o'er, 

Gallingfull Jore th'unmoniedwight,are feen; 
And goofeb'rie, clad in liv'ry red or greens 

And here of lovely dye the Cath'rine pear; 
Fine pear! as lovely for thy juice I ween; 

O may no wight e'erpennylefs come there, 
LeH", imit with ardent love, he pine with hope- 
leis care ! 

See cherries here, ere cherries yet abound. 

With thread fo white in tempting pofies tied, 
Scatt'jing like blooming maid their glances 
round, 
With pamper'd look draw little eyes afide. 
And mull be bought, tho' penury betide; 

The plum all azure, and the nut all brown; 
And here each feafon do thofe cakes abide. 
Whole honour'd names th' inventive city 
own, 
Rend'ring thro' Britain's ifle Salopia's* praifet 
known. 



Admir'd 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



496 

AdmirM Salopia ! that with venial pride 

EyesherbrightforminSevern'sambientwave, 
Fam'd for her loyal cares in perils tried ; 

Herd3Ughterslovely,andherfl:riplingsbrave: 
Amidft the reft, may flow''rs adorn his grave 

Whofe artdidfirft thefe dulcet cates difplay! 
A motive fair to Learning's imps he gave, 

Who cheerlefs o'er her darkling region Ilray, 
TillReafon's morn arife, and light them on their 
way. 

S 98, Oriental Eclogues, By Mr. Collins. 

ECLOGUE I. 

Seltm i or the Shepherd's Moral. 

Scene, a Valley, near Bagdat. — ^Time, the Morning, 

* VE Perfian maids, attend your Poet's lays, 

^ < And hear how Ihepherds pass their golden 

* days. i 
< Not all are bleft, whom Fortune's hand fuftains 

* With wealth in courts, nor all that haunt the 

* plains : 

« Well may your hearts believe the truths 1 tell ; 
« 'Tis virtue makes the blifs, where'er we dwell.' 

Thus Selim fung, by facred Truth infpir'd ; 
Nor praife but Nuchas Truth beftow'd, defir'd : 
Wife in himfelf, his meaning fongs convey'd 
Informing morals to the fliepherd maid ; 
Or taught the fwains that fureft blifs to find, 
What groves nor ftreams bellow,a virtuous mind. 

When fweet and blufhing, like a virgin bride, 
The radiant morn refum'd her orient pride j 
When wanton gales along the vallies play. 
Breathe on eachfiow'r,3nd bear their fweetsaway; 
By Tygris' wandering waves he fat, and fung, 
This ufeful leffon for the fair and young : 

* Ye Perfian dames,' he faid, '■ to you belong 

* (Well may they pleafe) the morals of my fong: 

* No fairer maids, I truft, than you are found, 

* Grac'd with foft arts,the peopled world around! 
« The morn that lights you to yourloves fupplies 

* Each gentler ray, delicious to your eyes ; 

' Foryou thofeflow'r? her fragrant hands beftow. 

* And yours the love that kings delightto know. 
« Yet think not thefe, all beauteous as they are, 

< The beftkindbleHings Heaven can grant thefair: 

< Who truft alone in beauty's feeble ray, 

* Boaft but the worth Balfora's* pearls difplay! 

* Drawnfromthe deep,weownthe furface bright: 
« But, dark within, they drink no luftrous light. 

* Such are the maids, and fuch the charms they 

* By fenfe unaided, or to virtue loft. [boaft, 
« Sclf-flatt'ring fex ! your hearts believe in vain 

* That Love Ihall blind, when once he fires the 

< Or hope a lover by your faults to win, [fwain 

* As i'pots on ermin beautify the fkin: 

* Who feeks fecure to rule, be firft her care 

* Each softer virtue that adorns the fair; 

' Each tender pafiion man delights to find 

< The lov'd perfection of a female mind I 



Book II. 



* Bleft were the days when Wifdom held her 

* reign. 

And fliepherds fought heron the filent plain; 
With Truth ! (he wedded in the fecret grove. 
Immortal Truth ! and daughters bleft their 

* love. 

* O hafte, fair maids ! ye Virtues, come away! 
Sweet Peace and Plenty lead you on your way! 
The balmy fli rub for you ftiall love our fliore. 
By Ind excell'd or Araby, no more. 

« Loft to our fields, for fo the fates ordain. 
The dear dcferters Ihall return again. 
Come thou, whofe thoughts as limpid fprings 

* are cle:^r ; 

• To lead the train, fweet Modefly, appear : 
Here make thy court amidst our rural fcene, 

• Andfhepherdgirlsfhallowntheefor their queen, 

• With thee be Chaftity, of all afraid, 

' Diftrufting all, a wife fufpicious maid ; 

■ Butmanthemoft — not more the mountain doe 

■ Holds the fwift falcon for her deadly foe. 

' Cold is her breaft,likeflow'rs that drink the dewj 
' A filken veil conceals her from the view. 
^ No wild defires amidft thy train be known, 
' But Faith, whofe heart is fixed on one alone: 
' Defponding Meeknefs,with her down-caft eyes, 
' And friendly Pity, full of tender fighs ; 
' And Love the laft. By thefeyour hearts approve; 
' Thefe are the virtues that muft lead to love.' 

Thus fung the fwain; and ancient legends say. 
The maids of Bagdat verified the lay : 
Dear to the plains, the Virtues came along ; 
The Ihepherds lov'd, and Selim blefs'd his long. 

ECLOGUE II, 

Hajfan-^ or the Camel- Driver, 

Scene, the Desert. — ^Time, Mid-day. 

IN filent horror, o'er the boundlefs wafte. 
The driver Haflan with his camels pafs'd : 
One crufe of water on his back he bore. 
And his light fcrip contain'd a fcanty ftore ; 
A fan of painted feathers in his hand, 
To guard his fhaded face from fcorching fand. 
The fultry fun had gain'd the middle fky, 
And not a tree, and not an herb, was nigh : 
The beafts with pain their diifty way purfue, 
Shrill roar'd the winds, and dreary was the view. 
With defperate forrow wild, th' affrighted man 
Thrice figh'd, thrice ftruck his breaft, and thus 
began ; 

* Sad was the hour, and lucklefs was the day, 

* When firft from Schiraz' walls I bent my 

* way ! 

* Ah I little thought I of the blafting wind, 
' The thirft or pinching hunger that I find ! 

* Bethink thee, Haflan, where Ihall thirft afiAiage, 

* When fails this crafe, his unrelenting rage ? 

* Soon fliall this fcrip its precious load ref.gn j 

< Then what but tears and hanger ftiall be thine? 

* Ye mute companions of my toils, that bear 

* In all ray griefs a more than equal dare I 



* The Gulf of that name, famous for the pearl fishery. 



Here, 



Book II. DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVK, Ac. 



49t 



* Here, where no fprings in murmurs breakaway, 

* Or mofs-crown'd fountains mitigate the day, 

* In vain ye hope the green delights to know, 

* Which plains more bleft, or verdant vales 

* beitow : 

* Here rocks alone, and taftelefs fand« are found, 
' Andfaintandficklywindsforeverhowlarourd. 

* Sad was the hour, and lucklefs was the day, 

* When firil from Schiraz' walls I beiit my 

* way ! 

* Curft be the gold and filver which perfuade 

* Weak men to follow far-fatiguing trade! 

* The lily Peace outfliines the filver ftore, 

* And life is dearer than the golden ore: 

* Yet money tempts us o'er the deiert brown, 

* To ev'ry diltant mart and wealthy town. 

* Full oft we tempt the land, and oft the fea; 

* And are we only yet repaid by thee ? 

* Ah! why this ruin fo attractive made? 

* Or why, fond man, fo eafily betray'd ? 

* Why heed we not, while mad we hafte along, 
' The gentle voice of Peace, or Pleafure's long ? 

* Or wherefore think the flow'ry mountain's fide, 

* Thefountain'smnrmurs,andthevalley'spridej 

* Why think we these lefs pleafing to behold 

* Than dreary deferts, if they lead to gold ? 

* Sad was the hour, and lucklefs was the day, 

* When firlt from Schiraz' walls I bent my 

* way 1 

* O ceafe, my fears !— all frantic as I go, 

* When thought creates unnumber'd fcenes of 

' woe. 

* What if th^ lion in his rage I meet! 

* Oft in the dull I view his printed feet: 

* And, fearful! oft, when day's declining light 

* Yields her pale empire to the mourner Night, 

* Byhungerrous'd,he fcours the groaning plain, 

* Gaunt wolves anrl fullen tigers in his train ; 

* Before them Death, with llirieks, dii-^ds their 

* way I 

* Fills the wild yell, and leads them to their prey. 

* Sad was the hour, and lucklefs was the day, 
' When firlt from Schiraz' walls I bent my 

' ■way ! 

* At that dead hour the filent afp fliall creep, 

* If aught of reft I find upon my fieep : . 

* Or fome fwoln ferpent twift his fcales around, 

* And wake to anguifii with a burning wound. 

* Thrice happy they, the wife,con tented poor: 

* From luft of wealth,and dreadof deathfecure! 

* They tempt no deferts,and no griefs they find 5 

* Peace rules the day, where reafon rules theraind. 

* Sad was the hour, and lucklefs was the day, 

* When firil from Schiraz^ wails 1 bent my 

* way ! 

* O hapleft youth! for fne thy love hath won, 

* The tender Zara, will be m.oft undone ! 

* Big fweird my heart, and own'd the powerful 

* maid, 

* When fall Ihe dropp'd her tears, and thus 

*fhefaid:' 



*'Farev,'eltheyomh,whomfighscouldnotdctain, 

'' Whom Zara's breaking heart implorM invainj 
Yet as thou g )'ll, may ev'iy blaft arife 
Weak and unfeit as thefe rejifted fighs! 

" Safe o'er the wild, no perils mayft thou fee; 

•■' No griefs endurej nor weep, falfe youth, like 
" me!" ■ 

' O let me fafely to the Fair return, 

* Say,with a kifs, (he must not, fliall not mourn! 

* O let me teach my heart to lofe its fears, 

' Recaird by Wisdom's voice, and Zara's tears I' 
Hefaid; and call'don heaven to blefs thef^iy 
When back to Schiraz' walls he bent his way. 

ECLOGUE III. 

Ahra ; cr, the Georgian Sultana, 

Scene, » Forest.— Time, the Eveninj. 

IN Georgia's land.whereTerflis'tow'rsarefeeii 
In diftant view along the level green: 
While evening dews enrich the glitt'iing glade. 
And the tall foreits call a longer fnadej 
What tim.e 'tis fweet o'er fields of rice to ilray. 
Or fcent the breathing maize at fetting dayj 
Amidft: the maids of Zagen's peacei'ul grove 
Emyra fung the pleafing cares of love. 

Of Abra firft began the tender drain, 
Who led her youth with flocks upon the plain; 
At morn fhe came, thofe willing fijcks to lead. 
Where lilies rear them in the wat'ry mead: 
From early dawn the live-long hours flie told. 
Till late at filent eve fiie penn'd the fold. 
Deep in the grove, beneath the fecrer ihade, 
A various wreath of od'rous flowers flie mide. 
Gaymotley 'dpinks and fweet jonqiiilsfliechofe,* 
The violet blue, that on the mois-bink grows; 
All fweet to fenfe, the flaunting rofe was there: 
The finilh'd chaplet well adorn'd her ha'r. 

Great Abbas ch:inc''dthat fated m.orn to ilray. 
By love conducted from the chace aw;.y : 
Among the vocal vales be heard her fong. 
And ibught the vales and echoing groves among* 
At length he found, and woo'd the rural maid; 
She knew the monarch, and with fear obey'd, 

' Be ev'ry youth like royal Abbas m<||r'd, 

* And ev'ry Georgian maid like Abralov'd !' 
The royal lover bore her from the plain ; 

Yet ilill her crook and bleating flock remain: 
Oft as file went flie backward turn'd her view. 
And bade that crock and bleaiing flock adieu. 
Fair, happy maid! to other fcenes remove; 
To richer icenes of golden pow'r and love! 
Go, leave the fimple pipe, and fliepheid's ilrain; 
With love delight thee, and with Abbas reign. 

* Be ev'jy youth like royal Abbas mov'd, 

* And every Georgian maid like Abralov'd\ 
Yet, midft the blaze of courts, flie fix'd herlove 

On the cool fountaioj or the fiiady grove; 
Still, with the fhepherd's innocence, her mind 
To the fweet vale and flow'ry mead inclin'd : 



* That these flowers are found in very great abundance in some of the provinces of Persia, sec the 
Modern History o^ the ijigeniows Mr. Salmon. 

Kk And 



498 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II4 



And oft as SprlngrenewMtheplainswithflow'rs, j 
Breath'd his loft gales,and led the fragrant hours, ' 
With fure return Ihe fought the fylvan fcene, 
The breezy mountains, and the forefts green. 
Her maids around hermovM, a duteous band! 
Each bore a croolc all-rural in her hand : 
Some fimple lay ©f flocks and herds they fung 5 
With joy the mountain and the foreft rung. 

* Be ev'iy youth like royal Abbas mov'd, 

* And ev'ry Georgian maid like Abralov'dP 
And oft the royal lover left the care 

And thorns of ftate, attendant on the Fair ; 
Oft to the fhades and low-roof 'd cots retired, 
Or fought the vale where firllhis heart was fir'd: 
A rulTet mantle, like a fwain, he wore 5 
And thought of crowns and bufy courtsnoraore. 

* Be ev'ry youth like royal Abbas movM, 
'And ev'ry Georgian maid like Abra lov'd !' 
Bleft was the life that royal A bbas led : 

Sweet was his love, and innocent his bed. 
What if in wealth the noble maid excel ; 
The fimple fhepherd-girl can love as well. 
Let thofe who rule on Perfia's jewell'd throne 
Be fam'd for love, and gentleft love alone ; 
Or wreathe, like Abbas, full of fair renown. 
The lover's myrtle with the warrior's crov,^n. 
« O happyMays !' the maids around her fay; 
* O hafte, profufe of bleffmgs, hafte away ! 

* Be ev'ry youth like royal Abbas mov'd, 

* And ev'ry Georgian maid like Abra lov'd 1' 

ECLOGUE IV 

Jgib and Secander\ or^ the Fugitkjes. 

Scene, a Mountain, in Circassia.—Timr, Midnight. 

IN fair Circafiia, where, to love inclin'd. 
Each fwain was bleit, for ev'ry maid was kind; 
At that ftill hour when avi'ful midnight reigns, 
Andnone but wretches haunt thetwilightplains, 
What time the moon had hung her lamp on high; 
And pafs'd in radiance thro^the cloudlefs Iky: 
Sad o'er the dews two brother fliepherds fled. 
Where 'wildering fear and defp'rate forrow led: 
Faft as they prefs'd their flight, behind them la} 
Wide ravag'd plains, and valleys fl:oIe away. 
Along the mountain's bending fide they ran j 
Till, faint and weak, Secander thus began: 

* - SECANDER, 

Oh ftay thee, Agib ; for my feet deny. 
No longer friendly to my life, to fly. 
Friend of my heart, oh turn thee, and furvey. 
Trace our fad flight thro' all its length of way 
And firlt review that long-extended plain, 
And yon wide groves, already pafs'd with pain 
Yon ragged clift^", whofedang'rous path we tried 
And, laft, this lofty mountain's weary fide ! 

AGIB, 

Weak as thou art, yethaplefsmuftthouknow 
The toils of flight, or fome feverer woe 1 
Still as I hafl:e, the Tartar ftiouts behind. 
And ffn-ieksand forrovvsloadtheladd'ningwind 
In rage of heart, with ruin in his hand. 
He blafts our hai-vefl:s, and deforms our land. 
Yon citron grove, whence firft in fear we came, 
Drops its fair honours to the conquering flame: 



Far fly the fwains, like us, in deep defpairj 
And leave to ruflian bruids their fleecy care. 

SECANDER. 

Unhappy land! whofe bleflingstemptthefword; 
In vain, unheard, thou cairit thy Perlian lord ! 
In vain thou court' ll him, helpleis, to thine aid. 
To fliield the fliepherd, and protect the maid 1 
Far ofl', in thouglitlefs indolence reflgn'd. 
Soft dreams of love and pleafure footh his mifld: 
Midft fair Sultanas loft in idle joy. 
No wars alami him, and no fears annoy. 

AGIB. 

Yet thefe green hills, in fummer's fultry heat. 
Have lent the monarch oft a cool retreat. 
Sweet to the fight is Zabra's flow'ry plain, 
And once by maids and fliepherds lov'd in vain ! 
No more the virgins fliall delight to rove 
By Sargis' banks, or Irwan's fliady grove; 
On Tarkie's mountain catch the cooling gale. 
Or breathe the fweets of Aly's flow'ry vale; 
Fair fcenes ! but ah ! no more with peace pofleft. 
With eafe alluring, and with plenty blelt. 
No more the fliepherds' whit'ning tents appear. 
Nor the kind produfts of a bounteous year; 
No more the date, with fnowy bloflbmscrown'dj 
But Ruin fpreads her baleful fires around. 

SECANDER. 

In vain Circaflia boalts her fpicy groves. 
For ever fam 'd for pure and happy loves : 
In vain flie boaih her faireft of the fair, 
Their eyes' blue langui(h,and their golden hair, 
rhofeeyes intears their fruitlefs grief mufl: fend j 
Thofe hairs the Tartar's cruel hand fliall rend. 

AGIB. 

Ye Georgian fwains, that piteous learn from 
CircafHa's ruin., au-d the walte of war; [far 

Some weightier vcvmn than crooks and ibift's 

prepare, 
To fliieid your harvefl:, and defend your fair: 
The Turk and Tartar like dcfigns purfue, 
Fix'd to dtiflroy, and ftedfifl; to undo. 
Wild as his land, in native defeits bred, 
By lufl: incited, or by malice led, 
The villain Arab, as he prowls for pre}', 
Oftmarks withblood andwafting flames the wayj. 
Yet none fo cruel as the Tartar foe. 
To death inur'd, and nurs'd in fcenes of woe. 

He faid; when loud along the vale was heard 
A fliriller fliriek, and nearer fires appear'd; 
The aftVighted fliepherds, thro' the dewsofnight, 
Wideo'erthemoon-lighthillsrenew'dtheirflight». 



§ 99. 7'he Splendid Shilling. J. Phillip s. 

" sins hcarenly Muse '. 

" Things unattempted yet in prose oc rhyme ;" 
A Sliilling, Breeches, and Chimeras dire. 

Tjr AP? Y the man, who, void of cares and fl:rife, 
•■■■'■ In filken or in leathern purfe retains 
A fplendid fliilling. He nor hears with pain 
New oyfters cried, nor fighs for cheerful ale: 
But with his friends, when nightly mifts arife, . 



BdoK II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, kc. 



499 



To Juniper's Magpye, or Town Hall,* repairs; 
Where, mindful of the nymph whole wanton eye 
Transfix'dhis fouli and kindled amorous flames, 
Chloe or Phillis, he each circling glafs 
Wiiheth her health, and joy, and equal love. 
Meanwhile he fmokes, and laughs at merry tale, 
Or pun ambiguous, or conundrum quaint. 
But I, whom griping penury furrounds, 
And hunger, fure attendant upon want, 
With fcanty ofl'als, and fmall acid tiff, 
(Wretched repaft !) my meagre corfe fuftain: 
Then folitary walk, or doze at home 
In garret vile, and with a warming puff 
Regale chill'd fingers ; or, from tube as black 
As winter chimney, or well-polifli'd jet, 
Exhale mundungus, ill perfuming fcentj 
Not blacker tube, nor of a fhorter fize, 
Smokes Cambro-Briton (versM in pedigree. 
Sprung from Cadwallader and Arthur, kings 
Full famous in romantic tale) when he 
O'er many a craggy hill and barren cliff. 
Upon a cargo of fam'd CeArian cheefe, 
High overfliadowing rides, with a defign 
To vend his wares, or at th' Arvonian mart. 
Or Maridunum, or the ancient town 
Yclep'd Brechinia, or where Vaga's ftream 
Encircles Ariconium, fruitful foil ! 
Whence flow neftareous wines, that well may vie 
With Maflic, Setin, or renown'd Falern. 

Thus, while my joylefs minutes tedious flow. 
With looks demure, and filent pace, a Dun, 
Horrible monfler ! hated by Gods and men. 
To my aerial citadel afcends : 
With vocal heel thrice thund'ring at my gate. 
With hideous accent thrice he calls j I know 
The voice ill-boding, and the folemn found. 
What fhould I do ? or whither turn ? Amaz'd, 
Confounded, to the dark recefs I fly 
Of wood-hole; ftraight my brifl:ling hairs ereft 
Thro' fudden fear; a chilly fweat bedews 
My fliudd'ring limbs, and (wonderful to tell !) 
My tongue forgets her faculty of fpeech 5 
So horrible he feemsl His faded brow 
Entrench'dwitiimanya frown,and conic beard, 
And fpreading band, admir'd by modern faints, 
Difaftrous afts forebode ; in his right hand 
Long fcrolls of paper folemnly he waves, 
With characters and figures dire infcrib'd, 
Grievous to mortal eyes (ye gods, avert 
Such plagues from righteous men !). Behind him 
Another monfter, not unlike himfelf, [ftalks 
Sullen of afpeft, by the vulgar call'd 
A Catchpoie, whofe polluted hands the gods 
With" force incredible, and m.agic charms, 
Erfl: have endued ; if he his ample palm 
Should haply on ill-fated flioulder lay 
Of debtor, ftraight his body, to the touch 
Obfequious (as whilom knights were wont). 
To fome enchanted caftle is convey'd, 
Where gates impregnable, and coercive chains, 
In durance fl:ri6l detain him; til), in form 
Of money, Pallas fets the captive free. * 

Beware ye debtors ! when ye walk beware, 
Se circomfpeft: oft with infidious ken 



This caitiff eyes your fteps aloof; and oft 
Lies perdue in a nook or gloomy cave, 
Prompt to enchant fome inadvertent wretch 
With his unhallow'd touch. So (poets fmg). 
Grimalkin, to domeftic vermin fworn 
An everlafling foe, with watchful eye 
Lies nightly brooding o'er a chinky gap. 
Protending her fell claws, to thoughtJefs mice 
Sure ruin. So her difembowell'd web 
Arachne in a hall or kitchen fpreads, 
Obvious to vagrant flies : fhe fecret flands 
Within her woven cell ; the humming pref 
Regardlefs of their fate, rufti on the toils 
Inextricable, nor will aughl avail 
Their arts, or arms, or fliapes of lovely hue; 
ThejA'afp infidious, and the buzzing drone. 
And butterfly, proud of expanded wings 
Difl:in6t with gold, entangled in her fnares, 
Ufelefs refiflance make: with eager ftrides. 
She tow'ring flies to her expe6led fpoils ; 
Then with envenom'd jaws the vital blood 
Drinks of reluctant foes, and to her cave 
Their bulky carcafes triumphant drags. 

So pafs my days. But when nofturnal fhadef 
This world envelop, and th' inclement air 
Perfuades men to repel benumbing froffs 
With pleafant wines,and crackling blazeofwoodj 
Me, lonely fitting, nor the glimmering light 
Of make-weight candle, nor the joyous talk 
Of loving friends, delights ; diftrefs'd, forlorn, 
Amidfl: the horrors of the tedious night, 
Darkling I figh, and feed with difmal thoughts 
My anxious mind ; or fometimes mournful verfe 
Indite, and fing of groves and myrtle (hades. 
Or defp'rate lady near a purling ftream. 
Or lover pendant on a wiilow-tree. 
Meanwhile I labour with eternal drought. 
And reftjefs wifh, and rave; my parched throat 
Finds no relief, nor heavy eyes repofe: 
But if a flumber haply does invade 
My weary limbs, my fancy 's ftill awake. 
Thoughtful of drink, and eager, in a dream, 
Tipples imaginary pots of ale. 
In vain : awake, T find the fettled thirft 
Still gnawing, and the pleafant phantom curfe. 
Thus do I live, from pleafure quite debarr'd. 
Nor tafte the fruits that the fun's genial rays 
Mature — ^john-apple, nor the downy peach. 
Nor v/alnut in rough furrow'd coat fecure. 
Nor medlar fruit delicious in decay. 
Afflictions great \ yet greater fiill remain : 
My galligaflclns, that have long withftood 
The winter's fury, and encroaching frofts, 
By time fubdued (what will not time fubdue?) 
A horrid chafm difclofe, with orifice 
Wide, difcontinuous ; at which the winds, 
Eurus and Aufter, and the dreadful force 
Of Boreas, that congeals the Cronian waves. 
Tumultuous enter with dire chilling blafts. 
Portending agues. Thus a Well-fraught fhip. 
Long fail'd fecure, or thro' th' ^gean deep, 
Or the Ionian, till cruifing near 
The Lilybean fhore, with hideous crufh 
On Scylla or Charybdis (dang'rous rocks) 



* Two noted alehouses in Oxford, 1700, 



Kk2 



roo 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II, 



She ftrikfs rebounding; wbcncethe fliatter'd oakj 
So fierce a fliock unable to withftand, I 

Admits the lea 5 in at the gaping Tide 
The crowding waves ruih with impetuous rage, 
Refiftlefs, overwhelmijig ! Horrors leize 
The mariners ; death in their eyes appears ; 
They Hare, they rave, they pump, they fwear> 

they pray ; 
(Vain efforts!) ftill the battering waves rufli m, 
Implacable; til), delug'd by the foam, 
The lliip finks foundering in the vaft abyfs. 



§ 100. An Epijile to a Lady, Nugent. 

/^Larinda, dearly lov'd, attend 
^^ The counfels of a faithful friend ; 
Who, with the warmeft wiflies fraught, 
Feels all, at leafl, that friendfhip ought ! 
But fince, by ruling Heaven's deflgn, 
Another's fate fliall influence thine; 
Oh may thefe lines for him prepare, 
A blifs, which I would die to fhure ! 

Man may for wealth or glory roam. 
But woman muft be blefl at home ; 
To this fhould all her lludies tend, 
This her great object and her end. 
Diflafle unm.ingled pleafures bring, 
And ufe can blunt AfRiftion's fting; 
Hence perfect blifs no mortals know, 
And few are plung'd in utter woe : 
While Nature, arm'd againft Defpair, 
Gives pow*r to mend, or ftrength to bear; 
And half the thought content may gain, 
Which fpleen employs to purchafe pain. 

Trace not the fair domellic plan 
From what you would, but what you can ! 
Nor, peevifh, fpurn the fcanty ftore, 
Becaufe you think you merit morel 
Blifs ever differs in degree. 
Thy fliare alone is meant for thee ; 
And thou fhouldfl think, however fraall, 
That fiiare enough, for 'tis thy all: 
Vain fcorn will aggravate diltrefs, 
And only make that little lefs. 

Admit whatever trifles come ; 
Units compofe the largelt fum : 
Oh tell them o'er, and fay how yain 
Are thofe who form Anibition"*s train; 
Which fwell the monarch's gorgeous Hate, 
And bribe to ill the guilty great ! 
But thou, more bleft, more wile than thefe, 
Shalt build up happinefs on eale. 
Hail, fweet Content I where joy lerene 
Cilds the mild foul's unruffled fcene ; 
And, v,'ith blithe Fancy's pencil wrought. 
Spreads the white web of flowing thought. 
Shines lovely in the cheerful face. 
And clothes each charm v/ith native grace j 
Effulion pure of blifs fincere, 
A veftment for a god to wear. 
Far other ornaments compofe 
The garb that fhrouds diflembled woes, 
Piec'd out with motley dyes and forts, 
Fr«3ks, whimfies, feftivsls, and fports s 



The troubled mind's fantalllc drcfs. 
Which madnefs titles Happinefs; 
While the gay wretch to revels bears 
The pale remains 'of fighs and tears; 
And feeks in crowds, like her undone. 
What only can be found in one. 

But chief, my gentle friend ! remove 
Far from thy couch feducing Love ; 
Oh ftiun the falfe magician's art 
Nor trull thy yet unguarded heart! 
Charm'd by his (pells fair Honour flies, 
And thouiand treach'rous phantoms rife 5 
Where G ullt in Beauty's ray beguiles, 
And Ruin lurks in Friend fhip's fmiles. 
Lo ! where th' enchanting captive dreams 
Of warbling groves and purling fl:reams j 
Of painted meads, of flow'rs that fhed 
Their odours round her fragrant bed. 
Quick fhifts the fcene, the charm is lofV, 
She wakes upon a defert coaft ; 
No friendly hand to lend its aid, 
No guardian bow'r to fpread its (hade ; 
Expos'd to ev'ry chilling blaft. 
She treads th' inhofpitable walle; 
And down the drear decline of life 
Sinks, a forlorn, dilhonour'd wife. 
Neglect not thou the voice of Fame, 
But, clear from crime, be free from blaract 
Tho' all were innocence within, 
'Tis guilt to wear the garb of fin ; 
Virtue rejects the foul disguife : 
None merit praife who praife defpife. 
Slight not, in fupercilious ftrain. 
Long practis'd modes, as low or vain ! 
TJie v/orld will vindicate their caufe. 
And claim blind faith in Cuftoni'slaws. 
Safer with multitudes to ftray. 
Than tre?.d alone a fairer way : 
To mingle with the erring throng, 
Than boldly fpeak ten millions wrong. 

Beware of the relentlefs train 
Who forms adore, whom forms maintain ! 
Left prudes demure, or coxcombs loud, 
Accufe thee to the partial crowd ; 
Foes vvho the laws of honour flight, 
A judge who meafures guilt by fpite, 

JBehold the sage Aurelia Ifand, 
Difgrace and fame at her command; 
As if Heaven's delegate defign'd. 
Sole arbiter of all her kind. 
Whether Ihe try fome favour'd piece 
By rules devis'd in ancient Greece j 
Or whether, modern in her flight. 
She tells what Paris thinks polite: 
For much, her talents to advance. 
She fiiudied Greece, andtravell'd France; 
There learn 'd the happy art to pleafe 
With all the charms of labour'd eafe; 
Thro' looks and nods, with meaning fraught. 
To teach what fhe was never taught. 
By her each latent fpring is feen ; 
The workings foul of fecret fpleen ; 
The guilt that flculks in fair pretence; 
Or folly veil'd in fpecious fenfe. 



AnJ 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



501 



And much her righteous fpirlt grieves, 
When worthlelihels the world deceives j 
Whether the erring crowd commends 
Some patriot fway'd by private ends j 
Or hulband truft a faitlTlefs wife, 
Secure, in ignorance, from ftrife. 
Averfe ftie brings their deeds to view, 
But juftice claims the rig'rous duej 
Humanely anxious to produce 
At leaft fome pofTible excufe. 
Oh ne'er may vittue's dire difgrace 
Prepare a triumph for the bafe ! 

Mere forms the fool implicit fway, 
Which witlings with contempt furveyj 
Blind folly no defeft can fee. 
Half wifdom views but one degree. 
The wife remoter ufes reach, 
Which judgment and experience teach. 
Whoever would be pleas'd and pleafe, 
Mull do what others do with eafe. 
Qreat precept, undefin'd by rule, 
And only learn'd in Cuftom's fchoo^ 
To no peculiar form confined, 
It fpreads thro' all the human kind ; 
Beauty, and wit, and worth fupplies. 
Yet graceful ii^^ the good and wife. 
Rich with this gift, and none befide, 
In Fafhion's itream how many glide I 
Secure from ev*i7 mental woe, 
From treachVous friend or open foe j 
From focial fy mpathy, that Ihares 
The public lofs or private cares j 
Whether the barb'rous foe invade. 
Or Merit pine in Fortune's (hade. 

Hence gentle Anna, ever gay, 
The iame to-morrow as to-day, 
Save where, perchance, when others weep^^ 
Her cheek the decent forrow fteep j 
Save when, perhaps, a melting tale 
O'er ev'ry tender bread prevail : 
The good, the bad, the great, the fmall. 
She likes, flie loves, fhe honours all. 
And yet, if fland'rous malice blame,_ 
Patient fhe yields a filler's fame. 
Alike if fatire or if praife, 
She fays whate'er the circle fays 5 
Implicit does whate'er they do, 
Without one point in wifh or view. 
Sure tell of others, faithful glafs. 
Thro' which the various phantoms pafs. 
Wide blank, unfeeling when alone ; 
No care, no joy, no thought her own. 

Not thus fucceeds the peerlefs dame. 
Who looks and talks, and a6ls for fa^me ; 
Intent fo wide her cares extend. 
To make the univerfe her friend. 
Now with the gay in frolics fhines. 
Now reafons deep with deep divines : 
With courtiers now extols the great, 
With patriots fighs o'er Britain's fate s 
Now breathes with zealots holy fires. 
Now melts in lefs refin'd defires : 
Doom'd to exceed in each degree, 
Too vd£&y too weal^, too proud, too frc^ 5 



Too various for one fjngle word, 
Tfie high fublime of deep ubfurd : 
While ev'ry talent nature graiits 
Jull lerves to Ihew how much fhe wants. 

Altho' in conibine 

The virtues of our fex and thine : 

Her hand reftrains the widow's tears ; 

Her fenfe informs, and fooths, and cheers : 

Vet, like an angel in difguife. 

She (liines but to fome favoured eyes j 

Nor is the diflant herd ailow'd 

To view the radiance thro' the cloudt 

But thine is evVy winning art j 
Thine is the frieitdly, honcll heart} 
And fliould the gen'rouj fpirit flow 
Beyond where prudence fears to goj 
Such failles are of nobler kind 
Than virtues of a narrow mind. 



§101. Alexander^ sFeaJi-^ or the Ponver ofMufix, 

An Ode on St. Cecilia's Day. Dryden. 
'THwAs at the royal feaft, for Perfia won, 
•^ By Philip's warlike fon : 

Aloft in awful flate 
The godlike hero fate 
On his imperial throne : 
His valiant peers were plac'd around ; 
Theiir brows with rofes and with myrtle bound; 
So fhofld defert in arms be crown'd. 
The lovely Thais by his fide 
Sat, like a blooming eaftern bride, 
In now'r of youth and beauty's pride, 
Happy, happy, happ)^, pair j 
No.ie but the brave, 
None but the brave, 
None but the brave deferves the fur, 
Tiinotheus, plac'd on liigh 

Amid the tuneful choir, 
With ftying fingers touch'd the lyre:- 
The trembling notes afcend the Iky, 
And heavenly joys infpire. 
The fong began from Jove : 
Who left his blifsful ieats above, 
Such is the pow'r of mighty love! 
A dragon's fiery form belied the gods 
Sublime on radiant fpheres he rode. 

When he to fair Olympia pre^s'd, 
And flamp'd an image of himfeif, a fovereigri 
pf the vvcrld. — 
The liil'ning crowd admire the lofty found j 
A prei'ent deity, the vaulted roofs rebound; 
With ravifli'd ears 
The monarch hears, 
AfTumes the god, 
Affefts to nod. 
And feems to fhake the fpheres. 
The praife of Bacchu^s then the fweet muficiaa 
fung ; 
Of Bacchus, ever felr and ever young: 
The jolly gq^, in triumph comes j 
Sound the trt^mpets, beat the drums ; 
Flufli'd with a purple grace 
He fnews his honell face. 
K k 3 Now 



501 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Bop K Iti 



Now gi\e the hrtutboys breath; he comes, he! 
Bacchus, ever foir and young, [comes ! ! 
Drinking joys did firll ordain : 
Bacchus' blelfings are a treafure, 
prinking is the foldier's pleafurej 
► Rich the treafure, 

Sweet the pleafure ; 
Sweet is plealure after pain. 
Sooth'd with the found, the king grew vain ; 
Fought all his battles o'er again; 
And thrice he routed all his foes; and thrice 
he flew the (lain. 
The malter faw the madnefs rife : 
His glowing cheeks, his ardent eyes ; 
And, while he heaven and earth defied, 
Chang'd his hand, and check'd his pride. 
He chofe a mournful mufe. 
Soft pity to infufe : 
He fung Darius great and good, 
By too ffcvere a fate, 
Fairn, fall'n, fall'n, fall'n, 
FalPn from his high eftate. 
And welt'ring in his blood j 
Deferted at his utmoft need 
By thofe his former bounty fed. 
On the bare earth expos'd he lies, 
"With not a friend to clofe his eyes. 

With downcaft look the joylefs vi6lor fate. 
Revolving in his alter'd Hul 
The various turns of fate1)elow; 
And now and then a figh he ftolej 
And tears began to flow. 
The mighty mafter fmil'd, to fee 
That love was in the next degree : 
'Twas but a kindred found to movej 
For pity melts the mind to love. 
Softly fweet, in Lydian meafures. 
Soon he footh'd his foul to pleafures. 
"War he fung is toil and trouble ; 
Honour but an empty bubble ; 

Never ending, frill beginning. 
Fighting ftill, and ftill deftroying: 

If the world be worth thy winning, 
Think, oh think it worth enjoying ! 
Lovely Thais fits befide thee, 
Take the good the ^ods provide thee. 
The many rend the ficies with loud applaufe ; 
So love was crown'd, but mufic won the caufe. 
The prince, unable to conceal his pain, 
Gaz'd on the fair 
Who causM his care. 
And figh'dand look'd, figh'd and look'd, 
Sigh'd and look'd, and figh'd again : 
At length, with love and wine at once opprefs'd, 
The vanquifh'd viftor funk upon her bread. 

Now ftrike the golden lyre again ; 

And louder, yet, and yet a louder ftrain. 

Break his bands of fleep afunder, 

And roufe him, like a rattling peal of thunder. 

Hark, hark, the horrid found 

Has rais'd up his head. 

As awak'd from the dead, 

A«d aniaz'c}) he ftare? around \ 



Revenge, revenge, TImotheus cries. 
See the furies arife, 
See the Ihakes that they rear. 
How they hifs in the air. 
And the fparkles that flalh from their eyes! 
Behold a ghaftly band. 
Each a torch in his hand, [(lain, 

Thefe are Grecian ghofts, that in battle wer? 
And unburied remain 
Inglorious on the plain; 
Give the vengeance due 
To the valiant crew: 
Behold how ^hey tofs their torches on high, 
, How they point to the Perfian abodes, 
And glitt'ring temples of their hoftile gods l-s^ 

The Princes applaud, with a furious joy; 
And the King feiz'd a flambeau with zeal, to 
Thais led the way, , [dellroyj 

To light him to his prey, 
And, like another Helen, fir'd another Troy. 
Thus, long ago. 

Ere heaving bellows learnt to blow. 
While organs yet were mute ; 
Timotheus to his breathing flute 

And fouadingvlyre [fire. 

Could fwell the foul to rage, or kindle foft dc-r 
At lafl; divine Cecilia came, 
Inventrefs of the vocal frame ; 
The fweet enthufiaft, from her facred fl:ore, 
Enlarg'd the fopner narrow bounds. 
And added length to folemn founds, 
With nature's mother-wit, and arts unknown 
Let old Timotheus yield the prize, [before. 
Or both divide the crown ; 
He rais'd a mortal to the Ikies, 
She drew an angel down. 



§ 102. Jn Eplfilefrom Mr. Phillips to the Earl of 

Dorfet. Copenhagen, March g, 1 709. 
"C'rom frozen climes, and endlefs tracls of fnowj^ 
■*• From fl;reams that northern winds forbid tq 

flow. 
What prefent fliall the Mufe to Dorfet bring. 
Or how, fo near the Pole, attempt to fing ? 
The hoary winter here conceals from fight 
All pleafmg objedls that to verfe Invite. 
The hills and dales, and the delightful woods. 
The flow'ry plains, and filver flireaming floods^ 
By fnow difguis'd. in bright confufion lie. 
And with one dazzling wafle fatigue the eye. 

No gentle breathingbreeze prepares the fpring^ 
No birds within the defert region fing. 
The fliips, imraov'd, the boilc'rous winds defy, 
While rattling chariots o'er the ocean fly. 
The vafi: Leviathan wants room to play. 
And fpout his waters in the face of day. 
The ftarving wolves along the main fea prowl, 
And to the moon in icy valleys howl. 
For many a fliining league the level main. 
Here fpreads itfelf into a glafly plain : 
There folld billows, of enormous fize, 
Alps of green ice, in wild diforder rife. 
And yet but lately have I feen, e'en hefe. 
The winder in a loyely: drefs appear. 



Bookii. didactic, descriptive, &c. 



P5 



Ere yet the clouds let fall the treafur'd fnow, 
Or winds begun thro' hazy (kies to blow, 
At evening a keen eaftern breeze arofe ; 
And the defcending rain unlullied froze. 
Soon as the filent (liades of night withdrew, 
The ruddy morn dii'clos'd at once to view 
The face of nature, in a rich diiguife. 
And brighteri'd ev'ry objeft to my eyes : 
For ev'ry Ihrub, and ev'ry bhtde of grafs, 
And evVypointed thorn, ieem'd wrought in glafs; 
In pearls and rubies rich the hawthorns (how, 
While thfo' the ice the crimfon berries glow." 
Thethick-fprung reeiis the wat'ry rnarfiies yield 
Seem polifh'd lances in a hoilile field. 
The llag, in limpid currents, withfurprife 
Sees cryital braRches on his forehead rife. 
Thefpreadingoakjthe beech,and tow'ringpine, 
Glaz'd over, in the freezing aecher (hine. 
The frighted birds the rattling branches ftiun. 
That wave and glitter in the diftant fun. 
When, if a fudden gult of wind arife, 
The brittle foreil into atoms flies : 
The crackling wood beneath the tempell bends, 
And in a fpangled ihow'r the profpeft ends j 
Or, if a fouthern gale the region warm. 
And by degrees unbind the wintry charm, 
The traveller a miry country fees, 
And journeys fid beneath the dropping trees. 

Like fome deluded peafint Merlin leads 
Thro' fragrant bow'rs, and thro'delicious meadsj 
While here enchanting gardens to him rife, 
And airy fabrics there attra6l his eyes, 
His wandVing feet the magic paths purfue ; 
And, while he thinks the fair illufion true. 
The trackiefs fcenes difperie in fluid air, 
And woods, and wilds, and thorny ways appear; 
A tedious road the weary wretch returns, 
And, ashfi goes, the tranfient vifion mourns. 



§ 103. The Man of Sorroiv. Greville. 

A H ! what avails the lengthening mead, 
** By Nature's kindeft bounty Ipread 

Along the vale of fiow'rs! 
Ah ! what avails the darkening grove, 
Or Philomel s melodious love, 
That glads the midnight hours ! 

For me, alas ! the god of day, 
Ne'er glitters on the hawthorn fpray. 

Nor night her comfort brings : 
1 have no pleafure in the rofe; 
For me no vernal beauty blows. 

Nor Philomela fmgs. 

See how the ftiurdj'- peafants fl:ride 
Adown yon hillock's verdant fide. 

In cheerful ign'rance bled ! 
Alike to them the rofe or thorn, 
Alike arifes every morn, 

Uy gay Contentment dreft. 
Content, fair daughter of the (kies. 
Or gives fpontaneous, or denies. 

Her choice divinely free : 



She vifits oft the hamlet cot, 
When Want and Sorrow are the lot 

Of Avarice and me. 
But fee — or is it Fancy's dreara ? 
Methought a bright celeftial gleam 

Shot fudden thro' the groves ; 
Behold, behold, in loofe array, 
Euphrofyne, more bright than day, 

More mild than Paphian doves ! 
Welcome, oh welcome, Pleafure's queen ! 
And fee, along the velvet green 

The jocund train advance : 
With fcatter'd flow'rs they fill the air j 
The wood-nymph's dew-befpangled hair 

Plays in the fportive dance. 

Ah ! baneful grant of angry Heaven, 
When to the feeling wretch is given 

A foul alive to joy ! 
Joys fly with every hour away, 
And leave th' unguarded heart a prey 

To cares that peace deltroy. 
And fee, with vifionary hafl:e 
(Too foon; the gay delufion paff. 

Reality remains ! 
Defpair has feiz'd my captive foul f 
And horror drives without controul. 

And flackens ftillthe reins. 

Ten thoufand beauties round me throng ; 
What beauties, fay, ye nymphs, belong 

To the diltemper'd foul ? 
I fee the lawn of hideous dye ; 
The towering elm nods mifeiy j 

With groans the waters roll. 

Ye gilded roofs, Palladian domes. 
Ye vivid tints of Perfia's looms, 

Ye were for mifery made.-^ 
'Twas thus the Man of Sorrow fpoke j 
His wayward ftep then penfive took 

Along th' unhallow'd (hade, 

§ 1 04.. Monody to the Memory of a Young Lady* 

Shaw. 
Y^T dp I live ? Oh how ftiall I fuftain 
^ This vait unutterable weight of woe ? 
This worfe than hunger, poverty, or pain. 

Or all the complicated ills below ? 
She, in whofe life my hopes were treafur'd all, 
Is gone — ^for ever fled-^ 
My dearefl: Emma's dead ; 
Thefe eyes,tnefe tear-fwoln eyes beheld her fall. 
Ah no — flie lives on fome far happier fliore, 
She lives — but (cruel thought !) (he lives for me 
no more. 

1, who the tedious abfence of a day [fight ; 
Remov'd, would langui(h for my charmer's 
Would chide the lingering moments for delay. 
And fondly blame the flow return of night j 
How, how (hall I endure 
(O mifery paft a cure !) 
Hours, days, and years, fuccefllvely to roll, 
Nor ever more. behold the comfort of my foul ? 
Kk4 Was 



5H 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



W; ^ (he not all my fondelh wifli could frame ? 
Did ever mind lo much of heaven partake? 
Did (lie not love nie witli uhe pure!l name ? 
And give up friends and fortune for my fake? 
Though mild as evening iTcies, 
Willi di wncalt, itreaniing eyes. 
Stood the ilerii frowu of fupercilious brows, 
Deaf to tbciT brutal threats,' and faithful to her 

vows. 
Come then, fonie Miife^ the fad deft of the train 
(No more your b,! d faal! dwell on idle lays) 
Teach me each movin^ melancholy ftrain, 

A" d oh, diicard the pageantry of phrafe •. 
lUfuit theflovv'rs of fpeech with woes iike minel 
Thus, haply, as I paint 
The iburce of my complaint. 
My foul may own th' inipafiionM line : 
A flood of tears msygufn to ray relief, [of grief. 
And from my iwelling heart diicharge this load. 

Forbear, my fond officious friends, forbear 
To wound my ears with the fad tales you tell; 

"How goodlhe was. how gentle, and how fair!" 
In pity ceafe — alas ! I know too well 

How in her fweet exprefiTive face 

Beam'd forth the beauties of her mind, 

Yet heightened by exterior grace. 



Of manners moll en 



g^i 



'o» 



moll refin'd 1 



No piteous objeft could (he fee, 
But her foft bofora fnar'd the woe. 

While fmiles of affability 

EndearM whatever boon Ihe might bellow. 

Whate'er th' emotions of her heart. 
Still Ihone confpicuous in her eyes, 

Strano-er to every female art, 
Alike to feign or to difguife : 

And, oh the boaft how rare ! 

The fecret in her faithful breaft reposM 

She ne'er with lawlefs tongue difclos'd. 

In fecret filence lodgM inviolate there. 

Oh feeble words — unable to exprels 

Her matchlefs virtues, or my own dillrefs ! 

Relentlefs death ! that, fteePd to human woe. 

With murderous hands deals havoc on man 
kind. 
Why (cruel I) ftrike this deprecated blow, 

And leave fuch wretched multitudes behind ? 
Hark ! groans comewing'd on ev'ry breeze 

The fons of grief prefer their ardent vow, 
Opprefs'd with fbrrow, want, or dire difeafe, 

And fupplicate tby aid, as I do now : 
In vain — nerverfe, ftill on th' urweeting head 
'Tis thV'ie thy vengeful darts to Oiedj 
Hooc'o infant blofibms to deirroy. 
And drench in tears the face of joy. 

But oh. fell tyi-ant! yet expeft the hour 
When Virtue Ihall renounce thy pow'r ; 
When thou no more fliall blot the face of day, 
Nor mortals tremble at thy rigid fway. 
Alas the day ! — where'er 1 turn my eyes, 

Some fad m.emento of my lofs appears } 
I fly the faral houie — fupprefs my fighs, 

Kefolv'd to dry my unavailing tears: 



But, ah ! in vain — no change of time o^ 
The memory can efface [place 

Of all that fweetnefs, that enchanting air. 
Now loft ; and nought remains but anguilhand 
delpair. 

Where were the delegates of Heav'n, oh where 

Appointed Virtue's children fafe to keep ? 
Had Innocence or Virtue been their care. 

She had not died, nor had I liv'd to v/eep: 
Mov'd by my tears, and by her patience mov'd. 

To fee or force th' endearing fmiie. 

My forrows to beguile. 
When Torture's keeneft rage Ihe prov'd ; 
Sure they had warded that untimely dart, 
Which broke her thread of life, and rent a huf- 

bands' heart. 
How Ihall I e'er forget that dreadful hour. 
When, feeling Death's refiftlefs pow'r. 
My hand Ihe prefs'd, wet with her falling tears. 
And thus, in falt'ring accents, fpoke her fears : 
" Ah, my lov'd lord, the tranfientfceneis o'er, 
*'And we muft part, alas ! to m.eet no more 1 
" But oh ! if e'er thy Emma's name was dear, 
' If e'er thy vows have charm'd my ravifli'd 

" ear j 
' If, from thy lov'd embrace my heart to gain, 
" Proud friends have frown'd, and Fortune 

" fmiil'd in vain ; 
•' If it has been my Ible endeavour ftill 
" To aft in ail obfequious to thy will j 
•' To watch thy very fm^iles, thy wilh to know, 
■' Then only truly bleft when thou wert fo j 
•' If I have doated with that fond excefs, 
' Nor Love could add, nor Fortune make it lefs; 
■' If this I've done, andm.ore — oh then be kind 
" To the dear lovely babe I leave behind. 
" When time ray once-lov'd memory ihall efface, 
" Some happier, maid may take thy Emma's 

"place, 
" With envious eyes thy partial fondnefs fee, 
" And hate it, for the love thou bor'll to me ; 
'' My deareft Shaw, forgive a woman's fears ; 
'•' But one word more — I cannot bear thy tears— 
■' Promife — and I will truft thy faithful vow 
" (Oft have I tried, and ever found thee true) 
'•' That to fome diftant fpot thou wilt remove 
" This fatal pledge of haplefs Emma's love, 
" Where fafe thy blandilhments it may partake, 
'•' And, oh ! be tender, for its mother's fake. 

" Wilt thou ? 

•* I know thou wilt — fad filence fpeaks affent ; 
'' And, in that pleafmg hope, thy Emma dies 

" content." 

I, who with mere than manly ftrength have bore 

The various ills impos'd by cruel Fate, 
Suftain the firmnefs of my foul no more. 

But fink beneath the weight: [day 

Jult Heaven ! I cried, from memory's earlieil 

No comfort has thy wretched fupplianc knownj 
Misfortune ftill, with unrelenting fway. 

Has claim'd me for her own. 
But oh ! in pity to my grief, reftore 
This only fource of biifs j I alk— I alk no more— 
3 Vain 



Book IT. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



50s 



Vain hope — tli' irrevocable doom is pad, 
Ev'n now Ihe looks — flie llghs her lalt — — 
Vainly I ftrive to Itay her fleeting breath. 
And, with rebellious heart, proteft againit her 
death. 

When the ftern tyrant clos'd her lovely eyes, 

How did 1 rave, untaught to bear the blow ! 
With impious wish to tear her from the fkies, 
How curfe my fate in bitternefs of woe! 
But whither would this dreadful phrenfy 
Fond man forbear, [lead ? 

Thy fruitlefs forrowfpare, [creed j 

Dare not to afk what Heaven's high will de 
In humble revYcnce kifs th' afflictive rod, 
And proilrate bow to an offended God. 

Perhaps kind heaven in mercy dealt the blow, 

Some faving truth thy roving foul to teach 
To wean thy heart from grovelling views below 
And point out blifs beyond misfortune's 
reach : 
To fliew that all the flattVing fchemes of joy, 
Which tow'ring Hope fo fondly builds in air. 

One fatal moment can deftrcy, . 
And plunge th' exulting maniac in defpair 
Then, oh! with pious fortitude fullain 
Thy preient lofs — haply thy future gainj 

Nor let thy Emma die in vain : 
Time fhail adminiiler its wonted balm, [calm. 
And hu<h this ftonn of grief to no unpleafing 

Thus the poor bird, by fome difaftrous fate 

Caught, and impriion'd in a lonely cage, 
Torn from its native fields, and dearer mate. 

Flutters awhile, and fpends its little rage: 
But finding all its efforts weak and vain, 

No more it pants and rages for the plain j 
Moping awhile, in fuilen mood 

Droops the fweet mourner — but ere long 
prunes its light wings, and pecks its food. 

And meditates the fong: 
Serenely Ibrrowing, breathes its piteous cafe. 

And with its plaintive warblings faddens all 
the place. 

Forgive me, Heaven,— -yet,yet the tears will flow 

To think how foon my fcene of blifs is pall ! 
My buddingjoys, jult promifmg to blow. 

All nipp'd and wither'd by one envious blafl! 
My hours, that laughing wont to fleet away, 

Move heavily along; [long? 

Where's nowthefprightlyjefljthe jocund 

Time creeps, unconfcious of delight: 
How fliall I cheat the tedious day j 

And oh the joylefs night ! 

Where Hiall I reft my weary head ? 

How Hi all I find repofe on a fad widow 'd bed? 
Come Theban drug*, the wretch's only aid, 

To my torn heart its former peace reltore ; 
Thy votary, wrappM in thy Lethean fhade, 

Awhile fliall ceafe his forrows to deplore : 
JIaply, when lock'd in fleep's embrace. 
Again I fhall behold my Emma's face. 



Again with tranfnorr hear 
Her voice foft whilpering in my ear; 
May fteal once more a balmy kiis, 
And talte at lealt of vifionary blifs. 
But,ah! th' unwelcome morn's obtruding light 
Will all my fhadowy fchemes of blifs depoie. 
Will tear the dearillufion from my fight. 
And wake me to the f«nfe of all my woes: 
If to the verdant fields I ftray. 
Alas! what pleafures now can thefe convey? 
Her lovely form purfues where'er I go, 

And darkens all the fcene with woe. 
By Nature's lavifh bounties cheer'd no more. 
Sorrowing I rove 
Through valley, grot, and grove ; 
Nought can their beauties or my lofs reftore; 
No herb, no plant, can med'cine m.y difeale. 
And my fad fighs are borne on ev'ry paffing 
breeze. 

Sicknefs and forrow hov'ring round my bed, 

Who now with anxious halte fhall bring relief. 
With lenient hand fupport my drooping head, 

Affuage my pains, and mitigate my grief? 
Should worldly bufinefs call away, 

Who now fhall in my ab fence londly mourn. 
Count ev'ry minute of the loit'ring day. 

Impatient for my quick return? 
Should ought my bofbm difcompofe, 

Who now, with i'wetz complacentair. 
Shall fmooth the rugged brow of Care, 

And foften all my woes ? 
Too faithful Mem.ory ceale, oh ceafe— 

How (hall I e'er regain my peace ? 
(Oh, to forget her!) — but how vain each art, 
Whilft ev'ry virtue lives imprinted on my heart! 

And thou, my little cherub, left behind. 

To hear a father's plaints, to fhare his woes. 
When reafon's dawn informs thy infant m.ind. 
And thy fweet lifpingtonguefhaliafkthecauie. 
How oft with forrow fhall mine eyes run o'er. 
When, twining round my knees, I trace 
Thy mother's fmile upon thy face ! 
How oft to my full heart fhalt thou reflore 
Sad memory of my joys — ah, now no more ! 
By blefiings once enjoy'd now more diftrefs'd. 
More beggar by the riches once poffefs'd, 
My little darling! — dearer to me grown 

By all the tears thou'fl caus'd — oh flrange 
to hear ! 
Bought with a life yet dearer than thy own, 
Thy cradle purchas'd with thy mother's bier: 
Who now fhail feek, with fond delight. 
Thy infant fteps to guide aright? 
She, who with doating eyes would gaze 
On ail thy little artlels way:;, 
By all thy foft endearments bleft,' 
And clafp thee oft with tranfport to her breaft, 

Alas ! is gone yet fhalt thou prove 

A father's dearelt, tenderefi: love; 
And, O fweet fenfelefs fmiler, (envied ftate!) 
As yet unconfcious of thy haplefs fate. 



* Laudanum. 



Whew 



5o6 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



When years tli}'- judgment (hall mature, 
And Reafon fliews thoie ills it cannot cure, 

Wilt thou, a father's grief t' alfuage, 
For virtue prove the Phoenix of the earth 
(Like her, tiiy mother died to give thee birth) 

x'^nd be the comfort of my age ? 

When fick and languilhing I lie, 

Wilt thou my Emma's wonted care fupply? 

And oft as to thy liffcening ear 
Thy mother's virtues and her fate I tell, 

Say wilt thou drop the tender tear, 
Whilil on the mournful theme I dwell ? 
Then, fondly Healing to thy father's fide. 

Whene'er thou feeft the foft diftress, " 
Which I would vainly feck to hide, 

Say, wilt thou ftrive to make it lefs? 
To footh my forrows all thy cares employ. 
And in my cup of grief infufe one drop of joy ? 



§105. 



An Evening Addrejs to a NightingaU, 
Shaw. 



CwEET bird ! that, kindly perching near, 
^ Poureft thy plaints melodious in mine ear ; 
Not, like bafe v/orldlings, tutor'd to forego 
The melancholy haunts of woe; 

Thanks for thy forrow-foothing ftrain : 
For, furely, thou haft known to prove. 
Like me, the pangs of haplefs love ; 

Elfe why fo feelingly complain, [grove? 

And with thy piteous notes thus faddcn all the 
Say, doft thou mourn thy ravifh'd mate. 

That oft enamourM on thy llrainshas hung? 
Or has the cruel hand of Fate 

Bereft thee of thy darling young ? 
Alas ! for both I v/cep : 
In all the pride of youthful charms, 
A beauteous bride torn from my circling arms! 
A lovely babe, that fhould have liv'd to blefs, 

And fill my doatingeyes with frequent tears, 
At once the fource of rapture and diftrcfs. 

The flattering prop of my declining years ! 
In vain from death to refcue I effay'd, 

By ev'ry art that fcience could devife ; 
Alas ! it languifh'd for a mother's aid. 

And wing'd its flight to feek her in the ficies. 
Then, oh ! our comforts be the fame. 

At evening's peaceful hour. 
To fhun the noify paths of wealth and fame. 

And breathe our forrows in this lonely 
bow'r. 
But why, alas ! to thee complain. 
To thee — unconfcious of my pain ? 
Soon ihalt thou ceafe to mourn thy lot fevere. 
And hail the dawning of a happier year: 

The genial warmth of joy renewing fpring 
Again fhall plume thy fliatter'd wing; 
Again thy little heart (hall tranfport prove, 

Again ihall flow thy notes refponfive to thy 
But, oh! for me in vain may feafons roll, [love. 

Nought can dry up the fountain of my tears: 
Deploring Itill the comfort of my foul, 

I count my ibrrows by incre.iiin^ years. 



Tell me, thou Syren Hope, deceiver, fay, 
Where is the promis'd period of my woes ? 

Full three long ling'ring years have roll'd away. 
And yet I weep a ftranger to repofe : 

what delulion did thy tongue employ! 
'• That Emma's fatal pledge of love, 

" Her laft bequeft, with all a mother's care, 
" The bitternel's of forrow (hould remove, 

" Soften the horrors of defpair, 

" And cheer a heart long loft to joy !'* 
How oft, when fondling in my arms. 
Gazing en raptur'd on its angel-face. 

My foul tlie maze of Fate would vainly trace. 
And burn with all a father's fond-alarms ! 
And oh what flatt'ring fcenes had fancy feign'd! 
How did 1 rave of blelfings yet in ttore ! 
Till ev'r)' aching fenfe was fweetiy pain'd. 

And my full heart could bear, nor tongue 
could utter more. 
" Juft Heaven!" I cried,withrecenthopeselate, 

" Yet will Hive — will live, tho'Emma's dead: 
"So long bow'd down beneath the ftormsoffate, 

" Yet will I raife m.y woe-dejeded head ! 
" My little Emma, now my all, 

'* Will want a father's care; 
*^ Her looks, her wants, my rafli refolves recall, 

*•' And, for her fake, the ills of life I'll bear; 
" And oft together we '11 complain, 

" Complaint the only blifs my foul can know: 
" From me my child fhall learn the mournful 
" Icrain, 

«' And prattle tales of woe. 

" And, oh! in that aufpicious hour, 
« When Fate refigns her perfecutingpowV, 
" With duteous zeal her hand fliall ciofe, 

" No more to weep,my forrow-ftrcaming eyes, 
" When death gives mifeiy repofe, 
'' And opes a glorious pafiTage to the Ikies." 

Vain thought! it rauft not be— flie too is dead. 

The flattering fcene is o'er ; 
My hopes for ever, ever fled ; 

And vengeance can no more. 
Crufli'd by misfortune, blafted by difeafe. 

And none— none left to bear a friendly parti 
To meditate my welfare, health, or eafe. 

Or Iboth the anguilh of an aching heart ! 
Now ail one gloomy fcene, till welcome death. 

With lenient hand (oh falfely deem'd fevere), 
Shall kindly ftop my grief- exhaufted breath. 

And dry up ev'17 tear. 
Perhapsj obfequious to my will. 

But, ah ! from my affedions far remov'd » 
The laft fad othce ftrangers may fulfil. 

As if I ne'er had been belov'd ; 
As if unconfcious of poetic fire, 

1 ne'er had touch'd the trembling lyre ; 
As if my niggard hand ne'er dealt relief. 

Nor my heart melted at another's grief. 

Yet, while this weary life (hall laft, _ 

While yet my tongue can form th' impafflonM 

ftrain. 
In piteous accents fliall the mufe complain. 
And dwell with fond delay on blefBngs paft: 
2 F<i>* 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



SOJ 



For oh, how grateful to a wounded heart 
The tale of mifery to impart ! 
From others' eyes bid artlefs forrows flow, 
And raiie elteem upon the base of woe! 
Ev'n He*, the noblell of the tuneful throng, 

Shall deign my love-lorn tale to hear, 
Shall catch the loft contagion of my fong. 
And pay my penfiye Mufe the tribiite of a tear. 



§ Io6. An Ode to N^rcifa. Smo 
'X'Hy fatal fhafts unerring move; 
-*- I bow before thine altar, Love t 
I feel thy foft refilllefs flame 
Glide fvvift thro' all my vital frame \ 
For while I gaze my bofom glows, 
My Ulood in tides impetuous flows; 
Hope, fear, and joy, alternate roll, 
And floods of tranfport whelm my foul| 

My fault'ring tongue attempts in vain 
In foothing murmurs to complain; 
My tongue fome fecret m.agic ties. 
My murmurs fink in broken fighs! 

CondemnM to nurfe eternal care, 
And ever drop the filent tear; 
Unheard I jnourn, imknown I figh, 
Unfriended live, unpitied die I 



lE^. 



^107. 



W 



Elegy in Imitat'ian of Tibullus. S mol l ET 
HERE now are all my flatt'ring dreams of 

Monimia, give my foul her wonted reft : 
Since firft: thy beauty fix'd my I'oving eye, 
Heart-gnawing cares corrode my penfive brcaft. 

Let happy lovers fly where pleafures call. 
With fefliive fongs beguile the fleeting hour, 
Lead beauty thro' the mazes of the ball, 
Or prefs her wanton in love's ro'eate bow'r. 

For me, no more I'll range th' empurpled mead, 
Where fliepherds pipe and virgins dance around. 
Nor wander thro' the woodbine's fragrant fliade. 
To hear the mufic of the grove refound, 

I'll feek fome lonely church, or dreary hall. 
Where fancy paints the glimm'ring taper blue; 
Where damps hang mould'ringonthe ivy'dwall. 
And fheeted ghofts drink up the midnight dew : 

There, leagu'd w-itli hopelefs anguifh and def- 
Awhile in filence o'er my fate repine : [pair, 
Then, with a long farewel to love and care. 
To kindred dull my weary limbs confign. 

Wilt thou, Monimia, flied a gracious tear 
On the cold grave where all my forrows refl:; 
Strew vernal flow'rs, applaud my love fincere, 
And bid the turf lie eafy on my breaft? 



§ 108. The Propagation of the Gofpelin Greenland. 

COWPER. 

A ND ftill it fpreads. See Germany fend forth 
*\ Her fons., tp pour it on thefartlieftnorthf: 

'^^LordLyttleton. 

I The Moravifin missionaries in Greenland 



Fir'd with a zeal peculiar, they defy 
The rage and rigour of a polar flcy. 
And plant fuccel'sfully fweet Sharon's rofc 
On icy p]ains, and in eternal fnows. ' 
Oh, blell within th' inclofureof your rocks, 
Nor herds have ye to boaft, nor bleating flocks; 
No fertilizing fl:reams your fields divide. 
That fliew revers'd the villas on their fide; 
No groves have ye; no cheerful found of bird, 
Or voice of turtle, in your land is heard; 
Nor grateful eglantine regales the fmell 
Of thofe that walk at ev'ning where you dwell: 
But winter, arm'd with terrors here unknown, 
Sitsabfolute on his unfliaken throne; 
Piles up his Itores amidll the frozen wafte, 
And bids the mountains he has buill ftandfaft j 
Beckons the legions of his ftorms away 
From happier fcenes, to make your land a prey; 
Proclaims the foil a conqueff: he has won, 
And fcorns to fliare it with the didant fun. 

Yet truth is yours, remote, unenvied ifie ; 
And peace, the genuine ofl^spring of her fmile: 
The pride of letter'd ignorance, that binds 
In chains of error our accomplifli'd minds; 
That decks with all the fplendour of the true 
A falfe religion — is unknown to you. 
Nature indeed vouchfafes for our delight 
The fweet viciflltudes of day and night; 
Soft airs and genial moifl:ure feed and cheer 
Field, fruit, and flow'r, andev'ry creature here; 
But brighter beams than his who fires the Ikici 
Have ris'n at length on your admiring eyes. 
That flioot into your darkefl: caves the day 
From which our nicer optics turn away. 

§109. On Sla'uery, andthe Sla'veTrade. CowPSTt. 

t)UT, ah! what wifli can profpcr, or what 

^^ pray 'r. 

For merchants, rich in cargoes of defpalr, 

Who drive a loathfome traffic, gage and fpan. 

And buy the mufcles and the bones of man? 

The tender ties of father, hufband, friend. 

All bonds of nature in that moment end ; 

And each endures, while yet he draws his breathy 

A fi:roke as fatal as the fcythe of death. 

The fable warrior, frantic with regret 

Of her he loves, and never can forget, 

Lofes in tears the far receding fliore. 

But not the thought, that they muil meet no 

Deprived of her and freedom at a blow, [morcw 

What has he left that he can yet forego ? 

Yes, to deep fadnefs fullenly refign'd, 

He feels his body's bondage in his mimf; 

Puts off his gen'rous nature, and to fuit 

His manners with his fate, puts on the brute. 

Oh moft degrading of all ills that wait 

On man, a mourner in his beft: efliate ! 

All other forrows virtue may endure. 

And find fubmifllon more than half a cure j 

Grief is itfelf a med'cine, and befl:owM 

T' improve the fortitude that bears a load ; 

To teach the wand'rer, as his woes increafc. 

The path of wifdom, all whofe paths aie peace. 



"S^idc Krantz., 



But' 



5oS 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IT, 



But Ibv'ry ! — virtue dreads it as her grave j 
Patience itielf is meanners, in a Have : 
Or it" the will and lovereignty of God 
Bid fuffer it awhile, and kifs the rod ; 
Wait for the dawning of a brighter day, 
And fnap the chain the moment when you may. 
Nature imprints upon whatever we fee, 
That has a heart, and life in it, Be free ! 
The beaits are charter'd — neither age nor force 
Can quell the love of freedom in a horfe: 
He bi'eaks the cord that held him at the rack, 
And, confcious of an unencumber'd back, 
Snutfs up the morning air, forgets the rein, 
Ivoofe fly his forelock and his ample mane; 
Refponfive to the diftant neigh he neighs, -^ 
Nor Hops till, overleaping all delays, i 

He finds the pafture where his fellows graze. 3 

§ 1 10. On Liberty, and in Praife of Mr. Hoivard. 

COWPER. 

I^H could I worfhip ought beneath the fkies 
^-"^ That earth hath feen, or fancy could devife, 

Thine altar, iacred Liberty, fiiould Hand, 
Built by no mercenary, vulgar hand. 
With fragrant turf, and fiow'rs as wild and fair 
As ever drefs'd a bank, or fcented fum.mer air. 
Duly as ever on the mountain's height 
The peep of morning ilied a dawning light j 
Again, when evening in her fober veft 
Drew the grey curtain of the fading Weft ; 
My foul ihould yield thee willing thanks and 
For the chief bleffingsof my fairelt days: [praife 
But that were facrilege — praife is not thine. 
But his who gave thee, and preferves thee mine : 
lElfe I would fay, and as I fpake bid fly 
A captive bird into the boundlefs flcy, 
This triple realm adores thee — thou art come 
From Sparta hither, and art here at home ; 
We feel thy force ilill active, at this hour 
Enjoy immunity from prieitly pow'r; 
While confcienccj happier than in ancien t years, 
Owns no fuperior but the God fhe fears. 
Propitious Spirit ! yet expunge a wrong 
Thy rites have fuffer'd, and our land, too long; 
Teach mercy to ten thoufand hearts that fliare 
The fears and hopes of a commercial carc: 
Prifons expeA the wicked, and were built 
To bind the lavvlefs, and to punifli guilt; 
But fliipv/reck. earthquake. battle, fire, and flood, 
Are mighty niifchiefs, not to be v.'ithllcod : 
And honeil merit ftands on (lippVy ground 
Where covert guile, and artifice abound : 
Let jult reflraint, for public peace defign'd, 
Chain up the wolves and tigers of mankind j 
The foe of virtue has no claim to thee, 
But let infolvent innocence go free. 

Patron ofelfe the moft defpis'd of men, 
Accept the tribute of a ft;ranger's pen ; 
Verfe, like the laurel, its immortal meed. 
Should be the guerdon of a noble deed ; 
I may alarm thee, but I fear the fiiame -^ 

(Charity chofen as my theme and aim) v 

I muft incur, forgetting Howard's nam.e. 3 

Bleft with all wealth can give thee — to refign 
Joys, doubly fvveet to feelings qiick us thine 5 



To quit the blifs thy rural fcenes beflow 
Tofeekanobler,amidIlfcene3of woe 5 [home. 
To traverfe feas, range kingdoms, and bring 
Not the proud monuments of Greece or Rome, 
But knowledge, fuch as only dungeons teach, 
And only fympathy like thine could reach ; 
That grief, fequefter'd from the public ftage. 
Might fmooth her feathers, and enjoy her cage—. 
Speaks a divine ambition, and a zeal 
The boldest patriot might be proud to feel. 
Oh that the voice of clamour and debate. 
That pleads for peace till it diilurbs the ftate. 
Were hufh'd, in favour of thy genVous plea. 
The poor thy clients, and Heaven's fmile thy fee ! 



§111. On Domefic Happinefs, as the Friend of 
Virtue j and of the falfe Good-nature of the 
Age. CowPER. 

T^OMEsTic happinefs, thou only blifs 
^ Of Paradife that has furviv'd the fall ! 
Tho' few now tafte thee unimpair'd and purcj 
Or, tailing, long enjoy thee ; too infirm 
Or too incautious to preferve thy fv*'eets 
Unmix'd with drops of bitter, which negledl 
Or temper Iheds into thy chryftal cup. 
Thou art the nurfe of virtue. In thine arm* 
She smile?, appearing, as in truth flie is. 
Heaven-bora, and deftin'd to the flcies again. 
Thou art not known where Pleafure is ador'd. 
That reeling goddefs with the zonelefs waiil 
And wand'ring eyes, ftill leaning on the arm 
Of Novelty, her fickle, frail fupport; 
For thou art meek and conitant, hating change, 
And finding in the calm of truth-tied love 
Joys that her llormy raptures n jver yield. 
Forfaking thee, what fliipwreck have we made 
Of honour, dignity, and fair renown. 
Till proftitution elbows us afide 
In all our crowded ftreets, and fenates feem 
Conven'd for purpofes of empire lefs 
Than to releafe th' adult' refs from her bond! 
Th' adult'refs ! what a theme for angr}' verfe. 
What provocation to the indignant heart 
That feels for injur'd love ! But I difdain 
The nauieous taflc to paint her as flie is. 
Cruel, abandon'd, glorying in her ihame. 
No. Let her pafs ; and, charioted along, 
In guilty fplendour ftiake the public ways : 
Thefrequency of crimes has wafli'd them white; 
And verfe of mine fliall never brand the wretch 
Whom matrons now, of charafter unfmirch'd. 
And chafte themfelves, are not ailiam'd to owA. 
Virtue and vice had bound'ries in old time 
Not to be pafs'd: and Ihe that had renounc'd 
Her fex's honour, was renounc'd herlelf 
By all that priz'd it; not for Prudery's fiike. 
But Dignity's refentful of the wrong. 
'Twas hard, perhaps, on here and there a waif 
Defirous to return, and not receiv'd; 
But was an wholefome rigour in the main, 
And taught th' unblemilh'd to preferve with 
That purity, whofe lofs was lofs of all. [care 
Men too were nice in honour in thofe days. 
And judg'd offenders well : and he that fliarp'd. 
And pocketed a prize by traud obtain'd, 

Wa4 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



Was mark'd, and fhunnM as odious. He that fold 
His country, or was flack when Ihe requir'd 
His ev^y nerve in action and at flretch, 
Paid with the blood that he had baf'ely fpar'd 
The price of his default. But now — yes, now, 
We are become fo candid and fo fair, 
So liberal in conllruftion, and fo rich 
In Chriftian charity, a good-natur'd age ! 
That they are ilife; finners of either fex [bred, 
Tranfgrefs what laws they may. Well drefs'd,well 
Well equipag'd, is ticket good enough 
To pafs us readily through ev'ry door. 
Hypocrify, detell her as we may, 
(And no man's hatred ever wrong"'d her yet) 
May claim this merit ftill, that fhe admits 
The worth of what flie mimics with fuch care, 
And thus gives virtue indireft applaufe : 
But ftie has burnt her maflcs, not needed here, 
Where vice has fuch allowance, that her fnifts 
And fpecious femblances have loft their ufe. 

§ 1 12. On the Employments of nvhat is called an 

Idle Life. Covvper. 

TTow various his employments whom the world 
•*■ -■- Calls idle, and who juftly, in return, 
Efteeras that bufy world an idler too ! 
Friends, books, a garden, and perhaps his pen. 
Delightful induftry enjoy'd at home. 
And nature in her cultivated trim 
Drefs'd to his taste, inviting him abroad — 
Can he want occupation who has thefe ? 
Will he be idle who has much t' enjoy ? 
Me therefore, Ihidious of laborious eafe. 
Not flcthful 5 happy to deceive the time, 
Nor wafte it} and aware that human life 
Is but a loan to be repaid with ufe. 
When he fhall call his debtors to account 
From whom are all ourblelFnigs — bufmefs finds 
Ev'n here. While fedulous I feek t' improve. 
At leaft neglect not, or leave unemployed 
The mind he gave me ; driving it, though flack 
Too oft, and much impeded in its work 
By caules not to be divulged in vain, 
To its juft point — the fervice of mankind. 
'He that attends to his interior felf. 
That has a heart, and keeps itj has a mind 
That hungers, and fupplies it ; and who feeks 
A social, not a diffipated life — 
Has hufmefs ; feels hinifelf engaged t' achieve 
No unimportant, though a filent tafic. 
A life all turbulence and noife may feera, 
To him that leads it, wife, and to beprais'd; 
But wifdom is a pearl with moft fuccefs 
Sought in ftill water, and beneath clear fkies. 
He that is ever occupied in ftorms 
Or dives not for it, or brings up inftead. 
Vainly induftrious, a difgraceful prize. 

II m il fMBIL I JiW i 

§ 113. 'the Poji comes in — the Nenjjs-paper is 
read — The World contemplated at a difance. 

COWPER. 

TJark ! ]tis the twanging horn ! o'er yonder 

** ■*■ bridge, 

That with its wearifoms but needful length 



909 

Beftrides the wintVy flood, in which the mooa 
Sees her unwrinkled face refledled bright, 
He comes, the herald of a noify world, [locks. 
With fpatter'd boots, ftrapp'd waift, andfroz^^n 
News from all nations lumb'ring at his back. 
True to his charge, the clofe-pack'd load behind 
Yet carelefs what lie brings', his one concern 
Is to conduft it to the deftin'd inn \ 
And, having dropped th' expefted bag, pafs on. 
He whiftles^as he goes, light-hearted wretch. 
Cold, and yet cheerful } meflenger of grief 
Perhaps to thou fluids, and of joy to some j 
To him indiff'rent whether grief or joy. 
Houfes in aflies, and the fall of ftocks, 
Births, deatl>6. and marriages, epiftles wet 
With tears that trickled down the writer's cheek* 
Faftas the periods from his fluent quill, 
Or charg'd with am'rous fighs of abfent fwains, 
: Or nymphs refponfive, equally affeft 
His horie and him, unconfcious of them all. 
But oh th' important budget ! uflier'd in 
With fuch heart-fliaking raufic, who can fay 
What are its tidings : have our troops awak'd } 
Or do they ftill, as if with opium drugg'd, 
Snore to the murmurs of th' Atlantic wave ? 
Is India free ? and does flie wear her phim'd 
And jeweird turban with a fmile of peace. 
Or do we grind her ftill ? The grand debate. 
The popular harangue, the tart reply, 
The logic, and the wifdom, and the wit, 
And the loud laugh — I long to know them all^ 
I burn to fet th " 
And 



imprifon'd v/ranglers free, 
id give them voice and utt'rance once again. 
Now iHr the fire, and clofe the fliutters faft. 
Let fall the curtains, wheel the fofa round. 
And while the bubbling and loud-hifling urn 
Throws up a fteamy column, and the cups 
That cheer, but not inebriate, wait on each, 
So let us welcome peaceful ev'ning in. 
Not fuch his ev'ning who, with Ihining face, 
Sweats in the crowded theatre, and fqueez'd, 
And bor'd with elbow-points thro' both his fides, 
Outfcold* the ranting aftor on the ftage. 
2^or his, who patient ftands till his feet throb. 
And his head thumps, to feed upon the breath 
Of patriots burfting with heroic rage. 
Or placemen all tranquillity and fmiles. 
This folio of four pages, happy work ! 
Which not ev'n critics criticife, that holds 
Inquifitive attention, vi'hile I read, 
Fail bound in chains of filence, which the fair. 
Though eloquent themfelves, yet fear to break— 
What is it but a map of bufy life. 
Its fiuftuations, and its vaft concerns ? 
Here runs the mountainous and craggy ridge 
Tliat tempts ambition. On the fummit, fee 
The feal3 of olHce glitter in his eyes ; [heels. 
He climbs, he pants, he grafps them. At his 
Clofe at his heels, a demagogue afcends, 
And with a dext'rous jei"k foon twifts him down. 
And wins them, but to lofe them in his turn. 
Here rills of oily eloquence in foft 
Meandei's lubricate the courfe they take : 
The modeft fpcakar is aiham'd and griev'd 

, T' engrofs 



5IO 



ELEGANT EXTRACT^, 



Boo K ir. 



T' engroifs a moment's notice : and yet begs, 
Begs a propitious ear for his poor thoughts, 
However trivial all that he conceives. 
Sweet baflifulneis ! it claims at leaft this praife: 
The dearth of information and good fenfe 
That it foretelsus, always x:omes to pafs. 
Cataracts of declamation thunder heie, 
There forefts of no meaning fpread the pag'e 
In which all comprehenfion wanders lo(t j 
While fields of pleafantry amufe us there 
With merry defcants on a nation's woes. 
The reft appears a wildernefs of ftrange 
But gay confufion — rofes for the cheeks 
And iilies for the brows of faded age, 
Teeth for the toothlefs, ringlets for the bald, 
Heaven,earth,andoceanplunder'doftheirfweets, 
Neftareous eflences, Olympian dews; 
Sermons, and city feafts, and fav'rite airs, 
-Ethereal journies, fubmarine explfetts, 
And Katterfelto, with his hair on end 
At his own wonders, wondVing for his bread. 

'Tis pleifant through the loop-holes of retreat 
To peep at fuch a world ; to fee the ftir 
Of the great Babel, and not feel the crowd : 
To hear the roar Ihe fends through all her gates 
At a fafe diftance, where the dying found 
Falls a foft murmur on th' uninjur'd ear. 
Thus fitting, and furveying thus at eafe 
The globe and its concerns, I feem advanced 
To some fecure and more than mortal height. 
That liberates and exempts me from them all. 
It turns fubmitted to my view, turns round 
With all its generations ; I behold 
The tumult, and am ftill ; the fonnd of war 
Has loft its terrors ere it reaches me ; 
Grieves, but alarms me not. I mourn the pride 
And av'rice that makes man a wolf to man. 
Hear the faint echo of those brazen throats 
By which he fpeaks the language of his heart. 
And figh, but never tremble at the found. 
He travels and expatiates, as the bee 
From flow'rto ilow'r, fo he from land to land ; 
The manners, cuftoms, policy of all 
Pay contribution to the ftore he gleans } 
He fucks intelligence in evVy clime. 
And fpreads the honey of his deep research 
At his return, a rich repaft for me ! 
He travels, and I too. I tread his deck, 
Afcend his topmaft, through his peering eyes 
Difcover countries, with a kindred heart 
Sufter his woes, and fliare in his efcapes : 
While fancy, like the finger of a clock, 
Kuns the great circuit, and is ftill at home: 



§ 114. A fragment Mallet. 
T^AiR morn afcends : frefti zephyr's breath 
-*• Blows lib'ral o'er yon bloomy heath. 
Where, fown profufely, herb and flow'r, 
Of balmy fmell, of healing pow'r. 
Their fouls in fragrant dews exhale. 
And breathe frefti life in ev'ry gale. 
Here fpreads a green expanfe of plains, 
Where, fwcetly penfive, Silence reigns j 



And there, at utmoft ftretch of eye, 
A mountain fades into the Iky; 
While winding round, diffus'd and deep, 
A river rolls with founding fweep. 
Of human art no traces near, 
I feem alone with nature here ! 

Here are thy walks, O facred Health ! 
The Monarch's blifs, the Beggar's wealth. 
The feas'ning of all good below. 
The fovereign's friend in joy or woe. 
O Thou, moft courted, moft defpis'd. 
And but in abfence, duly priz'd I 
Pow'r of the foft and rofy face ! 
The vivid pulfe, the vermeil grace, 
The fpirits, when they gayeft ihine, 
Youth, beauty, pleafure, all are thine ! 
O fun of life, whofe heavenly ray 
Lights up and cheers our various day. 
The turbulence of hopes and fears. 
The ftorm of fate, the cloud of years. 
Till nature, with thy parting light, 
Repofes late in Death's: calm night : 
Fled from the trophied roofs of ftate, 
Abodes of Iplendid pain and hate ; 
Fled from the couch, where, in fweet fleep. 
Hot Riot would his ai*\guifti fteep. 
But tolTes through the midnight fliade. 
Of death, of life, alike afraid j 
For ever fled to (liady cell. 
Where Temp'rance, vfhere the Mufes dwell, 
Thou oft art leen, at early dawn, 
Siow-pacJng o'er the breezy lawn ; 
Or, on the brow of mountain high. 
In filence feafting ear and eye 
With fong and profpeft, which abound 
From birds, and woods, and waters round. 

But when the fun, with noon-tide ray, 
Flames forth intolerable day ; 
While Heat fits fervent on the plain, 
With Thirft and Langour in his train 
(All nature fick''ning in the blaze). 
Thou in the wild and woody maze 
That clouds the vale with umbrage deep, 
Impendent from the neighb'ring fteep, 
Wilt find betimes a calm retreat, 
Where breathing Coolnefs has her feat. 

There plung'd amid the fliadows brown. 
Imagination lays him down; 
Attentive in his airy mood. 
To ev'ry murmur of the wood : 
The bee in yonder flow'ry nook; 
The chidings of the headlong brook ; 
The green leaf quiv'ring in the gale j 
The warbling hill, the lowing vale ; 
The diftant woodman's echoing ftroke j 
The thunder of the falling oak. 
From thought to thought in vifion led. 
He holds high converfe with the Dead j 
Sages or Poets. See, they rife ! 
And fhadowy Ikim before his eyes, 
Hark ! Orpheus ftrikes the lyre again. 
That foften'd favages to men : 
Lo 1 Socrates, the Sent of Heaven, 
To whom its moral will was given. 

Fath^rft 



Book il. 



DIDACTIC, DRSCRIPTIVE,^c. 



sn 



Fathers and Friends of human kind ! 
They formM the nations, or refin'd, 
With all that mends the head and heart, 
Enlight'ning tnith, adorning art. 

Thus mufing in the folemn fliade, 
At once the founding breeze was laid t 
And nature, by the unknown law, 
Shook deep with reverential awe j ^ 
Dumb lilence grew upon the hour; 
A browner night involv'd the bow'r: 
When ilTuing from the inmoft wood. 
Appeared fair Freedom's Genius good. 
O Freedom ! fov'reign boon of Heav'n, 
Great Charter with our being giv'n ; 
For which the patriot and the fage 
Have plann'd, have bled, thro' ev'ry age 1 
High privilege of human race, 
Beyond a mortal monarch's grace : 
Who could not give, who cannot claim, 
What but from God immediate came I 



H 



^115. Ode to E<vemng. Dr. Jos. Warton. 
AiL,meek-ey'd maiden, clad in fober grey, 
Whofe foft approach the weary woodman 
loves; 
As homeward bent to kiss his prattling babes " 
Jocundhe whiffles through the twilight groves. 

When Phoebus fmks behind the gilded hills, 
You lightly o'er the milly meadows walk ; 
The drooping daifies bathe in dulcet dews, 
And nurfe the nodding violet's tender ftalk. 

The panting Dr}'ads, that in day's fierce heat 
To inmoft bow'rs and cooling caverns ran. 
Return, to trip in wanton ev'ning dance; 
Old Sylvan too returns, and laugTiing Pan. 

To the deep wood the clamorous rooks repair. 
Light (kirns the fwallow o'er the wat'ry fcene; 
And from the fheep-cot,and frefti-furrowM field. 
Stout ploughmen meet, to wreftle on the green. 

The fwain, that artlefs fings on yonder rock, 
His fupping (heepand length'ning fliadow fpies, 
Pleas'd with the cool, the calm, refrelhing hour, 
And with hoarfe humming of unnumber'd flies. 
Now ev'ry Pafllon lleeps: defponding Love, 
And pining Envy, ever-refllefs Pride; 
And holy Calm creeps o'er my peaceful foul. 
Anger and mad Ambition's llorms fubdue. 

O modeft Evening ! oft let me appear 
A wandering votary in thy penfive train ; 
Lift'ning to every wildly-warbling note 
That fills with farewell fweet thy dark'ning plain. 

^ 116. Ifis, An Elegy. By Mr. Mason, of 
Cambridge. 

FAR from her hallow'd grot, where, mildly 
bright, 
The pointed chryftals fliot their trembling light; 
From dripping mofs, where fparkling dew-drops 
fell, [fhell, 

Where cora) gl»w'd, wkere twin'd the wreathed 



Pale Ifis lay ; a willow's lowly (hade 

Spread its thin foliage o'er the lleeping maiJj 

Clos'd was her eye, and from her heaving brealfc 

In carelefs folds loofe flow'd her zoneleis veft; 

While down her neck her vagrant tieffes flow. 

In all the awful negligence or woe ; 

Her urn fuilain'd her arm, that fculptur'd vafe 

Where Vulcan's art had lavifli'd all his grace. 

Here, full with life, was heaven-taught Science 

feen, 
Known by the laurel wreath and mufing mienj 
There cloud- crown'd Fame, here Peace, fedate 
and bland, [wand j 

Swell'd the loud trump, and wav'd the olive 
While folemn domes, arch'd shades, and viftas 

green. 
At well-mark'd diftance clofe the facred fcene. 

On this the goddefs caft an anxious look. 
Then dropp'd a tender tear, and thus (lie fpoke z 
Yes, I could once with pleas'd attention trac» 
The mimic charms of this prophetic vafe; 
Then lift my head, and with enraptur'd eyes 
View en yon plain the real glories rife. 
Yes, Ifis ! oft haft thou rejoic'd to lead 
Thy liquid treafures o'er yon fav'rite meads 
Oft haft thou ftopp'd thy pearly car to gaze. 
While ev'ry Science nurs'd its growing bays; 
While ev'ry Youth, with fame's ftrong impulfip 
Prefs'dtothe goal,andatthe goal untir'd, [fir'd, 
Snatch'd each celeftial wreath to bind his brow 
The Mufes, Graces, Virtues, could beftow. 

E'en now fond Fancy leads th' ideal train, 
And ranks her troops on Memory's ample plain j 
See ! the firm leaders of my patriot line. 
See ! Sidney, Raleigh, Hampden, Somers, fhine. 
See Hough, iuperior to a tyrant's doom, 
Smile at the menace of the Have of Rome: 
E- .„n foul whom truth could fire, or virtue move, 
xiiach breaft ftrong pantingwith its country 's-Iove, 
All that to Albion gave their heart or head. 
That wifely counfell'd, or that bravely bled. 
All, all appear; on me they grateful fmiie. 
The weli-earn'd prize of every virtuous toil 
To me with filial reverence they bring. 
And hang frefti trophies o'er my honor'd fpring. 
Ah ! I remember well yon beechen fpray. 
There Addifon firft tun'd his polifh'd lay; 
'Twas there great Gate's form firit met his eye. 
In all the pomp of free-born majefty; [awe, 
" My fen," he cried, " obferve this mien with 
" In folemn lines the ftrong refemblance draw j 
" The piercing notes ftiall ftrike each Britifli ear> 
<^ Each Britifii eye ftiail drop the patriot tear I 
" And, rous'd to glory by the nervous ftrain, 
'* Each youth fliallfpurn at ftaveiy's abject reign; 
" Shall guard with Cato's zeal Britannia's laws, 
" And fpeak, and a6i, and bleed, in freedom's 
*' caufe." 
The Hero fpoke ; the bard affenting bow'd j 
The lay to Libeity and Cato flow'd ; 
While Echo, as fhe rov'd the vale along, 
Join'd the ftrong cadence of his Roman fong. 

But, ah ! how Still nefs flept upon the ground. 
How mute attention check 'd each rifing found. 

Scarce 



And, pleasM, prefer oblivion to difgrace. 



51* ELEGANT EXTRACTS, Book 11^ 

Scarce ftole a breeze to wave the leafy fpray, j Forget that e'er my wrapt attention hung 

Scarce triird fwcet Philomel her fofteft lay, Or on the Sage's or the Poet's tongue 5 

When Locke vvalk'd nnifing forth ! e'en now I (Calm and refign'd my humbler lot embrace, 

MajellicWifdomthron'd upon his brow; [view " ' • - ' - ■ -• - 

View Candour fmile upon his modeft: cheek, 

And from his eye all Judgment's radiance break. 

'Twas here the fage his manly zeal exprefs'd, 

Here ftripp'd vain Falfehood of her gaudy veft; 

Here Truth's collefted beams firftfill'd his mind, 

Ere long to burft in bleffings on mankind j 

Ere long to fliew to reafon's purged eye. 

That " Nature's firft beft gift was Liberty." 

Proud of this won'drous fon, fublime I Itood, 
(While louder furges fwell'd my rapid flood}} 
Then, vain as Niobe, exulting cried, 
IlifTus! roll thy fam'd Athenian tide; 
Tho' Plato's fieps oft mark'd thy neighboring 
Tho' fair Lyca;um lent its awful (hade, [glade, 
Tho* ev'ry Academic green imprefs'd 
Its image full on thy reflecting breaft, 
Yet my pure ftream fliall boaft as proud a name. 
And Britain's Ifis flow with Attic fame. 

Alas ! how changM 1 where now that Attic 
boaft? 
See ! Gothic Licence rage o'er all my coaft ; 
See! Hydra Fa6lion fpreads its impious reign, 
Poifon each breait, and madden ev'ry brain: 
Hence frontlefs crowds that,not content to fright 
The blufliing Cynthia from her throne of night, 
Blaft the fair face of day; and, madly bold. 
To Freedom's foes infernal orgies hold ; 
To Freedom's foes, ah ! fee the goblet crown'd, 
Hear plaufive flTOUts to Freedom's foes refound; 
The horrid notes my refluent waters daunt. 
The Echoes groan, the Dryads quit their haunt ; 
Learning, that once to all diflus'd her beam, 
Nov/ flieds, by ftealth, a partial private gleam 
In fome lone cloifler's melancholy fiiade. 
Where a firm fev/ fupport ht- r fickly head, 
Defpis'd, infulted, by the barb'rous train. 
Who fcour, lilce Thracia's moon-fl:ruck rout, 

the plain, 
Sworn foes, like them, to all the Mufe approves, 
All Phoebus favours, or Minerva loves. 

Aretliefethefons myfoft'ringbreailmuft rear, 
G rac'd with my name, and nurtur'd b)'" my care ? 
Muft thefe go forth ficm my maternal hand 
To deal their infults thro' a peaceful land ; 
And boaft, while Freedom bleeds, and Virtue 

groans. 
That " Ms taught Rebellion to her Sons ?" 
Forbid it. Heaven ! and let ray riflng waves 
Indignant fvv-ell, and whelm the recreant flaves! 
In England's caufe their patriot floods employ, 
As Xanthus delug'd in the caufe of Troy. 
Is this denied ; then point fome fecret way 
Where far. far hence thefe guiltlefs ilrearas may 



ftray ; [fpreads 

Some unknown channel lend, where Nature 
Inglorious vales, and unfrequented meads: 
There,wherea hind fcarces tunes his rufticftrain, 
Where fcarce a pilgrim treads the pathlefs plain, 
Content I'll flow ^ forget that e'er my tide 
Saw yon raaj^ltic dnv^tures crown its fidej 



§117. Epijiolary Ferfes to George Colman, Efq, 
nvritien in the Tear 1 7 56. By A/r. Robert 
Lloyd. 
Vou know, dear George, I'm noneof thofe 
-*■ ^ That condefcend to write in profe; 
Infpir'd with pathos and fublime, 
I always foar — in doggrel rhyme; 
And fcarce can aik you how you do. 
Without a jingling line or two. 
Befides, I always took delight in 
What bears the name of eafy writing j 
Perhaps the reafon makes it pleafe 
Is, that I find 'tis writ with eafe. 

I vent a notion here in private. 
Which public tafl:e can ne'er connive at, 
Which thinks no wit or judgment greater 
Than Addifon, and his Speftator; 
Who fays (it is no matter where, 
But that he fays it I can fwear) 
With eafy verfe mofl: bards are fmitten^ 
Becaufe they think it 's eafy written j 
Whereas, the eafier it appears, 
The greater marks of care it wears; 
Of which to give an explanation. 
Take this, by way of illufl;ration : 
The fam'd Mat. Prior, it is faid, 
Oft bit his nails, and fcratch'd his head. 
And chang'd a thought a hundred times, 
Becaufe he did not like the rhymes: 
To make my meaning clear, and pleafe ye. 
In ihort, he labour'd to write eafy. 
And yet no Critic e'er defines 
His poem's into labour'd lines. 
I have a fiirJle will hit him ; 
His verfe, like clothes, was made to fit him j 
Which (as no taylor e'er denied) 
Tlie better fit the more they 're tried. 

Though I have mentioned Prior's nara^ 
Think not 1 aim at Prior's fame, 
'Tis the refult of admiration 
To fpend itfelf in imitation; 
If imitation may be faid. 
Which is in me by nature bred. 
And you have better pi'oofs than thefe 
That I 'm idolater of Eafe. 

Who, but a madman would engage 
A Poet in the preient age? 
Wi'ite what we will, our works befpeak us 
Imifatores, fer^um Fecus. 
Tale, Elegy, or lofty Ode, 
"\Ve travel in the beaten road r 
The proverb Itill Iticks clo'ely by us. 
Nil diSium^ quod mn diSium frius. 
The only comfort that i know 
Is, that 'twas laid an age ago, 
Ere Milton foar'd in thought fubfSme, 
Ere Pope refin'd the cliiak of rhyme, 

Er^ 



Book TT. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



5^3 



Ere Colman wrote in ftyle fo pure, 

Or the great Town the Conr.oifleur; 

Ere I burielquM the rural cit, 

Proud to hedge in my fcraps of wit; 

And, happy in the clcfe conre6tion, 

T' acquire (erne name from their rei?e5Hon: 

So (the fimiiitude is trite) • 

The moon itill Ihines with borrowed light j 

And, like the r;;ce of modern beaux, 

Ticks wirh the Ian for her lac'd clothes. 

Methinks there is no better time 
To fhew the ufe I make of rhyme, 
Than now, when I, who from beginning 
Was always fond of couplet- (inning, 
Prefumiiig on good-nature's fcore, 
Thus lay my bantling at your door. 

The firfl advantage which I fee 
Is, that I ramble loofe and free: 
The bard indeed fall oft complains 
That rhymes are fetters, links, and chains j 
And, when he wants to leap the fence, 
Still keeps him pris'ner to the fenfe. 
Howe'ei* in common-place he rage, 
Rhyme 's like your fetters on the ibge. 
Which, when the player once hath worcj 
It makes him only ftrut the more,_ 
While, raving in pathetic ftrains. 
He fi^akes his legs to clank his chains. 

From rhyme, as from a handfome face. 
Nor, fenfe acquires a kind of grace j-^ 
I therefore give it all its fcope. 
That fcnle may, un perceived, elope. 



So M- 



■rs of bafefc tricks 



O may his name thefe verfcs five. 
Be thefe infcrib'd upon his grave: 

'•' Know, Reader, that on Thurfday died 
" The Connoifieur, a Suicide ! 
'' Yet think not that his foul is fled, 
" Nor rank him 'mongst the vulgar dead, 
" Howe'er dcfimft you fet him down, 
'"' He's only going out of Toxu/r.'" 



§ I ] S . Oc'e to Arthur Onp-jo, Ef^.f 

T^His goo lly frame what virtue fo approves, 
■^ And teilifies the pure ethereal Ipuit, 

As mild Benevolence! 
She, with her filter Mercy, ft ill av/aits 

Eefide th' eternal throne of Jove, 
And meafures forth with unwithdrawing 
The blellings of the various year, [hand 
Sunfliine or Ihovv'r, and chides the madding 
tempeft. [i"ity> 

'Vkh her the heaven-bred nymph, meek Cha- 
Sball falhion Onflow forth in faireli portraitj 
And with recording care 
Weave tlie frefh wreath that flow'ring virtu« 
claims. 
But, oh, what mufe fnall join the band ? 
He long has fojourn'd in the facred haunts> 
And knows each whifp'ring grot and 
glade 
Trod by Apollo and the light-foot Graces, 

How then Ihall awkward gratitude, 
And the prefumption of untutor'd duty. 

Attune my numbers, all too rudef 
Little he recks the meed of fuch a fong; 
Yet will I ftretch aloof, 
And when 1 tell of Courtefy, 
Of Vv-::l-attemperM Zeal, 
Of awful Prudence foothing fell Contention, 
Where fliall the lineamiCnts agree 
I^ut in thee, Onllow ? Y'ou your v\ cnted leave 
Indulge me, nor mifdeeni a Ibidier's bold era- 
prize, 
Who, in the dilTonance of barb'rous war 
Long train'd, revifits oft the facred treafures 
Of antique mtmor/ ! 
Or where fage Pindar reins his fiery car 

Through the vaft vault of Heaven fecure. 
Or what th'" i^ttic mufe that Homer filPd, 
Her other fbn, thy ^.iiiton taught. 
Or range the fiow'ry fields of gentle Spencer. 

And, ever as I go, allurements vain 
Cherifti a feeble fire, and feed my idle 
Fancy: oh could I once 
Charm to their melody my fh rilling reeds! 

To Henries and to Edwards old, 
Dread names'. I'd meditate the faithful fongj 
Or teil what time Britannia, 



(I iove a fling at politics) 

Amufe the nation, court, and king, 

With breaking F — kes, and hanging Byng; 

And make each puny rogue a prey. 

While they, the greater, filnk away. 

Tliis fimile, perhaps, would llrike. 

If match'd with fomething more alike j 

Then take it drefs'd a fecond time 

In Prior's Lafe, and rij Sublime. 

Say, did^ou never chance to meet 

A mob of people in the Itreet, 

Ready to give the robb'd relief, 

And all in hafte to catch a thief j 

While the fly rogue who filch'd the prey, 

Too clofe befet to run away. 

Stop thief ! ftop thief! exclaims aloud. 

And fo efcapes among the crowd ? 

So Ministers, 6cc. 

O England, how I mourn thy fate ! 
For fare thy lofi'es now are great ; 
Two fuch what Briton can endure? 
Minorca, and the Connoiffeur ! 

To-day,* or e'er the fun goes down. 
Will die the Ce^Tfor^ Mr Town ! 
He dies, whoe'er takes pains to con him. 
With "'olufiiing honours thick upon him:^ 

* September 30ih, 1756, when Mr. Town, author of the Connoisseur, a periodical Essny, (since 
published in four volumes, printed for K. Baldwin, London), took leave of his readers, wall an hu^ 
mourous account of himself. 

f This elegant Poem was written by a Gentleman well known in the learned world, as a token of 
gratitude for favyurs cooferrcd on his tatl^er during the last v/ar, whose cluracter he has thQtein assumed; 

LI 



5H 



Whiloin the fairest daiig]iter of old Ocean, 

In loathly difarray, dull eyes, 
And faded cheek, wept o'er her abje(51 fons: 

Till William, great deliverer 1 
Led on the comely train, gay Liberty, 
Religion, matron ftaid, 
With all her kindred goddeffes ; 
Jullice, with fteady brow, 
Trim Plenty, laireat Peace, and green-hair'd 
Commerce, 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, Book H, 

Hark ! yon deep echo ftrikes the trembling ear f 



Seenight'sdun curtain wraps the darkibme pole! 

O'er heaven's blue arch yon rolling worlds ap- 
pear, 

And roufe to folemn thought th'afpiring foul. 

O lead my fl:eps beneath the moon's dim ray, 

Where Tadmor Hands all defert and alone! 

While from her time-fliook tov/rs the bird of 
prey [moan. 

Sounds thro' the night her long-refounding 



In fiowmg veft of thoufand hues. ^ j i jt i i 

•n • 1 J 1 H, J ^„.. ^1^ D^„^K^,,'-^ ^.;u Or bear me far to yon dark, difmal nlam, 

Fani would 1 ihadow out old Bourbon s piiei .^^, r ., , .- n ' i • r. r i i j 

ro -. ■ -^1 J 1 ^r 1 • U4. J ,u^^,«.'. ;„^i Where reil-eyed timers, all athirlt lor blood, 
Tott ruiff with doubtful weight, and threat njng w *i j r ► li *u u • i «. • 

^ ,, r ,1 ^ ^ Howi to the delert : while the horrid tram 

cumb rous fall 5 

Or trace our navy, where in towVing pride 

O'er the wide fwelling watle it rolls avengeful 

As when collefted clouds 

Forth from the gloomy fouth, in deep array. 



where once ereat Babel 



Athwart the dark'ninglandfcape throng, 
Fraught w ith loud llorms, and thunder's dread- 
ful peal, 
At which the murd'rer ftands aghaft, 
And wading Riot ill dilfembles terror. 

How headlong Rhone andEbro, erit diftain'd 
With Moorifh carnage, quakes thro' all her 
branches ! 
Soon fhall I greet the morn, 



Roams o'er the wild 
itood ; 

That queen of nations ! whofe fuperior call 
Rous'd the broad EafV, and bid her arms deftroy ! 
i When warm'd to mirth, let judgment mark her 
And deep reflection daili the lip of joy. [fallj, 

Short is Ambition's gay, deceitful dream, 
Though wreaths of blooming laurel bind her 

brow : 
Calm thought difpels the vifionary fcheme, 
And Time's cold breath dilTolves the with'ring; 

boush. 



[name, , , . . . , , . . . 

•cTri- r? r~ -A r> -4.^' „„ J r-^^..^^' jSlow as fome mmer fans th afcirmff tow r. 

When, Europe fav d, Britain and Geoige s. . ^^ vu j d n.- • 

~ J ' TT1 „j :„'_ i„ .,1 c .]A i When workmg fecret with deftruftive aim. 



Shall found o'er Flandria's level field. 
Familiar in domeftic merriment j 

Or by the jolly mariner 
Be carol'd loud adown the echoing Danube. 

The juft memorial of fair deeds 
Still flourifties, and, like th' untainted foul, 

Biojlbras in frelhtft age above 



I Unfeen, unheard, thus moves the Itealing hour, 
j But works the fall of empire, pomp, and name. 

{ Then let thy pencil mark the traits of man ; 
j Full in the draught be keen-eyed Hope por- 
j tray'd : 

i Let fiutt'ring Cupids crowd the growing plan: 
The weary fle/li,and envy's rankling wound, j Then give one touch, and dafh it deep witlilhade. 
Such, after years mature, j Beneath the plume that flames with glancing 

In full account {hall be thy meed. 1 rays 

Oh may your rifing hope | Be Care's deeo engines on the foul imprefs'd; 

Well principled in ev'ry virtue bloom ! | Beneath the hemlet's keen refulgent blaze 
Till a freili-fpringing flock implore | Let Grief fit pining in the canker'd breaft. 
With infant handsagr.ndrire'spow'rfulpray'r,. ^^^ Move's gay fons, a fmiling train, apoear, 
Or round your honour d couch their pratthng ^.^j^ ^^^^.^ pierc'd-yet heldlefs ifce dart; 

While, clofelycouch'd,pale, fick'ningEnvy near 
Whets her fell fting, and points it at the heart. 

Perch'd, like a raven, on fome blafted yew, 
TJTail, queen of thought fublime! propitious | Let Guilt revolve the thought-diflrafting fin ; 
■■^ -^ powV, [roam, I Scar'd — while her eyes furvey th' ethereal blue. 

Who o'er the unbounded wafte art joy'd to: Left heaven's llrong lightning burft the dark 
Led by the moon, when, at the midnight hour, ! within. 

Her pale rays tremble thro' the duflcy gloom. !^,,e„ paint,impendingo'er the maddening deep 
O bear me, Goddefs, to thy peaceful feat! |That rock, where heart-ftruck Sapphc, vainly 

Wlicther to Hecla's cloud-wrapt brow convey 'd, j brave, 

Orlodg'dwheremountainsfcreenthydeep retreat,! Stood finn of foul — then from the dizzy fteep 



fports purfue. 
§119. Ode to Melancholy. Ogilvie. 



Or v/and'ring wild thro' Chili's boundless fliade. 

Say, rove thy fteps o'er Libya's naked wafte ? 
Or feek fome distant folitary fliore? 
Or, on the Ande's topmoft mountain plac'd, 
Doft fit, and hear the folemn thunder roar ? 

Fix'd on fome hanging rock's proje6ted brow, 
Hear'ft thou low murm urs from the diftantdomer 
Or ftray thy feet where pale, dejefted Woe 
Pours her long wail from fome lamented tomb r 



Impetuous fprung, and dafti'dthe boihngwave. 

Here, wrapt in ftudious thought, let Fancy rove. 
Still prompt to mark Sufpicion's fecret fnarej. 
To fee where Anguifli nips the bloom of Love, 
Or trace proud Grandeur to the domes of Care. 

Should e'er Ambition's tow'ring hopes inflame. 
Let judging reafon draw the veil afide; 
Or, fir'd with envy at fome mighty name. 
Read o'er the moniunent tiut telli— He died. 

What 



B o o K ir. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &:c. 



S'S 



What are the enfigns of imperial fway ? 
What all that Fortune's lib'ral hand has brought? 
Teach they the voice to pour a fweeterlay ? 
Or roufe the foul to more exalted thought ? 
When bleeds the l:)eart as Genius blooms un- 
known ? 
When melts the eye o'erVirtue's mournful bier? 
Not wealth, but pity, fwelL the burfting groan? 
Not pow'r, but whiip'ring Nature, prompts the 

tear. 
Say, gentle mourner, in yon mouldy vault, 
Where the worm fattens on fome fcerstered brow, 
Beneath that roof with fculptur dmarble fraught, 
Why fleeps unraov'd the breathlefs doft below? 
Sleeps it more fvveetly than the fimp'e fwain 
Bene.ith Ibme moify turf that refts his head ; 
Where the lone widow tells the night her uain, 
And eve with dewy tears embalms the dead ? 
The lily, fcreen'd from ev'ry ruder gale. 
Courts not the cultured fpot where roles fpring; 
But blows neglected in the peaceful vale. 
And fcents the zephyr's balmy breathing wing. 
The bulls of grandeur, and the pomp of pow'r, 
Can thefe bid Sorrow's gufliing tears fubiide? 
Can thefe avail in that tremendous hour, [tide? 
When Death's cold hand congeals the purple 
Ah no! the mighty names are heard no more : 
Pride's thought fublime,and Beauty's kindling 

bloom, 
Serve but to fport one flying moment o'er. 
And fwell with pompous verfe th' efcutcheon'd 

tomb. 
For me — may PaJnon ne'er mv foul invade, 
Nor be the whims of tow'ring Phrenzy giv'n ; 
Let Wealth ne'er court me from the peaceful 
(hade [ven ! 

Where Contemplation wings the foul to Hea- 
Oh guard me fafe from Joy's enticing fnare! 
W^ith each extreme that Pleafure tries to hide, 
The poifon'd breath of llow-confumi ng Care, 
The noife of Folly, and the dreams of Pride. 
But of, when midnight's fadly folemn knell 
Sounds long and diftant from the ficy-topt tow'r. 
Calm let me fit in Profper's lonely cell*, 
Or walk with Milton thro' the dark obfcure. 
Thus, when the tranfient dream of life is fled, 
M y fome fad friend recall the form^er years ; 
Then, fl:retch'd in lilence o'er my dufty bed, 
Pour the warm gulh of fympathetic tears. 

§ I2G. Cde to the Genius ofShakefpeare. 

OCILVIE. 



Ty APT from the glance of mortal eye, [light? 
-'^ Say, burfts thy Genius to the world of 
Seeks it yon ftar-befpangled flcy ? 
Or ftciras its fields with rapid flight? 
Or, mid yon plains where Fancy ftrays, 
Courts it the balmy breathing gale ? 

♦ See Shakespeare's Tempest. 



Or where the violet pale 

Droops o'er the gieen-embroider'd ftream; 

Or vviiere young Zephyr ftirs t lie milling fpray 3, 

Lies all dilfjtv'd in faiiy dream. 

O'er yon bleak delcrt's unfrequented round 

Seeil thou where Nature treads tiie deep'ning 

gloom, 
Sits on yon hoar}- tow'r with ivy crown'd, 
Or wildly wails o'er rhy lamented tomb ? 
Hear'lt thou the folemn mufic wind along? [fong? 
Or thrills the warbling note in thy meliiflous 

I. 2. 

Ofr, while on earth, 'twas thine to rove 
VVhere'er the wild-eyed goddefs lov'd to roam, 
To trace ferene the gloomy grove. 
Or haunt meek Quiet's ilniple dome; 
Still hovering round the Nine appear, 
That pour the foul transporting ilrain; 
Join'd to the Loves' gay train, 
The loofe rob'd G:"aces, crown'd with flowVs, 
The light wing'd gales that lead the vernal year. 
And wake the roCy-featur'd hours. 
O'er all bright Fancy's beamy radiance fhons. 
How flam'd thy bofom as her charms reveal 1 
Her nre-clad eye fublirae, her Harry zone. 
Her traces loofe, that wanton'd on the gale; 
On thee the goddefs fix'd her ardent look. 
Then from her glowing lips thefe melting ac- 
cents broke: 

I. 3- 

" To thee, my favourite Ion, belong. 

" The lays that fteal the liftening hour; 

'• To pour the rapture-darting long, 

" To paint gay Hope's Elylian bovver. 

" From Nature's hand to fnatch the dart, 

•' To cleave with pangs the bleeding heart; 

" Or lightly fvveep the trembling firing, 

" And call the Loves with purple wing 

" From the blue deep, where they dwell 

" With Naiads in the pearly cell. 

" Soft on the fea-born goddefs gazef ; 

" Or in the looie robes' floating maze, 

" Difiblv'd in downy fiumbersreil; 

" Or flutter o'er her panting bread. 

" Or wild to melt the yielding foul, 

" Let Sorrow, clad in fable fl:cle, 

" Slow to thy mufmg thought appear; 

<* Or penfive Pity, pale; 

•'' Or Love's defponding tale [tear." 

'* Call from th' intender'd heart the fympathetic 

II. I. 

Say, whence the magic of thy mind? 

Why thrills thy muficon the fprings of thought? 

Why, at thy pencil's touch refln'd. 

Starts into life the glovi'ing draught ? 

On yonder fairy carpet laid, 

Where beauty pours eternal bloom. 

And zephyr breathes perfume; 

There nightly to the tranced eye 

Profuse the radiant goddefs flood difplay'd> 

With all her fuiiling oflspring ijigh. 



LU 



•j- Venui. 



Sudden 



5i6 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



Sudden the mantling cliff, the arching wood, 
The broider'dmead, thelp-ndfcape and the grove, 
Hills, vales, andiky-dipt Teas, and torrents nide, 
Grots, rills, and ihades,and bow'rs that breatii'd 

of love. 
All burlt to fight! while ghncing on the view, 
Titania's {porting train brulh'd lightly o'er the 

dew. 

II. 2. 

The pale ey'd Genins of the flisde 
Led thy bold fcep to Profper's magic bow'rj 
Whofe voice the howling winds obeyed, 
Whcfe dark fpell chain'd the rapid hour: 
Then rofe ferenethe fea-girt ille; 
Gay fcenes, by Fancy's touch reiin-d, 
Glow'd to the mufing mind: 
Such vifionsblefs the hermit js dream, 
When hovering angels prompt his placid fmile. 
Or paint fome high ecllatic theme. 
Then flam'd Miranda on :h' enraptured gaze. 
Then laii'd bright Ariel on the bat's fleet v/ing: 
Or itarts the liil'ning throng in Hill amaze. 
The wild note trembling on the aerial irring! 
The form, in heaven's refplendent veilure gay, 
Floats on the mantling cloud, and pours the 
melting lay*. 

n. 3. 

Oh lay me near yon limpid ftream, 

Whole murmur fooths the ear of woe! 

There in fome fweet poetic dream 

Let Fancy's bright Elyfium glow ! 

'Tis done — o'er all the bluihing mead 

The dark wood ftiakes his cloudy head : 

Below, the lily-fringed dale 

Breathes its mild fragrance on the gale*, 

While, in pallime all unfeen, 

Titania, rob'd in mantle green, - 

Sports on the mofly bank: her train 

Skiras-light along the gleaming plain j 

Or to the flutt'ring breeze unfold 

The blue wing ftreak'd with beamy gold; 

Its pinions op'ning to the light! — 

Say, burfts the vifion on my light ? 

Ah, no ! by Shakefpeare's pencil drawn, 

The beauteous fhapes appear j 

While meek-eyed Cynthia near [lawn.f 

Illumes with ilreamy ray the filver-mantled 

III. i. 

But hark! the temped howls afar ! [waPte ! 
Burfts the loud whirlv/ind o'er the pathlefs 
What chei-ub blows the trump of war? 
What demon rides the ftormy blafi: ? 
Red from the lightning's livid biaze, * 
The bleak heath rufhes on the fight j' 
Then, wrapt in fudden night 
Dilfolves. — But, ah ! what kingly form 
Roams the lone defert's defolated maze J 
Unaw'd, nor heeds the fweepingftorm 



Hears not the mourner's unvailing moan: 
Heart-pierc'd he bleeds j and. Hung with wild 
-defpnir, [hair. 

Bares his time-.blafted head, and tears his filver 

III. 2. 
l.o ! on yon long-refounding (liore, 
Where the rock totters o'er the headlong deep 5 
What phantoms bath'd in infant gore 
Stand mutt'ring on the dizzy deep I 
Their murmur (hakes the zephyr's wing! 
The ftorm obeys their powerful fpell j 
See from his gloomy cell 
Fierce Winter ftarts 1 his fcowling eye 
Blots the fair mantle of the breathing Spring, 
An.l lowers along the ruuiedflcy, 
To the deep vault the yelling harpies run§; 
Its yawning mouth receives th' infernal crew. 
Dim thro' the black gloom winks the glimmering 

fun. 
And the pale furnacegleamsv.'ithbrimfcone blue. 
Hell howlsj and fiends, that join the dire acclaim. 
Dance on the bubbling tide, and point the 

livid flame. 

III. 3. 
But, ah ! on Sorrow's cyprefs bough 
Can Beauty breathe her genial bloom ? 
On Death's cold cheek will paiTion glow > 
Or MufiC warble from the tomb ? 
There fleeps the Bard, whofe tuneful tongue 
Pour'd the full ftream of mazy fong. 
Young Spring, with lip of ruby, here 
Show'rs from her lap the bhiihing year j 
While, along the turf reclin'd. 
The loofe wing fwimming on the wincl^ 
The Loves, vvith foavard^edrtre bold. 
Sprinkle the fod with fpanglinggold: 
And oft the biue-eyed Graces trim 
Dance lightly round on downy iinib j 
Git too, when eve, demure and Itill, 
Chequers the green dale's purling rill. 
Sweet Fancy pours the plaintive ftrain ; 
Or, wrapt in foothing4reara. 
By Avon's ruffled fl:ream, [the plain. 

Hears the low-murmuring gale that dies along 



§ 12 



Oci'l; 



the 
IE. 



? 
Ye pale-ey'd lightnings, fpare the cheek of age 

V-iir. wilh! tho'anguifh heaves theburftinggroan, That Ihook old Empire's tow'ring pride. 
Deaf as the flirtt, the marble ear of rage [That fwept them down the floating tide— 

* Ariel : see the Tempest. + Seethe Midsummer Night's Dream^ J Lear. 



J. Ode to Ihnc'j Gccafioned b_ 
Ruins cj an eld Crjiie. 

I. r. 

/^ TH0U,v,-homid the world-involvinggloom, 

^^ Sitt'ft on yon folitary fpire 1. 

Or flowly Ihak'ft the Ibunding dome. 

Or hear'ft the wildly-Avarbling lyrej 

Say, v/hen thy mufing foul 

Bids diltant times unro', 

And marks the flight of each revolving year. 

Of years whofe flov.'-confuming pow'r 

Has clad with mofs yon leaning tow'r. 

That faw the race of Glory run, 

That mark'd Ambition's ietting fun. 



§ The Witches in Mucbcth* 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



Book II. 

Say, when thefc loiigf-unfoldini^ fcenes appear, 
Streams down thy hoary cheek the pity-darting 
tear ? 

I. 2. 

Caft o'er yon tracklcfs waftethy wand'ringeye: 

Yon hill, T\hofe gold-illumin\i brow, 

Juft trembling thro' the bending Iky, 

Overlooks the boundlcfs wild below, 

Once bore the branching wood 

That o'er yon mnrmuring flood 

Hung wildly waving to the rulUing gale; 

The naked heath with niols o'ergrown, 

That hears the lone owl's nightly moan, 

Once bicom'd with fummer's copious i^ore, 

Once raisM the lawn-befpangling tiow'rj 

Or heard Ibrae lover's plaintive lay, 

When, by pale Cynthia's lilver ray, 

All wild he wander'd o'er the lonely dale, [tale. 

And taught the lift'ning moon the melancholy 

I. 3. 

Ye wilds where heaven-rapt Fancy roves I 

Ye fky crown'd hills, and folemn groves ! 

Ye low-brow'd vaults, ye gloomy cells ! 

Ye CAves where night-bred Silence dwells ! 

Ghofts that in yon lonely hall 

Lightly glance'along the Wrill j 

Or beneath yon ivy'd tow'r. 

At the filer.t midnight hour, 

Stand array'd in Ipotlcrs white, 

And ilain the dulky robe of Night; 

Or with How folemn pau.'es roam 

O'er the long-lbunding hollow dome! 

Say, mid yon dsfert iblitary ivund, 

WhendarkneCs wraps^the boundlefs fpheres, 

Does ne'er fome difmal, dying iound 

On Night's dull ferious ear rebound; [years ? 

Thatmourns theceafelefs lapfe of life-coniluning 

II. I. 
O call th' infpiring glorious hour to view. 
When Caledonia's martial train 

From yon fteep rock's high-arching brow 
Pour'd on the heart-ltruck flying b:me! 
Wh^n War's blood-tinctur'd fpear 
Hung o'er the trembling rear ; [flight : 

Whenlight-heel'dTerrorwing'dtheirheadlong 
Yon tow'rs then rung with wild alarms ! 
Yon defert gleam'd with fhining arm.sl 
VvH-iile on the bleak hllTs bright'ning fpire 
Bold Vift'ry fiam'd, v/ith eyes of fire; 
Her limbs celellial robes infold, 
Her wings were ting'd v/ith fpar.gling gold, 
She fpoke: her words infus'd refililcfs might, 
And warm'd the bounding heart, and rous'd the 
foul of fight. 

II. 2. 

But, ah! what hand the fmiling pro fpe6l brings: 

What voice recals th' expiring day? 

See, darting fwift on eag^le- win gs, 

The glancing moment Burfls away I 

So from fome mountain's head, 

In mantling gold array 'd, 

While bright-eyedFancy itandsinfweet furprife: 



sn 



The val-^ where mufing Quiet treads. 
The fiow'r-clad lawns, and bloomy meads, 
Or ureams where zephyr loves to ftray 
Beneath the pale eve's twinkling ray; 
Or waving woods detain the fight — 
When from the gloomy cave of night 
Some cloud fwceps fhadowy o'er the dufky (kies. 
And wraps the flying fcene, that fades, and 
fwims, and dies. 

II. 3. 

Lo! rifmg from yon dreary tomb. 

What fpectres ftaikacrofs the gloom! 

With haggard eyes, and vifage pale. 

And voice that moans with feeble wail! 

O'er yon long refounding plain 

Slowly moves the Iblemn train; 

Wailing wild with ihrieks of woe 

O'er the bones that reil below ! 

While the dull night's ilariled ear 

Shrinks aghaft with thrilling fear! 

Or ft:md with thin robes v/afting foon. 

And eyes that blaft the fick'ning moon ! 

Yet tliele, ere Time had roil'd iheir years away. 

Ere Death's fell arm had mark'd its aim, 

Ru'i'd yon proud tow'rs v.ith ample fway. 

Beheld the trembling iwains obey. 

And wrought the glorious deed that fwell'd the 

trump of Fame. 

III. I. 
But why o'er thefe indulge the burfting figh? 
Feels not each flirub the tempeit's pow'r? 
Rocks not the dome when whirlwinds fly? 
Nor Shakes the hill when thunders roar? 
Lo! mould'ring, wild, unknown, 
What fanes, what tow'rs o'erthrown. 
What tumbling chaos marks the walte of Time I 
I fee Palmyra's temnles fall ; 
Old Ruin fnakes the hanging wall ! 
Yon wafte where roaming lions howl, 
Yon aifie where moans the gi-ey-eyed Owl, 
Shows the proud Feriian's great abode*; 
Wiiere fceptred once, an earthly god ! [clime, 
His pow'r-ciad arm controul'a each happier 
Wliere fports the warbling Mufe, and Fancy 

foars fublim.e. 

III. 2. 
Hark! what dire found rolls murm'ring on the 
Ah! what foul thrilling fcene appears? [gale? 
I fee the column'd arches fail ! 
And llruftures hoar, theboaft of years ! 
What mould'ring piles, decay'J, 
Gleam throughihe moon-llreak'd fnade. 
Where Rome's proud Genius rear'd her awful 
Sad monument! — Ambition near [brow I 

Rolls on the dufl:, and pours a tear; 
Pale Honour drops the flutt'ring plume, 
And Conqueil- weeps o'er Casfar's tomb; 
Slow Patience fits, with eye deprefl:, 
And Courage beats his fobbing b-eafl:; [flr^w, 
Ev'n War's red cheek the gulhing flrearas o'er- 
And Fancy's iiil'ning ear attends the plaint of 

Woe. 



* Persepolis. 



LI 



III. 3. 



5iS 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II, 



HI. 



Lo, on yon pyramid fublime, 

Whence lies Old Egypt's deiert dim?, 

Bleak, naked, wild! where ruin low'rs, 

Mid fanesj and wrecks, and tumbling tow'rs, 

On the fteep height, wafte and bare. 

Stands the PowV with hoary hiiir! 

O'er his Icythe he bends j his hand 

Slowly Ihakes the flowing fand. 

While the hours, and airy ring 

Lightly flit, with downy wing, 

And lap the works of man; "and fhade 

With filver'd locks his fiirrow'd head; 

Tiience rolls themighty pow'rhis broad furvey, 

And leals the nations' awful doom: 

Ke fees proud grandeur's meteor rayj 

He yields to joy the feftive dav; 

Then fweeps the length'ning 'ihade, and marks '^"^^'^e Mem'ry's ur.itam'd leaves retain 
thpni fnr thp fnmK No tracc from all th' ideal train. 

But fee, the landlcape op'ning fair 
Invites to breathe the purer air! 
Oh when the cowflip-icented gale 
Shakes the light dew-drop o'er the dale. 
When on her amber-dropping bed 



Rapt Contemplation ftalks along, 
And hears the How clock's pealing tongue; 
Or, mid the dun dijcoloar'd gloom. 
Sits on forae hero's peaceful tomb. 
Throws life's gay glitt'ring robe afide. 
And tramples on the neck of Pride. 

Git, fheiter'd by the rambling fprays. 
Lead o'er the foreit's winding maze; 
Where, thro' the mantling boughs, afar 
Giinirners the filver-ft reaming Itar; 
And, Ihower'd from ev'ry ruitling blade. 
The lo jfe light floats along the Ihade : 
So hov'ring o'er the human fcene 
Gay Plealure Iports with brow ferene: 
By Fancy beam'd, the glancing ray 
bhoots, flutters, gleams, and fleets away; 
Un fettled, dubious, reftlefs, blind. 
Floats ail the bufy buftling mind; 



them for the tomb. 



§ I 2 i . Ods to E'V£7liug. O G 1 L V I E . 

"V/Teek Pow'r, whofe balmy-pinion'd gale 
-*-'*• Steels o'er the flow'r-enamell'd dale! 
Who's voice in gentle whifpeis near 
Oft Ijghs to Quiet's lift'jiing ear; 
As, en her downy couch at reft. 
By Thought's inipiring vifions bleft 
She fits, with white-rob'd Silence nigh. 
And mufing heaves her ferious eye. 
To mark the flow fun's glimm'ring ray, 
To catch the iaft pale gleam of day; 
Or, funk in fweet repole, unknown 
Lies on the wild hill's van alone : 
And fees thy gradual pencil flow 
Along the heaven-ill umin'd bow. 

Come, Nymph demure, with mantle blue, 
Thy traces 'oatii'd in balmy dew. 
With Itep fmooth Aiding o'er the green, 
The graces breathing in thv mieuj 
And thy vefture's gather'd fold 
Girt with a zone of circling gold; 
And bring the harp, whofeT'olemn ftring , 
Dies to the wild wind's raurm'ring wingj 
And the Nymph, whofe eye ferene 
Marks the calm-breathing woodland fcene: 



Kcw bleil! by fairy-haunted itream 
To melt in mild ecftavic dream ! 
Die to the piftur'd willi, or hear 
(Breath'd fort on Fancy's trem.blii?g ear) - 
Such lays by angel-harps refin'd. 
As h'alf unchain theiiutt'ring mind. 
When on life's edge it eyes the fliore, 
And all its pinions ftretch to foar. 

Lo, where the fun's broad orb withdrawn 
Skirts with pale gold the dufky lawn j 
While, led by ev'ry gentler pow'r. 
Steals the flow, folemn, raufmg hour. 
Now from the green hill's purple brow 
Let me mark the icene below ; 
Where, feebly glancmg thro' the gloom. 
Yon myrtle fhades the filent tomb: 
Not far, beneath the evening beam 
The dark lake rolls his azure Itream, 
Whofe breast the fwan's white plumes divide. 
Slow-failing o'er the floating tide. 
Groves, meads, and fpires, aiid forefiis bare. 
Shoot glimm'ring thro' the mifty air; 



Thought, m.ountain fage ! who loves to climb,! Dim as the vifion-pictur'd bovv'r 



And haunts the dark rock's fummit dim; 
Let Fancy, falcon-wing'd, l^e near: 
And through the cloud-envelop'd fphere. 
Where muling I'oams Retirem.ent hoar, 
Lull'd by the torrent's diflant roar. 
Oh bid v/irh trembling light to glow 
The raven -plum.e that crowns his brow% 

Lo, where thy meek-ey'd train attend ! 
Queen of the folemn thought, defcend! 
Oh hide me in romantic bow'rs! 
Or lead my ftep to ruin'd to'.v'rs! 
Where gleaming through the chinkv door 
The pale ray gilds the moulder'd floor; 
While beneath the hallow'd pile. 
Deep in the defert fhrleking aifle, 



That gilds the faint's expiring hour, 
W^hen, rapt to ecfl:afy, his eye 
Looks thiough the blue ethereal iky: 
Ail heaven unfolding to his fight! 
Gay forms that fwimin floods of light! 
The fun-pav'd floor, the balmy clime. 
The ruby-beaming dome fublime; 
The tow'rs in glirt'ring pomp difplay'd— 
The bright fcene hovers o'er his bed: 
He fl:arti — but from his eager gaze 
Black clouds obfcure the leflening rays j 
On mem'ry fl:iil the fcene is wrought, 
And lives in Fanc)''s featur'd thought. 

On the airy mount reciin.'d 
What wifhes footh the rauflng mind I 
3 



Ho^v 



BooKir. DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 

How foft the velvet hp of Spring! 
How i'weet the Zephyr's violet wing ! 
Goddels of" thephiiiitive Cong, 
That leads the melting heart along ! 
Oh bid thy voice of genial pow'r 
Reach Contemplation's lonely bow'r; ' 
And call the fage with tranced iight 
To climb the mountain's Iteepy height ; 
To wing the kindling wi(h, or fprcad 
O'er Thought's pale cheek enliv'ning red j 
Come, hoaiy Pow'r, with ferious eye, 
Whofe thought explores yon diilant Iky } 
Now, when the bufy world is (till, 
Nor palfion tempts the v/av'ring will, 
When fueeter hopes each pow'r controul, 
And quiet whiipers to the foul. 
Now fweep from life th' illufive train 
That dance in Folly's dizzy brain : 
Be Reafon's fimple draught portray 'd, 
Wheie blends alternate fight and Hiade ; 
Bid dimpled Mirth, with thought belied. 
Sport on the babble's glitt'ring lide j 
Bid Hope purfue the diitant boon. 
And Phrenfy watch the fading moon; 
Paint Superlcition's ftarting eye. 
And Wit that leers with geirure (ly-y 
Let Cenfure whet her venom'd dart, 
And green-eyed Envy gnaw the heart j 
Let Pleafure lie on tlow'rs reclin'd. 
While Anguifli aims her fliaft behiiid. 

Hail, Sn-e fublime! whofe hallow'd cave 
Howls to the hoarl'e deep's daftiing wavej 
Thee Solitude to Phoebus bore. 
Far on the lone, deferted fliore. 
Where Orellano's rufliing tide 
Roars on the rock's projedled fide. 
Hence burlling oer thy ripen'd mind, 
Beams all tne father's thought retin'd : 
Hence oft, in filent vales unfeen, 
Thy footfteps print the fairy green ; 
Or thy foul melts to ftrains of woe, 
That from the willow's quiv'ring bough 
Sweet warbling breathe — the zephyrs round 
O'er Dse's fmooth current waft the found, 
When foft on bending ofiers laid 
The broad fun trembling through the bed ; 
All wild thy heav'n-rapt fancy ilrays, 
Led thro' the foul-dlflblving maze j 
Till (lumber downy-pinion'd, near 
Plants her ftrong fetlocks on thy ear ; 
The foul nnfetter'tl burfts away. 
And bafks enlarg'd in beamy day. 



§123. Ode to Innocence. Ogilvie. 
s'X'wAS when the flow-declining ray 

-*■ Had ting'd the cloud with evening gold 
No warbler pour'd the melting lay, 
No found dillurb'd the fleeping fold : 

When, by a murm'ring rill reclin'd, 
Sat, wrapt in thought, a wand'ring fwain j 
Calm peace compos'd his mufing mindj 
And thus ke rais'd the flowing ftrain ; 



" Hail, Innocence! celeflial Maid! 
" What joys thy blufhing charms reveal! 
" Sweet as the arbour's cooiing ihade, 
*' And milder than the vernal gale. 

•' On Thee attends a radiant choir, 

" Soft-fmiiing Peace, and downy Kefl ; 

" VVi.h Love, that prompts the warbling lyre ; 

" And Hope, that iboths the throbbing b'^eafl. 

" Oh fent from heaven to haunt the grove, 
" Where fquinting Envy neer can come ! 
'* Nor pines the clieek with luckiels love, 
" Nor Anguilh chills the living bloom. 
'* But fpotlefs Beauty, rob'd in white, 
" Sits on yon mofs-grown hill reclin'd : 
" Serene as heaven's uniullied light, 
" And pure as Delia's gentle mind. 
'* Grant, heavenly Pow'r! thy peaceful fway 
" May ftill my ruder thoughts controul j 
" Thy ha-.:d to point my dubious way, 
" Thy voice to fboth the melting foul. 

" Far in the fhady, fweet retreat 

" Let Thought beguile the ling'ring hour; 

'* Let Quiet court the molfy feat> 

" And twining olives fonn the bow'r : 

*' Let dove-eyed Peace her wreath beftow, 
'* And oft fit lifl'ning in the dale, 
" While Night's fweet warbler from the bough 
" Tells to the grove her plaintive tale. 

" Soft, as in Delia's fnowy breaft, 
'< Let each confenting paihon move; 
" Let Angels watch its lilent reft, 
" And all its blifsful dreams be Love T* 



§ 1 24. Morning ; or, The Complaint. An Ame- 
rican Eclogue. Gregory. 

TJ'aR from the favage bandit's fierce alarms, 
^ Or diilant din of horrid deipot's arms, 
Tho' Pennfylvania boaifs her peaceful plain. 
Yet there in blood her petty tyrants reign. 

With wavingplnes tho'vocalwoodsbe crown'd 
Andllream-fed vales with living wealth abound. 
To golden fields tho' ripening rays delcend, 
With blufhing fruit tho' loaded branches bend 
To thofewlio ne'er mull freedom's blehmgstalle, 
'Tis barren all, 'tis all a worthlefs waile. 

While hoarfe the catara 61 murmur'donthegale 
And chilling dews Iwept thro' the murky dale ; 
Along the hills the dilmal tempeit howi'd. 
And lightnings iiafh'd, and deep the thunder 
Beneath a leatiefs tree, ere morn arole, [roU'd; 
The flave Adaia thus laments his woes : 
Ye grilly ipe6lres, gather round my feat, 
From caves unbieft, that wretch's groans repeat! 
Terrific forms, from miily lakes arii'e I 
And bloody meteors threaten thro' the fkies ! 
Oh curs'd deflroyers of cur haplefs race, 
Of human kind the terror and difgrace ! 
Lo! hods of duiky captives, to my view, 
Demand a deep revenge ! demand their due ! 
L 1 4 And 



520 

And frowning chiefs now dart athwart the gloom 
And o'er the ialtfeavvave pronounce your doom. 
But Gods are juil, and ott the ftrcko forbear, 
To plunge the guilty in tenfold defpair. 

Lift high thercourge,rnyfoultherackd(rdalnsj 
I pant for freedoifi and my native plains! 
With limbsbenurab'dmypoor companions liej 
Opprefs'd by pain and want the aged figh; 
Thro' reedy Imts the driving tempeft pours, 
Their fefteringwounds receivethe ricidyiliovv'rs j 
Inmadd'ningdraughtsourlordstheirrenfesfteep, 
And doom their flaves toftripesand deathin'leepj 
Now, while the bitter blaft furrounds my head, 
To times long paft my reillefs foul is led. 
Far, far beyond the azure hills, to groves 
Of ruddy fruit, where beauty fearlefs i'oves — 
O blifsful ieats ! O felf-approving jOys ! 
Nature's plain ditftates ! ignorance of vice ! 
O guiltlefs hours ! Our cares and wants were few, 
No arts of luxury or deceit we knew^ 
Our labour, fport — to tend our cottage care. 
Or from the palm the lufcious juice prepare j 
To fit indulging love's delufive dream, 
And fnare the filver tenants of the ftream ; 
Or (nobler toil) to aim the deadly blow 
With dext'rous art again ft the fpotted foe ; 

days with youthful daring mark'd ! 'twas then 

1 dragg'd the fliaggy monfcer fr-om his den. 
And boldly down the rocky mountain's fide 
Huri'd the grim p'^nther in the foaming tide. 
Our healthful fports a daily feaft afford. 
And ev'n itill found us at the fecial board. 

Can I forget,' ah me ! the fatal day. 
When half the vale of peace was fweptaway ! 
Th' affrighted maidsin vain the gods impieve, 
And weeping view from far the happy lijos'e. 
The frantic dames impatient rufrians fcize, 
And infantslhriek,andclafp their mothers knees; 
With galling fetters foon theirlimhs are bound, 
Andgroanstnroughoutthenoilbmebarkreibund. 
Why was I bound ! why did not Whydah fee 
Adala gain cr death, or viftory ! 
No ftorms ariie, no waves revengeful roar, 
To dalh the monilers o\\ our injur'd flioie. 
Long o'er the foamnng deep to worlds unknown. 
By envious winds the bullcy vefTel's blqvv^n, 
While by difeafe and chains the weak expire, 
Or parch'd endure the flow con fuming tire. 
Who'd in this land of many forrovv-'s live, 
W^here deatli's the only comfort tyrants give? 
Tyrants unblell ! Each proud of ftri6t command. 
Nor age nor Iicknefs holds the iron hand ; 
Whofe hearts, in adamant iavolv'd, defplfe 
The drooping fem.ale's tears, the infant's cries, 
Fro m w hole fee rn b ro w s n ograte f u 1 i ooke 'er beams, 
WhofebUiflilefsfrontnorrapenormurderlhames. 

Nor all I blame 5 forNaftal, friend to peace. 
Thro' his wide paJrures biusoppreflion ceafe* j 
No drivers goad, no galling fetters bind. 
No ^ern compulfion damps th' exalted mind. 
There 1^. ong Arcona's fated to enjoy 
Pomeftu- fwcets, and rear his progeny 5 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II- 



To [ill his glebe employs Arcona's care, 

To N;a~a)'s God he nightly makes his pray'r; 
Ki3 mind at e ile, of ChrllHai: truths he'li boaft— 
lie has no wdfe, n^- lovely offsnring loft.' 
Gay Iiis favannah blooms, while mine appears 
Scorch'ffupvvithheat,ornrciftv.'ithbloodandtears. 
Cheerful his hearth in chilling winter burns, 
While to the ftorm the fad Adala mourns. 
Lift high the fcourge, my fcuithe rackdifdainsj 
I pant for freedom and' my native plahis 1 

Shall I his holy Prophet's aid implore. 
And wait for juitice on another fnore ? 
Or, rufhing down yon mountain's craggy fteep. 
End all my forrows in tiie iullen deep ? 
A cliff there hangs in yon grey morning cloud. 
The dafliing wave beneath roars harfli and lov^(^ — 
But doubts and fears involve my anxious mirid. 
The gulph of deathoncepafs'd,what ihorewennd: 
Dubious, if fent beyond th' expanded main. 
This foul fhall feek its native realm.s again : 
Or if in gloomy mifcs condemn'd to lie. 
Beyond the limits of yon arching (ky. 
A better profpe<^t oft my fpirit cheers. 
And in my dreams the vale of peace appears, 
And fleeting vifions of my former life: 
My hoary lire I clafl:;, m.y long-loft wife, 
And oft I kifs my gentle babes in fteep, [weep. 
Till, with the lounding whip, I'm wak'd to 

Lifthighthefcourge,niyfoulth'erackdiidains} 
I pant for fieedom and my native plains!, 

Chiefs of the earth, and monarchs of the fea' 
Who vaunt your hardy anceitors were freej 
Whofetcachers plead th' opprefs'd and injur'd's 

caufe, 
And prove thewifdom of your Prophet's laws ; 
To force and fraud if juitice mult give place, 
You*re dragg'd to fiavery by ibme rougher race. 
Some rougher race your llccks I'hall force avv-ay, 
Like Afric's fons your children m/ull obey; 
The very Gods that view our conftant toil. 
Shall fee 3-ov.r ofi spring till a ruder foil. 



The pain of 



and 



hunger knov/. 



And all the torments that from bondage flow. 
When far remov'd froraChriftianw-orldsweprove 
The fweets of peace, the biling joys of love. 

But, hark! the whip's harfh echothro'thetrees! 
On every trembling limd) fiefh horrors feize — 
Alas! 'tis morn, and here I lit alone — 
Be ftrong, my Ibul, and part.v.'ithout a groan! 
Ruffians proceed ! Adala ne'er fhall fwcrve. 
Prepare the rack, and ftrain each aching nerve! 
Lift high thefcourge,myfoulthei-ackdifdainsj 
I pant for freedom and my native plains. 

ThouGcd.who gild'ftwitli light therifingday! 
V\'ho life difptnfeft by thy genial ray ! 
Will thy fiow^ vengeance never, never fall. 
But undiftinguifh'd favour fnine on all r 
O hear a fuppliant wretch's lalt, fad pray'r! 
Dart fiercefl ra^c ! infeft the am.bient air ! 
This pallid race, w hofe hearts are bound in fteel. 
By dint of fuftering teach them how to feel. 



* The Oualicrs in America ha\e sei-frce all the' r "Negroes, and allow theni vvases as other servants. 

Or, 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, 



Or, to fome defpot's lawlefs will betray'd, 
Givethemtoknowvvhatwretchestheyhavemade! 
Beneath the laHi let them rclign iheir breath, 
Or court, in chains, the clay- cold hand of death, 
Or, worlt of ills ! within each callous brealt 
Cherifh uncarb'd the dark internal peft ; 
hid Av'rice fwell with imdiminidrd rage, 
While no new worlds th'accaifed thirft allliage; 
Then bid the rnonflers on each other turn. 
The fury pai-.ons in diforder burn ; 
Bid Diicord fiourilh, civil crimes increafe. 
Nor one fond wilh ariie that pleads for peace — 
Till, with their crimes in wild confufion hurl'd, 
They wake t' eternal anguifh in a future world*. 



§125. E-Z'ening ; or, the Fugitive . An Aineri- 
can Eclogue. Gregory. 

MOMBAZE. 

Cay whether,w-and''rer,pointsthycheerlersway; 
*^ When length'ning fliades announce the clofe 

of t:ay ? 
In yon wild wafte no friendly roof thou'lt find 
The haunt of ferpents and the favage kind. 
And fure rememb'rance mocks me, or I trace 
In thine the fembhnce of Zamboia's face ? 
Yet fcarce thyfelf ! for in thy alter'd eye 
I read the records of hard deftiny. 
From thyrack'd bofomfighs that ceafclefs flow, 
A man befpeak thee exercis'd in woe. 
Say, then, what chance has burd thy rigid chains, 
Has led thee fi antic o'er thefe diftani plains ? 
What potent Ibrrows can thy peace infefi ? 
What crimes conceal'd preyonthyanxiousbreaf!;? 

ZAMBOIA. 

No crimes this heart infeft, this hand defile, 
Or frantic drive me o'er a foreign foil. 
Amurder'dwifeandwrongs unmatched I mourn, 
And buried joys, that never fiiall return ! 
If then thou 'rt tempted by the traitor's meed. 
Take this poor life, and profper by the deed ! 

MOMBAZE. 

Not tlie rich produce of Angolans fliore. 
Not all the mifer's heap'd and glittering llore: 
Not all that pride would grafp, or pomp difplay, 
Should tempt this hand the wretched to betray. 
No traitors dwell within this bleft domain. 
The friends of peace we live, a guilelefs train. 
Grief dims thy eye, or gladly wouldft thou fee 
"Thy lov'd Mombaze yet furvives in me. 
Can'ft tliou forget ? I taught thy youth to dare 
The fylvan herd, and wage the defp'rate war. 
Can ft thou forget ? One common lot we drew, 
With thee enchain'd, a captive's fate I knew. 
Diftruft me not, but unreferv'd difclofe 
The anxious tale that in thy bofom glows : 
To part our griefs is oft to mitigate, 
And Ibcial forrows blunt the darts of fate. 

ZAMBOIA. 

Dear to my fight that form, and doubly dear 
Thy well-known accents meet Zam.boia's ear. 



D E S C R I P T I V E, &c. f 2» 

O ! had I died, and left th? name of flavc 
Deep, deep entomb'd within an early grave ! 

! had I died, ere ruthlels fates conltrain, 
WithUieeenthraU'd, to crofs the wefteni main! 
Oh ! to have met a glorious death in arms, 
And ne'er beheld ^'felinda■'s fatal charms ! 
Time wouV.l be iliort, and memory would fail. 
To dwell diftinclly on the various tale. 
I^dious to teil what treach'rous arts were tried. 
To footh the fmiart of liill revolting pride. 

1 liv'd, and lov'd — then kifs'd the fatal chain 5 
No joy but one to cheer a life of pain. 
Yet witnefs bear, thou dear departed ghoft. 
That '.onely rov'fc thy Gambia's facred coaft ! 
How fweet the toil that met the mornnig's ray. 
How light the labour that o'er-laited day ! 
The reed-built hovel, and the fcanty fare. 
Imperial blifs could give, Melinda there ! 
Soft was ray pillov/, on thy gentle brealt. 
When o'erprefs'dNaturedroop'd in want of re^ 
And if a rebel tear difgrac'd my eye, 
Thine was the tear, and thine the burfting figh. 
Bliis I could boaft, unenvied had it pais'd. 
But blils too great, for haplefs flaves, to laft. 

Awretch, who baniih'd from his native clime, 
Defil'd with many a black and monflrous crime 
Preiided o'er us, and with iron hand 



Held favage fway o'er all the fervile band : 
In him each hellifh paffion rudely glov/'d. 
And cruelty in him moH: cruel ihew'd. 
Him lull infernal, one fad ev'ning, led 
T' invade the chaftenefs of my marriage bed ^ 
I chanc'd t' approach — the caitiif I furpris'd — 
My wife prcferv'd, and had his guilt chaftis'd 
While full with vengeance boil'd my wounded 
But chance referv'd him for a bafer part. [heart: 
Meanwhile, o'erjoy'd that vice e'en once had 
I blefs'd thegodsthatinnccenceprevaird.rfail'd. 

The baffied villain, now a foe profefs'd. 
Rolls fcenes of blood vv'ithin his rankiingbreaft; 
With coward arts he forg'd a crafty tale; 
And hands unrighteous poize the partial fcale* 
imputed crimes to crufh the vjeak fuffice, 
liearfiy is guilt, and damning hd: furmife. 
Where uncurb'd will ufurps the place ot laws. 
No friendly pleader takes the v/retch's caufe. 
Our tyrant's fears each want of proof fupplied. 
We Hand condemn'd,unqueflion'd,anduntried» 

O 1 had the grief and ihame been all my own. 
And the black vengeance lit on me alone ! 
But hardier fates a harder curie decreed ; 
Thefe eyes were doom'd to fee Melinda bleed, 
I faw her by relentlefs ruffians bound, 
The brandilh'd ("courge infli6t the mortalwoundj 
Her tender frame abus'd, and mangled o'er, 
I faw her welt'ring in a flood of gore 
Themurd'rous Icenehad foon adreadfulclofe-^ 
And do I live ! andean I fpeak my woes ! 
Her pregnant womb no longer could fuftain 
The public Ihame, and aa-'.^ny of pain j 
A birth abortive robb'd her of heV breath, 
And pangs convulfive feal'd her eyes in death. 



* ThisEclosuc was written during the American war. 



One 



5^2 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book If. 



One only '-viedre my weary foul detains, 
T!iis hapiefs iniurit, ail that now remains ; 
The niournfal iaiage of n\y once-lov'd wife, 
And tie*? me down awhile to hated life. 
Elfe this bol 1 hand Ihouid liberty reftore, 
And VAY nipt fpirit leek a happier (Viore. 
Tho' devious paths with timid hafie we fly, 
Where' yon blue mcuutains mcet'the bending 

fKy : 
Nor ferpcnts' haimts I dread, nor deferts drear, 
Tiie mdcer-favage, Man, alone I fear. 

MOMBAZE. 

Since from our native realms ccmpeird to 
, part, 
Such pointedlbrrows have not touched my heart. 
Inlatiate plunderers ! could it not fufiice 
To rend, inhuman, all the focial ties ? 
From guiltlefs joyi that blefs'd our native foil, 
Pragg'd to a life of niifery and toil 5 
Would you yet take the little God has given. 
And intercept the gracious dews of Heaven ? 
Your rage for blood, Wild as your third of gain. 
Shall no refpefts, not truths divine, reflrain ? 
Th' eternal fabric can a name undo ? 
Is rape and murder faniStified in you ? 
And us, what laws, as impious as fevere, 
Forbid the common rites of man to fhare ? 
Did'it thou, creative Power! thy views confine ? 
For one proud race the fpacious earth defign? 
For them alone does plenty deck the vale, 
J3Iu!h in the fruit, and tinge the fcented gale ? 
For them the feafbns all their fweets unfold ? 
Blooms the rVe^h rofe,and fnines theyvavinggold? 
O no! all bounteous is thy equ^il hai\d. 
And thy fix'd laws irrevocable Hand ! 
Hapiefs Zamboia ! had it been thy fate 
V/ith me to (hare my more propitious ftate ; 
Thy foul had breath'd no impious wifh to die. 
Nor the big tear had trembled in thine eye. 
Disjoin'd from thee, I too toflavery went j 
But heaven a father, not a mailer, lent. 
He feems as Virtue's feif in mortal guife ; 
Tho' wealthy, f:mpk; and tho' modeft, wife. 
Elefc be th.c hr^nd that life and freedom gave! 
That pow'r can boait, exerted biit to fave ! 
Bieilthe fage tongue that icor'd the vacant mind, 
The manners foi'ten'd, and the heart rcfin'd ! 
That, .{lill t6 Keaveu's unerring dictates true, 
Eternal truth unfolded to our view \ 
But, com.el'thy faint and weary limbs repofe. 
Forgetful of thy fears, thy griefs compofe ; 
By morning's dawn with earneft foot I fpeed, 
Norileep thefe eyes till I behold thee freed. 
Some wealth I have! and, did I prize it more. 
Well fpar'd for this I deem the fiicred ilore. 

So talk'd thefe friends, and to the cottage hafte; 
While fad Zamboia his purfaers trac'd. 
The ruflaan band arrelt the haplefs fwain, 
And pray'rs, and tears, and promifes are vain : 
Their vengeful fervour, no — not gifts abate ; 
But, bound in chains, they drag him to his fate*. 



§ 126. A Defcription of aPariJ}} Poor Hoitfe* 

Crabbe. 

'TPHEfRis yon houfe that holc\s the parifli poor, 
■*■ Whofe walls of mud fcarce bear thebroken 

door j 
There, where the putrid vapours flagging play. 
And the dull wheel hums doleful thro' the day: 
Fhere children dwell, who know no parents'care; 
Parents,whoknovvnochildren's love, dwell there: 
Heart-broken matrons on their joylefs bed, 
Forfaken wives, and mothers never wedj 
Dejefted widows, with unheeded tears, 
Andcrippltd agc,with more than childhoodfears! 
The lame, the blind, and, far the happieli they! 
The moping idiot, and the madman gay. 

Here too the fick their final doom receive. 
Here brought, amid the fcenes of grief, to grieve: 
Where the loud groans from fome fiad chamber 

flow, 
Mix'd with the clamours of the crowd below t 
Here, forrowing, they each kindred forrow fcan, 
And the cold charities of man to man : 
yVhofe laws indeed for ruin'd age provide, 
And flrong compuiiion plucks the fcrap from 

pride ; 
But fill! that fcrap is bought with manyafigh. 
And pride embitters what it can't deny. 

Say ye, opprefs'd by fome fantallic woes. 
Some jarring nerve that bafBes your repofe ; 
Who prefs the downy couch,while flavesadvancc 
With timid eye, to read the diitant glance ; 
Who with fad prayers the weary doftor teafe 
To name the namelefs ever-new difeafe ; 
Whowithmock-patiencedirecomplaintsendure, 
Which real pain, and that alone, can cure \ 
How would ye bear in real pain to lie, 
Deipis'd, neglefted, left alone to die ? 
How would ye bear to draw your late/l breath. 
Where all that'swretched paves thewayfordeath? 

Such is that roomwhichone rude beamdivides, 
And naked rafters form the floping fides; 
Where thevilebands thatbindthethatcharefeen. 
And lath and mud are all that lie between; 
Save one d ullpane,that,coarieiypatch'd,givesway 
To the rude temped, yet excludes the day: 
Here, on a matted fiock, with dull o'erfpread, 
Tiie drooping wretch reclines his languid head j 
For him no hand the cordial cup applies. 
Nor wipes the tear that ftagnates in his eyes ; 
No friends with foft difcourfe his pain beguile. 
Nor promise hope till ficknefs wears a fmile. 



§ 127. 



Defcriptioii of a Country Apothecary, 

Crabbe. 



T> UT foon a loud and hally furamons calls, 
^ Shakes the thin roof, and echoes round the 
Anon a figure enters, quaintly neat, [walls: 
Ail pride and bus'nefs, buftleand conceit; 
With looks unalter'd by thefe fcenes of woe, 
With fpeed that, entering, fpeaks his hafte to go; 

A higher reward is generallv offered for the head of a fugUive negro than for bringing him alive. 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, 8cc. 



B 



He bids the gazing throng around him fly, 
And carries thte .aid phytic in his eye; 
A potent quack, long vers'd in human ills, 
Wlio firll iiiiults the vi6\im whom he kills; 
Whole murd'i'ous hand a drovv'fy bench proteil, 
And whole molt tender mercy, is neglc6t. 

Paid by the pariili for attendance here, 
He wears contempt upon his Ikpient Iheerj 
In halte he ieek« the bed where milery lies, 
Jmp.itience mark'd in his averted eyesj 
And, fbme habitual queries hurried o'er, 
Without reply, he rulhes on the door; 
His drooping patient, long inurM to pain, 
And long unheeded, knows remonftrance vain ; 
He ceafes now the feeble help to crave 
Of man, and mutely haftens to the grave. 

§ 128. Defcription of a Country Clergyman 'vi/uing 
the Sick. Crab BE. 
UT, ere his death, fome pious doubts arife, 
Some fimple fears which " bold bad" men 
del'pife; 

Fain would he afic the parilh prieft to prove 
His title certain to the joys above; 
Forthishe fendsthe murmuringnurfe, who calls 
The holy ftranger to theie dilmal walls : 
And doth not he, the pious man, appear. 
He, " palfmg rich with foity pounds a year?" 
Ah no! a fhepherd of a different (lock, 
And far unlike him, feeds this little fiock; 
A jovial youth, who thinks his Sunday's talk 
As much as God or man can fairly afk; 
The reil he gives to loves, and labours light, 
To fields the morning, and to feafrs the night; 
None better IkilTd the noify pack to guide, 
To urge their chace, to cheer them, or to chide ; 
Sure in his fliot, his game he feldom mifs'd. 
And feldom fail d to win his game at whift; 
Then,while such honoursbloomaround his head, 
Shall he fit fadly by the fick man's bed, 
T'o raife the hope he feels not, or with zeal 
To combat fears that ev'n the pious feel ? 



§ 129. T^he Reafon for defcribing the Vices of 

the Pillage . Crabbe. 
'VT'et why, you aflc, thefe humble crimes relate, 
^ Why niake the poor as guilty as the great ? 
Tofliew the great, thofe mightier fons of pride, 
How near in vice the loweit are allied : 
Such are their natures, and their pafliions fuch, 
But thele difguife too little, thofe too much: 
So fliall the man of pow'r and pleafure fee 
In his own (lave as vile a wretch as he ; 
In his luxuriant lord the fervant find 
His own low pleafures and degenerate mind : 
And each in all the kindred vices trace 
Of a poor, blind, bewilder'd, erring race; 
Who, a fliort time in varied fortune paft. 
Die, and are equal in the dull at lafl. 
And you, ye poor, who Hill lament your fate, 
Forbear to envy thofe you reckon great; 
And know, amid thofe blefiings they pofTefs, 
They are, like you, the victims of diftrefs ; 



While Sloth with many a pang torments herdave, 
Fearwaits on guilt,andDanger {hakes thebrave. 

§130. Aplogy for Vugr ants. Anon. 
IpoR him, who, lo!t to ev'ry hope of life, 
^ Has long with fortuiie held uneqUcd llrife. 
Known to no human love, no hunuin care. 
The friendlefs, homelefs'objedl: of defpair; 
For the poor vagrant feel, while he cornpl^in?. 
Nor from fad frt-edom fend to fadder chain?. 
Alike, if folly or misfortune brought 
Thofe laft of woes his evil Ci?<yB have wrought j 
Relieve with focial mercy, and, with me. 
Folly's misfortune in the firll degree. 

Perhaps on fome inhofpitable fhore 
The houfelefs wretch a widow'd parent bore; 
Who, then no more by golden profpe6ls led, 
Of the poor Indian begg'd a leafy bed. 
Cold, on Canadian hills, or Minden's plain, 
Perhaps that parent mourn'd her foldier (lain ; 
Bent o'er her babe, her eye diiiblv'd in dew. 
The big drops mingling with the railkhedrew. 
Gave the bA prefage of his future years. 
The child of mifery, baptiz'd in tears! 



§131. Epijile to a young Gentkma?7, on his ka^v- 

ing Eton School. ^ Dr. Roberts. 
C INCH now a nobler fcene awakes thy care, 
'^Sincemanhooddawning,tofairGranta'stow'r5, 
Where once in life's gay fpringllov'd toroam. 
Invites thy willing ileps; accept, dear youth. 
This parting ftrain ; accept the fervent pray 'r 
Of him who loves thee with a paffion pure 
As ever friendlhip dropp'd in human heart; 
rheprayer,Thathewho guides the hand of youth 
Thro' all the puzzled and perplexed round 
Of life's meand'ring path, upon thy head 
May ihower down every bleiTuig, tvtxy joy 
Which health, which virtue, and which fame 
can give! 

Yet think not I will deign to flatter thee : 
Shall he, the guardian of thy faith and truth. 
The guide, the pilot of thy tender years, 
Teach thy young heart to feel a fpurious glow 
At undeierved praife? Perifh the (lave 
Whofe venal breath in youth's unpracfis'd ear 
Pours poifon'd flattery, and corrupts the foul 
With vain conceit; whole bafe ungenerous art 
Fawns on the vice,wnich fome with honefthand 
Have torn for ever from the bleeding breaft! 

Say, gentle youth, remember'ft thou the day 
When o'er thy tender flioulders firll I hung 
The golden lyre, and taught thy trembling hand 
To touch th' accordant firings ? From that bleft 
I've leen thee panting up the hill of fame ; [hour 
Thy little heart beat high with honell praife. 
Thy cheek was flufh'd, and oft thy fparklingeye 
Shot flames of young ambition. Never quench 
That generous ardour in thy virtuous b.^ealt. 
Sweet is the concord of harmonious founds, 
When the fbft lute or pealing organ flirikes 
The well-attemper'd ear; fweet is the breath 
Of honelt love, when nymph and gentle fv/ain 

Waft 



SH 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Be OK II, 



Waft iighs alternate to each other's heart: 
But net the concord of harmonious founds, 
When the fort lute or pealing organ ftrikes 
The well-attemperM ear; nor the fweet breath 
Of honed: love, when nymph and gentle fwain 
Waft lighs :v.ternate to each other's heart. 
So charm with ravifhment the raptured fenfe, 
As does the voice of welldeferv'd report 
Strike with fweet melody the cinlcioiis icul. 

On ev'ry object thro' the giddy world 
Which faPnion to the dazzled eye prefents, 
Frefh is the glofs of newnefs; look, dear youth, 
O look, but not admire : O let not thefe 
Rafe from thy nobie heart the fair records 
V/hich youth and education p'iaiited there: 
Let not aifeftion's full, impetuous tide, 
Which riots in thy generous breaft, be checked 
By felfifa cares; nor let the idle jeers 
Of laughing fools make thee forget thyfelf. 
When didft thou hear a tender tale of woe. 
And feel thy heart at reft ? Have I not feen 
In thy fvvoln eye the tear of fympathy, 
The milkof humsn kin. Inefs ?_ When didil thou. 
With envy rankling, hear a rival praised ? 
When didft thou flight the wretched? when def- 



A lucid mirror, in which Nature fees 
All her refitted features. Bacon there 
Gives more than ftrnale beauty to a (lone. 
And Chatham's eloquence to marble lips. 
Nor does the chifel occupy aipne 
The pow'rs oi fcuipture, but the ftyleasmuchf 
Each province of her art her equal care. 
With nice incifion of her guided fteei 
Sne ploughs a brazen field, and clothes a foil 
So fterile with what charms foe'er fhe will. 
The richefl fcenery, ai'd the lovelieft forms. 
Where nnas Philofophy her eagle eye, 
W^ith which fhe gazes at yon burning difk 
Undazzled, and detects ana counts his fpots? 
In London. Where her implements exaft. 
With which flie calculates, computes, and fcans 
All diftance, motion, magnitude; and now 
Meafures an atom, and now girds a world? 
In London, Where has commerce fucb a mart. 
So rich, fo throng'd, fo drain'd, and lo fiippiied 
{As London, opulent, enlarg'd, and Itill 
llncreafing London? Babylon of old 
Not more the glor\' of the earth, than (he 
A more accomplifli'd world's chief glory now. 
She has her praife. Nov/ mark a fpot or t-.vo 



The rnodeft humble fuit of poverty ? [pile jThat fo much beauty would do weil to purge ; 



Thele virtues ftill be thine; nor ever learn 
To look v/ith cold eye on the charities 
Of brother, or of parents ; think on thofe 



Andfliew this queen of citie?, that fo fair, 
May yet be foiil, lo witty, yet not wife. 
It is not feemly, nor cl.good report, 



Whofeanxio'jscarethro'childhood sfiipperypath IThat Ihe is fiack in dilcipline: more prompt 



Suflain'd thy feeble fteps ; whofe every wifh 
Is wafted ftill to thee ; remember thole, 
Even in thy heart, while memory holds her feat. 
And oft as to thy mind thou (halt recal 
The fweet companions of thy earliefl years, 
Mates of thy fport, and rivals in the ftrife 
pf eveiy generous art, lemember me. 



^132. Great Cities, anJ Lo}:dbn in particular^ 
allo».ved tbeir due Praife. Cow per. 

B 



T' avenge than to prevent the breach of law. 

That Ihe is rigiil in denouncing death 

On petty robbers, and indulges life 

And liberty, and oft-times ho'iour too. 

To peculators of the public gold. 

That thieves at home m u ft hang ; but he that putJ 

Into hif overgorg'd and bloated purse 

The wealth of Indian provinces, efcapes. 

Nor is it v-ell, nor can it come to gb> d. 



That- through profane and infidel contempt 
Of holy writ, ftie has prefum'd t' annul 
, And abrogate, as roundly as fhe m.ay, 
UT tho'true worth and virtue m the mild. |x|.e .otsl ordinance and Avill of God; 
And genial foil of cultivated life | Advancing fafliion to the poft of truth. 

Thrive moft, and may perhaps thrive only there, i^nd centring ail authority in modes 



Yet not in cities oft; in proud, and gay. 
And gain-devoted cities. Thither how, 
As to^a comm,on and moft noifome fewer. 
The dregs and feculence of ev'ry land. 
In cities, foul example On moft minds 
Begets its hkenefs. Rank abundance breeds 
In grofs and pamper'd cities floth and luft. 
And wantonness, and gluttonous excefs. 
In cities, vice is hidden with moft eafe. 
Or feen with leaft reproach; and virtue, taught 
By frequent lap;e, can hope no triumiph there 
Beyond th' achievement of fuccefsfui flight. 
I do confess them nurs'ries of the arts. 



And cuftoms of her own, till Sabbath rites 

Have dwindled into unrelpecled forms, 

And knees and haflbcks are well-nigh divorc'd. 

God madethe country, and man made the town. 
What wonder then that health and virtue, gifts 
Tkat can ah ne make Iweet the bitter draught 
That life holds out to all, Ihould moft abound. 
And leaft be threatened, inthe field sand groves? 
Fofiefs ye therefore, ye who, borne about 
In chariots and fedans, know no fatigue 
But that of idlenefs, and tafte no fcenes 
But fuch as art contrives, poftefs ye ftill 



In which they fiourifli moft ; v/here, in the beams j Your element ; there only ye can fliine. 



Of warm encouragement, and in th' eye 
Of public note, they reach their perfed fize. 



There only minds like yours can do no harm. 
Our groves were planted to coniole at noon 



Such London is, by taite and wealth proclaim'd {The penfive wand'rer in their fliades. At eve 
The faireft capital of all the world, The moon-beam, Aiding foftly in between 

By riot and incontinence the worft. [comes The flecping leaves, is all the fight they ^\i{h ; 
There, touch'd by Keynolds, a dull blank be- j Biids warbling, all the mufic. We can fpare 

The 



Book ll. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, Sec. 



52ir 



The fplendoiir of your lamps-, they bvit eclipfc 
Our Ibfter fatellite. Your longs confound 
Ourmore hannonions notes. The thrufii departs 
Scar'd, and th' Ciicnded nightingale is mute. 
There is a public mlichiefin'your mirth; 
It plagues your c»untry. Folly fuch as yours, 
Grac'd with a Iv.ord, and worthier of a fan, 
Has madCjV.'hich enemies could ne'er have done. 
Our arch of empire, fteadfait but for you, 
A mutilated ftru61ure, foon to fall. 



§133. The Warit cf DifcipUne m the EngUJh 
Uni'veyjities. Cow per. 

Tn colleges and halls, in ancient days, 
* When learning, virtue, piety, and truth 
Were precious, and inculcated with care, 
There dwelt afagejCaiTd Diicipline. His head, 
Not yet by time completely filver'd o'er, 
Befpoke him pait the bounds cf freakifii youth, 
But ilrong for fervice ftilj, and unimpair'd. 
His eye was meek and' gentle, and a fmiie 
Play'd on his lips, and in his fpeech was heard 
Paternal iVeetnels, dignity, and' love. 
The occupation deareft to his heart 
Was to encourage goodnefs. He would ftroke 
The head of modeft and ingenuous worth 
Thatblufh'datitsownpraiiejandprefsthcyonth 
Clofe to his fide that pleas'd bun. Learning grew, 
Beneath his care, a thriving vigorous plant 5 
The mind was well inform'd, tSse paliions held 
Subordinate, and diligence was choice. 
If e'er it chanc'd, as fcmetimes chance it mull, 
That one, among fo many, overleap'd 
The limits of controul, his gentle eye 
Grew ftern, anddarted a fevere rebuke; 
His frown was full of terror, and his voice 
Shook the delinquent with fuch fits of awe 
As left him not, till penitence had won 
Loft: favour back again, and clos'd the breach. 
But Difcipline, a faithful fervant long, 
Declined at length into the vale of years: 
A palfy ftruck his arm; his fparkling eye 
Was quench'd in rheums of age; lus voice 

unftrung. 
Grew tremulous, arid mov'd derifion more 
Than rev'rence in perverle rebellious youth. 
So colleges and halls neglefted much 
Their good old friend; and Difcipline at length, 
O'erlook'd and unemploy'd, fell fick, and di^d. 
Then Study laaguifh'd, Emulation flept, 
And Virtue fled. The fchools became afcene 
Of lolemn fcirce, where Ignorance in fl;ilts, 
His cap well lin'd with logic not his own, 
With parrot tongue perform'd the fcholar's part. 
Proceeding foon a graduated Dunce. 
Then Compromife had place, and Scrutiny 
Became ftone blind, Precedence went in truck, 
And he was competent whofe purfe was fo. 
A diilblution of all bonds enfued: 
The curbs invented for the mulifh mouth 
Of headftrong youth were broken ; bars and bolts 
Grewrufty by difufe; and mafly gates 
Forgot their c/fiice,- op'oing with a touch j 



Tillg.'.vnsatlengtharefound mere mafquerade; 
The tallei'd cap and the fpruce band a jell, 
A mock'ry of the world. What wttd of thefe 
For gamefter's, jcckies, brothellers impure, 
Spendthrifts, and booted fportfmen,cft'ner feea 
With belted waill, ar.d painters at their heels. 
Than in the bounds o('duty? What v.-as learn'd^ 
If aught was learn'd in childhood, is forgotj 
And liich expenceas pinches parents blue, 
And mortifies the liberal hand of love, 
li fquander'd in pnrfuit of idle fports 
And vicious pleafures ; buys the boy a name 
Fhit fits a ftigraa on his ffither's houfe, 
And cleaves through life infeparably clole 
To him that wears it. What can after-games 
Of riper joys, snd commerce with the world, 
The lewd vain world that muft receive him foon. 
Add to fuch erudition thus acquired. 
Where fcience and where virtue are profefs'd? 
They may confirm his habits, j-ivet faft 
His folly; but to fpcil him is a tafk 
That bids defiance to th' united pow'rs • 
Of fafiiion, dijTipation, taverns, IlCws. 
Now, blame we mofc the nurflings or the nurfe ? 
The children, crook'd,and Lwilted,anddeform'd 
Through want of care, or her, vvhcfe winking eye 
And fiumb'ring ofcitancy m.ars the brood? 
The nurfe, no doubt. Regardlefs of her charge. 
She needs herfelfcorreftion; needs to learn, 
That it is dangerous fporting with the world,, 
With things fo facred as a nation's truft. 
The nurture of her youth, her deareil pledge. 



§ 1 34.. Happy the Freedom of th£ Man ^hom 
Grace makes free — His relijh of the V/orks ef 
■God—Addrefsto the Creator. Cowphr. 
TT E is the fj-eeman v/hcm the truth makesfree, 
■*■ ■'■And all are Haves befide. There'snotachaia 
T hat hellifa foes confed'r?.te for his harm 
Can wind around him, but he cafes it off 
With as much eafe as Samfon his green withes, 
rie lOoks abroad into tlie varied field 
Of Nature; and tho' poor, perhaps, compared 
With thofe whofe m.anfions glitter in his ^\^^.t^ 
Calls the delightful fcen'ry all his own., 
His are the mountains, and the valleys his. 
And the refplendent rivers; his t' enjoy 
With a propriety that none can feel, 
But who, with filial confidence infpir'd. 
Can lift to Heaven an unprefumptuous eye. 
And fmiling fay— My Father made them all: 
Are tiiey not hib' by a peculiar right ? 
And by an emphafis of int'reft his, 
Whofe ej^e they fill with tears of holy joy, 
Whofe heart with praife,and whofe exalted mind 
With worthy thoughts of that unwearied love 
Fhat plann'd,and bui}t,and ftill upholds a world. 
So cloath'd with beauty, for rebellious man ? 
Yes — ye may fill your garners; ye that reap 
The loaded foil, and ye may wafle much good. 
In fenftlefs riot; but ye v/ill not find 
In feaft or in the chace, in fong or dance, 
A liberty like his, who, unimpsach'd 

Of 



5zS 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Boos II, 



Of iilurpatlon, and to no man's wrong, 
Appropriates nature as his Father's work, 
And has a richer ufe of yours than you. 
lie is indeed a freeman i free by birth 
Of no mean city, plann'd or ere the hills 
Were bniit, the fountains open'd, or the fea, 
With ail his roaring multitude of waves. 
His freedom is the lame in ev'ry ilate; 
And no condition of this changeful life. 
So manifold in cares, whofe ev'ry day 
Brings its own evil with it, makes it lefs: 
For he has wings that neither ficknefs, pain. 
Nor penury can cripple or confine j 
No nook fo narrow but he fpreads them there 
With eafe, and is at large. Th' oppreiTor holds 
His body bound, but knows not what a range 
Kis fpirit takes, unconfcious of a chain; 
And that to bind him is a vain attempt, 
Whom God delights in, and in whom he dwells. 
Acquaint thyfelf with God,if thou wouldfttalte 
His works. Admitted once to his CTibrace, 
Thou fhalt perceive that thou waft blind before: 
Thine eye lliali be inftrufted; and thine heart, 
Made pure, fnallrelifli with divine delight, 
Tillthenunfelt,what hands divine have wrought. 
Brutes graze the mountain-top with faces prone, 
And eyes intent upon the fcanty herb 
It yields them; or, recumbent on its brow, 
Ruminate, heedlefs of the fcene Outfpread 
Beneath, beyond, and ftretching far away 
From inland regions to the diftant main. 
Man views it and admires, but refts content 
With what he views . Thelandfcapehashispralfe, 
But not its Atithor. Uji concerned who form'd 
The paradife he fees, he finds it fuch ; 
And, fuch well-pleas'd to find it, afks no more. 
Notfothemindthathasbeentouch'dfromHeav'n, 
And in the fchool of facred wifdom taught 
To read his wonders, in whofe thought the world, 
Fair as it is, exifled ere it was : 
Not for its own fake merely, but for his 
Much more who falhionM it, he gives it pralfe ; 
Praife that, from earth refulting, as it ought. 
To earth's acknowledg'dSovereign, finds at once 
Its cnlyjuft proprietor in Him. 
The foul that fees him, or receives fubllmM 
New faculties, or learns atleaft t' employ 
More worthily the pow'rs fhe own'd before, 
Defcerns in all things, what, with ftupid gaze 
Of ignorance, till then fne overlook'd, 
A ray of heavenly light gilding all forms 
Terreftrial, in the vail and the minute. 
The unambiguous footfteps of the God 
Who gives its luftr? to an infect's wing. 
And wheels his throne upon the rolling worlds. 
Much converfant with Heaven, fhe often holds 
With thofe fair niiniiters of light toman. 
That fill the fkies nightly with filent pomp, 
Sweet conference! enquires what ftrainswerethey 
With which heaven rang,when ev'ry liar, in hafte 
To gratulate the new created earth. 
Sent forth a voice, and all the fons of God 
Shouted for joy — "Tell me ye fhining hoUs, 
«* That navigate a fea that knows no Itorms, 



** Beneath a vault unfullled with a cloud, 
'* If from your elevation, whence ye view 
" Diltin6tly fcenes invifible to man, 
" And fyliems, of whofe birth no tidings yet 
'- Have reach'd this nether world, ye fpy a race 
" Favoured as ourSjtranfgrefTors from the womb, 
" And hafting to a grave, yet doom'dto rife, 
" And topoffefs a brighter heaven than yours ? 
*' As one who, long detain'd on foreign fliores, 
'' Pants to retuin, and when he fees afar [rocks 
" His country's weather-bleach'd and batter'd 
" From the green wave eme.ging, darts an eye 
" Radiant with joy towards the happy land; 
" So I with animated hopes behold, 
" Arid many an aching wifh.your beamy fires, 
" That fnew like beacons in the blue aByfs, 
'- Ordain'd to guide th' embodied fpirit home 
" From toilfome life to never-ending reft. 
" Love kindles as I gaze. I feel defires 
'• Tnat give aflurance of their own fuccefs, 
" Andthatinfus'dfromheav'nmuftthither tend.'* 
So reads he nature, whom the lamp of truth" 
Illuminates; thy lamp, myfterious Word! 
Which whofofeesno longer wanders loft, 
With intellefts bemaz'd, in endiefs doubt, 
Bur. /uns the road of wifdom. Thou haft built. 
With m*eans that were not, tid by theeemnloy'd. 
Worlds that had never been,hadftthouinftrcngth 
Been lefs, or lefs benevolent than ftrong. 
They are thy witnefTes, who fpeak thy pow'r 
And goodnefs infinite, but fpeak in ears 
That hear not, or receive not their report. 
In vain thy creatures teftify of thee 
Till thou proclaim thyfelf. Theirs is indeed 
A teaching voice; but 'tis the praifeof thine. 
That whom it teaches it makes prompt to leam^ 
And with the boon gives talents for its ufe. 
Till thou art heard, imaginations vain 
PofTefs the heart, and fables falie as hell. 
Yet deem'd oracular, lure down to death 
The uninform'd and heedlefs fons of men. 
Wegivetochance,blindchance,ourfelvesasblind, 
The glory of thy work, which yet appears 
Perfe6l and unimpeachable of blame. 
Challenging human fcrutiny, and prov'd 
Then fkilful moft when moft feverely judg'd. 
But chancels not,orisnot wherethoureign'ft: 
Thy providence forbids that fickle pow'r 
(If pow'r ftie be that works but to confound) 
To mix her wild vagaries with thy laws. 
Yet thus we dote, refufing, while we can, 
Inftru6tion, and inventing to ourfelves 
Godsfuchasguiltmakes welcome, Godsthatfleep, 
Or difregard our follies, or that fit 
Amus'd fpe6lators of this buftling ftage. 
Thee we rejeft, unable to abide 
Thy purity, till pure as thou art pure, 
Made fuch by thee, we love thee for that caufe 
For which we ftiunn'd and hated thee before. 
Then we are free: then liberty, like day, 
Breaks on the foul, and b5^a flafli from Heaven 
Fires all the faculties with glorious joy. 
A'voice is heard, that mortal ears hear not 
Till thou halttouch'd theraj 'tis the voiceoffong, 

A loud 



Book IT. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, Sic. 



527 



A loud Hofanna fent from all thy works, 
Which he that hears it with a fhout repeats, 
And adds his rapture to the gen'ral praile. 
In that blell moment, Nature, throwing wide 
Ker veil opake, difclofes with a ("mile 
The Author of her beauties, who, retir'd 
Behind his own creation, works unfeen 
By the impure, and hears his pow'r denied. 
Thou art the fource and centre of all minds, 
Their only point of refl:, Eternal Word ! 
From thee departing, they are lofc, raid rove 
At random, without honour, hope, or peace. 
From thee is all that fooths the life of man. 
His high endeavour, and his glad fuccefs, 
His Itrength to futfer, and his will to serve. 
But, O! thou bounteous Giver of all good, 
Thou art of all thy gifts thyfelf the crown ! 
Give what thou canit, without thee we are poor; 
And with thee rich, take what thou wilt away. 

§ 135. 'That Fkibsopky <wki:bjirps at Secondary 

Caupi repro'ved. Co w p £ r . 
TJlAPPy the man who fees a God employ ""d 
^^ In all the good and ill that chequer life i 
Refolving all events, with their effefts 
And manifold refults, into the will 
And arbitration wife of the Supreme. 
Did not his eye rule all things, and intend 
Theleaft of our concerns (fnice from the leaft 
The greateft oft originate); could chance 
Find place in his dominion, or difpofe 
One lawlefs particle to thwart his plan; 
Then God might be furprls'd, and unforefeen 
Contingence might alarm him, and difturb 
The fmooth and equal courfe of his affairs. 
This truth, philofoohy, though eagle-eyed 
In nature's tendencies, oft overlooks ; 
And, having found his initrument, forgets 
Or difregards, or, more prefumptuous Ihll, 
Denies the powV that wields it. God proclaims 
His hot difpleafure again It foolifh men 
That live an atheift lite ; involves the heaven 
In tempefts ; quits his grafp upon the winds, 
And gives them all their fury; bids a plague 
Kindle a fiery bile upon the Ikin, 
And putrefy the breath of blooming health. 
He calls for famine; and the meagre fiend 
Blows mildew from between his ihrivell'd lips. 
And taints the golden ear: he fprings his mines. 
And defolates a nation at a blalh 
Forth Heps the fpruce philofopher, and tells 
Of homogencal and difcordant fprings 
And principles; of caufes, how they work 
By neceffary laws their fare effects. 
Of a6t:ion and re -action. He has found 
The fource of the difeale that Nature feds, 
And bids the world take heart and baniih fear 
Thou fool ! will thy difcovery of the caufe 
Sufpend th' effeci, or heal it } Has not God 
Still wrought by means lince firft he made the 
And did henotof old employ his means [ world .^ 
To drown it? What is his creatit)n lefs 
Than a capacious refervoir of means 



Form'd for his ufe, and ready at his will ? 
Go, drefs thine eves with eye-fulve; alk of him. 
Or aik of whomfoever he has taught, 
And learn, tho"" late, the genuine caufecf all. 



Rural Sounds as ijjell as Sights deligbtfuL 

Co\VF8R.» 

Tor rural fights alone, but rural founds 



Exhilarate the spirit, and re/lore 



N 

The tone of languid Nature. Mighty winds. 
That fweep the Ikirtof fome far- fpreariing wood 
Of ancient growtli, make mullc not unlike 
The dafh of ocean on his winding (hore, 
And lull t\\it fpirit while they fill the mind, 
Jnnumber'd branches waving in the blafi. 
And all their leaves fait fiutt'ring all st once. 
Nor lefs compofure waits upon the roar 
Of dillant floods, or on the fofter voice 
Of neighboring fountain, or of rills that flip 
Through the cleft rcck,and chiaiing as they fall 
Upon loofe pebbles, lofe themfelves at length, 
[ii matted grafs, that with a livelier green 
Betrays the fecret of their filent courfe. 
Nature inanimate employs fweet founds. 
But animated nature fweeter (till. 
To footh and (atisfy the human ear. 
Ten thoufand warblers cheer the day, and one 
The live-iong night: nor theie alone, whofe 
Nice-finger'd art m.uft emulate in vain, [notes 
But cawing rooks, and kites, that fv.imfublirae 
In Hill repeated circle;, fcreaming loud. 
The jaye, the pye, and ev'n the boding owl 
riiat hails the riling moon, have charms for me. 
Sounds inharmonious in themfelves and harih. 
Yet, heard in fcenes where peace for ever reigns, 
.\nd only there, pleafe highly for their fake. 

§ Ijj. The IFearifomcnefs of -^skat is nmmo7ify 

celled a Life of Pleafun. Co w l- e r.. 
T^HE fpleen is feldom felf where Fieri reigns; 
-*• The lowVingeye, the petulance, the frown. 
And fullen fadnefs,' that o'er(hade, diltort 
And mar the face of beauty, when no caufe 
For fuch immeafurable woe appears; 
Thefe Flora br.nifhes, and gives the fair 
Sweet fmdles and bloom, lefs tranfient thr?n her 
It is the conftant revolution, llale [own. 

And taftelefs, of the fame repec^ted joy?. 
That palls and fariate:-, and makes languid life 
A pedlar's pack, that bows the bearer down. 
Health fuffers, and the fpiritsebb; the heart 
Recoils from its own choice — at the full fe:Ut 
Is famii1rd---finds no ranfic in the forg. 
No fmartnefs in the jelt, and wonders why. 
Yet thoufands Itill defire to journey on. 
Though halt, and weary of the path I hey tread. 
The paralytic, who can hold her cards, 
But cannot play them, borrows a friend's hand 
To deal and fiiuffle, to divide and fort 
Her mingled fnits and fequences, and fits, 
Speflatrefs both and fpeftacle, a fid 
And filent cvpher, while her proxy pbv-. 

Othes 



52S 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



Others are drag'gM Into the crowded room 
Between llipporters; and, once feated, lit. 
Through downright inability to rife, 
Till the llout bearers lift the corpfe again, 
Thefe fpeak a loud memento. Yet even tliefe 
Themielves love life, and cling to it j as he 
That overhangs a torrent, to a twig. 
They love it, and yet loath itj fear to die, 
Yet Icorn the purpofes for which they live. 
Then wherefore not renounce them ! No — the 

dread, 
The flavilh dread of folitude, that breeds 
Refleftion and remorie, the fearof (hame. 
And their invet'rate habits — ail forbid. 

Whom call we g'ly ? That honour has been 
The boall oi mere p re tenders to the name, [long 
The innocent are gay — the lark is gay, 
That dries his feathers, faturate with dew, 
Beneath the rofy cloud, while yet the beams 
Of day-fpring overfhoot his humble nell. 
The peafant too, a witnefs of his fong, 
Himfelf a fongfter, is as gay as he. 
But fave me from the gaiety of thofe 
Whofe head-achs nail them to a noon-day bed : 
And fave me too from theirs whole haggard eyes 
Fiafh defperation, and betray their pangs 
For property ftript oif by cruel cha.nce j 
From gaiety that fills the bones with pain, 
The mouth w^ith blafphemy, the heart with woe. 



§ 138, Satirical Reojieiv of cur 'Trips to France. 

COWPER. 

"^ow hoift the fail, and let the llreamers float 
•*-^ Upon the wanton breezes. Strew t]-;e deck 
"With lavender, and fprinkle liquid fwcets. 
That no rude favour maritime invade 
The nofe of nice nobility. Breathe foft 
Ye clarionets, and fofter ilill ye fiutes. 
That winds and waters, luU'd by magic founds, 
May bear us fmoot!fly to the Gallic ihore. 
.True, we have loft an empire — let it pafs. 
True, we may thank the perfidy of France, 
That pick'd the jewel out of England's crown, 
V/ith all the cunning of an envious fnrew: 
And let that pafs — 'twas but a trick of ftate. 
A brave man knows no malice, but at once 
Forgets, in peace, the injuries of war, 
And gives his diili'eft foe a friend's embrace. 
And, Iham'd as we have been, to the very beard 
Brav'd and defied, and in our own fea prov'd 
Too weak for thofe decifive blows that once 
In^Ji•'d us maft'ry there, we yet retain 
Some fmall pre-eminence: we juftly boaft 
At ieaft fuperior jockeyfhip, and claim 
The honours of the turf as all our ovim. 
Go then, well worthy of the praife ye feek, 
And fhew the fliame ye might conceal, at home,' 
In foreign eyes ! — be grooms, and win the plate. 
Where once your nobler fathers won a crown ! 

§ 139. The Pulpit the Engine of Reformation. 

CowPER. 
HPhe Pulpit therefore (and I name it, fill'd 
'*• With lolemn awe, that bids me well beware 



With what intent I touch the holy thing) — 
The Pulpit (when the i'at'riilhas at laft. 
Strutting and vap'ring in an empty fchool, 
Spent all his force and made no proieiyte) — 
I iky the Pulpit (in the fober ufe 
Of its legitimate peculiar pow'rs) [ftand 

Mult Hand acknowledg'd,'whiie the world (hall 
Ti)e moft important and eifediual guard, 
Support and cmaraent of virtue's caufe. 
There ftan ds the melTenger of truth ; there flands 
The legate of the Ikies? his theme divine. 
His oihce facred, his credentials clear. 
Ey him the violated law fpeaks out 
Its thunders; and by him, in ftrains as fwcet 
As angels ufe, the Gofpel whifpers peace. 
He i'tabiiihes the fcrong, reftores the weak, 
Pveclaims the wand' rer, binds the broken heart. 
And, arm'd himfelf in panoply complete. 
Of heavenly temper, furnifhes with arms 
Bright as his own; and trains, by ev'ry rule 
Of holy difcipline, to glorious war. 
The lacramentai boll o^f C od's elecl. 

§140. The?etit-Maiire Clcr^man, Cov/per. 
T VENERATE the man whofe heart is warm, 

Whofe hands are pure, whofe doftrine and 
Coincident, exhibit lucid proof [whofe life 
That he is honeft in the facred caufe. 
To fuch r render more than mere refpefl-, 
Whofe actions fay that they refpecf themfelves. 
But, loofe in morals, and in manners vain. 
In converfation frivolous, in drefs 
Extreme, at op.ce rapacious and profufe j 
Frequent in park, with lady at his fide, 
Ambling and prattling fcandal as he goes ; 
But rare at home, and never at his books. 
Or v/ith his pen, fave wlien he fcrav/Is a cardj 
Cor^ilant at routs, familiar with a round 
Of ladylhip's, a llranger to the poor ; 
Ambitious of preferment, for its gold. 
And well prepared by ignorance and floth, 
By infidelity and- love o' th' u-orld 
To make God's work a fin&care : a flave 
To hia own pleaiures, and his patron's pride— 
From fuch apoftles, O ye mitred head.5, 
Preierve the church ! and lay not cardefs hands 
On icuils that cannot teach, ai;d will not learn. 



§ 14^. 



Armim and Elvira, a Legendary 'Tale. 

CaPvTW RIGHT. 
PART I. 

A HERMIT on the banks of Trent, 
" ^ Far from the world's bewildering maze. 
To humbler fcenes of calm content 

Had ned, from brighter, bufier days. 
If haply Irom his guarded breaft 

Should fteal the unfufpe«5i:ed figh j 
And Mem^ory, an unbidden gueft, 

With former paffions fill'd his eye: 
Then pious hope and duty prais'd 

The wifdom of th' unerring fway; 
And while his eye to heaven he rais'd, 

lis filent waters funk away. 

4 Li^' 



Book II, 



DIDACTIC, 



Life's gayer enfigns once he bore— 
Ah ! what avails the mournful tale ? 

Suffice it, when the fcene was o'er, 
He fled to the fequefler'd vale. 

** What tho' the joys I lovVl To well, 

" The charms," he cry'd, " that youth has 
" known, 

** Fly from the hermit's lonely cell ! 
*' Yet is not Armine ftill my own ? 

" Yes, Armine, yes, thou valued youth ! 

" 'X'idll every grief thou ftill art mine! 
<* Dear pledge of Winifreda's truth, 

** And folace of my life's decline. 

*' Tho' from the world and worldly care 
" My wearied mind I mean to free, 

" Yet ev'ry hour that heaven can fpare, 
" My Armine, I devote to thee. 

** And fure that heaven my hopes fliall blefs, 
" And make thee fam'd for virtues fair, 

"And happy too, if happinefs 
" Depend upon a parent's pray'rs 

** Laft hope of life's departing day, 
*' In whom its future fcenes I fee ! 

*' No truant thought fliall ever Itray 
" From this lone hermitage and thee.'* 

Thus, to his humble fate refign'd, 

His breaft each anxious care foregoes j 
All but the care of Armine's mind, 

The deareft taflc a parent knows 1 
And well were all his cares repaid; 

In Armine's bread each virtue grew. 
In full maturity difplay'd 

To fond Affeftion's anxious view. 
Nor yet neglefted were the charms 

To poliih'd life that grace impart: 
Virtue, he knew, but feebly warms 

Till fcience humanize the heart. 

And, when he faw the lawlefs train 
Of pafiions in the youthful breaft. 

He curb'd them not with rigid rein. 
But ftrove to footh them into reft. 

*' Think not, my fon, in this," he cry'd, 

" A father's precept (hall difpleafe ; 
« No — be each pafTion o-ratify'd 

'• That tends to happinefs or eafe. 
*' Nor fliall th' ungrateful taHc be mine 

" Their native gen'rous warmth to blame, 
*' That warmth if reafon's fufFrage join 

" To point the objedl and the aim. 

*' This fuftVage wanting, know, fond boy, 

" That every paifion proves a foe: 
** Tho' much it deal in promis'd joy, 

" It pays, alas ! in certain woe. 
** Complete Ambition's wildeft fchemej 

*' In Power's molt brilliant robes appearj 
** Indulge in Fortune's golden dreara 5 

" Then afk thy breaft if Peace be there. 

<* No: it fliall tell thee. Peace retires 
*' If once of her lov'd friends depriv'd j 



DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 

' Contentment calm, fabdu'd defires. 



529 



" And happinefs that's felf-deriv'd.' 
To temper thus the ftronger fires 

Of youth he ftrove; for well he knew, 
Boundlcfs as thought tho' man's defires. 

The r.al wants of life were few. 

And oft revolving in his breaft 

Th' inlati.^te luft of wealth or fame. 

He, with no common careoppreft. 
To fortune thus would oft exclaim: 

'* O Fortune! at thy crowded ftirine 

" What wretched worlds of fuppliants bowl 

" For ever hail'd thy power divine, 
*' For ever breath'd the ferious vow. 

"With tottering pace and feeble knee, 
" See age advance in ihamelels hafte, 

" The pally 'd hand is ftretch'd to thee 
" For v^ealth he wants the power to taftci 

" See, led by Hope, the youthful train, 
" Her fairy dreams their hearts have woUj 

" She points to what they ne'er Ihall gain, 
" Or dearly gain — to be undone, 

*' Muft I too form the votive prayer, 

"And wilt thou hear one fuppliant morei 

" His prayer, O Fortune ! deign to hear, 
" To thee who never pray'd before. 

" O may one dear, one favour'd youth, 
" May Armine ftill thy power difclaim.j 

" Kneel only at the fhrine of truth, 

" Count freedom wealth, and virtue fame 1'* 

Lo ! to his utmoft wifties bleft, 

The prayer was heard J and freedonfs flame. 
And truth the funfhine of the breaft, 

Were Armine's wealth, were Armine's fame> 

His heart no felfiih cares confin'd, 

•He felt for all that feel diftrefs j 
And, frill benevolent and kind, 

He biefs'd them, or he wifti'd to blefs. 

For what tho' Fortune's frown deny 
With v/ealth to bid the fuiferer live. 

Yet Pity's hand can oft fupply 
A bahn Ihe never knew t» give: 

Can oft with lenient drops aifuage 
The wounds no ruder hand can heal. 

When grief, defpair, diftra<5lion, rage, 
V/hile Death the lips of love ftiaii feal; 

Ah then, his angulfh to remove, 
Depriv'd of all bis heart holds dear, 

Hoiv fweet the ftill furviving love 
Of Frienduiip's frnile, of Pity's tear! 

This knew the fire: he oft would cry, 
" From thefe, my fon, O ne'er depart! 

" 7 hefe tender charities that tie 

" In mutual league the human heart. 

'■' 3- thine those feelings of the mind, 

'* That wake at Honour's, Friendlhip's call: 

•' Benevolence, that unconfzn'd 
" Extends her liberal haad to all. 
M la " Byv 



?:3® 

" By Symp^thy''s untntorM voice 
*' Be taus;ht her fecial laws to keep j 

" Rejoice it human heart rejoice. 

" And weep it" human eye fliall weep. 

" The heart that bleeds for others' woes 
"Shall feel each felftfh forrow le's ; 

" His breafl, who happinefs heilov/s, 
" Refie6led happinefs Ihali bless. 

" Each ruder pafTion ftill withllood 
'• That breaks o'er virtue's fober line, 

«' The tender, nobie, and the good, 
" To cheriili and indulge be thine, 

" And yet, my Arraine, might I name 

" One paiTion as a dangerous gueft, 
*' Well may ft thou wonder when I blame 

'' The tenderelt, nobleft, and the beft. 
" Nature, 'tis true, witli love defign'd 

" To f'liooth the race our fathers ran j 
** The ilivage of the human kind 

•' By love was foften'd into man. 

f* As feels the ore the fearching fire, 

" Expanding and refining too, 
^ So fairer glow'd each fair defire, 

'* Each gentle thought fo gentler grew. 
*' How chang'd, alas ! thofe happy days ! 

" A train hew difl'erent now fucceeds 1 
« While fordid Avarice betrays, 

*: Or empty Vanity mifleads. 

" Fled from the heart each nobler gueft, 
" Each genuine feeling we forego ; 

*' What nature planted in the breall 

*« The flowers of love, are weeds of v.'oe. 

*^ Hence all the pangs the heart muft feel 

<•' Between contending paflions tofr, 
*' Wild Jealoufy's avenging Iteel, 

" And life, and fame, and virtue lofl ! « 
" Yet falling life, yet fading fame, • 

*' Compared to what his heart annoy 
" Who cherilhes a hopelefs flame, 

" Are terms of happinefs and joy. 
« Ah, then, the foft contagion fly ! 

" And timely fflun th' alluring bait!" 
The rifing blufh, the downcall eye, 

Protlaim'd — the precept was too late. 



PART II. 

DEEP in thebofom of a wood. 

Where art had form'd the moated ifle. 

An antique caflile tow'ring fiiood. 
In Gothic grandeur role the pile. 

Here P^aymond, long in arms renown'd. 
From fcenes of war would oft repair; 

His bed an only daughter crown 'd, 
And finii'd away a father's care. 

By Nature's happielt pencil drawn. 
She wore the vernal morning's ray; 

The vernal morning's blufhing dawn. 
Break* not fo beauteous into d.ay. 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book !!• 



Her brcaft, impatient of controul, 

Scorn'ci in its filken chains to lie. 
And the foft language of the foul 

FJow'd from her never-filent eye. 
The bloom that open'd on her face 

Well feem'd the emblemof her mind. 
Where fnowy innocence we trace 

With blufliing modefl:y combin'd. 
To the fe refifllefs grace impart 

That look of fweetnefs fonn'd to pleafc. 
That elegance devoid of art, 

That dignity that's loft in eafe. 
What youth fo cold could view unmov'd 

The maid that ev'ry beauty fhar'd? 
Her Armine faw; he faw, he lov'd ; 

He lov'd — alas ! and he defpair'd ! 
Unhappy youth ! he funk oppreftj 

For much he labour'd to conceal 
That gentleft paiTion of the breaft, 

Which all can feign, but few can feel. 

Ingenuous fears fupprefs'd the flame. 

Yet ftill he own'd its hidden power; 
With tranfport dwelling on her name, 

He footh'd the folitary hour. 
" How long," Jie cry'd, "muft I conceal 

*' What yet my heart could v^ifti were known? 
" How long the trueft paflion feel, 

" And yet that paflion fear to own > 
" Ah, m.ight I breathe my humble vow! 

*' Might flie too deign to lend an ear! 
■' Elvira's felf fnonld then allow 

" That Armine was at leaft fincere. 
'■- Wild wifli ! to deem the matchlefs maid 

" Would liften to a youth like me, 
" Or that ray vows could e'er perfuade, 

**' Sincere and conftant tho' they be ! 

" Ah ! what avail my love or truth ? 

'•' She iiftens to no lowly fwain; 
'- Her charms muft blefs fome happier youth, 

*' Some youth of Fortune's titled train, 
" Then go, fallacious Hope ! adieu ! 

*' The flattering profpeft I refignj 
"' And bear from my deluded view 

" The blifs that never muil be mine ! 
" Yet will the youth, whoe'er he be, 

" In truth or tendernefs excel ? 
" Or will he on thy channs like me 

" With fondnefs never-dying dwell ? 

" Will he with thine his hopes unite ? 

" With read)'- zeal thy joys improve ? 
*' With fond attention and delight 

" Each wifli prevent, each fear remove? 
'i Will he, ftill faithful to thy charms, 

" For conftant love be long rever'd? 
" Nor quit that heaven within tiiy anns 

" By every tender tie endear'd ? 
•'•' What tho' his boaftful heart be vain 

" Of all that birth or fortune gave, 
"Yet is not mine, tho' rude and plain, 

" At leail as noble and as brave ? 

«f Thei^ 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIV^E, &c. 



■53i 



**Thcn be its gentle fuit preferred ! 

" Its tender fighs Elvira hear ! 
** In vain — I ligh-— but ligh unheard j 

" Unpitied falls this lonely tear 1" 
Twice twelve revolving moons hadpafs'd, 

Since firft he caught the fatal view j 
Unchanged by tinie his Ibn'ows lall, 

Unchear'd by hope his paffion grew. 
That paflion to i»idulge, he fought 

In Raymond's groves thv^ deepeft (liadej 
There fancy's haunting fpirit brought 

The image of hislong-iov'd maid. 
But hark! what more than mortal found 

Steals on Attention's raptur'd ear? 
The voice of harmony around 

Swells in wild whifpers foft and clear. 
Can huntan hand a tone fo fine 

Sweep from the ftringwith touch prophane? 
Can human lip with breath divine 

Pour on the gale fo fweeta llrain ? 
'Tis (he— -the fource of Arraine's woe— 

'Tis (lie-~whence all his joy mult fpring — 
From herlov'd lips the numbers How, 

Her magic hand awakes the ftring. 

Now, Arm.ine, now thy love proclaim. 
Thy inftant fuit the time demands; 

Delay not— -Tumult lliakes his frame, 
And loll in extacy he Hands. 

What magic chains thee to the ground? 

What ftar m.alignant rules the hour. 
That thus in fix'd delirium drown'd 

Each fenfe entranced hath lod its pow'r? 
The trince difpel ! awake ! arife ! 

Speak what untutor'd love infpires ! 
The moment's paft — thy wild furprife 

She fees, nor unalarm'd retires. 

" Stay, fweet illufion! ftay thy flight! 

" 'Tis gone !— Elvira's form it wore- — 
" Yet one more glimpfe of flioit delight ! 

" 'Tis gone, to be beheld no more 1 
** Fly, loitering feet! the charm purfue 

*' That plays upon my hopes and fears! 
" Hah!— no illufion mocks my view ! 

" 'Tis fhe— Elvira's felf appears ! 
••' And ihall I on her (leps intrude ? 

" Alarm iierin tbefe lonely fiiades? 
" O ilay, fair nymph 1 no ruffian rude 

" With bafe intent your walk invades, 
** Far gentler thoughts"— his fauJtering tongue. 

By humble diffidence reftrain'd, 
Paus'd in fufpence— -but thus ere long. 

As love impeird, its power regain'd: 
" Far gentler thoughts that form infpires j 

" With me far gentler pailions dwell; 
" This heart hides only blamelefs fires, 

" Yet burns v/ith what it fears to tell. 
** The faultering voice that fears controul, 

" Blufhes that inwsrd fires declare, 
*•■ Each tender tumult cf the foul 

*' In filence owns Elvira there. '"• 



He faid ; and as the trembling dove 

Sent forth t' explore the watry plain. 
Soon fear'd her flight might fatal prove. 

And fudden fought her ark again, 
His heart recoil'd; as one that rued 

What he too hallily confels'd. 
And all the rifing foul fiibdued 

Sought refuge in his inmoit breaft. 
The tender llrife Elvira faw 

Diilrefl; an<i as fomc parent mild, 
When arm'd with words and looks of awe. 

Melts o'er the terrors of her child. 
Reproof prepar'd and angry fear 

In foft fenlations died away; 
They felt the force of Arirrine's tear, 

And fled from pity's rifing fway. 
" That mournful voice, that modeft air, 

*' Young ilranger, fpeak the courteous brea^ 
'•' Then why to thefe rude icenes repair, 

" Of fliades the folitaiy gueit ? 
" And who is ihe whofe fortunes bear 

" Elvira's melancholy name? 
" O may thole foitujies prove m.orefair 

*' Than hers who fadly owns the lame !*' 
" Ah gentle maid, in mine furvey 

*' A heart," he cries, «• that's yours alonej 
"Long has it own'd Elvira's fway, 

" Tho' long unnotic'd and unknown. 
" On Sherwood's old heroic plain 

" Elvira grac'd the feital day; 
"There, foremofl: of the youthful train, 

" Her Armine bore the prize av/iy. 
" There firft that form my eyes furvey 'd, 

" With future hopes that fill'd my "heart j 
'* But ah ! beneath that frown they fade — 

" Depart, vain, vanquiih'd hopes ! depart 1'* 
He find; and on the ground his eyes 

Were fix'd abaiii'd: th' attentive maid. 
Loft in the tumult of furprife. 

The well-remember'd youth furvey 'd, 
The tranfient colour v.e.>t and C3.\ae'. 

The Slfuggling boiom funk and rofej 
The trembling tumults of her frame 

The ftrong conflifting foul diiclofe. 
The time, the fcene fiie faw with dread. 

Like Cynthia fetting glaiic'd away ; 
But fcatter'd blulhes as fhe fled, 

Bluflies that fpoke a brighter day. 
A friendly fliepherd's neighbouring fhed 

To pafs the live-long night he foug-ht: 
And hope, the lover's downy bed 

A fweeter charm than llumber brought. 
On every thought Elv-ra dwelt, 

The tender air, the alpetSi: kind. 
The pity that he found Ihe felt, 

And all the angel in her miiid. 
No felf-pluni'd vanity was there. 

With fancy'd conlequence elate; 
Unknown to her the haughty air 

That means to fpeak luperior ftate, 

M m 2 Her 



15* 

Her brow no Herarefentments arm, 
No TweH of empty pvide ftie knew. 

In trivial minds that takes th' alarm, 
Should humble Love alpire to fue. 

Such Love, by flattering charms betray 'd. 

Shall yet, indignant, foon rebel, 
And, blufliing for the choice he made, 

Shall fly where gentler virtues dwell. 
Tis then the mind, from bondage free. 

And all its former weaknefs o'er. 
Afl'erts its native dignity, 

And fcorns what folly priz'd before. 
The fcanty pane the rifmg ray 

On the plain wall in diamonds threw j. 
The lover hailM the welcome day, 

And to his favourite fcene he flew. 

There foon Elvira bent her way, 

Where long her lonely walks had been j 

Nor lefs had the preceeding day. 
Nor Armine lefs endear'd the fcene* 

. Off as flie pafs'd, her rifing heart 

Its fl:ronger tendernefs eonfefs'dy 
And oft flie linger'd to impart 

To Ibme foft Ihade her fecret breaft.. 
*' How flow the heavy hours advance. "^ 

&he cry'd, " fmce that eventful day, 
<* When rirft I caught the fatal glance 

** That ftole me from my felf away ! 
" Ah, youth belov'd! tho"" low thy birth, 

" The noble air, the manly grace, 
** Th-^t look that fpeaks fuperior worth, 

" Can fafli ion, folly, fearerafe? 

** Yet fure from no ignoble fl:em 

"Thy lineage fprings, tho' now unknown t 
<' The world cenforious may condemn, 

" B-ut, Armine, I am thine alone. 
" To fplendour only do we live ? 

" Muit pomp alone our thoughts employ ? 
** All, all that pomp and fplendour give 

" Is dearly bought with love and joy ! 
*' But oh!— -the favour'd youth appears — 

*' In penfive grief he feeras to move : 
*' My heart forbodes unnumber'd fears j 

*' Support it Pity, Virtue, Love 1 

"Hither his footfteps feem to bend — 

*< Come, Refolution, to my aid ! 
*« My breaft what vaiying pafiions rend 1 

" Averfe to go — toliay— afraid i" 
*' Dearobjeft of each fond dedrt 

*' That throbs tumultuous in my breafl! 
*' Why with averted glance retire ? 

** At Armine's preience why diflreft? 
*' What tho' he boaft no titled name, 

" No wide extent of rich domain, . 
** Yet muit he feed a hopelefs flame, 

*' Muft truth and nature plead in vain r" 
** Think not," {he faid, "by forms betray'd, 

" To hurr^bler worth my heart is blind j 
" For foon fliall every fplendour fade, 

" Tnut beams not from thy gifted nund. 



KLEGANT EXTRACTS, 



B o o K JL 



" But firfl thy heart explore with care, 

" With faith its fond emotions prove; 
" Lurks no unworthy paflion there ? 

'* Prompts not ambition bold to love? 
" Yes, lovely maid," the youth replies, 

" A bold ambition prompts my breaft, 
" The towering hope that love fupplies, 

i* The wifli in blefling to be blelt. 

" The meaner profpe<51:s I defpife 

*• That wealth, or rank, or power beilowj 
*^ Be yoiu's the grovelling bliis ye prize, 

" Ye fordid minds that {loop fo low I 
" Be mine the more refinM delights 

" Of love that baniflies controul, 
" When the fond heart with heart suites, 

" And fouPs in unifon with foul/' 
Elvira blufli'd the warm reply, 

(To love a language not unknown) 
The milder glories fiil'd her eye, 

And there a fofter lultre flione. 
The yielding fmile that's half fuppreft, 

The {hort quick breath, the trembling tear. 
The fweil tumultuous of the breaft. 

In Armine's favour all appear. 
At each kind glance their fouls unite, 

While love's foft fympathy imparts 
That tender tranfport of delight 

That beats in undivided hearts* 
Refpeclful to his lips he prefs'd 

Her yielded hand; in hafte away 
! Her yielded hand Ihe drev/ diftreft, 
I With looks that witnefs'd wild difmay* 

Ah whence, fair excellence, thofe fears ? 

" What terror unforeseen alarms ?" 

See! where a fathers frown appears" — 

She faid, and funk into his arras. 
j" My da^jighter! heavens! it cannot be— 
• *' And yet it m.uft — O dire difgrace! 
j " Elvira have I liv'd to fee 
j " Clafp'd in a peafant's vile embrace 1 
j" This daring guilt let death repay"— 
I His vengeful arm the javelin threw, 
j With erring aim it wing'd its way, 
j And fa)-, by Fate averted, flew. 

I Elvira breathes — herpulfes beat, 
} Returning life illumes her eye: 
I Trembling a father's view to meet. 

She fpies a reverend hermit nigh. 
j " Your wrath," ftie cries, " let tears afTiiage— 
I '«- Unheeded muft Elvira pray? 
" O let an injur'd father's rage 

" This hermit's facred preience ftay I 

" Yet deem notjloft in guilty love, 

" I plead to fave my virgin fanie ;. 
" My weaknefs Virtue might approve, 

*' And fmile on nature'^s holy flame." 
" O welcome to my hopes again, 

*' Myfon!" theraptur'd hermit cries; 
" I fought thee forrowing on the plain," 

And'alithe father fill'd his eyes, 

« Art 



BodkH. didactic, descriptive, fee, 

** Art thou," the raghig Raymond faid, 

" OF this audacious boy the lire ? 
" Curie on the dart that idly fped, 

" Nor bade his pealant foul expire !" 

** His peadint foul T' — indignant fire 

Flafh'd from the confcious father's eye: 
** A gallant earl is Amiine's fire, 

" And know, proud cliicf, that earl am I. 
** Tho' here, within the hermit's cell, 

" 1 long have liv'd unknown to fame, 
'^ Yet crowded camps and courts can tell— 

" rhoii too hall heard of Egbert's n.ime." 

** Hah ! Egbert ! he, whom tyrant rage 

" Forc'd from his country's bleeding breaftf 
«< The patron of my orphan age,* 

" My friend, my warrior ftands confeft ! 

** But why?''—" The painful ftory fpare : 

** That proftrate youth," faid Egbert, " fee j 
« His anguifii aflcs a parent's care, 

" A parent, once who pitied thee P' 

Raymond, as one who, glancing round, 

See\ns from fome fudden trance to ftart, 
Snatch'd the pale lov«rs from the ground. 

And held them trembling to his heart. 
Joy, Gratitude, and Wonder fiied 

United tears o'er Hymen's reign, 
And nature her heft tiiumph led. 

For Love and Virtue join'd her train. 



§ 14-4. Jfi Italian Song. 
EAR is my little native vale, 



ROGES-S. 



^ The ring- dove builds and warbles there; 

Clofe by mj cot Ihe tells her tale 

To every pafling villager. 

The fquirrel leaps from tree to tree. 

And ftiells his nuts at liberty. 

In orange-groves and myrtle-bowers. 

That breathe a gale of fragrance round, 

I charm the fairy-footed hours 

With my lov'd lute's romantic found j 

Or crowns of living laurel weave, 

For thofe that win the race av eve. 

The ftiepherd's horn at break of day, 

The ballet danc'd in twilight glade, 

The canzonet and roundelay 

Sung in the filent greenwood fiiade j 

Thefe fimple joys, that never fiiil, 

Shall bind me to my native vale. 



& 143. Henry and E?nmai a Poem ujon the Model 
of the Nut-Broivn Maid. Prior. 

TO CHLOE. 

THOU, to whofe eyes I bend ; at whofe com 
mand 
(Tho' low my voice, tho' artlefs be my hand) 
I take the fprightly reed, ai^d fing, and play; 
Carelefs of what the ceniuring world may iay : 



?33 

Bright Chloe, obje6l of my conftant vow, 
Wilt thou a while unbend thy ferious brow ? 
Wilt thou with pleafure hear thy lover's drains. 
And with one heav'nly fmile o'erpay his pains ? 
No longer ftiall the Nut-Bro-wn Maid be old ; 
Tho' fince her youth three hundred years have 
At thy defire, flie fhall again be rais'd; [roU'd. 
And her reviving charms in lallingverlebeprais'd. 

No longer man of woman fhall complain, 
That he may love and not be lov'd again : 
rhat we in vain the fickle fex purfue. 
Who change the conftant lover for the new. 
Whatever has been writ, whatever faid, 
Of female paffion feign'd, or faith decay 'd: 
Henceforth lliall in my verfe refuted ftand. 
Be laid to winds, or writ upon the fimd. 
And, while my notes to future times proclaim 
Unconquer'd love and ever-during flame; 
O fairelt of the fex ! be thou my Mufe: 
Deign on my work thy influence to diffufe: 
Let me partake the blefllngs I rehearfe, 
And grant me love, the juft reward of verfe. 

As beauty's potent queen, with e-v'ry grace. 
That once was Emma's, has adorn'd thy face ; 
And as her fon has to my bofom dealt 
That conftant flame, wliich faithful Henry felt ; 
O let the fliory with thy life agree : '\ 

Let men once more the bright example feej > 
What Emma was to him, be thou to n\e. j 
Nor fend me by thy frown from her I love, 
Diftant and fad, a banilh'd man to rove. 
But oh ! with pity long-entreated crown ~^ 
My pains and hopes; and, when thou fay'ftf 
that one [alone. ^ 

Of all mankind thou lov'ft, oh ! think on me3 

Where beauteous Ifis and her hufband Tame 
With mingled waves for ever flow the fame. 
In times of yore an ancient baron liv'd ; 
Great gifts beftow'd, and great reipe^l receiv'd. 

When di-eadful Edward with luccefsful care 
Led his free Britons to the Gallic war; 
This lord had headed his appointed bands, 
In firm allegiance to the king's commands ; 
And (all due honours faithfully difcharg'd) 
Had brought back his paternal coat, enlarg'd 
With a new mark, the witnefs of his toil. 
And" no inglorious part of foreign fpoil. 

From the loud canip rttir'd and noify court 
In honourable eafe and rural fport, 
The remnant of his day." he faFely pafs'd ; 
Nor found they lagg'd too flow, nor flew too-faft. 
He made his wifn with his efcate comply, 
Joyful to live, yet not afraid to die. 

One child he had, a daiiijhter chafiie and fair, 
(lis age's comfort, and his fortune's heir. 
They call'd her Emma; for the beauteous dame. 
Who gave the virgin birth, had borne the name : 
The name th' indulgent father doubly lov'd; 
For in the child the mother's charms miprov'd. 
Yet as when little round his knees ihe p)-'.yM, 
He call'd her oft, in fport, his Nut-h/-n^v» Maid\ 
rhe friends and tenants took the fondling uord 
(As ftill they pleafe, who imitate their lord) ; 
M m 3 Ulage 



534 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IT. 



Ufage coniin-nM what fancy had begun ; -n 

Themutual terms ;^ronn(ithelands were known ; ; 
And Enin-!a and the Nut-broivn MaUwere one.3 

As v/iih her ilatare, Itiii her charms increas-d; 
Thro' all the ifle her beauty was confefs'd. 
Oh ! whafperreftions vnuix that virgin fhare, 
Who faire.il is eHieem'd, wheie all are fair ! 
From didanr Ihires repair the noble youth, 
And find report, tor once, had lelTcn'd truth. 
By wonc!ar firii:, and then by paflion mov'd, 
They camcj they faw; they marvell'd; and they 
By public praifes, and by I'ecret fighs, [lov'd. 
Each own'd the general power of Emma's eyes. 
In tilts and tournaments the valiant ftrove, 
By glorious deeds to purchafe Emma's love. 
In gentle verfe, the witty told the-r flame, 
Andgrac'dtheirchoiceilfongsvvithErnma'sname. 
In vain they combated, in vain they writ: 
Ufelefs their fb-ength, and impotent their wit. 
Gf-eat Venus only mult direcl the dart. 
Which eWe will never reach the fair one's 

heart, 
Spite of th' attempts of force, and foft efFe6ls 

of art. 

Great Venus muft prefer the hanpy one: -^ 

In Henry's caufe her favour muii be iliown: { 

And Emma, of mankind, mull love but him^ 

alone. J 

While thefe in public to the cafcle came, 
And by their grandeur juliify'd their flame; 
JvJore fecret way$ the careful Henry tikes; 
His fquirts, his arms, and equipage forfakes: 
In borrov/'d name and falfe attire array 'd, 
Oft he liiids means to fee the beauteous maid. 

V/henEmmahunts. in b untfman's habit drefl, 
Henry on foot purfues the boundin^r beafc. 
In his right liand his beechen pole he bears: 
And graceful at his side his horn he wears. 
Still to the g'ade, where (he has bent her v/ay, 
With knowing IkiJl he drives the future prey ; 
Bidslier decline the hill, and (bun the brake; 
And fliows the path her Iteed m.ay lafelt take; 
Directs her Iprar to fix the glorious Vvound; ^ 
Pleas'd, in his toils, to have her triumph f 
crown'd; i 

And blows her praifes with no common found. 3 

A filco'ner Henry is, v.'hen Emma hawks: 
W'ith her of tarfels and of lures he talks. 
Upon his vvrill the tow'ring nierlin ftands, 
Pra6lis'd to rife, and ftoop, at her commands. 
And v/hen fuperior now the bird has flown, 
Au dheadl on gbrou gh t theturr/oli n gq uarrydown ; 
With humble reverence he accoits the fair. 
And with the honour'd feather decks her hair. 
Yet fliil, as from the fportive lieid he goes. 
His <iovvncaft rye reveals iiis inward woes; 
And by his look and forrow is expreff, 
A nobler game purfued than bird' or beaflr. 

A (lienherd now along the ^^lain he roves; 
And, with his jolly pipe, delights the grove^;. 
The nejghb'ring fvvains around the ftranger 
Or to admire or emulate his foiig: [throng, 
While, with fbft forrow, he renews his lays. 
Nor htcdi'A of their envy, nor their praiic. 



"But, foon as Emma's eyes adorn the plain. 
His notes hr raifes to a nobler Itrain j 
With dutiful refpedt, and ftudious fear. 
Left any carelefs found ofiJend her ear. 

A frantic gipfy, now the houfe he haunts, 
•\nd in Vv'ild phrafes fpeaks diflembled wants. 
With the fond maids in palmiftry he deals : 
They tell the fecret firft, which he reveals: 
Says who fliall wed, and who fliall be beguil'd; 
7v''hatgroomfliallget,andfquiremaintainthechild. 
But when bright Em.raa would her fortune know, 
A fofter look unbends his op'ning brow; 
With trembling awe he gazes on her eye. 
And in foft accents forms the kind reply; 
That fhe fnail prove as fortunate as fair, 
AndHym.en'schoiceftgiftsareallreferv'dforheri 

Now oft had Henry chang'd his fly difguife, 
LFnmark'd by all but beauteous Emma's eyes; 
Oft had found means alone to fee the dame, 
And at her feet to breathe his am'rous flame; 
And oft, the pangs of abfence to remove 
By letters, foft interpreters of love : 
Till timie and indufl:ry (the mighty two 
That bring our wifhes nearer to our view) 
Made him perceive, that the inclining fair 
Receiv'd his vows with no reludant ear; 
That Venus had confirm'd her equal reign, 
And dealt toEmma's heart a fliareof Hen ry'spain. 

While Capid fmil'd, by kind occafion bleft, 
And, with the fecret kept, the love increas'd ; 
The amorous youth frequents the filent groves 
And much he meditates, for much he loves. 
He loves : 'tis true ; and is belov'd again ; 
Great are his joj's ; but will they long remain ? 
Emma with fmiles receives his prefent flame j 
But, fmiling, will flie ever be the fame ? 
Beautiful looks are rul'd by fickle minds ; 
And fummer feas are turn'd by fudden winds. 
Another love may gain her eafy youth: 
Timechangesthought;andflatt'r}'^conquerstruth, 

O impotent eftate of hun^an life ! 
V/here hope and fear maintain eternal ftrife ; 
V/here fleeting joy does lalling doubt infpire; 
And mofl: v/e queillon, what we mofl: defire. 
Amongic thy various gifts, great heav'n, beflow 
Our cup of love pnmix'd ; forbear to throw 
Bitter ingredients in; nor pall the draught 
With nauleous grief: for our ill-juGgingtm)Ught 
Hardly enjoys the pleafurable tafl:e; 
Or deem-s it not fincere; or fears it catinot lafl-. 

With wifhes rais'd, with jealoufies oppreic, 
(Alternate tyrants of the human breaft) 
By one great trial he refolves to prove 
T he faith of women, and the force of love« 
If, fcanning Emm.a's virtues, he may find 
That beauteous fiam.e inclofe a fleady mind^ 
He'l! fix his hope, of future joy fecure; 
And live a flave to Hymen's happy pow'r. 
But if the fair one, as he fears, is frail; -v 

If, pois'd aright in realbn's equal fcale, > 

Light fly her merits, and her faults prevail ; 3 
His mind he vows to free from am'rous care,-j 
The latent raifchief from his he;r: to tear,- > 
Refume his azure arm?, and ihine again in uar. 3 
3 Soutk 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIFTIVK, &€. 



535 



South of the caftle, in a verd.int glade, 
A fpreading beech extends her frieiidly fliade: 
Here oft the nymph his breatliingvovvshadheardj 
Here oft her filence had her heart declared. 
As a6live fpring awak'd her infant buds. 
And genial life informed the verdant woods ; 
Henry, in knots involving Emma's name, 
Had half exprefs'd and half ccnceal'd his flame 
Upon the tree: and, as the tender mark 
Grew with the year, and wiucn'd with the bark, 
Venus had heard the virgin's foft addrefs. 
That as the wound, the pafllon might increafe. 
As potent nature ftied her kindly fhow'rs, 
And deck'd the various mead with op'ning 

flowers 5 
Upon this tree the nymph's obliging care 
Had left a frequent wreath for Henry's hairj 
Which as with gay delight the lover fouiid, 
Pleas'd with his conquell, with her prefent 

crown'd, 
Glorious thro' all the plains he oft had gone,-> 
And to each fwain the myftic honour fliown;? 
The gift i\\[\ prals'd, the giver ftill unknown. J 

His fecret note the troubled Henry writes; 
To tiie known tree the lovely maid invites : 
Impertb6t words and dubious terms exprefs. 
That unforefeen mifchance difi^urb'd his peace; 
That he muft fomething to her ear commend, 
On which her condu6l and his life depend. 

Soon as the fair one had the note receiv'd. 
The remnant of the day alone flie griev'd : 
For diff 'rent this from every former note, 
Which Venus dlftated, and Henry wrote ; 
Which told her all his future hopes were laid 
On the dear bofom. of his Nut-bronvn Maid\ 
Which always blefsM her eyes, and own'd her 
And bid her oft adieu, yetadded more, [pow'r; 
Now night advanced, Th? houfe in fleep were 

laid; 
The niirfe experience, and the prying maid: 
At laft that fprite, which does inceffant haunt 
The lover's fteps, the ancient maiden aunt. 
To her dear Henry Emma wings her way, 
With quicken'd pace repairing forc'd delay; 
For Love, fantaftic power, that ia afraid 
To ftir abroad till v/atchfulnefs be laid, 
Undaunted then, o'er cliffs and valleys flrays. 
And leads his vot'ries fafe thro' pathif (s ways.. 
Not Argus with his hundred eyes fliall find 
Where Cupid goes; tho' he, poor guide, is bli^d. 

The maiden, firit arriving, lent her eye 
To afk, if yet its chief delight v^'ere nigh : 
With fear, and with defu-e, with joy and pain^ 
She fees, and runs to meet him on the pl/in. 
But oh ! his fteps proclaim no lover's hafte; 
On the low ground his fix'd regards are call; 
His artful bofom heaves diifembled fighs ; 
And tears fuborn'd f?.ll copious from his eyes. 

With cafe, alas! we cred-!: what we love: 
His painted grief does real forrow move 
In the affli6ted fair; adown her cheek 
Trickling, the genuine tears their current break; 
Attentive flood the mournf\U nymph : the man 
Broke lilencer iirft ; the tale alternate ran: 



HtNKY. 



Sincere, O tell rae, ball thou felt a pain, 
Emma, beyond what woman knows to feign? 
Has thy uncertain boibm ever flrove 
With the firfl tumults of a real love ? 
Haft ihon now dreaded, and now blcfl his fway, 
Ry turns averfe, and joylul to obey? 
Th}' virgin foftnefs hall thou e'er bewaii'd. 
As reafon yielded, and as love prcvail'd ? 
And wept the potent god's refiltlefs dirt, ■\ 

His killing pleafure, his ecllatic Imart, > 

And heav'nly poifon thrilling thro' thy heart:-' 
If fo, with pity view my wretched flate; 
At leafl deplore, and then forger my fate : 
To fome more happy knight referve thy charms. 
By fortune fiivour'd, and fuccefsful arms : 
And only, as the fun's revolving ray, 
Brings back each year this melancholy day, 
Permit one figh, and fet apart one tear, 
To an abandon'd exile's endhls care. 
For me, alas ! out-cafl of human race. 
Love's anger only waits, and dire difgrace ; 
For lo ! thefe hands in murder are embru'd j 
Tliefe trembling feet by julHce are purfu'd ; 
Fate calls aloud, and haftens me away ; 
A fliameful death attends my longer flay ; 
And I this night mull fly from thee and love, 
Condemn'd in lonely woods a banilhed man to 
rove. 

EMMA. 

Whatisourblifsthatchangeth withthemoon J 
And day of life, that darkens ere 'tis noon ? 
What is true pafhon, if unbUrll it dies ? 
And where is Emma's joy, if Henry flies } 
If love, alas ! be pain; the pain I bear 
No thought can figure, and no tongue declare. 
Ne'er faithful woman felt, nor f die onefeign'd, 
The flssmes which long have in my bofom reign'd: 
The god of love himlelf i!ii-;abits there, [care, 
With all his rage, and dread, and p^ 
His complement of ilores, and tota 

O ! ceafe then coldiy to fufpeft my love; 
And let my deed, at leafl, my fiith approve. 
Alas ! no youth fliall my endearments ll^arej 
Nor day nor night fliall interrupt my care; 
No fixture ftory fliall with truth upbraid 
The cold indifi^'rence of the Nut-brown Maids 
Nor to Ixird baniflimeiit fliall Henry run ; 
While carelefs Emma fleeps on beds of down. 
Vievv me refolv'd, where-e'er thou lead'ft, to go. 
Friend to thy pain, and partner of thy woe : 
For I attefl, fair Venus and her fon, 
That Xj of all mankind, will love but thee alojie. 

HENRY. 

Let prudence yet obilruc^ thy vent'rou?; way; 
A nd take good hee<3>, what men willthiiik and fay: 
That beav\teous Emma vagrant courfes took; 
Her father's ho'-iife and civil life forfoolc ; 
That, full of youthful blood, and fonri of man. 
She to the wood-land with an exile ran. 
Refie6l, that leHen'd fame is ne'er regained; 
And virgin honour once, i^ alw.'iys flain'd : 

M m 4, Timely- 



there, [care,"^ 
(i grief, and > 
)tai war. 3 



536 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book IL 



Timely aflvis'd, the coming evil fhun : 
Better not do the deed, than weep it done. 
No penance can abfolve our guilty fame; 
Nor tears, that wafti out fin, can wafn our fliame 
Then fiy the lad effects of defp'rate love; [rove 
And leave a banifh'd manthroughlonely woodsto 

EMMA. 

Let Emma's haplefs cafe be falfely told 
By the rafli younj?. or the ill-natur'd old: 
Let ev'ry tcrsgue its various cenfures choofe; 
Abjoive with coldnefs, or with fpite accufe : 
Fair Truth at lait her radiant beams v/ill raife ;i 
And maiice vanquifli'd heightens virtue's praife. 
Let then thy favour but indulge my flight; 
O ! let my pre/ence make thy travels light ; 
And potent Venus fhall exalt m.y name 
Above the rumours of cenlbrious Fame; 
Kor from that bu fy demon's refllefs pow'r 
Will ever Emma other grace implore, [known, 
Than that this truth fhould to the world be 
That I, of all mankind, have lov'd b ut thee alone. 

HENRY. 

But canft thou wield the fword, and bend the 
"With aftive force repel the fturdy foe ? [bow r 
When the loud tumult fpeaks the battle nigh, 
And winged deaths in whiilling arrows fly ; 
Wilt thou, tho' wounded, yet undaunted ftay. 
Perform thy part, and fliare the dangerous day? 
Then, as thy ftrength decays, thy heart v^-ill fail. 
Thy limbs all trembling, and thy cheekj; all pare; 
With fruitlefs forrow, thou, inglorions m.aid, 
Wilt w^eep thy fafety by thy love betray 'd : 
Then to thy friend, by foes o'ercharg'd, deny 
Thy little ufelefs aid, and coward fly: [lovej 
Then wilt thou curfe the chance that made thee 
Abanifli'dmancondemn'dinlonelywoodstcrove. 

EMMA. 

With fatal certainty Thaleftris knew 
To fend the arrow from the twanging yew: 
And, great in arms, and foremolt in the war, 
Bonduca brandllh'd high the Britilh fpear. 
Could thirft of vengeance and defire of fame 
Excite the female breaft with martial flame ? 
And fliaU not love's diviner pow'r infpire 
J^'Iore hardy virtue, and more generous fire? 

Near thee, miftruft: not, conftant I'll abide, 
And fall, or vanquifn, fighting by tly fide. 
Though my inferior ftrength may not allov.', 
That i (hould bear or draw the warrior bow; 
With ready hand I will the fliaft liipply, 
And joy to fee thy viclor arrows fly. 
Touch'd in the battle by the holHle reed, 
Should'ft thou (but fleav'n avert it !) fliould'ft 

thou bleed; 
To flop the wounds my finefl: lawn I'd tear, 
W'afii them with tears, and wipe them with my 

hair: 
Blefl:,when my dangers and my toils have fliown, 
That I, Of all mankind, could love but thee alone. 

HENRY. 

But canft thou, tender maid, canfl: thou fuftain 
AfHiftive want, or hunger's preffing pain ? I 



Thofe limbs, in lawn and foftcft filk array'd, 
From fun-beanis guarded, and of winds afraid j 
Can they bear angry Jove ? Can they refilt 
The parching dog-ltar, and the bleak noith-eaft. 
When, chili'd by adverfe fnows, and beating rain. 
We tread with vvcary Iteps thelongfome plain ; 
When with hard toil we feek our ev'ningfood. 
Berries and acorns from the neighb'ring woodj 
And find among the cliffs no other houfe. 
But the thin covert of fome gather'd boughs j 
Will thou not then reluctant fend thine eye 
Around the dreary walte; and weeping try 
(Tho' then alas ! that trial be too late) ^ 

To find thy father's hofpitable gate, C 

And fea ts,where Ea fe and Plenty brooding {ate? 3 
Thofe leats, whence long excluded thou muft 
That gate, for everbarr'd to thy return : [mourn; 
Wilt thou not then bewail ill-fated love, 
And hate a banifti'd man condemn'd in woods 
to rove ? 

Emma. 

Thy rife of fortune did I only wed, 
From its decline determin'd to recede ? 
Did I but purpofe to em.bark with thee 
On the fmooth furface of a fumraer's fea. 
While gentle Zephyrs play in profp'rous gales, 
And Fortune's favour fills the fwelling fails; 
But would forfake the fiiip, and make the fhore. 
When the winds whiftle, and the tempers roar ? 
No, Henry, no: one facred oath has ty'd -j 
Our loves ; one deftiny our life fiiall guide; >- 
Nor wild nor deep our coram.on way divide. J 

When from the cave thou rifeft: with the day. 
To beat the woods, and roufe the bounding prey j 
The cave with mofs and branches I'll adorn, 
And cheerful fit, to wait my lord's return : 
And, when thou frequent bring'fl: the Smitten 
(For Icldoni, archers fay, thy arrows err), [deer 
I'll fetch quick fuel from the neighb'ring wood. 
And ftrike the Iparkiing flint, and drefs the 
With humble duty, and ofiacious hafte, [food : 
I'll cull the furthelt mead for thy repaft: 
The choicefl: herbs I to thy board will bring; 
And draw th)' water fi-om the frtfhefl: fpring; 
Arid when, at night, with weary toil oppreft. 
Soft flum.bers thou enjoy 'ft, and v.hoielome relt; 
i Watchful I'll guard thee, and with midnight 
pray'r 



Weary the gods to keep thee in tlieir care; 



:} 



And jo;/ous aflc. at morn's returnmg ray, 
If thou baft health, and I may blefs the day. 
My thoughts fliall fix, my lateft wiih depend, 
On thee, guide, guardian, kinfmnn, father, friend 
By all thefe facred nam.es be Henry known 
To'Em.nia's heart : and grateful let him ow 
That (he, of all miankind, could love but him 
alone. 

HENRY. 

Vainly thou tell'ft me, what the woman's care 
Shall in the wildnei's of the wood prepare : 
Thou, ere thou goeft, unhappieft of thy kind, 
Muft leave the habit and the fex behind. 
No longer Ihall thy comely trefles break 
In fiowing ringlets on thy fnowy neckj 

©r 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



537 



Or fit behind thy head, an ample round, 
In graceful braids with various ribbon bound : 
No longer fhall the boddice, aptly lacM 
From thy full bofom to thy {lender vvaift, 
That air and harmony of ihape exprefs, 
Fine by degrees, and beautifully ieis: 
Nor fhall thy lower garments' artful plait, 
From thy fair fide dependent to thy feet, 
Arm their chafte beauties wuth a modelf pride, 
And double ev'ry charm they leek to hide. 
Th"" ambrofial plenty of thy Ihining hair, 
Cropt off and loil, fcarce lower than thy ear. 
Shall ftand uncouth: a horfeman's coat Ihall hide 
Thy taper Ihape and comelinefs of fide : 
The fhort trunk-hofe fhal 1 (hew thy foot and knee 
Licentious, and to common eye-fight free. 
And, with a bolder ftride, and loofer air. 
Mingled with men, a man thou mufl appear. 

Nor folitude, nor gentle peace of mind, 
Miftaken maid, (halt thou in forefts find : 
'Tis long fince Cynthia and her train were there: 
Or guardian gods made innocence their care. 
Vagrants and outlaws fiiall offend thy view j 
For fuch mull be my friends; a hideous crew 
By adverfe fortune mix'd in fecial ill, 
Train'd to aliault, and difciplin'd to kill: 
Their common loves, a lewd abandoned pack. 
The beadle's lalh Hill flagrant on their back: 
By floth corrupted, by dilbrder fed. 
Made bold by want, and proftitute for bread : 
With fuch muft Emma hunt the tedious day, 
Afilft their violence, and divide their prey : 
With ftich ftie muft return at fetting light, 
Tho' not partaker, witnefs of their night. 
Thy ear, inur'd to charitable founds, 
And pitying love, muft feel the hateful wounds 
Of jeft obfcene and vulgar ribiddry. 
The ill-bred queftion, and the lewd reply; 
Brought by long habitude from bad to worfe, 
Muft hear the frequent oath, the direful curfe. 
That lateft weapon of the wretches war; 
And blafpheniy, fad comrade of defpair. 

Now, Emma, now^ the laft refleftion make, 
Whatthouwouldftfollow,whatthoumuftforfake; 
By our ill-omen'd ftars, and adverfe heav'n, 
No middle obje61: to thy choice is given. 
Or yield thy virtue, to attain thy love ; [rove. 
Or leave a banifti'd man condemned in woods to 

EMMA. 

O grief of heart! that our unhappy fates 
Force thee to fufter what thy honour hates; 
Mix thee amongft the bad; or make thee run 
Too near the paths which virtue bids thee Ihun. 
Yet with her Henry ftill let Emma go; 
With hin\ abhor the vice, but fharc the woe: 
And fui-e my little heart Cczn never err 
Amidft the worft ; W Henry ftill be there. 

Our outward aft is prompted from within ; 
And from the finner's mind proceeds the fin : 
iBy her own choice free Virtue is approved ; 
Is^or by the force of outward cbjefts mov'd. 
Who has affay'd no danger gains no praife. 
Jn a fn^iiU iile, amidft the wideil feas, 



1 



Tiumj^hant Conftancy has fix'd her feat: 
In vain tl.e fyrens ling, the tempefts beat: . 
Their flattery (he rejefts, nor fears their threat. 3 
For ihee alone thele little charms I drefs'd;. 
Condemned them, orabfolv'd them by tliy teft. 
In comtriy figure rang'd, my jewels ftione. 
Or negligently plac'd, for thee alone: 
For thee again they fnall be laid afide; 
The woman, Henry, fhall put off" her pride 
For thee, my clothes, my iex, exchang'dforthce,^ 
ril mingle with the people's wretched leej v 
O line extreme of human infamy ! 3 

Wanting the fciffars, w'th thefe hands I'll tear 
(If that obftrudts my flight) this load of hair. 
Black foot or yellow walnut fhall difgrace 
This little red and wliite of Emma's face. 
Thefe nails with fcratches fhalldeformmybreafl,N 
Left by my look or colour be exprels'd ^ 

The mark of aught high-born, or ever better^ 
drefs'd. J 

yet in this commerce, under this difguife. 
Let me be grateful ftill in Henry's eyes ; 
Loll to the world, let me to him be knovv^n : 
My fate I can ahfolve; if he Ihall own. 
That, leaving all mankind, I love but him alone 

HENRY. 

O wildeft thought of an abandoned mind! 
Name, habit, parents, woman, left behind, 
Ev'n honour dubious, thou preferr'ft to go 
Wild to the wovods with me: laid Em ma lb? 
Or did I dream what Emma never faid ? 
O guilty error ! and O w •etched maid ! 
Whole roving fancy woiild refolve the Uime •\ 
With him, who next fhould tempt her eafy fame; f 
And blow with empty words the fuiceptible^ 

flam.e. J 

Now why fhould doubtful terms thy mind per- 
Confefs thy frailty, and avow thy lex: [plexf 
No longer ioofe defire for confta'nt love 
Miltake; but fay, 'tis man with whom thou 

long'ft to rove. 



]■ 



EMMA. 

Are there not poilbns, racks, and flames and 
fwords ; 
That Emma thus muft die by Henry's words ? 
Yet what could fwords orpoilbn, racksor flame,^ 
But mangle and disjoint this brittle frame ? f 
More fatal Heniy's words: they murder Em-i' 
ma's fame. .3 

And fail thefe layings from thatgentle tongue. 
Where civil fpeech and loft perluafion hung; 
Whole artful fweetnefs and harmonious ftrain. 
Courting ray gnice, yet courting it in vain, 
Call'd lii;hs, and tears, and wifhes, to its aid ;^ 
And, whilft it Henry's glowing fiame convey'd (. 
Still blam'd the coldnefs oi'tkeNut-brozvn Maid? ) 

Let envious jealoufy and canker'd fpite -v 
Produce my afticns to fevereil light, t 

And tax my open day, or fecret night. 3 

Did e'er my tongue Ipeak my unguarded heart 
The leaft inclin'd to play the wanton's part ? 
Did e'er my eye one inward thought reveal, 

mitiht not hear, and virgins tell ? 
And 



Which angel 



558 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, 



Book II. 



And hsfl: tliou, Hrnry, In ray ;:ondu6l knov/n 



:^!- 



One fault, but that which I mull never own 
That I, of all mankind, huve lovM but thee{ 
alone ? J 

HENRY. 

Vainly thovi talk'ft of lovin jr me alone : 
Each man is man ; and all our fax is one. 
Fal (e are our words, and fickle is our mind : 
Nor in Love's ritual can we ever iind 
Vows made to laft, or promifes to bind. 

By nature prompted, and for empire made. 
Alike by flrength or cunning we invade 



This potent beaut)', this triumphant fair. 
This happy objeft of our diff'rent care, 
[Her let me follow ; her let me attend, 
A fervant (flie may fcorn the name of friend) : 
What Ihe demands, incefTant I'll prepare: 
I'll weave her garlands; and I'll plait her hair: 
My bufy diligence (hall deck her board 
I (For there at leaft I may approach ray lord); 
j And, when her Henry's fofter hours advife -^ 
His fervant's abfence, with dejected eyes t 

Far I'll recede, and fighs forbid to rife. 3 

Yet, when increafing grief brings flow difeafe; 
\Vhen,arm'd with rage,we march againit the foe. And ebbing life, on terras fevere as thefe, 
We lift the battle-ax, and draw the bow : Will have its little lamp no longer fed; 

■When, fir'd with pafnon, we attack the fair. When Henr^'^'s miltrefs fliews him Emma dead; 
Delufive fighs and brittle vows vv^e bear: Refcue ray poor remains from vile negleft: 

Our falfebood and our arms have equal ufe ; With virgin honours let my hearfe be deck'd. 

As they our conqueft or delight produce. And decent emblem; and at leafl; perfuade 

The fooHfh heart thou gav'ft, again receive, This happy nymph, that Emma may be laid 
The only boon departing love can give. Wherethou,dearauthor of my death, where Cnc, 

To be leis wretched, be no longer true ; ^ With frequent eye my fepulchre may fee. 

What itrives to fiy thee why fhouldft thou f; The nymph amidft: her joys raay haply breathe 

purfue ? i .; One pious ligh, reilefting on my death. 

Forget thy prefent fiame, indulge a new. J i And the f^d fate which ihe may one cay prove. 
Single the lovelieft of the am'rous youth ; I Who hopes from Heniy's vows eternal love. 

Aik for his vow; but hope not for his truth. And thou, forfworn, thou cruel, as thou art. 
The next man (and the next thou (halt believe) -j i If Emma's im.age ever touch'd thy heart; [tear 
Will pawn hi;; gods, intending to deceive; > i Thou Cure mult give one thought and drop one 
Will kneel, imp]ore,periilL,o'ercome, and leave. 3 jTo h.er, whom love abandon"d to defpair ; 
Hence let thy Cupid aim his arrows right: -^ jTo her, who, dying, on the w^ounded ftone -j 
Ee wife and filfe, fhun trouble, feek delight ; t Bid it in hlHng characters be kno-.vn, > 

Changethouthefirft.norw-aitthylover'sflight.-'' That, of mankind, fhe iov'd but thee alone. 3 



Why (liouldlt thou weep: let Nature judge 
our cafe; 

I fAw thee young and {.ur-y purfu'd the chafe 
Of youth and beauty : I another faw 
Fairer and younger: yielding to the law 
Of our all-ruling mother, I purfned 
IVIore youth, m^'t beauty: blcfl viciflitude ! 
My active heart Hill keeps its priftine fiame; 
The object alter'd, the defire the fame 



He 



HENRY. 

folemnjove! and confciousVenus,hear ! 



And thou.bright maid, believe me,whiift I fwei 
No time, no change, no rnruie flame, fnailmove 
The well-phic'd bafis of my lafting love. 
O powerful virtue ! O victorious fair! -^ 

At leait excufe a trial too fevere: t 

Receive the triumph, and forget the war. 3 
No banilh'd man corideinn'd in woods to rove 



This youngerfairer pleads herrightful charms; Entreats thy pardon, and implores thy love; 



Vv''ith prefent pow'er compels me to her arms. 
And much I fear, from my fubjected mind 
(If beaaty*s force to conltant love can bind), 
That years raay roll, ere in her turn the raaid 
Shall v.'tep the fury of ray love decay'd ; 
And v/f cping follow me, as thou doit now, 
With idle chmours of a broken vow. 

Nor can the wiklnefs of thy wifhe.; err 
So wide, to hope that thou mayfl live with her. 
Love, well thou know'fl, no partncrfliip allows: 
Cupid averfe rejects divided vows: 
Then from thy foolifli heart, vain maid, remove "^ 
An ufelefs forrow, and an ill-ltarr'd iove; ( 
And leave me with the fair at large in v/oods f" 
to rove. 3 

EMMA. 

Are we in life through one great error led ? 
Is each man perjur'd, and each nymph betray'd? 
Of the fuperior fex art thou the wont ? 
Am I of mine the moil co:npletely curil ? 
Yet let me go with thee; and going prove, 
From what I will endure, how much i love. 



No perjur'd knight deiires to quit th\' arms, 
Faireii coUeftion of thy fex's charms. 
Crown of my love, and honour of my youth ! 
Henry, t!iy Henry, with eternal truth. 
As tiiOU may'ft wifh, fliall all his life employ. 
And found his glory in his Emma's joy. 
In me behold the potent Edgar's heir, 
lllluflrious earl: him terrible in war 
J Let Loyre confels; for flie has felt his fword 
I And trembling fled before the Britifli lord. 
Rim great in peace nnd wealth fair Deva knov,-s ; 
I For (lie amidithis fpacious meadows flows; 
r Inclines her urn upon his fiitten'd lands; 
i And fers Ills num'rous herd imprint her fands. 
And thou, ray fair, my dove, (halt raife thy 
thought • 

To grcatnefs next tn empire ; flialt be brought 
V»''ith folemn pomp to my paternal feat; 
Where peace and plenty on thy word fnall wait. 
Muiic and fong fhall wake the marriage-day :-v 
And, whiift the^priefts accufe the bride's delay, v 



Myrii^a and rofes ihall obllru<5l her way. 



Friend (kip 



Book II. 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



539 



Friendfhip fhall illll thy evening feafts adorn-. 
And blooming peace fliall ever blefs thy morn; 
Succeeding years their happy race fliall runj 
And Age unheeded by delight come onj 
While yet (uperiorLove Hiall mock his pow'r; 
And when old Time fliall turn tr.e fated hj- 
Which only can our well -tied knot unfold: 
What refts of both, one ieprilchre Ihall hold. 

Hence then for ever from my Emma's breafl 
(That heaven of foftnels, and that feat of reft), 
Ye doubts and fears,and all that knowtomove S 
Tormenting grief, and all that trouble love V 
ScatterMbywlndsrecede,andwildinforeilsrove. ) 

EMMA. 

O day the falreft fure that ever rofe! 
Period and end of anxious Emma's woes ! 
Sire of her joy, and foiuce of her dei'ght; 
O v.'ing'd with pleafure take thy happy flight 
AndgiveeachfaturemornarindiUieofthy white 
Yet tell thy votary, potent queen cf love! 
Henry, my Henry, will he never rove? 
Wiii be ever kind, andjuft, and good? 
And is there then no miftrefs in the wood? 
None,nonethereis; the thought was ra(h and vain; 
A falfe idea, and a fancied pain. 
Doubt fliall foreverquitmyltrengthen'd heart, 
And anxious jealouiy's corroding fmartj 
No other inmate iliaU inhabit there, 
JBut foft Behef, young Joy, and plealing Care. 

Hence let the tides of plenty fb-i andilow, 
And Fortune's various gale unheeded blow. 
Jf at my feet the fuppliant goduels Itands, 
And Iheds her treaiure with unwearied hands 3 
Her prefent favour cautious I '11 embrace; 
And not unthankful ufe the proffered grace: 
Jf ilie reclaims the temporary boon. 
And tries her pinions, flutter,.. ^ 
Secure of mind I'll obviate her intent 
And unconcerned return the goods ihe lent. 
Nor happinefs can I, nor raifery fee], 
From any turn of her nntaitic wheel: [oow'rs, 
Friendlhip's great laws, and love's luperior 
Mult mark the colour of my future hours. 



They tumbled all their little quivers o'er. 
To choofe propitious fhafts; a precious fcorc. 
That, whentheirgodlhouldtakehis future darti. 
To fcrike (howe\-er rarely) conftant hearts. 
His happy (kill might proper arms employ, 
turn tr.e fated hour,' All tipp'd vrithpleafure,and all wing'd with joyj 
And thofe, they vow'd, whole lives fnould imitate 



nnz to be gone; 



From the events wdiich thy commands create ^ 
J mull my blcflings or my forrows date; >- 

And Henry's wiil muft diftate Emma's f;ite. ) 

Yet while with clo e deiightand in v.\-.rd pride 
(Which from the world ray careful foul Ihall 
I fee thee, lord and end of my defire. [hide) 
Exalted high as virtue can require; 
With power inveifed, and withpl'jafurecheer'd; 
Sought by the good, by the onprcftbr fear'd; 
Loaded and blelt with all the alHiient Ifore 
Which human vows at fmoking f/irines im.plore; 
Grateful and humble grant m.e to employ 
My life fubfervient only to thy joy ; 
And at my death to blefs thy kindnefs fiiown 
To her,whoof mankind could love buttheealone. 

While thus the conftant pair alternate faid, 
Joyful above them and around them play'd 
A^ngels and f^Dorrive Loves, a numerous crowd , 
Smilingtheyclapp'dtheirwingsandlowtheybowd: 



Thefe lovers' conilrancy, fhould ihare their fate. 

The q ueen of beauty ilopp'd her bridled dovesj 
Approv'd the little labour of the Loves; 
Was proud and pleas'd the mutual vow to hear; 
[And to the triump'n call'd the god of war: 
Soon as fhe calls, the god is aiv.'ays near. 

No.v, Mars, ihe faid, let Fame exalt her voice; 
Nor let th)'- conqueits only be her choice: 
But v/hen ihe fings great Edward from the liehl ) 
Retum'd, the hoitfle fpearand ca?>t:ve Ihield f 
In Concord's temple hung,andGaiiia taught T 
to yield; ) 

A^nd when, as prudent Sa'curn fnali complete 
The years defign'd to perfect Britain's ftate. 
The fwift-v/ing'd pow'r (hall take her trump 

again, 
To fing her favourite Anna's wondrous reign; 
To recolleci unvircaried Marlbro's toils. 
Old Rufus' hall unequal to his fpoils; 
The Britifh foldier from his high command 
Glorious, and Gaul thrice vanquifh'd by his 
Let her cit leaii perform what I deHre; [hand: 
With fecond breath the vocal brafs infpire. 
And tell the nations, in no vulgar ltr;iin, 
What wars I manage, and what wreaths I gain. 
And, when thy tumults and thy fights are paft; 
And when thy laurels at my feet are caft; 
Fathful may'it thou, like Hrhifii Henry prove : 
And Emma-like, let me return thy iove. 

Renown'd for truth, let all thy fons appear; 
Auid conftant beauty iliaU reward their care. 

Mars fmil'd, and bow'd : the Cyprian deity 
T*..n'd to the glorious ruler of the fky; 
And thou, Ihe liniling l:iid, great god of days 
And verfe, behold my dttd, and img my praife ; 
As en the B.itii'h ear:h, ni}' 

y 



iv rite ilie. 
Thy gentle rays and kindeft influence fmile, 
Thro' all her laughing fields and verdant groves, 
Proclaim with joy thole mtmorable loves: 
From eveiy annual courle let one great day 
To celebrated iports and floral play 
Be fet afide; and, in the fofiell lays 
Oft thy poetic fons, be folemn praife, 
And everlafting marks of honour paid 
To the true Louver, and the Nut-brovjn Maid. 

§ 1 4-4' ^n Heroic Epijlle to Sir William Cham- 
bers, Knight, Ccmpir oiler General cf his Majejiys 
If'Qrks, ar.d Author of a late bijertation on 
Orie?ttal GardsniTig. Enriched njc,th Explana- 
tory NcteSi chiefy extracied from that elaborate 
Ferjormance. Anon. 

Xon omncis arbMSta jurant humi'esque myricac. Virgr., 

TT" NIGHT of the Polar Star! by Fortune plac'd, 
■'^ To ihine the Cynofure* oVBritilh taltej 



* Cynosure, nn affected phrase ; Cynsura is tlic constellation of Ursa Minor, or the Lessor Bear, :hc 
liexi star to the Pole. Dr. Ncw:on 011 liic word in Mdion. 

Whofe 



54© 



ELEGANT .EXTRACTS, 



Book il. 



'Whole orb colle6ls in one refulgent view 
The jcatter'd glories of Chinefe Virtu; 
And fpreads their liiftie in fo broad a blaze. 
That Kings themfelves are dazzled, while they 

gaze ! 
O let the Mufe attend thy march fublime, 
And, with thy profe, capnrifon her rhyme; 
Teach her, like thee, to gild herfplendid fong 
With fcenes of Yven-Ming,* and fay ings of 

Li-Tfong;t 
Like thee to fcorn Dame Nature's fimple fence ; 
Xeap each ha-ha of truth and common fenfe; 
And, proudly rifing in her bold career, j 

Demand attention from the gracious ear 
or him, whom we and all the world admit 
Patron fupreme of fcience, tafte, and wit. 
Does Envy doubt ? Witnefs, ye chofen train ! 
"Who breathe the fweets of his Saturnian reign ; 
Witnefs ye K*ils, ye J*nf*ns, Sc*ts, S*bb% 
Hark to my call, for fonve of you have ears, 
Xet D**d H*e, from the remoteft North, 
I?i fee-faw fceptic fcruples hint his worthy 
D**d, who there fupinely deigns to lye 
T^ie fatteft Hog of Epicurus^ ftye ; 
Tho' drunk with Gallic wine, and Gallicpraife, 
D**d fhali blefs old England's halcyon days; 
The mighty Home, berair^d in profe fo long, 
Again (hall flalk upon the ftilts of fong: 
While bold Mac-Ofiian, wont in Gholls to deal, 
Bids candid Smollet from his coffin ileal; 
Bids Mallock quit his fweet Elyfian relt. 
Sunk in his St. John's philofophic breaft, 
And, like old Orpheus, make fome ftrong effort 
To come from Hell, and warble truth at Court.X 
There was a time, "in Efher's peaceful grove, 
** When Kent and Nature vy'd for Pelham's 

" love," 



That Pope beheld them with aufpicious fmile, 
Andown'd that Beauty bieis'd their mutual toil. 
Mifraken Bard ! could fuch a pair defign 
Scenes fit to live in thy immortal line? 
Hadft thou been born in this enlighten'd day. 
Felt, as we feel, Tafte's oriental ray, 
Thy fatire fure had given them both a flab, 
Call'd Kent a Driveller, and the Nymph a Drab. 
For what is Natiire? Ring her changes round. 
Her three fiat notesare v.ter, plants, and ground j 
Prolong the peal, yet fpite of all your cLtver, 
The tedious chime is ftiil ground, plants, and 

water. § 
So^ when fom.e John his dull invention racks. 
To rival Boodle's dinners, or Al.nack's ; 
Three uncouth legs of mutton ibock our eyes. 
Three roailed geefe, three butter'd apple pies. 

Come then, prolific art, and witn thee biing 
The charms that rife from thy exhaultle s fpring; 
To Richmond come, for fee untutored Brown 
Deflroys thofewond-ers which were once thyown, , 
Lo, from his melon-ground the peafant fiave 
Has rudely rufhM, and leveli'd Merlin's Cave; 
Knocked down thewaxenWi^ardjfeiz'dhis wand, 
Transform'd to lawn what late was Fairy land; 
And marr'd, with impious hand, each fweet de- 
Of Stephen Duck and good QueenCaroline.[figii 
Hafle, bid yon livelong Terrace re-afcend, 
Re-place each villa, flraighten every bend ; 
Shut out the Thames; fhall that ignoble thing 
Approach the prefence of great Ocean's King? 
No ! let Barbaric glories 1| feail his eyes, 
Auguft Pagodas round his palace rife, 
And finifli'd Richmond open to his view, 
" A work to wonder at, perhaps a Kew.'^ 

Nor reil we here, but, at our magic call, 
Monkies fliall climb ourtrees,and lizards crawljfl' 



* One of the Imperird gardens at Pekin. 

-f- " Many trees, shrubs, and flowers," sayeth Li-Tsonj, a Chinese author of great antiquit^r, *' thrive 
best in low, moist situations; many on hills and mountains; some rcqu re a rich soil; but others will 
grow on clay, in sand, or even upon rocks, and in the water : to some a sunny exposition is necessary- : 
but for others the shade is preferable. Tiiere are plants which ihri\e best m exposed situations, but \a 
general shelter is requisite. The skilful gardener, to whom study and experience have taught these qua- 
lities, careiuUy attends to them in his operations, knowing that thereon depend the health and growth 
of his plants, and consequently the beauty ef his plantations." Vide Diss. P. 77. The reader, I presume, 
will readily allow, that he never met with so much recondite trut'n, as this ancient Chinese here exhibits, 

I Vide (if it be extant) a poeiu under this tide, for which (or for tlie publication of Lord Bol.ng- 
broke's philosophical writings) the person here mentioned received a considerable pension in die time 
of Lord B---t's administration. 

§ This is the great and fundamental axiom, on which oriental taste is founded. It is therefore express- 
ed here with the greatest precision, and in the identical phrase of the great original. The figurative terms, 
and even the explanaiory simile, are entirely borrowed trom Sir William's Dissertation. " NuJu e (says 
t!ie Chinese, or S.r William for him) affords as but fe\r materials to work with. Plants^ ground, ^Vidioatiry 
are her only productions; and, though both tiie forms and arrangements of tiiese may be vnricd to an 
incredible degree, yet they have but few striking varieties, the rest be ng of the nature of changes rung 
tipoTi bells, which, tliough in reality different, still produce the same unitorm kind oi jingling; the varia- 
t on being too minute lo be easdy perceived."— " /f/-/ must ihtrcfore supply /^^ scantiness of Nat-ure," 
&c. &c. paa;e 14. And again, *' Our 1 irger works are only a repetition of the small ones, like the honest 
bachelor's f-asti, which consisted in nothing but a mult plication of his own dinner; three legs of mutnu 
tnd turnips, three roasted geese, and three buttered apple pics." Preface, page 7. 

II So Milton " Where the gorgeous east witii richest hand 

Showers on her kings Barbaric pe.nrl and gold." 
^ *' In their lofty woods serpents and lizards of many beautiful sorts crawl upon the ground. Innumer- 
able monkies, cots, and pcrrts clamber upon the trees." Page 40, " In their lakes are many islands, some 
small, some large, amongst which are seen stalking along, the elephant, the rhinoceros, the dromedary, 
ostrlfh, and the g. ant baboon." Page 66. "They keep, in tiieir enchntcd scenes, a surprising variety of 
manstrousijirds, reptiles, and animals, which are tamed by it, and guarded by enormous dogs cf Tibet, 



Book IL 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, &c. 



S4^ 



Huge clogs of Tlbit bark in yonder grove, 
Here parrots prate, there cats make cruel lovej 
In lopie fair illand will we turn to grafs 
(With the (Jueen's leave) her elephant andafs. 
Gian ts from Africa fliall guard theglades, [maids; 
Where hifs our fnakes, where fport our Tartar 
Or, iva.unig thefe, from Charlotte Hayes we 
Damfcls alike adroit to fport and Iting. [bring 

Now, to ^-wr lawns of dalliance and delight 
Join we the vroves of horror and affright: 
This to atcn\eve no foreign aids, we try j 
Thy gibbets, Bagfhot*! Ihall oar wants fupply; 
Hoiinfiow wiioie'heath fublimer terrors fills, 
Sh:i!l with her gibbets lend her powder-mills. 
Here too, O Kmgof Vengeancef, in thy fane, 
Tremendous Wilkes fliall rattle his gold chalnj; 
And round that fane, on many a Tyburn tree, 
Hang fragments dire of Newgate-history j 
On this Ihall H-'i^li^d's- dying fpecch be read. 
Here B — te's confeillon, and his wooden head 5 
While all the minor plunderers of the age, 
(Too numerous far for this contracted page) 



The R*g*ys, 



;§, Mungos, B*df*ws there 



In ftraw-ftuft effigy, Ihall kick the air. 
But, fay ye powers, who come when fancy calls 
Where (hall our mimic London rear her wallsjl? 
The EaUern feature, Art mull next produce: 
Tho' not for prefent yet for future ufe, 
Our fons Ibme flave of greatnefs may behoM, 
Call in the genuine Afiatic mould 



For Him, that blefling of a better ti-me, 
The Mufe fhall deal awhile in brick and lime; 
Surpais the bold AAEActi in defign, 
And o'er the Thames fling one llupendous line 
Of marble arches^, in a bridge, that cwts 
FromRichmond Ferry flant to Brentford Butts, 
Brentford with London's charms will weadornj 
Brentford, the bilhoprick of Parfon Home. 
There at one glance, the royal eye (hail meet 
Each varied beaut>' of St. James's Street ; 
StoutT*:b*t thereihallply with hackney chair*^. 
And Patriot Betty fix her fruit-fhop theref f . 
Like iHilant thunder, now the coach of ftate _ 
Rolls o'er the bridge, that groans beneath its 

weight} 
The Court hath crofsM the ftream ; the fports 
Now N**l preaches of rebellion's fin: [begin, 
xAnd as the powers of his ftrong pathos rifr, 
Lo, brr.zen tesrs fail from Sir Fi*'i=r"s eyes|:J. 
While Ikulking round the pews, that babe oc 

grace, 
Who ne'er before at fermon fliew'd his face, 
SeeJemmyTwitcher(hambles; ltop,(lopthief§§! 
He's fhornthe E* of D*nb*hs' handkerchief. 
Let B*rr*t*n arreft him in mock furylJH, 
And M^'t^^d hang the knave^^ without a jury. 
But hark! the voice of battle (houts from far. 
The Jev7S and Macaronis are at w^ar***: [itocks. 
The Jews prevail, and, thundering from the 
They feize,theybind,theycircumci(eff|C*sF*« 



Who of three realms (liall condefcend to know Fair Schw**=*n fmiles the fport to fee, 
No more than he can fpy from Windfor's brow; j And all the Maids of Honour cry Te-heJJJ! 
and African giants y in the habits of magicians." Page 42. " Sometimes in this romantic excursion, the 
passenger finds himselfinextensivereces&es,surrounded with arbours of jessamine, vine, and roses: where 
beauteous Tartarean damsels, in loose transparent robes that flutter in the air, present him With rich wincs^ 
ice. and invite him to tasie the sweets of retiiement on Persian carpets, and beds of Camusakin down." 
Page 40. 

* '* Their scenes of terror are composed of gloomy woods, &c. Gibbets, crosses, wheels, and the whole 
apparatus of torture are seen from the roads. Here too they conceal in cavities, on the summits of the 
highest mountairvs, foundries, lime-kihis, and glass-works, which send forth large volumes of flame, and 
continued columns of thick smoke, tliat give to these mountaias the appearance of volcanos." Page 37. 
"Here the passenger from time to time is surprised with repeated shocks of electrical impulse;, the eartJi 
trembles under him by tb.e power of confined air," &c. Page 39. Now to produce both these eifccts, viz, 
the appearance ot %'olcanos and earthquakes, we have hero submitted the occasional explosion of 2ipoiv- 
der-m'dl, which (if there be not too much simplicity in the contrivance) it is apprehended will at once 
answer all the purposes o'i lime-kiins and electrical machi'/res, and imitate thunder and the exploskn of cannon 
into the bargain. Vide page 40, 

f '* In the most dismal recesses of the woods, are temples dedicated to the King cf Vengeance, near 
which are placed pillars of stone, with pathetic descriptions of tragical events r and many aces of cruelty 
perpetrated iheie by ostlwws and robbers," Page 37. 

X Tiiis was written wiien Mr. Wilkes was Sheriff of London, and when it was to be feared he would 
rattle his chain a year longer as Lord Mayor. 

§ Martins. The asterisms will be casily supplied. 

Ij ** There is likewise in the same garden, viz. Yven-Ming Yven, nearPekin, a fortified totu/t, witk 
its ports, streets, public squares, lemples, markets, shops, and tribunals of justice; m short, with every- 
thing that is at Pekin, only on a smaller scale. In this town the Emperors of China, who are too much 
the slaves of their greatness to appear in publ c, and their vvomen, who are secluded from it hy custom, aret- 
frequently diverted with the hurry and bustle of the capital which is here represented, several times of" 
the year, by the eunuchs of the palace." Page 3'2. 

«[ Sir William's enormous account of Chinese bridges, too long to be here inserted. Vide page 53. , 

** " Some of these eunuchs personate porters." i^age 32. 

ff *' Fruits and all sorts of refreshmenis are cned about the streets in this mock city." Page 33v 

XX " Drew iron tears down Pluto's ciieek." Milton. 

§§ ** Neither are thieves, pickpockets, andslnrpers forgot in these festivals; that noble profession i»- 
■bsually allotted to a good number of the most dextrous I" Vide ibid. 

Ill} " The watch seizes on the cuipr.t." Vide ibid. 

<^^ " He is conveyed before the judge, and sometimes severely bastinadoed." Ibid. 

*** '•' Quarrels happen — battles ensue." Ibid. 

fff " Every liberty is permitted, there is no distinction of persons." Ibid. 

I^i *' This :s dyne to divert his imperil .M:;jc.yy,andaic bd es of his train." V.de :bid» B: 



542 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS. 



Book If, 



Be thefe the rural paftimes that attend 
Great B*nf\v*k'sleifure: thel'e Ihall befl unbend 
His royal mind, whene'er.fVom Hate withdrawn, 
He treads the velvet of his Richmond lawn 5 
Thefe ihall prolong his Afiatic dream, 
Tho' Europe's balance trembles on its beam. 
And thou, Sir William ! while thy plaftic hand 
Creates each wonder, which thy Bard has plann'u, 
AiVhile, as thy art commands, obfequious rife 
Whatever can pieaie, or frighten, or furprife, 
O let that Bard his Kniglit's proteftion claim, 
And Ihare, like faithful Sancho, Quixote's fame. 

§145. Fleafiires of Memory: a Poem. 
^Samuel Rogers, f/'y. 
Tr\OWN by yon hazel copfe, at evening blazM 
-^^TheGipfy's faggot— there we ftoodandgaz'd; 
Gaz'd on her fun -burnt-face with filent awe, 
Her tatter'd mantle, and her hood of ftrav/ ; 
Her moving lips, her caldron brimming o'er ; 
'!['he drowfy brood that on her back flie bore. 
Imps, in the barn with moufmg owlet bred. 
From rifled rooll at nightly revel fed; 
Whofe dark eyes fiafli'd thro' locks of blackefc 

fhade. 
When in the breeze thediflant watch-dog bay 'd: 
And heroes fled the Sybil's mutter'd call, 
Whofe eliin prowefs Ical'd the orchard- wall. 
As o'er my palm the fiK^er piece fhe drew. 
And tiac'd the line of life with fearching view. 
How throbbM my fluttering pulfe with hopes 

and fears, 
To learn the colour of my future years ! 

Ah, then, what honell triumph flufli'd my 

breaft ! 
This truth once known — To blefs Is to be blefl: ! 
We led the bending beggar on his w^yj 
(Bare were his feet, his trelfes filver grey) 
Sooth'd the keen pangs his aged fpirit feit. 
And on his tale with mute attention dwelt, 
As in his fcrip we dropt our little ilore, 
And wept to think that little was no more. 
He brcath'd his pray'r 5 " Long may fuch good- 

*^ nefs live !" 
'Twas all he gavf, 'twas all he had to give. 
But hark! thro' thofe old firs, with fullen 

fwell _ [well! 

The church-clock ftrikesi ye tender fcenes fare- 
It calls me hence, beneath their fliade to trace 
The few fond lines that Time may foon efface. 

On yon gray itonethatfrontsthechancel-door. 
Worn fmootn by bufy feet now feen no mOre, 
Each eve we fl^^t the marble tho' the ring. 
When the heart danc"d,and life was in its Ipring; 
Alas I unconfcious cf the kindred earth, 
That faintly echoed to the voice of mirth. 



§ 146. f^'om the Same. 
/^FT has the a<^^;ed tenant of the vale 
^-^ Lean'd on his fcaff to lengthen out the tale; 
Oft have his lips the grateful tribute breath'd. 
From (ire to fon with pious zeal bequeath'd. 
When o'er the blafted heath the day declin'd, 
And on the fcatli'd oak warr'd the winter wind : 



When not a diftant taper^s twinkling ray 
Gleam'd o'er the furze to lighthimon liisway; 
When not a Iheep-bell footh'd his liftening ear. 
And the big rain-drops told the tempelt near; 
Then did his horle the homeward track defer)'. 
The track that ihunn'd his fad enquiring eye 5 
And win each wavering purpofe to relent, 
With warmth fo mild, lo gently violent. 
That his charm'd hand the carelefs rein refign'd. 
And doubts and terrors vanifli'd from his mind. 

Recall the traveller, whofe alter'd form 
Has borne the buffet of the mountain ftorm ; 
And who will firlt his fond impatience meet? 
His faithful dog's already at his feet ! 
Yes, tiio' the porter fpurn him from his door, 
Tho' all, that knew him, know his face no more. 
His faithful dog fliall tell his joy to each. 
With that mute eloquence which paffes Ipeech, 
And lee, the mailer but returns to die! 
Yet who ixiall bid the watchful fervant fly ? 
The bla(ts of heaven,the drenching dewsof earth. 
The wanton infults of unfeeling mirth ; 
Thefe,when to guard misfortune's facred grave. 
Will firm Fidelity exult to brave. 

Led by what chart, tranfports the timid dove 
The wreaths of conquell, or the vows of Icve ? 
Saythro'thecloudswhatcompafs pointsherfiight ? 
Monarchs have gaz'd,and nations blelt the fight. 
Pile rocks onrocks,bidwoodsandmountainsrife, 
Eciipfe her native fhades, her native ikies j — 
'Tis vain ! thro' ether's pathlefs wilds ftie goes. 
And lights at laft where all her cares repofe. 

Sweet bird! thy truth fnall Harlem's walls 
And unbotn ages confecrate thy neit. [atteff. 
When with the filent energy of grief. 
With looks that afk'd, yet dar'd not hope relief. 
Want, with her babes, round generous valour 

clung. 
To wring the flow furrender from his tongue, 
'Twas thine to animate lierclofing eye: 
Alas! 'twas thine perchance the firfl: 
Cnifli'd by her meagre hand, when welcom' 
from the fl:y. 



ye: ^ -X 
: to die, f 
velcom'd T 



§ 147. From the Same. 

TT7HEN the blithe fon of Savoy, roving round 
With humble waresandpipeofmerryfound. 
From his gi-een vale and flielter'd cabin hies. 
And fcales the Alps to vifit foreign flcies; 
Tho' i:xr below the forked lightenings play. 
And at his feet the thunder dies away, 
Oft, in the laddie rudely rock'd to fleep. 
While his mule browfes on the dizzy lleep. 
With memoiy's aid, he fits at home, and fees 
His children fport beneath their native trees. 
And bends, to hear their cherub voices call. 
O'er tb.t lend fury of the torrent's fall. 

But can her fmilewith gloomy Madnefs dwell? 
Say, can flie chace the horrors of his cell ? ^ 
Each fiery flight on phrenzy's wing reft:rain. 
And mould the coinage of the fever'd brain, 
Pafsbut that grate, which fcarce a gleam fupplies. 
There in tlie'dull the wreck of Genius lies ! 



IS O O i II, 



DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, 



&c. 



543 



( 



He, whofe arreting hand fublimely wrought 
Each bold conception in the fphere ofthouf^ht; 
WIio from the quarried mafs, like Phidias drew 
Forms ever fair, creations ever new! 
But as he fondly fnatchM the wreath of Fame, 
The Ijpeftre Poverty unnerv'd his frame. 
Cold was her grafp, a withering I'cowl Ihe wore; 
And Hope's foft energies were felt no more. 
Yet Hill how Aveet the foothings of his arJ ! 
From the rude ftone what bright ideas Hart ! 
Ev'n now he claims the amaranthine wreath, 
With fcenes that glow, with images that breathe! 
And whence theie fcenes, thefe images declare, 
Whencebut from herwhotriumphs o'erdefpair? 

Awake, arile! with grateful fervour fraught, 
Go fpring the mine of elevated thought. 
Ke who thro' Nature's various walk, furveys 
The good and f:iir her faultlefs line pourtrays; 
Whofe mind, prophan'd by no unhallow'dgueft, 
Culls from the crowd the pureft and the heft; 
May range, at will, bright Fancy's golden cli me, -j 
Or mufing, mount where Science lits fublime, t 
Or wak^; the fpirit of departed Time. 3 

Who ails thus wifely, mark the moral raufe, 
A blooming Eden in his life rcviev.'sl 
So richly cultur'd ev'ry native grace: 
Its fcanty lim.its he forgets to trace: 
But the fond fool, when evening (hades the fky, 
Turns but to ftart, and gazes but to flgh ! 
The weary wafte, that lengtnen'd as he ran, 
Fades to a blank, and dwindles to a fpan I 

Ah! who can tell the triumphs of the mind, 
By truth illumin'd, and by tafle refin'd ? 
When age has quench'd the eye and clos'dtheear, 
Still nerv'd for action in her native Ipbere, 
Oft will fhe rise — with iearching glance purfue 
Some long-lov'd image vanifli'd from her view; 
Dart thro' the deep recefies of the pafc, 
O'erdullcy forms in chains of (lumber call; 
With giant-gi-afp fling back the folds of night, 
And fnatch the faithiefs fugitive to light. 

So thro' the grove th'' impatient mother flies. 
Each funlefs glade, each fecret pathway tries; 
Till the liglit leaves the truant-boy difclofe, 
Long on the wood-raofs ftretch'd in fweet repofe. 

§ 148. From the Same. 

/^FT may the fpirits of the dead defcend, 
^-^ To watch the filent (lumbers of a friend; 
To hover round his evening- walk unfeen, 
And hold fweet converfe on the du(ky o;reen; 
To hail the fpot where firil their friendship grew, 
And heaven and nature open'd to their.view ! 
Oft, when he trims his cheerful hearth, and fees 
A fmiling circle emulous to pleafe; 
There may thefe gentle gucfts delight to dwell, 
And blefs the fcene they lov'd in life fo well ! 
O thou! with whom my heart was wont to 
(hare [care ; 

From Reafbn's dawn each pleafure and each 
With whom,?;las! I fondly hop'd to know 
The humble vvalks of happinefs below ; 



If thy bleft natute now unites above 
An angel's pity with a brother's love, 
Still o'er my life preferve thy mild controul, 
Correct my views, and elevate my foul: 
Grant me thy peace and purity of mind, 
Devout yet cliearful, aftive yet refign'd; 
G rant me,like thec,v/hofe heart knewnodifgui(c, 
Whofe blamelefs wifhes never aim'd to rife, 
To meet the changes Time and Chance prefent. 
With modelt dignity and calm content. 
When thy lafi breath, ere Nature limk to reft. 
Thy meek fubmidion to thy God exprefs'd; 
When thy lafc look, ere thought and feeling fled, 
A mingled gleam of hope and triumph fliedj 
What to thy foul its glad alfu ranee g;;ve. 
Its hope in death, its triumph o'er the grave? 
The fweet Remembrance of unblemKli'd youth. 
The inlpiring voice of Innocence and Truth ! 
Hail, Memory, hail! in thy exhauftlefs mine 
From age to age unnumher'd treafures (hine! 
Thought and her fliadowy brood thy call obey. 
And Place and Time arc fubjeft to thy fway 1 
Thy pleafures moft we feel v/hen moll alone; 
The oniy pleafures we can call our own. 
Lighter than air, Hope's fummer-vifions die. 
If but a fleeting clpud obfcure the ikyj 
If but a beam of fbber Reafon play, 
Lo, Fancy's fairy fro(t-work melts away! 
But can the wiles of Art, the grafp of Power, 
Snatch the rich relics of a well-fpent howri' 
The(e, when the trembling fpirit wings her flight. 
Pour round her path a llream of living light; 
And gild thofe pure and perfeft realms of re(t. 
Where Virtue trium.phs, and her fons are blelU 



From the Same, 



§ 149* Verfes on a 'Tear. 

/~\h! that the Chemift's magic art 

^^ Could cryftallize this facred treafure! 

Long fiiould it glitter near my heart, 

A fecret fource of penflve pleafure. 

The little brilliant ere it i^iX^ 

Its luilre caught from Chloe's eye; 

Then trembling, left its coral cell— 

The fpring of Senflbility! 

Sweet drop of pure and pearly light. 

In thee the rays of Virtue fliine ; 

More calmly clear, more mildly bright. 

Than any gem that gilds the mine. 

Benign reftorer of the foul ! 

Who ever fly'fr to bring relief. 

When nrft (he feels the rude controul 

Of Love or Pity, Joy or Grief. 

The fage's and the poet's theme. 

In every clime, in every age; 

Thou charm'il in Fancy's idle dream. 

In Realbn's ph'lofophic page. 

That very law* which moulds a tear. 

And bids it trickle from its fource. 

That law preferves the earth a fphere. 

And guides the planets in their courfe. 



* The law of Gravitation. 



§150. 



i ISO. 



ELEGANT EXTRACTS, &c. 



Book. II^ 



A Sketch of the Alps at Day -break. 
From the Same. 



*X*HE fun beams llj-eak the azure fkies, 
•*■ And line with light the mount-iin's brow 
With hounds and horns the hunters rife, 
And chaCe the roe -buck, thro** the fnow. 
From rock to rock, with giant bound. 
High on their iron poJes they pafs ; 
Mute, left the air, convuls'd by found, 
!Rend from above a frozen mafs.* 
The goats wind flow their wonted way. 
Up craggy fteeps and ridges rude ; 
Mark'dby the wild wolf for his prey, 
From defert cave or hanging wood. 
And while the torrent thunders loud. 
And as the echoing cliffs reply. 
The huts peep o'er the morning cloud, 
Percji'd, like an eagle's neft, on high. 

§151. A Wijh. From the Same. 

"VJiNE be a cot befide the hill; 
-^^^ A bee-hive's hum fliali footh my earj 
A willowy brook, that turns a mill. 
With many a fall fhall linger near. 
The fwallow, oft, beneath my thatch, 
Shall twitter from her clay-built neftj 
Oft fiiall the pilgrim lift the latch. 
And (hare my meal, a welcome gueft. 
Around my ivied porch (hall fpring 
Each fragrant flower that drinks the dewj 
And Lucy at her wheel fhall ^\r\g, 
In rufiet gown and apron blue. 
The village-church, among the trees, 
Where firft our marriage vows were giv'n. 
With merry peals fhall fwell the breeze. 
And point with taper fpire to heav'n. 



Anon. 



§ 1 52. An Ode 071 ClaJ/lc Educatio/tf, 
TNowN the fteep abrupt of hills 
-*-^ Furious foams the headlong tide. 
Thro' the meads the flreamlet trills, 
Swelling flow in gentle pride. 
Ruin vaft and dread difmay 
Mark the clam'rous cataract's way. 
Glad increafeand fweets benign 
Kound the riv'let's ma2'gin fliine. 

Youth ! with Itead'ast eye perufe 
Scenes to leflon thee difpby'd ; 
Yes — in thele the moral IVIufe 
Bids thee fee thyfe portray 'd. 
Thou with headftrong wafteful force 
May'ft refleft the torrent's courfej 
Or refemble ilreams, that tiow 
Bleft and blefnng as they go. 

Infant fenl'e to all our kind 
Pure the young ideas brings, 
From within the fountain mind 
Iffuing at a thoufand fprings. 

* There are passes in the Alps, where the guides tell you to move on with speed, and say nothing, 
lest the ag.iat.on of the air should loosen the snows above. Gray, sect. v. let. 4. 

f Spoken in tlicycar 1794, at the annual Visitation of Dr. Knox's School at Tuabridge. 

* ^udit cuiras haben^, Virgil. 

END OF THE SECOND BOOK. 



Who fliall make the current flray 
Smootii along the channeil'd way? 
Who fhall, as it runs, refine ? 
Who? but CLASSIC Discipline. 

She, whatever fond defire. 
Stubborn deed or guileful fpeech. 
Inexperience might infpire, 
Or abfurd indulgence teach, 
Timely cautious fhall reftrain. 
Bidding childhood hearj the rein 
She with fport fliall labour mix. 
She excurfive fancy fix. 

Prime fupport of learned lore, 
Perseverence joins her train, 
Pages oft turn'd o'er and o'er 
Turning o'er and o'er again 5 
Giving, in due form of fchool, 
Speech its rneafure, pow'r, and rule: 
Meanwhile memory's treafures grow 
Great tho' gradual j fure, tho' flow. 

Patient Care byjufl degrees 
Word and image learns to clafs; 
Thofe compounds, and fep'rates thefe^ 
As in strift review they pass; 
Joins, as various features ftrike. 
Fit to fit and like to like, 
Till in meek array advance 
Concord, Method, Elegance. 

Time meanwhile, from day to day. 
Fixes deeper Virtue's root; 
Whence, in long fuccefiion gay, 
BlofToms many a lively fhoot : 
Meek Obedience, JoL'o iving /ill, 
Frauk and glad, a Mi/ers •^ill, 
Modelt Candour, hearing prone 
Any judgment fave its own : 

Emulation, whole keen eye 
Forward flill and forv>-ard ftrains, 
iJothing ever deeming high 
While a higher hope rerxains : 
Shame ingenuous, native, free. 
Source of conf cious dignity : ' 
Zeal impartial to purllie 
Right, and ju ft, and good and true. 

Thefe and ev'ry kindred grace 
More and more perfection gain ; 
While Attention toils to trace 
Grave record or lorry flrain; 
Learning how, in Virtue's pride, 
Sages liv'd or heroes died ; 
Marking how in virtue's caufe 
Genius gave and won applaufe. 

Thus with EARLY CULTURE blcft. 

Thus to early rule inur'd, 
Infancy's expanding breaft 
Glows with {Qwie. and pow'rs matur'd. 
Whence, if future merit raife 
Private love or public praife. 
Thine is all the work — be thine 
The glory — —classic Discipline, 



I 






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